Our
analysis and commentary
Our
analysis and commentary
(Jeunes Reporters pour l'Environnement) We did our analysis by themes (which gathered different questions).
Politics
Guy-Olivier Segond explains us that a political problem is a
problem that concerns the whole of citizens; being given that the
genetic engineering is an extraordinary " progress ", it is the whole
of citizens that is concerned : « For the first time in the
humanity, the human being knows how to modify the genetic heritage
how in the plant order, animal or at the man and somewhere it is a
new power [Ö] ».
« In itself, a scientific discovery is neutral, it becomes
somethink good or bad according to the applications that we can do of
it ». So the public authority, with the community, must say
where this applications are going. We have to build a public and
instutionnal debate ; itís a heavy job because «
[these problems] are calling other reflexions, which are
proceeding in another order [Ö] and the autorithy
canít work with his traditionnal modus operandi ».
Besides the opinion are moderated in each politic classification, on
booth sides there are arguments for and against genetic engineering.
For instance the left can condemn the economic interest form the
multinationals firms, as it can say that the genetic egineering will
give something to eat for all the mankind.
Consumers
According to Mr. Segond, the consummers interrogations are calling in
questions about progress. These fears are justified. Each time an
inventionís appearse in humanís life, heís
forced to adapt himself, and thereís invevitably a lot of
fears : « There has allways been in humanityís history
some modifications and adaptations of the man by comparison with his
environment. »These fears donít yet have a
foundation.
Since ever, we do different kinds of transformations of the plant
genome, not « in laboratory, but by natural mechanisms
»(crossings of species, selection,Ö). Transforming
transform the genome by genetic engineering is actually located on
the progression line of. According to G.-O. Segond, the risk is
everywhere in the society; genetic manipulations include as many
risks that whatever else. The risk scares more when it is minimal
that when it is very big.
As for the information to consumers, Mr. Segond thinks that it
is satisfactory: " They are not informed like a scientific is ", but
as in all debate, they are informed enough to take position.
For our part, we think that information is sufficient, but that the
risk is bigger than usually because manipulations of the
génome could drag some irreversible consequences on our
environment. Besides, they are more difficult to control than
intervening progressive modification consequences in the nature,
because these operated themselves more slowly; the nature evolves
more " by herself without the genetic engineering.»
Laws
All countries are, at the moment in consultation in order to
find laws that will establish parapets. In Switzerland, the
legislation is being written to protect better the consumer. " It
always starts with the Constitution, the federal laws, and reglements
of application. Now, we are at the Constitution floor, it has been
voted; then there is the law floor, it is under manufacture;
then after there is the regimentation of application floor (Ö)
these slow processes also permit to see what is necessary to center
".
But laws are already in place; the genetically modified foods must be
controled and must be labeled; medicines must be ratified by the IOCM
(Intercantonale Organization for the control of the Medecine). Yet,
these measures don't permit a 100% security. Even the initiative for
genetic engineering would not have permitted it. We can of curse
imagine abuses, but the risk is not negligible. In our society, a
product put on the market, without having got the certification, will
be remarked quickly.
Our point of view concords with Guy-Olivier Segond on the writing of
laws. This process is optimal, because it functions by landings. On
the other hand, he pretends that the labeling is reliable, whereas
tests (B.A.T.S., A.B.E., etc.) prove that we can not detect
GMOís. in food.
Agrobusiness
Mr. Segond explained us that the Swiss laws don't slow down
research, because they are for the meantime non-existent (cf. the
chapter of laws, higher). The multinationals make a " screen " of
countries merely to know what legislation encourages their
implantation in such or such state.
As for the aim of agrobusiness, it would not be only the gain.
Societies discover the new techniques that are going to permit them
to win money. But this recipe will also serve finance news researche
that will serve to take care of other illnesses, to fight against
other curses. But the politician notes that societies in question "
don't have for only ideal the good of the humanity ".
The agroalimentary societies put arguments forward in favor of
the third-world. According to the counselor of state, it is about a "
combination " of untrue and true advertisement. But it doesn't prove
it completly; it explains solely that it is positive that genetic
engineering helps populations to fight against starvations, but
doesn't aboard the problem of chimerical advertisement.
If these enterprises take care of developing countries, it is
because the scientific research, the economic investment drags
advantages for populations in starvation. The product of the
agroalimentary industry is interests to exploit for countries of the
third world.
Our position is that, we are between us fairly opposite. On one
hand we think that the only interest of agrobusiness is the gain, and
that these societies do not worry of countries of the third world.
But on the other hand, these societies have two aspects, we discern
them as sadistic, but that they make the humanity advance; and that
without these motors the economy would not be as strong. But in a
general manner, these societies have by definition a lucrative aim.
We are opposed to the Counselor of state, when he says that gains
coming from certain investments are going to finance research for
example for other illnesses, because we know (numbers prove it) that
gains are profits in major parts.
Future
Mr. the Counselor of state Guy-Olivier Segond wants himself
very prudent on the future of genetic engineering: " it is very
difficult to predict the future [Ö] every time that I
tried to make it, I was mistaken! . However, they do think that
discussions will take place and that decisions will be taken (for the
legislative system?). Finally, genetic engineering is «the
discussion of our generation; maybe that in 20 years it will have
been abandoned as the nuclear energy, because one finds something
else, maybe that to the opposite it will be developed as the aviation
because we will of found something else ".
To our opinion, Guy-Olivier Segond proves us his reasoning by
examples that are not scientific (right to vote of women,
reunification of the two Germany,Ö), that demonstrates nothing.
For us, research in genetic engineering is going to develop itself,
because it represents an enormous progress; many societies and
researchers are going to work to his applications, because these last
will allow to improve many things in the medical and the
agricultural.
Now, it is clear that a strict enough legislation is going to
get ready, in order to avoid overflows that could be a real danger
for our future. Besides, the opposition pro contra genetic
manipulations will prevent applications to make themselves too
quickly.
It was very interesting to discover other facets of genetic
engineering through the analysis of Mr. Segond. We notice hearing him
that he is a pure politician: he knows how to answer to questions,
that maybe embarasse him, by long expositions that don't have any
thing to do with the question, but that are enthralling and that make
us forget the content of the question. We notice that he has rather a
position in favor to genetic engineering, especially for the medical
view point; as for the problem of plants, he notably knows less the
question because he is the Health Department chief. In any case, we
are delighted to confront his point of view to those of the other
personalities interviewed.
Finally, the Counselor of state spoke of a heedful legislation
of consumers who doubt but whose fears are yet ungrounded, of
agroalimentary societies still ready to invest event more in the
researche for; there is a lot of politics. But in any case all seems
to present itself well. Yet, Mr. Segond wants himself prudent when he
abords the future of this technology. The machine is launched ; but
where will it stop?