Viewpoint: ‘A book is not judged by whether it was written by a typewriter, pen or computer’
Viewpoint: ‘A book is not judged by whether it was written by a typewriter, pen or computer’ — Italian farmer and policy wonk on why Europe needs sensible gene-edited crop regulations
Agriculture today is facing very serious challenges for which new tools are needed. The planet’s population is increasing while arable land is decreasing due to overbuilding and climate changes that lead to desertification phenomena, even in Italy.
Climate change also sometimes renders the cultivated varieties inadequate, which were selected when the climate was colder, and changes the biological cycles of plants, pests and diseases.
Finally, new EU agricultural policies push farmers to increasingly reduce the means of production, in particular crop protection products and fertilizers. To respond to all these challenges, it is necessary to have access to innovative tools, such as new genetic improvement techniques.
Some parts of the scientific world are proposing to completely change the approach to the question: that the product is regulated instead of the technique. It certainly seems more sensible: consider whether a plant is safe, useful, stable, rather than considering the method with which it was obtained. After all, a book is not judged by whether it was written with a typewriter, pen or PC, but by its contents.
[Editor’s note: This article has been translated from Italian and edited for clarity.]
This is an excerpt. Read the original post here
 | Videos | More... |
Video: Nuclear energy will destroy us? Global warming is an existential threat? Chemicals are massacring bees? Donate to the Green Industrial Complex!
 | Bees & Pollinators | More... |
GLP podcast: Science journalism is a mess. Here’s how to fix it
Mosquito massacre: Can we safely tackle malaria with a CRISPR gene drive?
Are we facing an ‘Insect Apocalypse’ caused by ‘intensive, industrial’ farming and agricultural chemicals? The media say yes; Science says ‘no’
 | Infographics | More... |
Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer
 | GMO FAQs | More... |
Why is there controversy over GMO foods but not GMO drugs?
How are GMOs labeled around the world?
How does genetic engineering differ from conventional breeding?
 | GLP Profiles | More... |
Alex Jones: Right-wing conspiracy theorist stokes fear of GMOs, pesticides to sell ‘health supplements’
Viewpoint — Fact checking MAHA mythmakers: How wellness influencers and RFK, Jr. undermine American science and health
Viewpoint: Video — Big Solar is gobbling up productive agricultural land and hurting farmers yet providing little energy or sustainabilty gains
Fighting deforestation with CO2: Biotechnology breakthrough creates sustainable palm oil alternative for cosmetics
Trust issues: What happens when therapists use ChatGPT?
California, Washington, Oregon forge immunization alliance to safeguard vaccine access against federal undermining
30-year-old tomato line shows genetic resistance to devastating virus
The free-range chicken dilemma: Better for birds, but with substantial costs
‘You have to treat the brain first’: Rethinking chronic pain with Sanjay Gupta
