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Common Psi-sense
Up until the start of the 20th Century there was a strong cadre of scientists like Michael Faraday and Sir William Crookes who knew integrating the humanities with hard sciences provided the greater insight or wisdom. The quantum physicists have...
Human Origins
The issue of human evolution going back at least 9,000,000 (nine million) years and possibly even being upright by that time is another of the facts which when in my youth seemed totally ridiculous. Actually many mystics said it goes back twelve...
Mind, Body, Spirit Healing vs. Traditional Psychotherapy/Psychoanalysis
The word "psychology" is the combination of two terms - study (ology) and soul (psyche), or mind. The derivation of the word from Latin gives it this clear and obvious meaning: The study of the soul or mind. This meaning has been altered over the...
Near Death Experiences -- Is There A Logical Explanation?
Near Death Experiences -- Is there a logical explanation? by Lady Camelot In the August edition of Reader's Digest, I stumbled upon a compelling article, "After Life," by Anita Bartholomew. The article takes an intricate look into the...
Scientists Declaration about The Holy Quran and Islam-Alfred Kroner
Professor Kroner is one of the world's most famous geologists, becoming well known among his colleague scientists for his criticisms against the theories of some of the major scientists in his field. Sheikh cAbdul-Majeed A. Zindanî met with him and...
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What a Stale Argument!
Does politics has a place in genetically modified (GM) food
debate? "No", is the obvious answer. Politics and science are
such sworn adversaries that they cannot eat from the same plate.
Politics mainly thrive on propaganda, vilification, name-calling
and personal gratification at the expense of the general good.
Science is anchored on verifiable facts, it is objective,
gentle, and seeks to make the world a better place for all of us
to live. You cannot politicize science unless you fancy
mediocrity.
One Jeffrey Smith, the author of "Seeds of Deception," this week
advised South Africans to avoid genetically modified food like
plague. Why? South Africans stand to lose European beef and
poultry markets if they feed their livestock on genetically
modified food. To be on the safe side, South Africans should use
conventional feeds. Pooh!
"There is a massive rejection of genetically modified
ingredients in human food in Europe, and growing demand that
animals are fed on conventional crops," Smith told his audience.
What a misleading advice!
Deliberately misleading the public on any issue is both morally
reprehensible and abominable. Those who exploit the
vulnerability of the poor for self gains risk isolation by the
world. Why misinform to confuse? United States of America is a
traditional grower of genetically modified food. The U.S.'s
European beef markets have not shrunk as a result of cultivating
GMOs.Latest statistics at the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) show beef and veal exports ballooned from 461
million pounds in 2004 to 615 billion pounds in 2005. The bulk
of the exports went to European markets. Smith lives
in the U.S.
and ought to have made this clear to his audience. If he did so,
I would not be here penning this article.
Europe, itself, is fast embracing genetically modified food.
Last month, the European Union endorsed importation of
genetically modified animal feed. Does Smith want to tell South
Africa that Europe is shooting itself in the foot?
Already, farmers in five European Union countries, including
France and Germany are growing genetically modified food. They
have not lost their beef and poultry markets. In Spain, GMO
Maize's harvest this year will top 50,000 hectares, all of which
will be used as cattle feed. Spain's beef markets in Europe
remain intact. They are not in limbo. These are hard facts and
no amount of propaganda and grandstanding will change them.
Let's be pragmatic when debating the issue of genetically
modified food.This is the only way to help consumers to make
informed decisons.
Debate on pros and cons of genetically modified food is a luxury
to Africa. Somebody should not make Africa believe that it would
lose oversees markets for growing genetically modified food.
Africa cannot feed itself as of now. Women and kids are dying in
Niger, Ethiopia, and Eritrea of hunger. Priority, now, should
not be to grow food for exports but to feed the hungry and the
malnourished. To scare Africa that it will lose oversees markets
is putting the cart before the horse.
About the author:
James Wachai is a communication specialist who uses his
expertise to increase public understanding of science and
technology, specifically biotechnology. Read more from James at
http://www.gmoafrica.org.
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