THE sensitive and highly emotive issue of immigration has been reignited this week with the conviction of illegal immigrant Kamel Bourgass for his role in an attempted plot to terrorise Britain with ricin and cyanide.

The Islamic extremist, originally from Algeria, was jailed for 17 years, while already serving a life sentence for the murder of police detective constable Stephen Oake in Manchester in January 2003.

During the trial, the UK asylum process was heavily criticised and has been branded both chaotic and shambolic, as the details of the case have made a mockery of system and emphasised the scale of the use of false passports in this country.

This case has come at no better time for Michael Howard and the Conservative Party because their election manifesto focuses heavily on the subject of immigration and an annual limitation on foreigners landing on our shores.

There is no doubt in many areas the influx of immigrants does cause serious problems within communities and it is becoming clear the system is being abused. Immigrants are undoubtedly more visible than ever in our towns and cities and are viewed, rightly or wrongly by some, as a drain on our national resources.

With claims being made that we have lost control of our borders and that we have a growing reputation as soft-touch Britain, this emotive issue is set to rumble on as the election day approaches.

However, there has to also be an acknowledgement that there are many genuine cases of individuals seeking asylum who require safe refuge from persecution in their own countries. Surely we can't simply turn our backs on those in need?

We are, after all, a nation which has prided itself in the past on our liberal approach to refugees and immigrants, many of whom have enriched our country with positive multi-cultural diversity.

Interestingly, this week also saw the launch of the Genographic Project which aims to collect DNA samples from 100,000 people across the world to use as a database to draw a genetic map of our species.

In our increasing desire to know who we are and where our ancestry and origins lie, individuals can pay now pay £52 for a DNA kit to determine from which ancient genetic clan of Europe or African tribe they stem.

Many of us have a fascination about our family backgrounds, with a burning desire to know why our skin is dark or why our hair is so red. These tests will provide the answers, with the ability to confirm whether we have Norman, Viking or even Roman roots.

While it is acknowledged the English are very much a mongrel race because of the various invasions of our shores throughout history, this project may unearth some interesting surprises.

In a BBC television documentary, Motherland: A Genetic Journey, black Britons took part in similar tests to try to determine their roots and the African tribe from which they originated. For some, the results were startling, because, despite their skin colour, the tests showed they had strong white European heritage.

Genetic purity in today's world is highly unlikely, and such tests will underline this. Our roots are mixed and varied and we are all different. Over millions of years, race, genetics and nationality have all become confused.

Perhaps such tests which highlight our varied backgrounds, unearthing surprises along the way, will help us to recognise and celebrate our differences.

I agree with a process of controlled immigration with the identification of genuine cases of asylum and the entry of immigrants who will benefit British society, but I also realise we are an island and our entire history has been entrenched and enriched by the immigration process down the centuries.

Sophie McGill

The fee for this column is donated to the York City FC Development Fund

Updated: 15:47 Friday, April 15, 2005