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It's ridiculous to say that because we've been using genetic modification techniques for three decades without catastrophe, GMOs are safe. GMOs encompass a larg
by WiseWeasel 13y ago
It's ridiculous to say that because we've been using genetic modification techniques for three decades without catastrophe, GMOs are safe. GMOs encompass a large and expanding range of techniques and implementations, and it's never too late for someone to screw up and give the entire field a black eye.
The question I have is largely of containment, given the potential delay between the time a GMO product is introduced to the market, and the signs of health problems appearing. If by the time a serious problem is discovered, the genetic material in question has spread to the entire gene pool for that species, then it becomes extremely difficult to address. If the unwanted presence of a modified gene prevents farmers from labeling their product organic, or exporting to certain countries, as was recently the case with Oregon wheat farmers and Japan, then it's currently having some very real consequences for people which shouldn't be dismissed.
I'm all for progress; I'd just rather let others be guinea pigs when possible, and always keep an exit strategy.
- hga 13y agoOne of the reasons we relaxed the strict methods that were adopted in the '70s was that we realized genetic material moved around all the time, Nature, in moens's delightful formulation, is a script-kiddie to end all script-kiddies.
- moens 13y agoNo, I believe that we do not understand how far nature has taken us. We assume that genetic material moving around is accidental. I assume that most of the movement is intentional within the evolved system. I assume that we should not move it around without first at least considering that nature could be more advanced that we think it is. We should quarantine our changes.
- teilo 13y agoPlease explain how "intent" and "evolved system" have anything to do with one another. There is no "intent" in an evolved system.
- zsombor 13y agoActually what the article says is that we have been using genetic modifications since the dawn of agriculture. Four hundred years ago carrots were not orange, broccoli did not exist. Countless varieties were produced using aggressive methods inducing mutations as well as selection by humans over the accidental mutations. None of these new breeds were subjected to the same rigorous standards of verification and safety as the produce labeled as 'GMO' today. Worse all new varieties produced with the same forced shuffling are similarly not tested with the same standards as GMOs are. There have yet to been someone poisoned by 'GMO' varieties whilst there are plenty of such accidents in case of 'classic' breeding. A very good book on this subject is "Mendel in the Kitchen: A Scientist's View of Genetically Modified Food", that by no accident was written by a scientist and not an activist.
- hga 13y agoHeh, based on a hint by zsombor below that the author of this item has written 3 books the general subject, I discovered that she's the first author of Mendel in the Kitchen: http://www.amazon.com/Mendel-Kitchen-Scientists-Genetically-Modified/dp/030909738X/ http://www.amazon.com/Mendel-Kitchen-Scientists-Genetically-...