• Question: Is there any common ground? What can you all agree on?

    Asked by ross_winter to Andy, Cathie, Jules, Les, Ricarda on 27 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Andy Stirling

      Andy Stirling answered on 27 Jun 2012:


      This is a very important point to raise, Ross. I’d like to think that all reasonable folk on any side of this argument can agree that “we have the choice”. In other words, GM is one pathway for innovation among many others. Some of these also involve advanced biotechnology (like marker assisted breeding). Others involve other kinds of ecological and participatory breeding practice. Others are more organisational.

      Either way, I trust we can agree that any decision as to whether, under what conditions and to what extent, we should go down the GM path, is a matter of political and cultural values, as well as scientific evidence. After all, to disagree with this, would be pretty extremist about what options are on the table and which issues and views should over-ride others. And to deny this would also be rather uncomfortably undermining about the possible role of democracy in technological affairs.

      So, what this means is that support for GM is a perfectly legitimate and honourable political position – among many others. Like any political position, it should be debated in ways that are respectful both of diverse values and interests – and scientific evidence and uncertainty. To assert that all GM is intrinsically and self-evidently equally unacceptable in some entirely unqualified way that admits no room for discussion, would be an extremist anti-democratic position. Likewise, to insist that there is some over-riding imperative that forces us to pursue GM – even as part of a mix of options – is an equally unhealthy kind of extremism.

    • Photo: Les Firbank

      Les Firbank answered on 29 Jun 2012:


      We are all seeking food security – where everyone has access to the food they need – and environmental security – that we have access to all the things the environment gives us, like food, and water, and maintains our beautiful planet for generations to come. The GM debate is between people who typically share these values, but differ in our views about how best to get there.

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