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Activists Destroy Scientific GMO Experiment

Posted by samzenpus on from the not-in-my-garden dept.

Freggy writes "In Belgium, a group of activists calling themselves the Field Liberation Movement has destroyed a field which was being used for a scientific experiment with genetically modified potatoes. In spite of the presence of 60 police officers protecting the field, activists succeeded pulling out the plants and sprayed insecticides over them, ruining the experiment. The goal of the experiment was to test potato plants which are genetically modified to be resistant to potato blight. It's a sad day for the freedom of scientific research."

4 of 1,229 comments (clear)

  1. I'm more concerned about the GM business by erroneus · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Monsanto is all that anyone needs to say these days to show what is most wrong with GM foods. I'm sure all sorts of amazing and magical things can come of GM foods research. But when it is used as a weapon to destroy people and to control something as vital as food for humanity for profit, I have to say NO MORE GM FOOD. Once the problem of commercial exploitation is resolved, then let's revisit the many potential benefits of GM foods.

    And before anyone says "profits pay for the research" I will just say I don't care. Find another way that doesn't involve using the results to dominate and drive private farmers out of business and off their land.

    1. Re:I'm more concerned about the GM business by blackraven14250 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I think the Monsanto situation could be easily resolved by making them responsible for not allowing the spread of the pollen, rather than making the private farmers responsible for pollen getting into their area.

  2. Don't care either way. by laughingcoyote · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I don't care for the tactics used here, and of course many researchers in this area really are just legitimately working on ways to increase food yields.

    On the other hand, there really are plenty of rapacious Monsantos and wannabes out there, who have quite legitimately given the whole thing a bad name. So I do understand the backlash.

    Honestly, they'd do a lot better to try and get genetic patents eliminated. That's what causes a great deal of the harm here, whereas those interested in altruism or a reasonable profit don't need them. Unfortunately, those aren't so easy to uproot as a potato.

    --
    To fight the war on terror, stop being afraid.
  3. Re:Sounds like by andydread · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If you file patents on any GM product that has the capacity to cross-contaminate natural organisms with your patented gene thereby giving you the opportunity to sue people for growing crop with your contaminated gene then you should be thrown in the same pool as Monsanto.

    If engineering a plant that allows you to douse them with weedkillers killing all weeds while not affecting the plant and you tell the public there will be no repercussions from said practice then superweeds show up on the scene that are resistant to herbicides then you should be thrown in the same pool with Monsanto

    If your internal documents show that you knew of many problems but you lied to the public then you should be thrown in the same pool as Monsanto

    The question then becomes. What procedures are in place to absolutely 100% prevent these scenarios and many more from happening?