DEPENDING on who you listen to and believe, genetically modified foods or 'Frankenstein foods' are either dubbed as a major scientific breakthrough or a potential disaster just waiting to happen.

It seems that government ministers are considering a U-turn by slapping a ban on the planting of genetically modified crops until at least 2001.

But leading pressure groups like Friends of the Earth want the ban extending even further.

But what do the average people on the street think about it all.

Citizen reporter Shaun Gibbons and photographer Simon Bolton went out on to the streets of Chorley to carry out our own 'scientific' test! . .

Rob Afleck, 27, believes consumers need more protection from the Government over genetically modified foods.

He said: "I do actually think genetically modified food should be banned, but I suppose people should have a choice.

"They should be aware exactly what they are eating. I think food should be labelled properly so people know what they are eating."

James Topping, 43, from Montcliffe Road, Chorley, thinks all food should be labelled so people can make a choice for themselves if they want to eat genetically modified foods or not.

He said: "I really don't agree with what's happening about the whole topic of genetically modified food.

"Food stuffs which contain modified ingredients should be labelled properly, and not just in small writing so no-one can read it."

Brenda Buckhurst said: "It's absolutely crazy what they're doing to food. People need to know exactly what they're eating. It scares me to death."

Sandra Squires agrees with Brenda that the whole topic of genetically modified food is far too scary to contemplate.

She said: "It's getting to the point that you don't know what you're eating any more. In my opinion, people need to be told much more about it all. I think the Government is right to ban it for a while until we exactly know what's going on."

Mike Johnson, 42, thinks the ban on planting genetically modified crops is justified.

He said: "In my opinion, genetically modified food should be banned until more is known about the effects of it.

"People should be better informed on the whole story. It can't be left to chance can it?"

Patrick McKeown, 67, from Southport Road, Chorley, is in agreement that genetically modified foods should be monitored very carefully.

He said: "I think we should know exactly what it is before we eat it. Cans and other food should be properly labelled, so people know what they are eating."

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