GMOs Decoded by Sheldon Krimsky

Author:Sheldon Krimsky
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: molecular breeding; genetically engineered crops; herbicide resistance; insect resistance; recombinant DNA; Bt crops; Monsanto; Sustainability; genetically modified organisms; CRISPR; FDA; organic; labeling; frankenfoods; non-GMO; National Academies; glyphosate; antibiotics; substantial equivalence; Bt resistance; epigenetics; intellectual property; pathogen-derived resistance; genetic selection; pesticides; artificial pollination; backcrossing; mutagenesis; hybridization; transgene; gene cassette; marker gene; promoter gene; cisgenesis; synthetic DNA
Publisher: The MIT Press

9   Contested Viewpoints on the Health Effects of GMOs

Thus far, I have explored the mainstream scientific literature on the principles of traditional and molecular breeding, pointing out where there are contested viewpoints. I have discussed how the methods of breeding may introduce unintended effects and questioned whether molecular breeding introduces any unique health or environmental impacts from the crops produced and foods derived from them. Looking into competing scientific interpretations may help to explain why there are wide divisions in society over GMOs. It is too easy to say that one group follows the science and the other group follows an ideology. That leads some observers to embrace the idea of “GMO deniers,” referring to people who leave the science behind in favor of an irrational (or groundless) opposition to genetically modified food. But there is a scientific record of studies that support honest skepticism. Also, European and American scientists see the issues and the risks differently, which can explain why their respective regulatory systems are distinct.

In this chapter, I explore contested principles held by scientists that reflect not so much different interpretations of the same science but rather alternative presuppositions about how to apply the knowledge of plant genetics to the questions of risk and why scientists may reach different conclusions. There is a great deal that plant biologists agree upon, which is covered in the previous chapters. Here I focus on principles or conclusions for which there is lack of consensus—at least among certain groups of scientists. By focusing on the contested interpretations of general principles, I will be able to highlight the locus of disagreement.

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