Unsurprisingly, the Green Party also as a strong opinion on the subject of genetically-modified (GMO) crops. Back in February, they released a statement calling for independent health testing of GMO crops and more peer-reviewed research on the subject, as well as more research to develop high-yield non-GMO seed for farmers. While, to my knowledge, there are no documented safety issues surrounding GMO food, it's not an unreasonable position. With an election looming, it's interesting to see how they plan to follow up on this position. From their proposed budget
Cut all federal biotech funding to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada and 10% of funding (amount going to GMO biotech) from NSERC and NRC.So the way to get better research and products (including their desired high-yield non-GMO seed) out there is to cut science funding? The Green Party seems confused about how to get what they want - assuming they mean it when they say they want independent GMO research and better non-GMO technology.
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3 comments:
It's sad to see the environmentalist movement moving away from evidence-based policy making to attract the pseudo-scientific, holistic hippie mumbo-jumbo.
Kamel,
I believe you may be a little confused about the dangers of GMO foods and what Canadians really want.
No documented safety issues surrounding GMO food??? Really? Do a little research man...
http://www.psrast.org/
http://www.nfu.ca/misc_files/Ten_reasons_GM_wheat_PDF.lst.pdf
Anonymous, I don't think you're reading your own links (or what I actually wrote for that matter).
The first is dubious at best. Who are these scientists? Why isn't this information in the peer-reviewed literature? (I know, I know - they're being silenced)
The second has exactly one "safety concern" (#4) but says nothing about safety, only that citizens are concerned. In fact if you read that particular point (which you obviously didn't) it goes on to say: "Canadians have grave doubts about Canada’s food safety regulatory system — a system based, not on independent testing in government labs..." Uh, yeah. Isn't that sort of my point? How is independent testing in government labs (which the Green party seems to also want) going to happen if budgets for doing exactly that are going to be slashed?
Please note that this post is pro-research. I'm all for well-designed, independent studies that determine the safety of GMO food (or lack thereof). Why aren't you?
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