If you’re not reading Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog yet, you really should start. Luigi and Jeremy write about seed banks, traditional agriculture, and tasty native plants, just to name a few. And they post a lot.

I’m mentioning them now because of GURT big mess, posted by Jeremy. In this post, he says that activists who oppose biotechnology and oppose genetic restriction use technology (commonly known as Terminator) are hypocrites. It’s an interesting way

Continue reading…

Jim Martin-Schramm, an Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, wrote a fully inclusive investigation of the role that genetically engineered crops may or may not play in Sub-Saharan Africa that may easily be extrapolated into the role of biotechnology in other situations. I’ve read a lot of articles and case studies that tried to summarize the GMO debate but none have come close to this one, particularly when it comes to neutrality and allowing readers to make conclusions on their own. The document is written as a case study, which seems to be is a really effective way to get the information across. While it is from December 2003, little if anything has changed.

I urge everyone who has ever had a question about the risks, benefits, ethics, or science of GMOs to read this. As always, I welcome readers to comment on the subject at hand so that all participants may better understand the issues.

Continue reading…

A different view of environmental issues, a 3 part essay in the 5 December 2008 Newsletter of The Scientific Alliance, includes a useful discussion of objectivity. They conclude that we must all be able to recognize and accept facts, whether or not they support our arguments, and regardless of the source. I heartily agree, but place emphasis on the need for facts based on considerable research, not speculation based on one poorly done study. I also appreciate their discussion of mutagenesis (I’m hoping to post on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s reccomendations soon).

The impossibility of objectivity

Too often, disagreements on any issue – including scientific ones – are a dialogue of the deaf.  It is rare indeed for two people with radically opposed views to be prepared to listen or accept that there may be nuggets of truth in their opponent’s arguments. This does not just apply to activists with a firm belief in a particular cause, it is also characteristic of professional scientists who we might naively expect to behave better. The reason for this is simple. We all have inbuilt world views and biases, and they inevitably colour our judgement, however objective we strive to be. We talk about scientific facts, but (at the risk of sounding too post-modernist) many of these are based on a particular accepted interpretation of the available evidence. Scientists should always strive to be objective and base their conclusions on hard data. As the newly-fashionable Keynes said “when the facts change, I change my mind”. But the human mind all too often does not work like that. Consciously or unconsciously, we tend to look for evidence which supports our own views, and ignore or devalue contrary observations.

Continue reading…

Last month, 8 veterans who are students in science and engineering were interviewed for Science Careers, a publication of AAAS. I was lucky to be included. Alan Kotok, managing editor of Science Careers, conducted my interview over the phone. The series is called Student Veterans Come Marching Home. He wrote two articles: Their Return to Studies and A New GI Bill for Scientists. The interviews are in the first, while the second discusses the “21st Century GI Bill”. Beryl Benderly wrote Taken for Granted: Over Here, an article that suggests that science careers might be appropriate for veterans. The article and companion podcast do a good job of explaining how difficult the transition to student from service can be. I’m pleased with the article and especially tickled that Mr. Kotok included a link to Genetic Maize. I am bashful to have been quoted on quite a few subjects, including the closing statement. I’ve posted the text of the article below the cut, but you may want to visit the website to view pictures of the veterans.

Continue reading…

Senator Joe Biden of Delaware has some compelling things to say about food shortages, as posted on the Miami Herald site. He calls for increased funding for research, as well as using economic and political policies to alleviate future crises. I just hope he has the courage and skill to implement these ideas. The entire piece can be found below the cut. Hat tip to Parke Wilde at US Food Policy for finding it.

Continue reading…