Category Archives: Topics for Discussion

The GMO Controversy

In the video, “The GMO Controversy,” Mark Lynas, an environmentalist and author, talks about his change of heart for GMO’s.  He was the founder of Europe’s anti-GMO movement and apologized for spreading false information about genetically modified organisms.  When he originally heard about Monsanto’s GM soya, he thought they were experimenting with our food and mixing genes that were not supposed to be mixed.  GMO’s were banned in Europe and other countries because of his movement.  The anti-GMO movement was the most successful campaign he has ever been a part of but it was for the wrong reasons.  It is an anti-science movement and that is why he regrets it.

GMO’s actually add to our economy and environment.  Our population is growing and if it were not for genetically modified organisms, we would not be able to feed the population.  Yield is one of the most important factors in agriculture and sustainably feeding the world.  GMO’s produce higher yield due to the use of technology.

I found it very interesting that he would support the anti-GMO movement for so many years being an environmentalist.  It is crazy that this movement had such an impact on people and still does today.  There are many people who are too quick to listen to what they hear from other people and read on the internet, without actually checking if the information is factual.  Mark Lynas mentioned that if it were not for the increase in the use of technology, we would no longer have the Amazon Rainforest or tigers in India.  The population is growing so much that if we did not have the technology that we have today, we would need a lot more land to grow food for everyone.  Mark Lynas makes a strong case for his change of heart for GMO’s.

GMO Controversy

In the video Mark Lynas first believed that genetically modified organisms were horrible, that they were a disgrace to science. Lynas would talk about the effects of GMOs, even though he didn’t know much about GMO’s at all. When Lynas actually dug into information on GMO’s , he discovered that Genetically modified organisms are actually very beneficial. He states that talking bad about GMO’s was ignorant on his part. Lynas quickly admitted that after researching GMO’s he takes back his original statement on GMO’s.

Mark Lynas goes on to say that GMOs are great because they only transfer necessary genes from one crop to another in fewer steps, they provide more accuracy and precision to farming, they keep costs low for producer and consumers, as well as higher yields. He also goes on to say that GMO’s reduce the use of pesticides. Lynas says that using GMO crops is a responsible way to feed the globe as a whole. The world is growing more and more everyday and GMO’s are a great way to keep up with the growing population. GMO’s bring with it maximized crop yields, also helping the growing population. He states that with the Problem of limited resources and limited amount of land GMO’s are a very practical way to feed the globe.

I support the new statement made by Lynas. GMO’s are great. The problem is that media is exposing GMO’s as bad. People don’t want to investigate GMO’s on their own, they would rather listen to the media that displays the GMO’s as bad to get a reaction, rather then real scientific facts. One statement I do love is Lynas says no matter what people have the right to believe in GMO’s or not. But like Lynas I also believe in GMO’s and think they’re a great advancement and perfect way to feed the growing population.

Welcome to Understanding Delaware Agriculture

Dear University of Delaware Students enrolled in PLSC 167,

Welcome to the Fall 2014 Semester and the inaugural offering of PLSC 167, Understanding Delaware Agriculture, taught by Dr. Mark Isaacs.

We encourage you to use this platform to share your discoveries of Delaware agriculture as you progress through this course.

Your are invited to share photographs with captions, reflections, thoughtful comments, questions and topics of interest.

You are encouraged to share video of your discoveries about Delaware agriculture, to comment on your classmate or professor’s posts and share anything you think might be of interest to others.

You may wish to reproduce your composition book journal entries into a blog post. Whatever you contribute, please select a category for your post – choices will appear on the right side of the post editor when you sign in.  If you don’t see a category, suggest one and we will add it! Feel free to add keyword tags (optional).

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Express yourself and have fun!

If you are not familiar with WordPress, please direct any “How do I…? ” questions to Michele Walfred.

A sample post might look something like this:

As I was driving to class this morning it was very foggy and I thought this was an interesting shot of watermelons in the field as the fog began to lift. Delaware and Indiana are the two highest producing states for watermelon crops in the northern U.S.

Photo by Lori Ockels
Photo by Lori Ockels