Attack on GMO opponents ‘unsubstantiated’
The Western Producer has published an opinion piece by Stuart Smyth on page 7 of its May 15 issue that is fixated on name-calling and sweeping, egregious allegations that could be considered defamatory.
We call for a much higher standard of debate and stronger editorial standards from the Western Producer.
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Smyth’s opinion piece, “Activists lie about Green Revolution’s success,” claims that environmental organizations and “academic activists” are spreading “false and misleading information” and, most critically, he says that this is “deliberate.”
Smyth refers to the spreading of false information five times, but he doesn’t offer any specific examples as evidence.
Smyth’s allegation that “these groups” are “lying” is a serious one. While Smyth avoids naming specific groups and academics, he takes particular issue with groups and academics who critique genetic engineering.
Smyth appears to disagree that the use of genetic engineering requires scrutiny and that such attention is legitimate. Instead, he calls for readers to “stop donations to environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs).”
We do not accept Smyth’s generalized, unsubstantiated attack on the integrity of non-profits like ours.
The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) engages in rigorous research and factual analysis. We are committed to offering accurate information to Canadians on an issue that is marred by an endemic lack of transparency and dominated by powerful corporate interests.
The opinion pages of the Western Producer have been an important forum for debate on agricultural issues, but publishing Smyth’s arguably libelous allegations undermines this function.
Lucy Sharratt,
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network
