GMOs

Question of The Day January 30, 2013 ~ GMO’s (genetically modified organisms)

What are your thoughts on GMO (genetically modified organisms)?

This is a very complex topic.

I fully support research in GMOs.

It seems to me to be quite dangerous to insert novel genes into food organisms, without extensive testing on animals (over many years) and then decadal studies on volunteer human groups.

The use of GMOs to produce certain chemicals seems very useful and relatively safe.

The use of GMOs in energy production seems reasonably safe.

The current laws, with which large corporations can charge small farmers for any GMO organisms in their crops, yet small farmers have no recourse against large corporates for pollen and seed from GMOs infecting their land, seem entirely out of balance; and in need of urgent revision.

Yet another case where economic incentives, and the economic effect of corporate power in politics has a very powerful effect that is contrary to the needs of ordinary people.

In the long term, as the technology matures, modifying our own genetics is going to be a major tool in extending lifespans indefinitely, and dealing with many classes of serious disease and disability.

So right now, on balance, GMO food crops seem to be a dangerous idea, and seem to me to be more about corporate profits than any sort of net gain to the consuming public.

Longer term, it seems to me that GMOs could offer significant gains to people, and there are other technologies that offer far greater gains at far less risk in the realm of food production.

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