Common Sense for the Biochemist

I recently found a pretty interesting article on GMWatch.org dealing with a claim made that Greenpeace supported GM Pharming. Upon further review, this claim deals with a statement made by Eric Murphy, Agragen's chief scientist in a recent article regarding Agragen.

Greenpeace, which normally opposes GMOs, was quoted in a recent news report saying it favors PMP production of a recombinant form of omega-3, Murphy says.

So what is this news report supposedly claiming Greenpeace's support of GM Pharming? Well, I did a little research trying to find this article and about the closest I could find was this. This article focuses on Patrick Moore, one of the founders of Greenpeace and former president of the organization. Dr. Moore recently split with Greenpeace, stating in part that "by the mid-1980s, the environmental movement had abandoned science and logic in favor of emotion and sensationalism," and has formed his own movement called Greenspirit. In this article, Dr. Moore had this to say about genetically enhanced plants:

Genetic enhancement: Activists persist in their zero-tolerance campaign against genetically enhanced food crops. There is no evidence of harm to human health or the environment, and benefits are measurable and significant. Genetically enhanced (GE) food crops reduce chemical pesticides, boost yield and reduce soil erosion. Enriched with Vitamin A, Golden Rice could prevent blindness in 500,000 children per year in Asia and Africa if activists would stop blocking its introduction. Other food crops contain iron, Vitamin E, enhanced protein and better oils. The anti-GE campaign seeks to deny these environmental and nutritional advances by using ''Frankenfood'' scare tactics and misinformation campaigns.

So, did Greenpeace really endorse GM Pharming, well I'll let you decide that one. By the way, if you can find any other article regarding Greenpeace's reported endorsement of GM Pharming, please pass it along.