Anyone who thought that Crop Gen, could sink no lower, may be in for a surprise -- at least if the article below is to be believed.
According to the Aberdeen Press & Journal, Crop Gen has now been reduced to collaborating with Prof 'Loony Toons' Stott:
"Yesterday Cr- Gen, a group which is funded by biotech companies but which claims to be independent, spoke out in defence of the trials.
Philip Stott, professor of biogeography (the geographical distribution of plants and animals) at London University, said it would be morally wrong not to take part in the trials..."
But perhaps this is not such a surprising move. After all, as Peter Montague, the director of the Environmental Research Foundation, once pointed out:
"It is evident that Professor Stott has abandoned his role as a serious scholar and has become a cheerleader for the biotech industry."
So perhaps this is a marriage made in lobby-heaven.
[for more on Philip Stott and why he's a pants on fire winner: http://members.tripod.com/~ngin/pants4.htm ]
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Expert hits out at Black Isle GM crop protesters
September 3, 2001 3:15am
Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK), September 01, 2001, Page 5
http://hoovnews.hoovers.com/fp.asp?layout=displaynews&doc_id=NR20010903670.4_095100095e182a1c
A SCIENTIST yesterday criticised protesters for trying to wreck genetically modified crop trials. The comments from a London University professor came on the eve of a rally by anti-GM protesters at Roskill Farm, Munlochy, the latest Highland site for trials, which takes place from 2pm to 4pm today.
Eleven protesters were previously arrested for trying to stop the crop being planted. They argue that the new science should not be tested on the Black Isle and that not enough is known about the GM crops. They also claim that GM crops threaten the livelihood of organic farmers.
Yesterday Crop Gen, a group which is funded by biotech companies but which claims to be independent, spoke out in defence of the trials.
Philip Stott, professor of biogeography (the geographical distribution of plants and animals) at London University, said it would be morally wrong not to take part in the trials and expressed disappointment that more pro-GM scientists were not able to attend the rally.
He said: "I'm absolutely disgusted by the trashing of trials which are vitally important to all forms of agriculture. It's denying my democratic right to get the results of the trials for the Government for which I voted.
Prof Stott added: Agriculture has got to evolve and develop, as it has for 12,000 years. He said that, in the past, man had used traditional genetics to help him and GM had given him another tool to help him to keep ahead of factors such as pests, disease and population growth.
Prof Stott said it was important to hold trials in each area and that we would be left behind other countries if we did not grow GM crops commercially in Britain.
He agreed with the protesters about protecting the environment and GM enabled farmers to reduce the number of times they sprayed their crops with pesticide. It also meant agriculture could be extended into areas which are difficult, for example where there are droughts.
Today anti-GM protesters will rally against genetically modified oil seed rape trials at Roskill.
The protesters are now on the 10th day of a vigil at the site the second local one used for GM crops and have arranged a number of speakers for the rally. They include a beekeeper, organic farmers and Highlands and Islands GM Concern Group chairman Kenny Taylor.
A spokesman from Aventis Crop Science, the seed company behind the Scottish Executive trials, and the local farmer involved in the trials, Jamie Grant, were also invited to speak at the rally. Both declined.
The rally will start at 2pm at the protesters' site near Tullich steadings on Roskill Farm, near Munlochy. Northern Constabulary will close the road for safety reasons for the duration of the rally.
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The Guardian June 6, 2001
John Vidal
Philip Stott, professor of bio-geography at the University of London, has had a fine week, chairing a major biotech fest which was (surprise, surprise) sponsored by the US embassy and attracted many of the world's most vociferous proponents of the technology.
Stotty, despite saying that he "comes from the left", maintains a rabidly pro-industry, anti-environmentalist website (www.probiotech.fsnet.co.uk) which seeks to wittily deconstruct critics with new definitions.
Some examples:
"Global Warming - a political idea to hammer the use of the car and prevent all further industrial development".
"Greenpeace - a fun opportunity for mainly upper class climbers who are out for a laugh, but who still want to feel good".
Lost Tribe - "a group of folk in a tropical forest who can be romanticised and patronised but who must not want electricity or TVs."
Philip Stott - "An alarming academic who knows how to argue George Bush's case and should be taken with a strong pinch of salt" (sorry, that one is entirely fictional, but in the spirit of Stotty's site).