This blog post’s primary purpose is not to discuss the merits of being either pro-GMO or anti-GMO; instead, this blog will serve to highlight and critique the difficulties inaccessibility of the sciences that Lynas emphasized throughout his speech (Lynas 2013). Furthermore, this blog post will provide a basic overview of the debate surrounding genetic modification and introduce what genetically modified organisms are.
Genetically modified organisms or GMO’s are the results of highly complex biotechnologies that have the potential to revolutionize the agriculture industries (Hadfield 2000). To state in a simplified manner, the biotechnology regarding GMOs uses the manipulation of genetic material within an organism, such as a plant, resulting in the creation of advantageous traits. These favourable traits can range from increased resistance to pests or higher crop yields in the agriculture industry. The debate regarding GMO’s varies from the ethicality of using genetic modifications to the positive and negative health impacts related to GMO’s (Comstock). Proponents and opponents of genetic modification present strong fronts for their beliefs, raising valid concerns and purposes in using GMOs and biotechnology.
In his speech at the 2013 oxford farming conference, Mark Lynas opens up with his history in the controversial genetically modified organism (GMO) debate (Lynas 2013). The discussion regarding GMO’s is well established, with many individuals going to extremes to develop or diminish regulations. Lynas, now a notable supporter of GMO’s, reflects on his previous staunch support of the debate’s anti-GMO side. He calls his prior beliefs distinctly “anti-science” in that his understanding of the pro-GMO side, which he considers to be parallel to the scientific side of the debate, was limited in both academic and personal knowledge (Lynas 2013). Even with Lynas’ previous experiences within the science academia’s, a lack of accessibility highlights the barriers many individuals experience when dealing with scientific topics. Lynas described the lengthy process of educating himself on reading scientific papers and understanding what he was reading (Lynas 2013).
Barriers in academia and science have made accessibility difficult in developed countries, and almost impossible in developing countries (Davis & Walters 2011). Subscription cost and highly complex concepts and language make understanding academic journals almost impossible for any individual without a multifaceted understanding of the relevant topic (Davis & Walters 2011). Even with the introduction of resources available through libraries and open access documents, gaining the in-depth knowledge needed to understand scientific journals is difficult. Media presents an additional barrier to science, with both sides of the debate using various media forms to slander and diminish their opposition. Facebook groups rife with inaccuracies, news posts that purposefully mispresent the ongoing issue, and a demonization of the opposition all act as constraints to accessibility; examples such as the GMO debate highlight the difficulties in creating genuinely accessible academia without barriers to knowledge.
Fully understanding GMOs and the debate surrounding the controversial topic can change individuals’ beliefs on both the proponent and opponent side. In the case of Mark Lynas, an in-depth understanding of GMOs resulted in a shift in his stance. GMO’s are just one of many instances that highlight the difficulty in bridging the sciences with the political sphere.
Sources
Lynas, Mark. “Mark Lynas at 2013 Oxford Farming Conference.” Vimeo. Oxford Farming Conference, October 11, 2020. https://vimeo.com/56745320.
Hadfield, Linda. “The Debate over Genetically Modified Organisms: Scientific Uncertainty and Public Controversy.” Foresight 2, no. 3 (June 2000): 257–68. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636680010802663.
Nelson, Gerald C. “Introduction .” Essay. In Genetically Modified Organism in Agriculture: Economics and Politics, 3–6. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 2001.
Davis, Philip M, and William H Walters. “The Impact of Free Access to the Scientific Literature: a Review of Recent Research.” Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA 99, no. 3 (July 2011): 208–17. https://doi.org/10.3163/1536-5050.99.3.008.
Comstock, Gary. “Ethics and Genetically Modified Foods.” Food Ethics, 2010, 49–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-5765-8_4.