Sir, - Darina Allen's letter on GM crops (July 28th) is either blatant disinformation or stunning ignorance. Contrary to her claims, the blight-resistant GM potato trials are not a result of multi-nationals "getting their way" as it is Teagasc, an independent State research body, which is to carry out the trials.
Further, Ms Allen's assertion that there will be "likely effects on insect life, eg bees" is pure scaremongering as the GM potatoes to be tested protect against blight (which is a fungus) and they have no new ability to impact insect life.
Lastly, her suggestion that Ireland's green food image is damaged by the trials is actually the opposite as the GM potatoes in question could help cut the 250,000lbs of toxic fungicide used annually against potato blight in Ireland which could certainly enhance the image of Irish agriculture as truly green and sustainable.
Ms Allen has shown yet again that taking crop science advice from celebrity chefs is like taking tax advice from those who do the art on your tenner euro. - Yours, etc,
Dr Shane Morris, PhD, Coolkill, Sandyford, Dublin 18.
What was the point in this post? I'm just genuinely wondering? It gives no opinion of yours, nor any dialogue. You have simply reprinted the letter of a disgraced scientist?
ReplyDeleteThe comments are an opportunity for comment, and it's good to see your engagement.
DeletePerhaps you can explain what it is about the letter and the points it makes which is wrong? And why you make a cryptic anonymous comment about a "disgraced scientist"?
Sorry David, I reread my comment & realise it actually seems a bit snotty which is completely not how I meant it... I think I was missing a smiley face maybe! My point was that this particular scientist has been proven to have ethics and methods of research... See the following link
ReplyDeleteInsert "questionable" between have and ethics! Lol. Link is http://t.co/CIMp4VRy
ReplyDeleteHe also made some errors in his letter that simply annoyed me. Darina is far from a celebrity chef. She is a chef who has gained celebrity status through her tireless campaigning for slow food and farming. Also
As horribly nit-picky as it sounds "art on your tenner euro"?? No such thing. Ten euro or a tenner! ;)
DeleteA comment about some-one with a tin-ear for idiom is very welcome here.
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