RE: [pf] Dr. John Hagelin's testimony to EPA's Scientific Advisory Panel

by David A

14 December 2000 15:07 UTC

Jill wrote:
> Someone's losing their job over their criticism of 
> Genetically altered plants is not an indication of bad science, 
> but rather as a threat.

He didn't lose his job over his criticism, he lost it over his 
scientific technique, (his experiment was poorly designed), but moreso 
because he went public with his results before they were peer-reviewed 
and he went around the publishing rules of his institution, the Rowett 
Institute. Pustzai later admitted his error in going pubic instead of 
seeking peer review.

This episode is thoroughly discussed in Alan McHughen's book "Pandora's 
Picnic Basket: The Potential and Hazards of Genetically Modified Foods," 
(Oxford University Press, 2000) on pp 117-118 and 141-143.

McHughen also points out that "Millions of Americans have been eating GM 
potatoes for several years, without adverse effects.... A repeat of Dr 
Pusztai's experiments will tell us nothing we don't already know from 
the human experiment on American consumers." 

> My understanding of the UK Royal Society is that they were 
> promoting GE foods and crops - anyone else know about that?  
> Don't have time to check this morning. Again, if this is the 
> case, their criticism doesn't count for much.

Is it the case? And, if so, for what reasons were they promoting them?

> Also, being from an "accepted and honored" university these days 
> may well mean that you are in cahoots with those pushing 
> genetically engineered crops and food.

Are you really meaning to imply that no one affiliated with a university 
can be trusted? While I realize that some academics do have biases, some 
of which are hard-earned and honestly-developed but some of which rise 
from the financial pressure to obtain grants, I simply don't believe you 
can generalize. And even if true, who then is without bias that we can 
believe? Since none of us have infinite time or expertise with which to 
draw our own detailed conclusions, we have to put our trusts in certain 
people and places after learning what we can. How do we choose them?

David

PS: I can't believe we actually have this idiot for a President for the 
next four years.