Ireland and Genetic Modification of Food

That bloody Fianna Fail government are lobbying for GM Food. The hoors...

I don't care what anyone says, really... Whatever about the potential harm of of GM foods - I just can't see the point of them, other than for some kind of material gain.

I'm sceptical of claims about 'feeding the world' using GM crops, I'm incredulous about the behaviour of organisations like Monsanto, and I'm worried about the long term effects of using GM crops. If our food chain gets screwed up by big business, I don't fancy tucking into Soylent Green.
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Later:
Thought more about this over lunch (GM free, I hope). What initially irked me about the whole GM thing is how its presented. I can't help sensing that the GM foods are being foisted on us by corporations who, rather than being evil 'big brother' types, are instead, made up of rather panicked individuals hellbent on making investors happy. I'm not sure where the direct pressure on governments is coming from, but you can bet that there's some common ground between the industrialists and the politicians, whether its over pints in The Shelbourne, or over boardroom coffees.

My impression of the GM food argument:

GM: Here, have this food, it's better than normal food.
Me: Why, what makes it better?
GM: Well, it's genetically modified for a start, and its more profitable and will feed all the starving people in the world.
Me: Why is better than normal food?
GM: Cos, it's genetically modified, silly. It's healthier
Me: Why is it healthier?
GM: You fool, because it's genetically modified!
Me: Does it taste good, better than normal food?
GM: What does that matter? It's just better.
Me: How is it going to stop world hunger
GM: Because it has a higher yield than normal crops.
Me: But it will cost money, won't it.
GM: Damn right it will! You don't think we're doing this for charity, do you?
Me: I'm quite happy with ordinary fruit and veg, bred in the normal way, thanks.
GM: Bloody Luddite!

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According to GM Free Ireland, the Irish government is lobbying for the legalisation of GM food in the EU. They've launched a a petition against this...

'Most EU governments voted against legalising GM food earlier this year. Most food companies and consumers reject GM food and farming, amid growing scientific evidence of their economic, health and environmental risks. And insurance companies refuse to provide cover for GM disasters. But under Ireland's presidency of the EU, our government is actively lobbying other member states to end the de facto moratorium on GM food and genetically modified living organisms (GMOs).'
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Sign the petition »

Update 20/4/04
Greepance: European consumers mobilise against GE

The genie is out of the bottle on this one. A couple of generations from now everyone will have four fingers like the Simpsons.

What u talkin' bout Willis? I've already got four fingers. And a thumb.

Ironically, I suspect the third world would be better fed if they were allowed to export their food.

Actually, one of the harmful effect of GM food is that they take something as simple and harmless as a strawberry and genetically alter it with a certain fish's genetics to make it hardier and less susceptible to frost. Thus ensuring a larger more profitable crop. BUT - what has happened (I read somewhere) a child was eating these strawberries and said child has a very sensitive food allergy to fish and nearly dies as a result. The parents are upset (understandably) because no where on packaging does this say it is a GM food or what it may contain. Consumers are unable to discern which foods may or may not cause a health threat.

It may not have been a fish - but you get the point.

With so many scientists warning of the dangers from allergy concerns to new variations of crop diseases - why bother?

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees