Quadrant hoax exposes vested interest science
Crikey recently reported how Keith Windschuttle, the editor of the conservative magazine Quadrant, was taken in by a hoax intended to show that he will print outrageous propositions.
This month’s edition of Quadrant contains a hoax article authored by “Sharon Gould”, who purports to be a Brisbane-based biotechnologist.
The spoof article argues that, despite the majority of Australians being opposed to genetically engineered (GE) crops, they should be approved anyway — because the public and the government do not understand the complex science behind them.
The article touches on an important point. For too long the biotechnology debate in Australia has been framed as an issue for ‘experts’ – with ‘expert’ invariably meaning someone with a vested interest in the technology. The New South Wales and Victorian GE food crop moratoria were both lifted on the basis of advice from ‘expert panels’ – predominantly comprised of individuals with a vested interest in GE crops.
There is growing evidence that GE crops are harmful to the environment and may be harmful to human health. Yet the federal government is pandering to the interests of the biotechnology elite by allowing the release of GE food crops into the environment.
Please sign the petition demanding that the federal government fulfil its election promises and ensure that:
- GE crops are only approved if they are proven to be safe “beyond reasonable doubt” using evidence from independent, long-term, published studies — measuring indicators relevant to human health;
- all GE foods are clearly labelled, including highly processed products such as oils, starches and sugars from GE crops, as well as meat, milk, cheese and eggs from animals fed GE feed.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Dear Important people in power,
It seems that you are a little more than uneducated, once GE starts to grow in the wild, what was the point of have Bush Regeneration ?
Anyway, if you don’t bother to read up properly away from Biotech companies (the guys who want more money), at least be honest and label the dam food will you! Jesus Christ..
May 30th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
i read a book call Skye Bortoil Eco worrior and she is trying to save the whales and i loved that so i would like to be apart of something like that
May 30th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
dear green peace do you have a meber ship thing that i could join if my mum say yes
May 30th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
it looks just bad seeing the trees get cut down i will try my best to do what i can people please help greenpeace auastralia