Midnight Oil

Subject: Re: [powderworks] WHAT??!!!! PG has got to say something about this.......
From: Chris
Date: 23/07/2011, 5:38 pm
To: powderworks@yahoogroups.com.au

On Sat, Jul 23, 2011 at 5:22 PM, Kate Adams <kate@dnki.net> wrote:�

And anyone who thinks that all new technologies are nothing but roses and rainbows and equates technology with progress despite questionable implementation would be ...

Foolish, but probably well intentioned - Thomas Midgley Jr comes to mind. Despite the best of intentions, he was responsible for the development of both leaded petrol and�chlorofluorocarbons, thus making him probably the single most ecologically destructive organism in history!

Genetic engineering DOES have dangers, although they're more subtle than most people expect - the biggest problem boils down to superior strains outcompeting entire ecosystems and establishing a monoculture, and that's at least as bad as it sounds!

Nonetheless, big problems call for ambitious solutions. The energy crisis is one of those problems, and that's why I'm studying EE. The need to feed and medicate a world population exceeding 7 billion people is another, and that's why my girlfriend is studying Biotechnology.

Destroying a crop is not an ambitious solution, it's small-minded vandalism. That said, Greenpeace's official position is that more research is required, so the destruction of a research crop is deeply ironic...

Regards,
Chris

�
On Jul 23, 2011, at 3:17 AM, Chris <seeker42@gmail.com> wrote:



Dear Miron (and Stefan),

I'd just like to apologise for an offensively phrased remark - it certainly wasn't intended as a personal attack on members of this list, but rather a comment on the extremist policies of Greenpeace.

However, I can see how my comment could be misconstrued, particularly by any Powderworkers who are also members of Greenpeace!

Perhaps I should explain my background on this one - whilst my education is in Electrical Engineering, my girlfriend will shortly graduate with a degree in Biotechnology.

For her, it's necessary good practice to remain abreast of her chosen field. For me, it's simply personal�curiosity. At any rate, I'm pretty familiar with the current state of GM technologies, and it's clear to me that the Greenpeace position is founded upon fear and ignorance, not education and rational examination. Frankly, it's immensely arrogant of Greenpeace to presume they know more about the dangers of GM than the people who study it!

If Greenpeace wish to demonstrate the dangers of GM technologies, they ought to design and run an experiment and publish their results. Not destroy the work of people with noble goals - people who aim to improve health or end famine.

Regards,
Chris

On Sat, Jul 23, 2011 at 4:55 PM, Miron Mizrahi <mironmizrahi@yahoo.com> wrote:
�

Hi Chris,

PW is a pretty relaxed list but we could really do without the name calling. it adds nothing to our community
�
Miron

How could people get so unkind?
From: Chris <seeker42@gmail.com>
To: powderworks@yahoogroups.com.au
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 3:13 PM
Subject: Re: [powderworks] WHAT??!!!! PG has got to say something about this.......

�
Greenpeace commit a crime, police seize evidence in investigation.

Whoah, what an injustice!

(anyone who believes GM crops are inherently evil is a moron. Greenpeace fall solidly within that category!)