GMO AFRICA

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Princeton intern on genetically modified foods

Published by GMO Africa | Filed under GMO Africa Blog

Laura Kahn, an intern at the Princeton University-based Program on Science and Global Security has published a very interesting article on genetically modified foods.

Kahn seeks to deal, head on, with pessimism that usually greets these foods. Unlike other bloggers, Kahn has science as her shield. I, especially, like her effort to demistify the myth that injecting Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) into crops such as corn and canola potentially can threaten the health of consumers. You know there are people who argue that Bt is toxic and, therefore, can even kill. This is how Kahn explains away the controversy:

Evidence suggests that the toxin (Bt) is safe for humans and animals. But the environmental impact of Bt corn isn’t completely understood, and some have suggested that it might unintentionally harm insects such as monarch butterflies–despite a study to the contrary. There’s also the issue of whether the introduced genes could move by cross-pollination to native maize, affecting biodiversity and potentially destroying unaltered native germplasm–particularly worrisome in Mexico.

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I dare say this is the quality of debate about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that this world desires. And the best people to drive it will be scientists not folks who have little or no knowledge about agricultural biotechnology.

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May 18th, 2008.


2 Responses to “Princeton intern on genetically modified foods”

  1. Beyond Biotech Says:
    May 19th, 2008 at 11:53 am

    First, the issues around transgenics are beyond mere ’science’. In fact, there are issues that science often ignores; such as corporate concentration, denying means of access, pushing for certain systems of production, etc…so let’s not just give primacy to a single discipline.

    Second, science is far from apolitical, so let’s not just paint it as an unbiased, epistemically pure brush stroke.

    Third, you fail to recognize many other scientific concerns, notably biodiversity loss, the ability for intercrop (which is important for long term agricultural sustainability) and develop small scale agriculture (this is an economic issue more than a science one, but the environmental costs are resultant) with biotechnology, etc., etc.

    Finally, a panel of over 400 scientists disagrees with moving forward with transgenics. Check out the IAASTD. Other scientists also challenge the extent to which we know that this is the path to take, and that it is a ’safe’ path. Agroecological approaches to agricultural production are being given increasing credence; for producing yields, sustainably, and in a way that allows for access to the means of production without a system of patents and intellectual property rights. We’ve been innovative for centuries; don’t tell me we need concentrated profits to keep it up.

    Don’t pretend to speak for the world, my friend. You do not. As a member in this world, your perspective is far from what I desire.

  2. Che` Says:
    June 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

    I agree that it was a well written article but she is far from having “science as her shield” as you say. Bt is dangerous. Why do you think that there is an increased instance of cancer in America. GM corn. High fructose corn syrup is in everything.
    Granted that most traditional food crops are resultant of cross breeding of plants, it is still more natural then blasting anti-antibiotic, “promoter” coated bacteria into a cell. It is the expected outcome of genetic modification to have unforeseen side effects. There is no independent testing for this and to dismiss testing because it “may take a decade” to see results is an absolute cop-out to responsibility. If it takes 50 years to prove it safe then that is how long it should take before it goes to market. Most of the GM crops that we have now where put onto the market without any testing at all. Government testing is out of the question because they are just a puppet of the corporations that fund them. The FDA is corrupt, always has been, and is staffed with former Monsanto employees and associates.
    No GMO period.

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