THE Nobel prize winning scientist James Watson criticised the Prince of Wales yesterday over his opposition to GM technology. The scientist, who discovered the structure of DNA, accused the Prince of "pandering to superstition" and siding with "Left-wing agitators".

 Dr Watson, in London to attend the Princess Royal's official opening of a university science building at King's College, said the Prince appeared "not to like science". He said the Prince risked fanning the flames of republicanism in Britain by attaching himself to a movement which "history would prove wrong".

 Dr Watson, 70, said: "Basically, people don't like science. And I suspect your prince is like that. He needs to be very careful. The sort of groups he is attaching himself to, with his opposition to GM technology, such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace, were the same ones who 25 years ago were trying to stop us making our DNA discoveries that are now helping scientists carry out vital research into cancer and HIV."

 Dr Watson is president of America's leading molecular biology institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, in New York State. The Prince voiced his doubts about GM technology in June last year in an article in The Telegraph. He also defended Arpad Pusztai, the scientist who claimed that GM foods threatened human health.