GM crops (I).I was extremely disappointed with your recent anti-GM [genetically modified genetically modified Adjective (of an organism) having DNA which has been altered for the purpose of improvement or correction of defects genetically modified genetic adj [food etc] → foods] editorial "Why Should We Be Novartis's Guinea Pigs?" (July/August). World Watch does the world a great disservice by bashing this wonderful technology that has enormous potential to sustainably feed the global population. Every technology has costs (including risks) and benefits. When you weigh the benefits of GM crop technology against the risks, it is a no-brainer. The benefits are enormous and the risks are all minor and manageable. Perceived risks are not real risks, and there is no such thing as risk-free technology. I also fail to understand why a scientifically grounded organization like World Watch supports the wholly unscientific unscientific Unproven, see there practice that we call organic farming organic farming, the practice of raising plants—especially fruits and vegetables, but ornamentals as well—without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. . Organic is a kind of a religion, based on beliefs that have no scientific basis whatsoever. It is a religion built on fear of the unknown, fear of things we cannot see like pesticides, radiation and DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. . Furthermore, if the organic folks want to produce high quality food without pesticides, adopting GM technology would be the smartest thing that they could do. But no, they insist that organic has to be "natural." After 10,000 years of selective breeding by humans, any wheat, whether organic or not, hardly fits the definition of natural. GM technology is natural technology. It offers biological solutions to biological problems. The Green Revolution of the '60s was the first chapter in the biological revolution that today remains in it's infancy. Our global economy is just beginning the transition from one that is chemistry-based to one that is biology-based. GM crop technology replaces chemical technology with biological technology. It is an important step in the right direction. BILL DOLEY Bio Development LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control Flemington, New Jersey Flemington is a Borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 4,201. It is the county seat of Hunterdon County. |
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