Extra-judicial protests on GMOs decried

An article appearing elsewhere on this blog, and which has been adapted from the Australian-based ABC News, reports that Gene Ethics, a nongovernmental organization opposed to crop genetic engineering, has mapped farmers growing genetically modified canola.

The map lists their names and location of their farms. The Victorian Farmers Federation has issued a press statement condemning the tactic as amounting to bullying.

“This is a disgraceful and unsubstantiated witch hunt and shows how few ethics, Gene Ethics really have,” Says VFF President, Simon Ramsay.

This incident reminds me of an article I read two weeks ago featuring Howard Atkinson complaining that research institutions in Britain are spending more money guarding field trials of genetically modified crops than in research proper.

Mr. Atkinson said a field trial of genetically modified potato cost Leeds University 25,000 pounds. And additional six-figure bill went to security. What a waste!

The Australian and the Leeds incidents have one thing in common: anti-technology activists are fast resorting to extra-judicial measures to thwart crop genetic engineering.

Rudimentary tactics being practiced by these groups are unacceptable in today’s world. People might have concerns about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), but I don’t think resorting to violence or blackmail is the most sensible thing to do. Let the world engage in a civil debate about GMOs.

GMOs are products of natural science. Natural science demands that every claim be scientifically substantiated. When anti-technology activists make claims against GMOs, they should ground such in science. And they don’t have to do it themselves. Since they’re good in mobilization, they can line up scientists to do it. They can even sponsor research: They’ve huge budgets to do so. This is the most civil way of engaging in the debate about GMOs, not engaging in hooliganism, which trivializes the whole debate.

Food security is an important issue that must be discussed soberly. On this blog, I’ve repeatedly stated that everything must be on the table when it comes to ensuring global food security. If organic farming can help reduce hunger and malnutrition, so be it. If GMOs can do the same, so be it. We shouldn’t have a bunch of activists dictating to farmers the kind of farming to practice.