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GM Foods: What Went Wrong

(Summary)

According to an article in the March 15th Wall Street Journal (Europe), the battle over genetically modified foods appears to be heating up again for the new season. Groups such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace are already preparing to demonstrate at the 70 sites used for GM research, as soon as their locations are announced. Last year thousands of pounds in vandalism was caused by these groups over GM foods.

Western scientists entered into the Biotech field with only the best of intentions, but sadly their PR is not as well developed as that of the activists. Scientists need to point out that these technologies, when used responsibly, could help prevent many food related problems in third world countries as well as reduce chemical load in agricultural areas. The human impact of the technology must be clearly explained to the consumer.

Scientists must alert the public to the implications of abandoning biotechnology. Increased use of chemical fertilizers and the inability of organic farming to feed a world of 6 billion people.

The activists must also understand that the research sites they are destroying are needed to collect the data which they and the regulatory agencies demand. Without this research, no one will know what the true impact of bioengineered crops will be on the environment.

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