AgBioWorld Members Discuss The Independent Article and YouTube Videos
Compiled by C.S. Prakash
October 12, 2007
The Independent Posts Interview with Kings College Faculty Member Calling GM Crops “Dangerous and Unnecessary”
Abstract: Members discuss the need for a response after the United Kingdom newspaper The Independent published an anti-biotech article interviewing an associate professor at Kings College. Dr. Michael Antoniou of Kings College argued that “genetically modified crops are dangerous and unnecessary.”
Several members expressed the need for a letter written not only to the newspaper but also the Dean of Kings College, pointing out the factual errors in the article. One member noted that another Associate Professor from a UK college published a similar article and after a letter was written to the University was forced to write a letter or apology for her “fear monger lies.” Finally, another member suggested, “Whoever writes to the Independent should point out that Antoniou is not describing GM, but rather mutation breeding, a system highly disruptive of the genome, and in which no one has any evidence of the genomic changes or risks, yet has been used for over half a century to generate over 2,000 crop cultivars with no known health or safety hazards reported, and therefore no need to banish.”
Link to original article in The Independent: http://news.independent.co.uk/education/higher/article2999527.ece
YouTube Video Posted by Member Predicted the “Demise of GM Crops”
Abstract: A member posted a video to YouTube containing a CBC News clip of OECD Summit on GMO safety in Edinburgh March 1, 2000, featuring a debate between Patrick Holden of the Soil Association Alan McHughen in which Holden predicts the demise of GM crops within five years.
One member suggests that other members leave comments on the YouTube video “in anticipation of the anti's getting their licks in first” since the video is on a public site.
Link to the YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwE0cqdZWlY
Members Discuss YouTube video of Interview on Monsanto vs. Schmeiser Court Case
Abstract: A member posted a video to YouTube containing a CBC interview with Alan McHughen concerning genetically modified crops and the Monsanto vs. Percy Schmeiser court case. The interview originally aired in June of 2000. The video also contains a short spot on the British Royal Family’s views on GM crops.
One member commented that he agreed with Prince Phillip’s view that the introduction of exotic animals was more of a threat than genetically modified crops. The member stated that he felt “the greatest risks to biodiversity were (1) habitat destruction (including agriculture itself!) and (2) introduction of exotics.” He also asked Why the comparison of GE vs. 'traditional' agriculture not gain traction mainstream. Another member responded by saying that the closest thing to “traction” this issue receives is in the negative sense, with how much more of nature would need to be sacrificed to farming if less productive farm technologies were used.
Two other members commented on the subject, saying that “most people take for granted the status quo of agriculture's preemption of landscape-- some even lament it when farmland is abandoned and reverts to forest.”
Link to YouTube video being discussed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbAhdcfTuaA
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Best regards,
C.S. Prakash
