Gm

[Old_Geezer]

First I've heard of this. Are they trying to get it through unnoticed while other political news grabs folks' attention ?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64596453

If it gets through it had better be very clearly labelled.

[Aircooledfool]

As if governments would ever resort to such underhand tactics!
So yes, because they know it’s contentious . But why would it be so?
I don’t understand where the GM paranoia comes from. Like many things today there is a lot of misinformation out there

[rowanwitch]

Man has been modifying the genetics of plants and animals for centuries by selectively breeding for desired characteristics. Now we can see the genome, understand where a characteristic is located and swap it for more desirable one. Same end result just by a faster route. I will gladly take my chances if it saves waste, creates food with better flavour, etc.

[Old_Geezer]

The issues are multiple. Single genes can affect a large number of things, most unanticipated. Then there is both the potential spread of modded genes in the environment (bad enough when mankind introduces foreign species, never mind new genes). And now this where one can not know what changes will do to human beings who consume them. It's only now we're finding data on possible issues with hastily created vaccines; food eaten every day is hardly a wiser move. And it is clearly not necessary. It solves no problems, although it is often claimed to help with the symptoms of an existing problem, as if that was a valid justification. It's purely about profit for big business regardless of any potential consequences.

[THECORBYLOON]

'What is precision breeding?

The Government’s Genetic Technology fact sheet published with the Bill [PDF] describes precision breeding as a range of breeding technologies, such as gene editing (GE), that enable DNA to be edited “much more efficiently and precisely than current breeding techniques”.

Precision breeding technologies can make targeted genetic changes to produce beneficial traits that can also occur through traditional breeding and natural processes. This makes it different to genetic modification (GM) where modern techniques are used to insert functional DNA from an unrelated species into another species.

Scientists consider that precision breeding will allow a range of foods with health, environmental or commercial benefits to be developed more quickly than traditional breeding methods. Policy makers hope these will help to tackle global food security, climate change and human health challenges. GE crops may currently be cultivated in several countries including Canada, China, the US, Australia, and Brazil (with varying regulation).

Examples of current GE products include soybean oil with reduced saturated fat sold in the USA and a tomato sold in Japan that accumulates a chemical that lowers blood pressure. For the future, a range of wheat, chickpea, and peanut products with health benefits are in development, alongside products aimed at consumer convenience such as seedless fruits and corn that is higher in thickening starch.'

[Peter Pedant]

blimey - a report I understood AND agreed with
good post

[Old_Geezer]

A splitting of hairs. The genes will still have been modified. None of the proposed aims mentioned are necessary.

[THECORBYLOON]

If not necessary, are the changes beneficial?

[tomus42]

We've been gene editing things for years. Just look at Crufts dog show and modern day wheat. I'll happily eat the tomatoes left by the sceptics.

[THECORBYLOON]

OG, can you be certain you consume nothing that has come from a cross-bred source?

[tomus42]

The answer is no, even if we eat the grass off the lawn. It's all been modified.

[Old_Geezer]

The question isn't relevant. Cross breeding is a natural process and doesn't compare to deliberate genetic manipulation.

[jno]

I think we can look forward to a better class of Englishman once they allow gene editing where it will do most good. The Scots will be wishing they'd got in first.

[THECORBYLOON]

"Cross breeding is a natural process" if cattle has been imported to breed with domestic cattle, that would not have happened without human intervention, would it?

[youngmafbog]

A very anti British post from jno I see.

For me I dont see a problem with GM. We need to make food to go round the ever growing population so it needs to be as efficient as possible.

[jno]

and I thought the British used to have a sense of humour, ymb... I blame Brexit.

[tomus42]

It's one of the many brexit 'opportunities' that are now available to us.

[Old_Geezer]

On the contrary, we need a way to stop population ever growing.

[THECORBYLOON]

How do you stop the population increasing?