Sense about Science ? equipping people to make sense of science and evidence
Don't destroy research
In the summer of 2012, when plant scientists from the publicly funded Rothamsted Research appealed for discussion not destruction of their GM wheat crop trial, the public came out in their support.
More than 6,000 people from stay-at-home mums to insurance brokers, air traffic controllers to film makers, signed the Don't Destroy Research petition. You can see a collection of public support for the Rothamsted researchers' appeal here. The day of action aimed at destroying the wheat crop failed and the trial is ongoing.
To find out more about Sense About Science's ongoing work in this area go to the food and agriculture section of the website.
Read the scientists' appeal here and watch it below.
“On 27th May 2012 protesters are planning to destroy our Chemical Ecology group’s scientific research because it uses genetically modified wheat. Growing wheat has an environmental toll of extensive insecticide use to control aphid pests. The research, which is non-commercial, is investigating how to reduce that by getting the plants to repel aphids with a natural pheromone. We are appealing for protesters to call off the destruction and discuss the work.”
John Pickett, Scientific Leader of Chemical Ecology, Rothamsted Research
“As scientists, we know only too well that we don’t have all the answers. But if the work is destroyed, we’ll lose years of work and we will never know whether it could reduce the environmental impact of wheat growing. Please sign our petition and oppose the destruction of our research.”
Gia Aradottir, Postdoctoral Researcher, Insect Biology, Rothamsted Research
There is more information on the wheat trial at the Rothamsted Research website