GMW: Controversial GM Expert Targets Teenagers

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GMW: Controversial GM Expert Targets Teenagers

" GM WATCH " <info

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 15:59:14 GMT

 

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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EXCERPT: " Sir John used his position as head of the supposedly

independent FSA by rubbishing organic food and pushing GM down the

public's

throat. It's a shame that a group of teenagers now have to suffer his

skewed and misinformed opinion. "

 

Note, in particular, this classic linguistic sleight of hand from Sir

John:

 

" Some people have real worries about using this as a technology, but

then scientists say it's very safe and closely monitored. "

 

See also: Krebs repeats Monsanto's lie

http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6066

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GM Expert Targets Teenagers

Controversial Academic to Present Flagship Science Lecture for Children

By Rachelle Money

Sunday Herald, 18 December 2005

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/334255/gm_expert_targets_teenagers_controve\

rsial_academic_to_present_flagship_science/index.html?source=r_science

 

A LEADING scientist is to use a series of televised educational

lectures to promote genetically modified crops to teenagers. Professor

Sir

John Krebs, the former chairman of the Food Standards Agency, will argue

in this year's Royal Institution Christmas Lectures that growing

genetically modified crops could help meet the demands of feeding the

world's

rising population.

 

The series of lectures, to be broadcast on Channel 5, is recorded live

in front of an audience of 11-18-year-olds.

 

Speaking ahead of the lectures, Krebs said: " The real problem is with

the three billion extra mouths we will have to feed by 2050, how will we

produce enough food? The main thing is water. You need land and energy,

but the real limiting factor in producing food for the future is water.

 

" In order to get round this lack of water we may have to create plants

that can survive with salt water. If you could take the genetic make-up

of a salt marsh plant and put it in rice, then you could solve the

water problem. "

 

The controversial academic, who has been attacked in the past over his

pro-GM stance, said it was important to inform young people because

their generation will be making key decisions about the future use of the

technology.

 

He said: " I'm going to be very upfront when it comes to talking about

GM foods. Some people have real worries about using this as a

technology, but then scientists say it's very safe and closely monitored.

 

" What I am saying is that whether we use GM food or not isn't up to the

scientists, but up to the children in the audience. "

 

Krebs, who is currently the principal of Jesus College, Oxford, also

plans to discuss the growing issue of childhood obesity, how evolution

influences what we eat, and the development of foods that claim to have

health-enhancing qualities.

 

Krebs was a highly controversial figure during his five years as

chairman of the independent FSA. The renowned ecologist, who

specialises in

bird behaviour, drew criticism for endorsing GM foods at the start of

his term and later claiming that there was no evidence that organic food

was better than conventional food.

 

He has also accused GM sceptics of being " shrill, often ill- informed

and dogma-driven " . He retired from the FSA in July this year.

 

Last night, Krebs's plans to use the prestigious Christmas Lectures to

raise the issue of GM technology with young people were attacked by

campaigners and politicians.

 

Stuart Hay, head of policy and research at environmental group Friends

of the Earth Scotland, said: " It's very dangerous for an intellectual

figure like this to be advocating GM technology because there's complex

science behind it. Young people especially need to know all the facts. "

 

He added that the group also had concerns about the debate " because of

the large multinational companies behind GM foods that stand to make

billions out of it " .

 

Mark Ruskell, Green speaker on the environment, said: " Sir John used

his position as head of the supposedly independent FSA by rubbishing

organic food and pushing GM down the public's throat. It's a shame that a

group of teenagers now have to suffer his skewed and misinformed

opinion. "

 

A review of the FSA under Krebs by Baroness Dean concluded that the

organisation had not fulfilled its criteria for being scientifically

impartial when considering both organic and GM goods.

 

The Royal Institution, one of the pillars of the British scientific

research establishment, specialises in the communication of scientific

ideas and regards the prime-time televised lectures as some of its most

important events of the year. In the past they have been strictly above

politics. World famous scientists who have given the lectures include

Baroness Susan Greenfield, director of the Royal Institution, George

Porter and David Attenborough.

 

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, December 26-30, Channel 5, 7pm

 

 

 

 

 

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