BBC News has reported on medical issues including swine flu

A review of the BBC's science coverage is to take place to assess how impartial it is, the corporation's Trust has announced.

The review will examine factual and news treatment of subjects including GM crops and climate change.

Science "covers some of the most sensitive editorial issues the BBC faces", said trustee Richard Tait.

The move, part of an ongoing review of impartiality in the BBC's output, will report back in 2011.

Fresh look

Business and the devolved nations have been examined by the trust in recent years.

Mr Tait, who is chairman of the trust's Editorial Standards Committee, said: "Science is an area of great importance to licence fee payers."

Many of the topics covered provoke "heated debate" and provide a stern challenge for the BBC to remain impartial, added Mr Tait.

"The BBC has a well-earned reputation for the quality of its science reporting, but it is also important that we look at it afresh to ensure that it is adhering to the very high standards that licence fee payers expect," he continued.

Natural science, technology and medicine will all come under scrutiny, especially areas that encompass new scientific claims and research findings.

The BBC has said that it intends to raise the profile of its science coverage across TV, radio and online output this year.