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Biotech supporters, opponents need some humility Bradley Fikes - North County Times Technology's promise, and its potential for mischief, marked the Biotechnology Industry Organization's convention in San Diego last week. The promise: cures and treatments for more diseases, better crops and progress against world hunger. The mischief: experimental treatments that kill people, deadly bioengineered bugs and greater corporate control over scientific research. Both sides got to make their point. Biotech protesters were extensively interviewed about the dangers of this technology, exercising their First Amendment rights. Meanwhile, the massive security effort allowed biotech supporters to hold their convention without disruption ---- they, too, have First Amendment rights, which opponents sometimes forget. The hard-core true believers in each camp don't like to admit it, but the public needs to hear both sides in this debate over the fundamental machinery of life. Stem cell research, genetically engineered humans, artificially created species that could not have existed in nature ---- these are all major and, at times, scary concepts. The question is: What mechanisms are needed to prevent abuses of biotechnology's power and ensure it is used for good? Biotech supporters often dismiss the skeptics as scientifically illiterate, motivated by political agendas. To some extent, they're right: Many of the protesters are ignorant of or distort science for their own purposes. However, science alone is not at issue. Decisions on fetal tissue research or the consequences of mixing patented seeds in a natural environment have political and moral dimensions that go beyond science and are the proper subjects of public policy debate. On the anti-biotech side, there's a distinct segment of activists that views disrupting meetings as a legitimate form of protest. Many of these protesters applauded disruptive actions in Seattle and other cities to stop globalization and the increasing power of multinational corporations. You can see their boastful accounts on numerous Web sites. These radical protesters are frightening and dangerous to democracy. They don't want a debate; they want a monologue. They only support the First Amendment when it defends their right of free speech. Those skeptical of biotechnology have every political right to protest. They also have a moral responsibility to disavow those who value violence and disruption over dialogue. Both biotech supporters and skeptics need to can the self- righteousness that makes the zealots among them think their way is the one true way. Biotechnology's benefits are well documented by patients whose lives have been saved by biotech medicines. Its potential for abuse has also been proven by researchers who failed to follow federal regulations in clinical trials, possibly causing harm to the patients. A little humility on both sides will go a long way. 7/1/01 http://www.nctimes.com/news/2001/20010701/65007.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn