Colson and I went to Biotech Day at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (see NC Museum of Natural Science - Please Comment on their Facebook Page). What an eye opener! Lots of super fascinating biotech research. When I suspended my dislike of GMO food and Big Pharma, I could easily see romping down the biotech rabbit hole. Here are a few highlights:
Everyone I spoke to, except Monsanto reps, was highly passionate about their work. They enjoy their research and seem to disassociate with the horrible things their companies do to the non-GMO folks. Biotechnology allows for these scientists to dream bigger/differently than if there was no biotech, and they love it. I won’t get into the drug-related companies, other than to say there aren’t many drugs worth much from a health perspective and the companies often lie like crazy. See GlaxoSmithKline Agrees to Pay $3 Billion in Fraud Settlement.
Since my focus was on GMOs, I attended a fascinating talk by a German scientist from BASF. He explained a project that involves inserting an algae gene into the canola plant to create an omega 3 yield comparable to that of fish and fish oils. This project was started in anticipation of the world's fishery collapsing. If only countries would manage their fisheries responsibly! See Science on Sanctuaries and Benefits to Fishing.
The scientist said that a gene is a gene and there is no big deal about inserting a gene from one organism into another organism. I asked why canola given its health concerns (see The Great Con-ola). He disagreed with the health concerns, said that people in Europe and Asia consume large quantities of canola, and he doesn’t understand what America’s problem with canola is – it is a healthy oil. I was glad to hear that America has a notable concern in his mind! Regarding BASF’s targeting canola, it is a high oil producing plant, with relatively high omega 3, which makes it ideal for producing more omega 3.
Finally, the relationships between GMO companies are fascinating and complex. One company that contracts to Monsanto does not participate in genetic modification. They select naturally occurring traits, breed those and then somehow those specialized plants end up in Monsanto’s laboratories.
It will be interesting to see how the museum responds to my original letter and concerns.
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