The kind of interesting advice that goes out on the Prakash list. there's even a GM variant on let them eat cake: "And, it's better to figure out how to feed starving people in Africa and Asia before more terrorists are recruited, out of desparation. That research into crops that will grow in desserts, etc. is part of what we need for peace." the second Prakash item recommends planting GM crops illegally in India. see the master of disinformation himself:
http://www.ngin.org.uk/comical_ali_animated.gif
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Advice to Scientists on the Current British GM Debate
From Sheila Anderson (Real Estate Publisher from Florida)
[oh yeah!]
The corporations in England, in many cases, operate on a self-serving caste system. Executives believe they are superior to everyone else, and consumers are not recognized as part of the food chain. Those short-sighted, self-serving, rather immature and arrogant affectations can't be changed, at least not in time to save them from corporate melt-down, but there are things everyone else can do. Here are a few suggestions: You all may have others:
1. Populate this moving debate with anyone who can be rounded up. Go to as many as possible, as ordinary people, and simply participate with courtesy. Get names and addresses of people, for follow up. The most important thing is to be nice, because that will sell more of the science than being smart. The scientific community should go!
2. Statements, conversations, follow up should be on simple terms. Scientific explanations are not needed. Clearing up confusion is.
3. Create context, stress the basics only. Repeat the obvious - that all food is organic, and everything we have eaten all along has been modified
4. I disagree with Lord May that there are no benefits yet. Of course there are. It's possible to know how food grows and to be precise in changing traits. Draw a reference to changing traits in people - how many people dye their hair, or wear deodorants, etc. How many people garden, and enjoy the variety of colors in hybrid flowers. The new insights into plants are better because it makes everyone smarter about food safety. It's also better to have less impact on the environment. And, it's certainly better to have research on adding vitamins and other nutrients to food, as well as removing allergins and toxins. And, it's better to figure out how to feed starving people in Africa and Asia before more terrorists are recruited, out of desparation. That research into crops that will grow in desserts, etc. is part of what we need for peace.
5. Keep discussion topics to everyday concerns of consumers. Do they know how much bacteria there is in "organic" farming methods, or how to remove allergens to peanuts? How about bringing back the taste in tomatoes? Those also are benefits.
6. To be more technical is to miss the opportunities to sell the advances as "normal" "improved food".
7. Make the point that anyone who has visited the US during the last five years, at least, probably was eating GM foods and they are still "alive and kicking" in England. Look at the Prime Minister, and all the diplomats. They look healthy, and are certainly well fed. Look at all the corporate people - who are thriving. They are eating these foods!
8. Paint the protestors as "paid special interests", and it may help to separate them.
9. Use the Council on Biotechnology Information photo pages to be made available to people, might just create some interest. They are so attractive, people might want to keep them. They would be wonderful to use as follow-up, if y'all can get the names and addresses of everyone who attends one of these meetings. Getting that follow-up list should be the primary reason for being there, and then use it! Those people will speak to others, and using a device like those photo pages - distributed one every six weeks or so, will go a long way in educating these people, and anyone else with whom they speak. So, take advantage of their presence at these meetings to find out how to reach them afterwards, and make them into a marketing list.
10. DON'T ARGUE WITH ANYONE. Be interested in what they think, and say, and offer to follow up with them - send them something you've seen - "sorry I didn't think to bring it along today" - so you can get back to them.
When people are not sure of something, they express themselves in negative terms. And, of course the press is going to play on that. But, you have an opportunity to give these people positive things to say, after this exercise. And, it's an opportunity. Once they've spoken and gotten their fears, frustrations, etc. out of their systems, they may show an interest in what else there is to say. And, follow-up marketing will give them more to talk about - to their friends, associates, neighbors. So, use these meetings to find out who they are, and where to reach them later. Some of them will be converted into advocates for GM out of this experience if you play it right.
It can't get much worse, so think about ways to make it better. EVERYONE who is getting this email communication, if they are in the UK, must do their part. Because it's the way to turn around this debate. Ignore it, don't go, don't follow up, be better than these consumers (who afterall control the decisions at the grocer), and the country will shut down. Don't let it!
- SMA
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Illicit GM Cotton in India
- Gordon Couger <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I wonder how much cotton seed has gone home from grad students here in going to school here in the US. In their place I sure would be tempted to send it home to start my own cotton seed business.
Breeding cotton is not a high tech operation. Hand hybridizing US verities with Indian varieties take a lot of hard working people with scissors, paper bags, small brushes and drawing for Eli Whitney's first hand cotton gin.
India's farmers may not be well educated but they are intelligent hard working people that can take advantage of situations that present themselves as well as farmers in any other country. Goverment bans aren't standing in the way of GM beans in Brazil and I doubt they will stand in the way of GM cotton in the rest of the world. Particularly were there are no remedies for theft of intellectual property.
Maybe would should clean out our planters and get in touch with an Indian student.
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Meet Uncle Sam's very own GM Information Minister - code name: Comical Praki: http://www.ngin.org.uk/comical_ali_animated.gif Black propaganda, covert operations, Words of Mass Deception... Comical Praki's the man! For more on Comical Praki, see THE PANTS ON FIRE HOT SHOT: http://ngin.tripod.com/pantsoftheyearaward.htm
hmmm... knew we should have given this guy a pants award!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/cartoons/stevebell/0,7371,969404,00.html