The Zika virus is scary….
Worries about Zika are already being used as cudgels in the culture wars. Religious conservatives have questioned the use of abortion in Zika infection cases. And activists across the political spectrum have tried to tie Zika risk to issues ranging from illegal immigration to climate change.
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In general, opposition to GMOs tends to be fairly silly, involving an equal mix of conspiracy theories and quack medicine….
Related on the SLP
But opposition to genetically modified mosquitoes on grounds they are “unnatural” is particularly galling in this case. Alternative mosquito-control measures involve things like spraying chemical insecticides. These methods are expensive, often less than fully effective and the chemicals aren’t exactly good for humans…either. Zika itself is proof that something can be quite natural and not be good for you.
The good news is that while critics of these technologies are loud, most Americans recognize the benefits that GMOs can bring…My only hope is that bureaucratic and activist pressure doesn’t delay matters until Zika becomes a real crisis
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: If You Want To Stop Zika, Start Promoting GMOs
