I love Lord Winston

[Hitcher]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4593916a11.html

I particularly agree with his comments directed at New Zealand's clean and green "status", most of which is a state of mind enshrined in the heads of a handful of greenies with no notion of what constitutes either reality or sound science.

New Zealand's future economic salvation does not lie in tourism, fashion or film. A "knowledge economy" is not powered by qualifications. I wish we had politicians brave enough to stand up and be counted on this.

[mowgli]

Yup, I agree. Most NZ thinking is neither clean nor green. But with our small population we simply haven't had time to screw the whole country up yet. There's still time though

[Hitcher]

It's not just our thinking. The reality is that this country is neither clean nor green. Saying that it is doesn't change that. Comparatively it may be, but that's no cause for celebration.

New Zealand is neither GM or nuclear free. And there is no legislation committing us to such a future, so talk of our "status" in either regard is just a fantastic fabrication. We have legislation that stops nuclear-powered and armed ships visiting our ports. We have biosecurity regulations relating to the importation of GM seed for sowing and "new organisms", but that's it.

As a small example, it is largely impossible to procure soy-based products that are devoid of GM. The presence of GM material in any human food has not caused one health issue for anybody who has consumed it. Nor should that be any surprise to anybody who understands how DNA and genetic modification actually works. But hey, I'm not a deranged, paranoid, fear-monger.

Hang on a minute, maybe I really can hear the sky falling...

[Edbear]

It's not just our thinking. The reality is that this country is neither clean nor green. Saying that it is doesn't change that. Comparatively it may be, but that's no cause for celebration.

New Zealand is neither GM or nuclear free. And there is no legislation committing us to such a future, so talk of our "status" in either regard is just a fantastic fabrication. We have legislation that stops nuclear-powered and armed ships visiting our ports. We have biosecurity regulations relating to the importation of GM seed for sowing and "new organisms", but that's it.

As a small example, it is largely impossible to procure soy-based products that are devoid of GM. The presence of GM material in any human food has not caused one health issue for anybody who has consumed it. Nor should that be any surprise to anybody who understands how DNA and genetic modification actually works. But hey, I'm not a deranged, paranoid, fear-monger.

Hang on a minute, maybe I really can hear the sky falling...

You forget we live in a democracy, mate. The numbers and noises wins... Politicians support what gets them the most votes...

[oldrider]

You forget we live in a democracy, mate. The numbers and noises wins... Politicians support what gets them the most votes...

And "votes" are far more dangerous than all of the other aforementioned undesirables put together! John.

[madandy]

Nearly all outdoor ball sport in NZ is played on GM turf. It is used, in part to reduce chemical and water reliance.

There is an ageing demographic, and an ignorant demographic that, while often a silent majority usually end up directing the Nation.

[avgas]

If you don't like it - go elsewhere, i am.
NZ is stuck in 1952, it has been since 1965. Which is great except for those of us who where born after that.
Cities like Kyoto in Japan makes cities in NZ look like rubbish tips, I'm not even going to talk about the public transport side of things.
Too often i hear "Woah hold up a minute, we just need to test this for the next 10 years before we will use it"............
Learning here is also feeling a bit of this.

[Magua]

If you don't like it - go elsewhere, i am.

That'll solve this country's problems. _b _b :P

[Indiana_Jones]

That'll solve this country's problems. _b _b :P

And don't you forget it!

-Indy

[dhunt]

As a small example, it is largely impossible to procure soy-based products that are devoid of GM. The presence of GM material in any human food has not caused one health issue for anybody who has consumed it. Nor should that be any surprise to anybody who understands how DNA and genetic modification actually works. But hey, I'm not a deranged, paranoid, fear-monger.

Have a look at this article http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.p...w&pageId=64266 It certainly leaves me a bit sceptical about some GE stuff.

[Tank]

If you don't like it - go elsewhere, i am.
NZ is stuck in 1952, it has been since 1965. Which is great except for those of us who where born after that.
Cities like Kyoto in Japan makes cities in NZ look like rubbish tips, I'm not even going to talk about the public transport side of things.
Too often i hear "Woah hold up a minute, we just need to test this for the next 10 years before we will use it"............
Learning here is also feeling a bit of this.

and yet the largest independent survey / study into quality of life etc by Mercer has Auckland the 5th best city in the world to live.

Yes - there is lots wrong here in NZ and most of us and see it warts and all - but the grass is not always greener on the other side.

[Hitcher]

Have a look at this article http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.p...w&pageId=64266 It certainly leaves me a bit sceptical about some GE stuff.

The space aliens theory has just as much credence as anything else. Here we have a disease of uncertain origin, with many speculative causes. Given that the genetic material that is inserted into GM crops is derived from other organisms, nearly all of which humans have been exposed to for over 50,000 years, I would seriously question the thesis that somehow GM food is to blame for this.

[Hitcher]

If you don't like it - go elsewhere, i am.

That is entirely Lord Winston's point. He is saying that New Zealand doesn't value its best and brightest, who leave to work in laboratories such as his, because their contribution is neither understood or valued in their homeland i.e. here. He says while that's great for him, it's not doing much for poor little xenophobic, short-sighted, sports-mad, head-up-its-own-bottom New Zealand.

[idb]

....... The presence of GM material in any human food has not caused one health issue for anybody who has consumed it. .......

How can you know that?

[jrandom]

Lord Winston's fundamental problem appears to be that most people in New Zealand are stupid.

Which is true.

Unfortunately, if Lord Winston thinks that he can convince stupid people not to be stupid by pointing out to them that it would be to their advantage to become more intelligent, he's fighting a losing battle.

One can only hope that his comments will have a narrowly positive effect in influencing both the Government and the Opposition to form an election-year policy of financial support for blue-sky R&D.

When it comes to political issues such as nuclear power and GE foodstuffs, it's obvious that the current climate reflects... stupidity.

Unfortunately, while one can always point out the correct courses of action in regard to such questions, one cannot fix the stupidity which sways the masses against them.

Personally, I find apathy to be an excellent coping strategy.