I feel rather embarrassed by how many people seem to be against "genetic manipulation" on principle-what about Wes Jackson's plant breeding experiments in Kansas? And I'm similarly embarrassed by those who seem against government involvement in product regulation (Organic Standards)-are you also against building highways and enforcing speed limits? As a former dairy farmer, I think BST both stupid and probably dangerous. Of course the USDA screwed up the recommendations of the NOSB. Of course Monsanto etc. are primarily interested in profits, and of course they have considerable power to influence government. But our "movement" will doom itself to permanent marginality if we decide to 1) hold the line against history rather than 2) blaze new trails and pull history along. The scientific urge to discover new ways to increase yields, resist pests, etc. can be symbiotic with sustainable ag. Similarly, democratically accountable government is the only institution that could (theoretically) be powerful enough to restrain market forces for the public good.

Hal Hamilton
Sustainability Institute
3 Linden Rd., Hartland, VT 05048 USA
Phone: (802) 436-1277
Fax: (802) 436-1281
hhamilton@sustainer.org
www.sustainer.org