20 plus years ago the visionary CEO of Monsanto decided to work with environmentalists to create a better world. He asked them what Monsanto could do to help the environment. The environmentalists had some great ideas: create crops that would have significantly higher yields so farms would not have to expand at the expense of forests and wetlands. Make crops less susceptible to insects so there would be less or no need for insecticides. Make crops that could grow in less than ideal climates so there can be real hope to end world hunger. “OK” said the CEO, “I will get back to you.”
Several years later the CEO called the environmentalists back to show them the accomplishments of his research and development team. “Here are crops that have higher yields, are less susceptible to insects, grow in less than ideal climates, and will soon be able to do all of these things using less water. The reaction of the environmentalists was one of horror. “These are genetically modified seeds!” cried the environmentalists. Yes said the CEO what is wrong with that? Environmentalists: “They are genetically modified!” CEO: “Yes, what is wrong with that?”
This circular conversation continues to this day. No scientific proof exists against genetically modified crops just feeble mental resistance to science. Europe, always pretending to be the superior intellect to the U.S, saw the obvious advantage to Monsanto’s product as a way to kill their seed and agricultural business. Therefore, naturally, they decided to ban any genetically modified food products under the guise of protecting their citizens from harm. In actuality, it was an absolute trade barrier. Japan, never willing to take second place to trade barriers banned containers, and anything in them, that at one time contained genetically modified food products.
France, even blocked several UN tankers of corn, donated by the U.S. to Zimbabwe’s starving people to “protect” them from the evils of genetically modified crops. Tens, and possibly hundreds of thousands of human beings starved to death as a result. Meanwhile, the scientists who created genetically modified products eat them, and continue to feed them to their children knowing they are perfectly safe. By starving innocent humans to make a point, environmentalists may have created a mental standard that makes the Spanish Inquisition look like the apex of human thought and kindness.
Today, as food prices not only rise but are in short supply in Europe and Japan, these high minded environmentalists are starting to think that genetically modified food is not so bad after all. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/21/business/21crop.php?page=1
You would think that with credibility like this nobody would even listen to them regarding our energy needs. Well even embracing genetically modified corn could not save us from perhaps the stupidest idea in human history-ethanol.
If Stalin were alive today, I think he would be an environmentalist, the Ukrainians would be extinct via a genetically modified free starvation, and he would get a Nobel prize for saving the planet.
