Let's not derail, if possible, BUT: 1. 95% of all available food contains "GMO" ingredients 2. We have been aggressively genetically modifying crops since the dawn of civilization. If you count these modifications, 100% of available food is genetically modified. 3. There is no valid theoretical basis that I have ever seen or read as to how it is supposed to be dangerous for human consumption. You still just have organic (chemistry definition here) material, versus the vast amounts of total CRAP we ingest from other parts of the food industry. It reminds me of people who fear that their food was "irradiated." The radiation does not stay in the food and then leap out at you later. Similarly, genetic modification does not insert carcinogenic material or some such. The effects of drinking water out of a warm plastic bottle are demonstrable and bad, yet we have no labeling for that. 4. We cannot feed the planet properly as it stands. If we avoid smart genetic techniques, it will get far worse. To feed the earth's populace using nice Alice Waters local produce type ideas, we would need approximately three fully agricultural Earth-like planets (!) 5. The bad part of GMO's is what happens to the genetic diversity of crops, but that's not a direct human health concern. It's just a stupid way to preserve the long-term food supply. 6. Your point about financing of studies is incorrect and has been debunked numerous times in Scientific American and other journals. There is not a big conspiracy where Monsanto controls the thoughts and emotions of scientists. I know it's an appealing myth, but it's just false. 7. I totally respect your choice on this, sincerely. But please look to modify your diet as well to avoid known harmful ingredients that are all over the place. Cheers.
Very good post, i am a biologist and i do not get the fear for gmo's. Back on topic. This is actually a big discussion in the netherlands (not the linking of autism and vaccination, nobody believe that here). There is an outbrake of measels in some towns in the netherlands because many realy religious people live in those towns and they do not let their kids get vaccinated. Some of these towns are next to my town, luckely my town people do get vaccinated. But i will get really angry if my 8 month old daughter will get the measels because other idiots do not get their kids vaccinated. They keep the disease alive.
http://www.npr.org/2013/09/01/217746942/texas-megachurch-at-center-of-measles-outbreak Expands on the previously reported story. Also touches on the interesting and notable social aspect: if you don't get vaccinated due to personal beliefs, you most likely belong to a community that feels the same way and actually amplify the likelihood of an epidemic.
At the risk of turning this into a full-blown D&D thread, what about the idea of holding parents who don't vaccinate their kids criminally liable if their kids pass a disease onto a child who is too young to be vaccinated? Such a scenario is discussed in this paper, which is referenced in this Slate article.
