Fwd: GMW:_Don't_you_know_that_DNA_is_just_DNA_is_DNA?

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GMW:_ " Don't_you_know_that_DNA_is_just_DNA_is_DNA? "

" GM_WATCH "

Fri, 16 Apr 2004 10:38:28 +0100

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwath.org

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Thanks to Peter Melchett for forwarding this. Among the many supposedly

scientifically superior arguments advanced as to why there's no especial reason

to be concerned about tampering with an organism's DNA goes like this: " Don't

you know that DNA is just DNA is DNA? " . The implication is, " What does it matter

if we randomly insert a bit extra from some other organism? After all, the

foreign DNA inserted is made up of just the same basic constituents as any other

DNA. " The following exposes this for the specious nonsense it is.

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Dear All,

 

I thought this might be of interest - maybe unsurprisingly, the Sunday Times did

not choose to publish it! George Smith agreed to it being circulated.

 

Best wishes,

Peter

....

The Editor, 14 March 2004

The Sunday Times,

1, Pennington Street,

London E98 1ST

 

Dear Sir,

 

Is GM Food Good for You?

 

The argument advanced by Charles Pasternak for the safety of GM food is false

[News Review, Sunday 14th March, page 2, article entitled " GM food could

be good for you " ]. Yes, the DNA of all living organisms is made up of just four

nucleosides, and yes, virtually all proteins are made up from just 20 amino

acids. But this does not imply that everything containing these basic building

blocks is without risk to human beings. The same units, arranged in different

ways, are contained in the smallpox virus, bubonic plague and influenza, deadly

nightshade and other poisonous plants, creatures such as poisonous jellyfish,

scorpions, deadly snakes, sharks - and people who talk absolute nonsense.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

G.D.W. Smith (Professor), FRS.

Professor of Materials, Oxford University,

Department of Materials, Parks Road, Oxford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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