Mark Lynas 'Hardtalk' interview on iplayer, not sure how long the link will work:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01qcj5x/
Mark Lynas 'Hardtalk' interview on iplayer, not sure how long the link will work:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01qcj5x/
More from mark Lynas in the Observer today on an article about GM Golden Rice.
Another from one of the scientists involved in its development."The first generation of GM crops were suspect, I believed then, but the case for continued opposition to new generations – which provide life-saving vitamins for starving people – is no longer justifiable. You cannot call yourself a humanitarian and be opposed to GM crops today."
An alternatate view from John Vidal in the same article"All the time we have been required to show that there are no risks associated with growing golden rice, but at no point did we get a chance to point out its benefits. Everything is about risk assessment and nothing is about benefits assessment."
Vidal highlights how Monsanto has poisoned the public perception with it sharp practice but this paragraph caught my eye:Instead, the business is in the grip of a few global chemical companies who make their profits mostly from the sale of the chemicals they engineer their seeds to resist. After 30 years of public relations and backing by governments, the crops are still not trusted and food safety concerns will not go away.
Really? Are we anywhere near that and did he not mean to say nitrogen rather than carbon?In five years' time, it is possible someone will manage to engineer GM crops to "fix" carbon and eliminate the need for pesticides. If the crops can then be seen to be without risk and be for the benefit of the public rather than for sheer corporate profit, then even organic farmers should not oppose them.
And he concludes:
As it is, I fear GM has proved beneficial for the few but held back the real debate on how to grow food without harming the environment or people.
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