Fate of Florida oranges rests on whether activists succeed in debasing GM debate

Amy Harmon | July 29, 2013

orange compare custom — Normal orange (left) and orange stunted by citrus greening, right. Image: Richard Perry, The New York Times)

With the Florida orange facing possible extinction because of disease, it appears only genetic modification can save it. Will anti-GMO activists, in the zealous rejection of biotechnology, contribute to the demise of an iconic American fruit? In a journalistic tour de force, reporter Amy Harmon offers a deconstruction of how politics and superstition are corrupting the debate over crop biotechnology.

Read the full, original story here: A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA

Additional Resources:

“A Refreshing, Freshly Squeezed GMO Story in the NYT,” Discover (Collide-a-Scape Blog)
“Altering oranges’ DNA to fight fatal disease sparks controversy,” South Florida Business Journal

The GLP featured this article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. The viewpoint is the author’s own. The GLP’s goal is to stimulate constructive discourse on challenging science issues.