this post was submitted on 26 May 2024
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Thousands of children could die after court backs campaign group over GM crop in Philippines, scientists warn

Scientists have warned that a court decision to block the growing of the genetically modified (GM) crop Golden Rice in the Philippines could have catastrophic consequences. Tens of thousands of children could die in the wake of the ruling, they argue.

The Philippines had become the first country – in 2021 – to approve the commercial cultivation of Golden Rice, which was developed to combat vitamin A deficiency, a major cause of disability and death among children in many parts of the world.

But campaigns by Greenpeace and local farmers last month persuaded the country’s court of appeal to overturn that approval and to revoke this. The groups had argued that Golden Rice had not been shown to be safe and the claim was backed by the court, a decision that was hailed as “a monumental win” by Greenpeace.

Many scientists, however, say there is no evidence that Golden Rice is in any way dangerous. More to the point, they argue that it is a lifesaver.

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[–] AnthropomorphicCat 12 points 5 months ago (23 children)

Being against GMOs is like wanting to ban electric cars because Elon Musk is a dickhead.

[–] redisdead 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (22 children)

Being against GMO taking over our food supply chain by massive, dubious corporations with a long history of absolute fuckery is the same as banning some mildly better form of transportation?

[–] AnthropomorphicCat 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

You are exactly the type of person I'm talking about 🤦‍♂️.

The technology of GMOs is awesome, it will help us solve several problems, some related to food supplies, and other problems in different areas like healthcare. We can develop food with more nutrients. Crops resistant to most common plagues. We use it to create insulin without needing to harvest tons of pig's pancreas. The technology itself is completely safe and full of potential.

But most uneducated people think that "GMOs = mOnSaNtO" and want to ban all of them only by the actions of a company that no longer exists (yeah, now owned by Bayer, but whatever). And even most of that bad reputation was caused by myths and defamation. Just because one company that developed GMOs was a dickhead doesn't mean that GMOs are bad, in the same way that electric cars should not be banned because of Elon Musk.

Edit to add: like with any technology, it needs to be extensively regulated to prevent monopolies or other abuses.

[–] redisdead -1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

Oh you're so naive.

I love how you're all like 'monsanto doesn't exist they're owned by Bayer a

As if Bayer was more reputable somehow.

We're literally facing dangerous monopolies trying to corner the market of our basic needs. And you're sitting here like YEAH TECHNOLOGY IS AWESOME AND SAFE LET'S GOOOOOOO.

[–] AnthropomorphicCat 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Literally you are repeating the same argument. Come back when you have a new one.

[–] redisdead 0 points 5 months ago

I am repeating the same argument because the reply to my previous argument was 'but what about this other greedy seedy company?'

I'll have a new one when you guys have a new one.

[–] AnthropomorphicCat 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Also, I have family that are large-scale farmers, so they have first-hand experience with agriculture practices and technology. I have other family members that are researchers on soil ecology and related fields. And I was a researcher (at a completely unrelated field, I admit) and I read lots of literature about the subject, because I had access to all scientific journals at my university. But yeah, "I'm naive", lol.

[–] redisdead -1 points 5 months ago

Knowledge and naivety are two separate things.

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