“Given the continuing debate about biotechnology, the Council of the American Phytopathological Society (APS) refined its position on the topic this week, as three pioneers of agricultural biotechnology received the World Food Prize. APS, the world’s largest organization of plant health scientists, represents nearly 5,000 members in 90 different countries.” (more…)
“Just as many on the political right discount the broad scientific consensus that human activities contribute to global warning, many progressive advocacy groups disregard, reject, or ignore the decades of scientific studies demonstrating the safety and wide-reaching benefits of GE crops. Is political identity more important than science and the environment?”
“The report from EASAC, published in June, warns of the “grave scientific, economic and social consequences of current European Union policy towards GM crops”, saying European countries should “rethink” their widespread rejection of the technology. The study came as a blow to environmentalists opposing GMOs as it received backing from the national science academies of all EU member states, plus Norway and Switzerland.”
“Scientists are striking back at activists who destroyed genetically modified (GM) “golden rice” plants in a test field in the Philippines last week. “It is an unconscionable criminal act to destroy a field trial conducted in accordance to international safety norms,” reads an online petition that has garnered nearly 2,000 signatures in the past few days.