Pope Francis Joins Battle Against Transgenic Crops

[proverbialwisdom]

Source: Common Dreams

Published on Wednesday, August 12, 2015

MEXICO CITY - A few centuries ago, the biotechnology industry would have been able to buy a papal bull to expiate its sins and grant it redemption. But in his encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si”, Pope Francis condemns genetically modified organisms (GMOs) without leaving room for a pardon.

In his second encyclical since he became pope on Mar. 13, 2013 – but the first that is entirely his work – Jorge Mario Bergoglio criticises the social, economic and agricultural impacts of GMOs and calls for a broad scientific debate.

Laudato Si – “Praise be to you, my Lord” in medieval Italian – takes its title from Saint Francis of Assisi’s 13th-century Canticle of the Sun, one of whose verses is: “Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.”

It is the first encyclical in history dedicated to the environment and reflecting on “our common home” – planet earth.

Read more: http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/08/12/pope-francis-joins-battle-against-transgenic-crops

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Terrific article.

[Ron Green]

1. Like Bernie Sanders (who's a fan of his), Pope Francis is a transformational voice.

People are listening.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Such an unconventional, decent man in that position. This is great news. Thank you. n/t

[pnwmom]

3. "the encyclical warns of the social, economic, legal and ethical implications of transgenic crops"

Thank you, Pope Francis, for contributing to an important discussion.

[rpannier]

4. K&R

To read later

[tecelote]

5. Such a debate on GMOs is missing

"Such a debate on GMOs is missing, and the biotech industry has refused to open up its databases to verify whether or not transgenic crops are innocuous.

According to the encyclical, “Discussions are needed in which all those directly or indirectly affected (farmers, consumers, civil authorities, scientists, seed producers, people living near fumigated fields, and others) can make known their problems and concerns, and have access to adequate and reliable information in order to make decisions for the common good, present and future.”

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Exactly. People above profits.

[Orrex]

6. So the winds of DU are blowing favorably on his popefulness today

I see...

[Grimelle]

7. My Pope

Choosing the name Francis and naming his encyclical Laudato Si should have been a clue that this Pope cares about the earth.

Good Job Francis.

[restorefreedom]

8. good. he is a consistent voice

against capitalist greed.

[Chemisse]

9. Sorry, locking

For two reasons. The article was more than 12 hours old, and it is an analysis article, so not suited for LBN. Please consider reposting in GD or possibly Good Reads.