General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: MoJo: What Did Monsanto Show Bill Nye to Make Him Fall "in Love" With GMOs? [View all]ND-Dem
(4,571 posts)This is from December 2014:
(Note: The "Genetic Literacy Project" is run by this guy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Entine
and connecting the dots will take you to a lot of interesting places, and explain why certain posters here keep posting stuff from Koch-funded organizations, for example. I don't have time or energy tonight to lay it all out, but maybe another day.)
Some of you might recall the open letter from Kevin Folta, a University of Florida plant scientist (Monsanto linked ), inviting Nye to participate in a forum at a major university for a civil, evidence-based debate on the benefits and risks of agricultural biotechnology.
The Science Guy never responded. He has received another invitation to discuss his opinion about GMOs. It comes from three graduate students who have just shared their letter with me (also supplied by Kevin Folta to the GLP):
Dear Mr. Bill Nye and Dr. Kevin Folta,
We are graduate students at Purdue University studying plant physiology, biochemistry, and human nutrition ....we recognize that farmers, who are stewards of their land and environment, are choosing to plant genetically modified crops...
Recently, Mr. Bill Nye made unsupported comments about genetically modified crops that alarmed us. ... Dr. Folta, a professor and department chair of the University of Floridas Horticulture Department, has a long standing reputation of echoing the scientific consensus on the safety of genetically modified crops and seems to hold views that are perpendicular to Mr. Nyes.
....It seems fair that Mr. Nye be given the opportunity to support the assertions that he made, but using the support of rigorous, peer-reviewed science that closely adheres to the scientific method that he has championed throughout his career.
...We are willing to arrange a venue and provide moderation in a debate like those both of you have participated in previously and can be flexible to accommodate both of your busy schedules.
Sincerely....
If the Purdue grad students receive the courtesy of a reply, the GLP will let everyone know, as of course will Keith Kloor or hatched the idea. As of now: defining silence. Stay tuned.
Read full, original blog: Bill Nye Gets Invited to Attend Another GMO Debate
http://geneticliteracyproject.org/2014/12/08/deafening-silence-from-bill-nye-to-kevin-folta-gmo-debate-challenge/