Biotechnology is something that worries many people, largely because they know so little about it. Yet the sector ranks alongside the taxi trade in its thick skin and inability to realise the need to work with those who are ultimately its customers - the shopping public.

Nice then to see that one of the betes noirs of the industry - Monsanto - accepts the need to change its approach. This week the group, which has several operations in Ireland, conceded it had moved too aggressively in promoting genetically engineered crops in recent years. Reports in US newspapers say it has accepted the need to take steps to ensure the safety of its products and will avoid some of the more contentious areas of biotechnology.

But just in case you think such a move can undo some of the problems of the past, the same newspapers reported a campaign by seed companies to have standards loosened to allow bags of seed sold as free of modification despite the presence of some genetically modified seeds.

The American Seed Trade Association says it is virtually impossible to ensure that seed bags do not contain some that are modified. Now there's news. A spate of reports in the past 12 months showing genetically modified seeds showing up across Europe in areas supposed to be GMO-free have shown how careless the biotech industry has been with its experiments.

The latest move to withdraw taco shells contaminated with genetically modified corn that was licensed for use only for animals, and not humans, accentuates the concerns. Maybe it is time for the biotech industry to recognise that nature will win the day. There is no possibility of experimenting with such products in the open and of hoping to contain the effect. The sooner it acknowledges that, the quicker we can all have a rational discussion about the merits or otherwise of GMOs.

Dominic Coyle is at dcoyle@irish-times.ie