We knew our interview with the Princess Royal last week, in which she spelt our her strong views on genetically modified foods and organics, was dynamite stuff. It would be disingenuous to admit otherwise. Nevertheless, we have been surprised to see our story dominating so many front pages for so much of the week. At the same time, we have also been disappointed to see that the important points raised by the Princess Royal have become secondary to what the nationals saw as the real' story ­ this so-called row with the Prince of Wales. Sure, it is interesting ­ and, yes, even amusing ­ to discover that the Royal Family appears to hold such diametrically opposed views on the whole GMO issue. But does that justify an endless diet of stories about the supposed rift that now exists between Anne and her brother? Or between Anne and her father and her brother? As President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, isn't the Princess Royal entitled to express her view on the way the new biotechnologies are being developed? And isn't this whole subject worthy of some slightly better quality debate than the trivial guff of recent days? A report from IGD suggests we are at least a decade away from the point where the public starts to change its mind about Frankenstein foods' ­ and anything up to 40 years away from the point at which consumers will fully embrace the technology. Judging by the hysteria of this week, these are clearly best case scenarios. As the Princess Royal told us, it's quite understandable that consumers are concerned about the pace at which GMOs are being developed. All of us want to know more about any possible side effects of the work being undertaken by the biotechies. But we need answers based on fact ­ not fear and loathing. Sadly, the events of the past few days have clearly shown we are unlikely to ever have a rational debate about anything to do with GMOs. Princess Anne says she is keeping an open mind about the whole issue. That has always been our view. Isn't it a pity more people don't think the same way too? Julian Hunt, Deputy Editor {{OPINION }}