wrote:
On Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 7:35:00 AM UTC-5, Mike Collins wrote:

There’s nothing wrong with genetic modification. It’s what it’s used for
which is the problem.

There's circular reasoning for you!


No circular reasoning there. My neighbour is a scientist working on genetic
modification of potatoes to prevent blight (amongst other projects). A
reasonable use for a powerful technique. But engineering tolerance to
insecticides which then kill useful insects is not a good use. Especially
since the insects feeding on the plants breed fast enough to evolve
tolerance while bees, which are being hit by a virus disease are being
weakened by insecticide exposure.
Another consequence of genetic modification is the increase in monoculture.
The endpoint of this is the sudden emergence of a viral, bacterial of
fungal infection which destroys the whole crop. It’s already happened once
to bananas, which are grown as clones, and may soon happen again.