Viewpoint: Political ‘horse-trading’ at U.N. threatens sensible GMO, gene editing crop regulation

[T]he U.N.’s agencies, programs, commissions and international agreements have a dismal record of accomplishment, especially while acting as the world’s regulator-wannabe for all manner of products, processes and activities.

The U.N. regularly panders to activists and, not coincidentally, adopts policies that expand its own scope and responsibilities. Science and free market principles routinely get short shrift. U.N. programs and projects inevitably become an exercise in politics, spin and international horse-trading.

Many parts of the U.N., including the Environment Program, World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization, have been particularly incompetent at regulating the newest techniques of genetic engineering (AKA “genetic modification”) applied to agriculture.

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The U.N.’s involvement in the excessive, unscientific regulation of genetic engineering has slowed agricultural research and development, promoted environmental damage, and prolonged famine and water shortages for millions in less-developed countries.

Morally, this is no different from permitting the construction of an unsafe dam or knowingly administering a contaminated vaccine. Countless people have suffered and died needlessly as a result of the arbitrary, unscientific restrictions that prevent research in wealthier countries from helping the poor to help themselves.

Read full, original article: OPINION: THE UN CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF SCREWING UP BIOTECH REGULATION