Scientists have a responsibility to be objective when assessing the validity of conflicting beliefs. Government bureaucrats are responsible for protecting public interests even under conditions of uncertainty. In reality, there is not yet clear or compelling evidence to either convict or acquit GMOs of the indictments reflecting growing public concerns. Scientists in much of the rest of the world are willing to admit this reality. Their government officials are taking a precautionary approach to protecting the environment and public health from potential risks posed by GMOs. Scientists and bureaucrats in the United States have few global allies in their beliefs, other than those with conflicts of interest through corporate connections. That said, compelling evidence was ignored in the opinion piece defending GMOs. First, potential human health risks associated with genetically engineered (GE) foods were never assessed. Government bureaucrats, under documented corporate pressures, simply ruled that crops modified by genetic engineering were substantially equivalent to crops selected through conventional plant breeding programs. This allowed GE food products to be classified generally accepted as safe, which exempted GE foods from extensive tests to ensure that new foods are safe for consumption.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 02:53:39 +0000
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