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The precautionary principle can also be misunderstood and mis-applied. GMOs are already subject to ridiculous amounts of scrutiny for little reason than ill-inf

The precautionary principle can also be misunderstood and mis-applied. GMOs are already subject to ridiculous amounts of scrutiny for little reason than ill-informed fear. For years, the findings produced by that scrutiny have clearly rejected the idea that GMO is dangerous. But the fear lives on, in large part because people parrot the precautionary principle without recognizing that the principle necessitates a consideration of plausibility as well. Their refusal to recognize their own ignorance on the subject is no different than that of climate change deniers decrying the "scientific cabal looking for grant money." I'm not criticizing you here, because clearly you're trying to look at both sides of the issue (though I'd argue there's an empirical side, and an imagined one). But that's incredibly rare. People are scared of genetic modification, manufacturers and stores are jumping on the bandwagon so they don't lose customers, and everyone loses out without even realizing it. Anyhow, sustainable agriculture is--for better or worse--a very politicized term. It means different things to different people. But if the general idea is an approach to agriculture that seeks to minimize ecological impacts, then there's no reason to argue that genetic modification is in opposition to it. They're not. Every goal of sustainability can be furthered through genetic modification. But too many advocates of sustainability refuse to even consider the possible benefits of genetic modification.

jasonjei 10y ago
I actually don't think you and I are in much disagreement if at all. I said I believe enough time has passed for GMO studies, and that the whole world can't afford to shop at Whole Foods. But one area where I feel uncomfortable is whether or not GMO can be sustainable. I've read that GMOs have created issues with biodiversity and caused ecosystem shifts and can become weedy in certain conditions. In short, there is potential for GMO crops to become invasive species. We still don't completely understand what it means to tinker with biodiversity. Spanish colonists brought in their own grass to California and much of the native California grass is gone (it's an endangered species as a result of the European grass brought over). I will concede that most farm operations (GMO or non-GMO or otherwise) also impact the environment significantly. Having said that I'm not against GMO, but for taste reasons, I'd rather buy local farmed (indigenous if possible) products that haven't traveled thousands of miles to me (which may or may not be GMO) because I like eating produce and vegetables from the natural growing season--nature still makes certain things taste best in the right season and when they're plucked when ripe. I am fortunate enough that I can support local farms and products seasonal to an ecosystem. I have a hard time eating fruits in general, and shopping at the Farmer's Market over Safeway ensures I get my supply of nutrients--and in many cases, the fruits from Ortiz Farms or Rodriguez are just as cheap as ConAgra Corporation yet they taste sweeter. (Ever tasted a strawberry in winter? Doesn't taste as good as the local farm's summer strawberries.)

jasonjei 10y ago

I actually don't think you and I are in much disagreement if at all. I said I believe enough time has passed for GMO studies, and that the whole world can't afford to shop at Whole Foods. But one area where I feel uncomfortable is whether or not GMO can be sustainable. I've read that GMOs have created issues with biodiversity and caused ecosystem shifts and can become weedy in certain conditions. In short, there is potential for GMO crops to become invasive species. We still don't completely understand what it means to tinker with biodiversity. Spanish colonists brought in their own grass to California and much of the native California grass is gone (it's an endangered species as a result of the European grass brought over). I will concede that most farm operations (GMO or non-GMO or otherwise) also impact the environment significantly. Having said that I'm not against GMO, but for taste reasons, I'd rather buy local farmed (indigenous if possible) products that haven't traveled thousands of miles to me (which may or may not be GMO) because I like eating produce and vegetables from the natural growing season--nature still makes certain things taste best in the right season and when they're plucked when ripe. I am fortunate enough that I can support local farms and products seasonal to an ecosystem. I have a hard time eating fruits in general, and shopping at the Farmer's Market over Safeway ensures I get my supply of nutrients--and in many cases, the fruits from Ortiz Farms or Rodriguez are just as cheap as ConAgra Corporation yet they taste sweeter. (Ever tasted a strawberry in winter? Doesn't taste as good as the local farm's summer strawberries.)