CHAIRING the Victorian Government's review of the moratorium on genetically modified canola proved a challenging task. It was also a heartening exercise in democracy at work. The panel received 248 substantive submissions from the public as well as 1177 that were essentially form letters. Further, 36 groups were invited to meet the panel to discuss their views. Those who wished the moratorium to continue gave essentially five groups of reasons: ?Genetic engineering is somehow against nature or God's plan.