by
David Tribe on 6 October 2011
Quasi-science prevents an environmentally friendly agriculture and forestry
(see original blog post here)
European legislation in the field of genetic engineering is so narrow that it blocks the ability of researchers to take progress from publicly funded basic research on plants through to practical applications. We, 41 scientists who have received funding for basic research on plants from the Swedish Research Council, urge politicians and environmental groups to take the necessary steps to change the relevant legislation so that all available knowledge can be used to develop sustainable agricultural and forest industries.
One of the “Grand Challenges” facing mankind is to find ways to provide food, fuel and clean water to a burgeoning population using agricultural and forestry practices that are environmentally and economically sustainable. Research on plants has made tremendous progress and we now understand well how plants grow, how they protect themselves against disease and environmental stress and what factors limit production in agriculture and forestry. The prerequisite for progress has been basic research, especially studies of plant genes.
by
David Tribe on 21 July 2011
From GMO Pundit.
At last the Pundit is seeing a major NGO (namely the WWF) say many of the things that he has been trying to popularise for several years at GMO Pundit and elsewhere.
As we peer into the future of this planet, globally farm management faces an immense challenge. Indeed we do.
The mindless chants by some NGOs “that we have plenty of food” and that more productive farming methods are not needed are put aside. Better still there is clear advocacy of realistic and constructive action:
Freeze the footprint of food
Jason Clay identifies eight steps that, taken together, could enable farming to feed 10 billion people and keep Earth habitable.
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This post was syndicated from GMO Pundit. You may comment here or on the original entry.
by
David Tribe on 3 July 2011
From GMO Pundit.
Finally, accept certain campaigns are not winnable, and simply drain resources. Absolutist positions do not hold up for the majority. Because of climate change, this probably includes total opposition to nuclear power and GM products globally. Focus instead on the conditions where these technologies become acceptable: safe, economic, free of patent control by a few companies, and effectively regulated. (Charles Secrett, ex FOE, 2011).
In the Pundit’s experience, and sincere opinion, many members of Friends of the Earth (FOE) are often the most principled and honest of the opponents of genetic technology. In short, they are wonderful human beings and a pleasure to meet.
This open letter reproduced below is a welcome example from Charles Secrett of what FOE is truly capable of. Charles Secrett now joins my list of outstanding and courageous honest environmentalist heroes, up with Stewart Brand, Mark Lynas and Patrick Moore. He is yet another ecopragmatic turq (see tags below for the meaning of these adjectives).
Enlace: ‘Amigos de la Tierra’ se queda sin liderazgo real … pero aún les hace falta
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This post was syndicated from GMO Pundit. You may comment here or on the original entry.
by
David Tribe on 15 April 2011
From GMO Pundit.
Welcome to ISAAA – India Biotech Information Center
Mandy and Fanny: The Future of Sustainable Agriculture
A novel educational cartoon publication featuring two characters, “Mandy” and “Fanny”, which illustrates the attributes of biotech/genetically modified (GM) crops –biotech maize (corn) and biotech cotton and are viewed as the “Tom and Jerry” of modern agriculture. The cartoon publication “Mandy and Fanny : The Future of Sustainable Agriculture” is the first educational cartoon
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by
David Tribe on 11 April 2011
From GMO Pundit.
12 April 2011. Press release
A pioneering Australian research alliance is leading the international race to break the world’s reliance on fish stocks for its supply of the vital dietary nutrient, long chain omega-3.
Today (Tuesday 12 April) three Australian organisations announced a $50 million dollar research collaboration which will use leading edge gene technology to develop and commercialise vegetable oil which will contain the same high quality, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) rich long chain omega-3 that traditionally comes from fish.
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This post was syndicated from GMO Pundit. You may comment here or on the original entry.
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