# Should GM (Genetically Modified) Foods be Abolished? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 23, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639 "2012-10-23T17:40:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/21 "2012-10-23T20:28:40Z")
The OP’s attitude is exactly why I’m voting against the CA proposition about labeling GM foods. We’d just get OMG the FrankenFruit is going to kill us!! - and from people a lot older than 14. There are some other problems with it also. I agree about the concern with patenting seed and. We had point source failures (like the potato famine) before GM foods. It reminds me of the “chemicals are bad” discussion in the '70s. This whole thing is another result of rampant scientific illiteracy. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/22 "2012-10-23T20:30:05Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > This whole thing is another result of rampant scientific illiteracy. The frustrating part is that it comes from people who pride themselves on being “pro-science” when they’re arguing with, say, Creationists. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/23 "2012-10-23T21:22:03Z")
[QUOTE=septimus] The argument that early man cultivated cereals, cauliflower, etc., therefore GM is good doesn’t pass the sniff test. One might as well claim that if a glass of wine is good, then we should all drink a barrel of whiskey. [/QUOTE] Leaving aside your extremely poor analogy, which part of this doesn’t ‘pass the sniff test’ in your mind? Or, to put it another way, what do you see as the critical difference between cross breeding, breeding for specific traits and inter-species grafting/cross pollination and whatever you think that GM is? ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/24 "2012-10-23T21:58:10Z")
If it was good enough for pre-agricultural hunter-gatherers, it’s good enough for me! Who needs this _civilization_ stuff, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/25 "2012-10-23T22:05:30Z")
Marley, I don’t understand your decision here at all about the mod notes. Please note I am not asking for anyone at all to be warned or anyone to be sanctioned or anything like that. But I cannot see how finding out the OP resembles the hypotehtical poster attacked in the posts makes the mod notes **less** justified. If anything, they’re more justified because it’s obvious they’re an attack on the poster. That’s why I had removed my statement about the OP sounding like it was posted by a 14 year old before I posted my reply. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/26 "2012-10-23T22:20:48Z")
To the OP, I give you Norman Borlaug, developer of dwarf wheat > **[Norman Borlaug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Borlaug)** > > Norman Ernest Borlaug (/ˈbɔːrlɔːɡ/; March 25, 1914 – September 12, 2009) was an American agronomist who led initiatives worldwide that contributed to the extensive increases in agricultural production termed the Green Revolution. Borlaug was awarded multiple honors for his work, including the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. > Borlaug received his B.S. in forestry in 1937 and PhD in plant pathology and genetics from the University of Minnesot... ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/27 "2012-10-23T22:40:43Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > The frustrating part is that it comes from people who pride themselves on being “pro-science” when they’re arguing with, say, Creationists. This is one of those “stupid liberal ideas of the day” topics. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/28 "2012-10-23T23:29:21Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > To the OP, I give you Norman Borlaug, developer of dwarf wheat > [Norman Borlaug - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Borlaug) In other words, Borlaug decided that “natural” was the worst thing on the planet, and rather than letting a billion people die by eating only “natural” foods, he set out to create food that could actually sustain life: > [@](#): > > During the mid-20th century, Borlaug led the introduction of these high-yielding varieties combined with modern agricultural production techniques to Mexico, Pakistan, and India. As a result, Mexico became a net exporter of wheat by 1963. Between 1965 and 1970, wheat yields nearly doubled in Pakistan and India, greatly improving the food security in those nations. These collective increases in yield have been labeled the Green Revolution, and Borlaug is often credited with saving over a billion people worldwide from starvation. It’s natural to die. Very. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/29 "2012-10-23T23:32:00Z")
The guy was an unnatural bastard and should be dug up and shot!! ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/30 "2012-10-23T23:45:39Z")
I’ve successfully used Norman Borlaug’s wiki article to silence people whining about GM foods. Many times. The ignorant assholes who campaign against GM foods have caused third-world leaders to turn away _free food_. I honestly think Penn and Teller put it best: Unless you and yours are starving, you need to shut the fuck up. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/31 "2012-10-23T23:58:45Z")
> [@HookerChemical](#): > > “Natural” as synonymous with “healthy” bugs the hell out of me. Another classic combination of comment and username. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/32 "2012-10-24T23:51:59Z")
Today, a Los Angeles radio talk show host was arguing against genetic therapy for humans – basically, making small changes to mitochondrial DNA to prevent certain nasty genetic illnesses – because, since the method involves swapping in small segments of donated DNA – kids would have three parents! The donors would sue in court to take custody of the children! It means the breakup of the FAMILY! Ohmagawd! And, yes, he also said that we shouldn’t interfere with nature; if a kid is “naturally” going to have a heart-attack at age 30, how can we “play God” and alter this? (I wonder if he brushes his teeth?) ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/33 "2012-10-25T00:12:09Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > This is one of those “stupid liberal ideas of the day” topics. Well, Whole Foods is running ads in support of the proposition, and in my understanding Whole Foods is owned by conservatives. But they aren’t supporting it for liberal or conservative principles, they are supporting it because scaring people away from GM foods will drive business to supposedly healthier organic foods. There is significant opposition from Nobel Laureate scientists - many of whom I am sure qualify as liberals. And of course many liberals support it and many conservatives oppose it. I don’t think this is a liberal versus conservative issue. You can’t say this is an encroachment by government unless you say nutrition labeling is also. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/34 "2012-10-25T00:32:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **Smeghead** : > > I challenge you to name a dozen foods you eat that ARE natural, meaning that they are unchanged from their wild, undomesticated relatives. Well, purslane and dandelion (both of which make excellent salads). Many mushrooms, and most seafood. Deer, elk, moose, and bison. Possibly sugar maples-- The long generation time would make selective breeding difficult. Some berries, and some nuts. There are a few natural foods out there, but you’re right that very few people live entirely on them. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/35 "2012-10-25T00:37:13Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Well, purslane and dandelion (both of which make excellent salads). Many mushrooms, and most seafood. Deer, elk, moose, and bison. Possibly sugar maples-- The long generation time would make selective breeding difficult. Some berries, and some nuts. There are a few natural foods out there, but you’re right that very few people live entirely on them. You eat bison and dandelion on a regular basis?? I occasionally have elk, but I have a lot of hunter friends…I wouldn’t think that most folks have access to most of your list unless at a restaurant or they have pretty eclectic tastes and large pocketbooks…or really, really small ones. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/36 "2012-10-25T01:40:56Z")
Cooking food is pretty unnatural, too. Mankind’s been eating the raw stuff for most of our time on the planet. Of course mankind used to die a lot younger, often due at least in part to poor nutrition. Nature really wants us dead. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/37 "2012-10-25T01:43:26Z")
As long as we pop out a few kids before shuffling off, I suppose nature is ok with us living those short, brutish lives before becoming panther chow or dying in any number of other horrible ways (well, in fact I suppose ‘nature’ doesn’t actually give a shit one way or the other if we all shuffle off or a few of us manage to carry on). ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/38 "2012-10-25T03:50:39Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Cooking food is pretty unnatural, too. Mankind’s been eating the raw stuff for most of our time on the planet. Looks like we had better cook it if we want to [continue to support our big brains.](http://doubtfulnews.com/2012/10/raw-food-is-not-going-to-cut-it/) > [@](#): > > A HUGE step forward in our civilization was the ability to cook food. This also lends credence to that as being the turning point of humans towards conquering the world. We just can’t sustain ourselves without it. So, while raw food is good, cooked food is a necessity and you are starving your brain without it. Not all of us have them, however. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/39 "2012-10-25T05:24:07Z")
Sure, let’s abolish GM food - there are too many humans anyway. Let’s get rid of vaccinations, hand washing in hospitals, seatbelts, insulin, antibiotics, chemotherapy, and child car seats, too. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639/40 "2012-10-25T11:13:00Z")
The strongest argument against GM plants and animals is that they are the underpinning to an exploding population. And, (AGW enthusiasts to the contrary), an exploding population is overwhelmingly our worst environmental nightmare. If we’re just worried about keeping Gaia as “naturally” self-regulating as possible, we need to get rid of GM foods, let a bunch of people croak from starvation, and get back to basics. I am not sure this is perceived as the greatest good for humanity (at least in the short term). Too much unrestrained altruism running amok. It’s certainly not the greatest good for any individual starvee. So it aint’ gonna happen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gm-genetically-modified-foods-be-abolished/638639.md?page=3)