Reason v. Reaction | A deeper look at the conflict over genetically altered foods

An open letter in response to the broad social issues expressed at the web site:

http://www.myspace.com/stop_monsanto

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Aloha,

If the world has any hope of a becoming better place, then I'm with you and agree that it's absolutely essential that we do everything we can to make that happen -- to fight the good fight.

I commend you for this kind of initiative and spirit but it is well worth taking heed that in the process of trying to make the world a better place that you (we) don't end up harming the very thing you (we) set out accomplish. It's like the old adage which goes, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

For instance, it is important to prevent scary corporate practices such as rushing the development and distribution of genetically altered animal and agricultural foods before all the potential dangers are well understood.

That is a far different thing, however, than to simply say that all genetically alter plants are bad, and therefore state that any corporation that is attempting to genetically alter plants for our benefit is evil and bad. To say this kind of thing is wrong.

Why? Because it is untrue.

The plant we call "wheat" is a far different plant than it was when we humans first began to cultivate it as a source of food. The wheat plant we have today is a plant that we genetically altered over time. It may not have been done with our current gene splicing techniques, but it was genetically altered, nonetheless. Now, does that mean that the wheat grown all around the world is bad for us? Hardly.

Now. If you really do care, and want to help make this a better world, then it's important to rationalize and fully comprehend what is actually good and what is not -- rather than view things from a broad reactionary point of view.

On the other hand, if what you really want is to make blanketed accusations against all corporations because you feel all corporations are nothing more than capitalistic monsters, then I suspect that you care more about the emotional satisfaction and glamor of being a rebel foot soldier and a social saint, than you do about the truth, and what is actually good for human society and culture. And, if that is the case, then that makes you just as evil and harmful as those whom you accuse.

Aue...!

I hope not. As for me? I really do want the world to be a better, healthier, smarter place for everybody.

In order to do that, however, we need to follow our brains -- not just our hearts.

-- Sterling