What I do not like - and I suspect that Prince Charles and many others feel the same - are arrogant scientists, like Dr Watson, who having discovered one of the keys to nature's palace of wonders, instead of being filled with awe and respect, are mainly concerned with exploiting what they find to advance their careers and standing in society.

 Being myself a biologist and lover of science, I have nothing against genetic engineering in itself, nor against its well-considered application. 

What I object to and warn against is its ill-considered application to the forced development of commercial products, such as GM crops.

 We need to learn from the terrible mistake we made with nuclear energy, which not so long ago nuclear scientists and their supporters assured us was the ideal solution to mankind's energy problems. 

In their enthusiasm - and arrogance - they grossly underestimated the dangers, so that instead of solving a major problem, they created one, lumbering us and generations to come with the threat of radioactive contamination.

 Most modern scientists, far from being disinterested pursuers of knowledge and understanding, are - like most mortals - mainly interested in keeping their jobs and advancing their careers. In a society dominated by commercialism and materialism, this means directly or indirectly applying their skills to commercial and material ends, ie to serving Mammon.

 They would serve society better if, instead, they were to cultivate a sense of awe and wonder for the revelations of modern science (in themselves and in society at large), and an appreciation for both the intellectual and material benefits they have brought us.

 If they had the humility to listen, scientists would have much to learn from Prince Charles and his attitude to GM crops.