MODIFYING THE ARGUMENT.(Brief Article)

The biotechnology debate is a lesson in the art of intellectual acrobatics. GM critics are being characterised as Goliath, while the little old industry is portraying itself as David. It is the industry, apparently, which stands on the fringe, attempting to improve the world against all odds. It is we who stand tall and strong on the inside, defending the status quo.

All this, of course, is little more than the latest dishonest industry strategy, no doubt designed by highly-paid PR consultants. Before we all extract tissues from our pockets and violins from our cupboards, we would do well to recall one or two recent trends.

A few months ago, it was announced that the major biotech corporations had agreed to pool their resources to persuade consumers in the US that biotechnology alone would save humanity from the …