‘Abstinence vs. innovation’: What Amazon fires can teach us about GMO, CRISPR-edited crops

The Amazon rainforest fire debate is another edition of “abstinence vs. innovation” (here’s the aviation edition). Global agro-consumption and demand for things such as meat are said to be the cause of the problem, and within this narrative, only cutting consumption can produce positive results. That is not true. Through genetic modification and gene editing, we can identify the problems of today and solve them with the technology of today.

The future of our civilization lies in the ingenuity of scientific research, not in the government-led reduction in consumption.

In 2014, GMOs allowed farmers to use 51 million acres less land to produce the same amount of food, fiber, and fuel. Without GMOs, we would have needed an additional 22 million acres of corn, 19 million acres of soybeans, nine million acres of cotton, and 1.5 million acres of canola. We also know of wonderful scientific advances in the area of meat, where “Impossible Burgers” now deliver meatless and tasty burgers in major fast-food chains.

Related on the SLP

Why are we not eating more cell-based meat? Blame over-regulation, protectionist states, and skeptical consumers European Parliament: Global meat consumption has doubled in two decades, exacerbating climate change. Sustainably growing animal protein with yeast and bacteria could help

Abortion rights opponents outraged after FDA says its “safety review” of the already-found-safe mifepristone abortion pill will continue into 2027

GAHA: The corporate-created “healthier America” movement challenging what it claims is MAHA misinformation about modern farming, chemicals, and food

9 wellness myths busted

The future of our civilization lies in the ingenuity of scientific research, not in the government-led reduction in consumption. We need to stop the myths about our very real environmental challenges and address the actual problem with real solutions.

Read full, original article: Data on Amazon Rainforest Fires Tell a Much Different Story Than Social Media