Greenpeace founder on "Frankenfood" tactics

Patrick Moore - a founder of Greenpeace and now a critic of the group's rabid opposition to scientific advancements - continues to be an outspoke proponent of genetically enhanced crops.

Greenpeace has been one of the most active critics of GE rice worldwide, and particularly in the European Union. In a recent interview with The Miami Herald, Dr. Moore stated the following in regards to genetic enhancement:

"Activists persist in their zero-tolerance campaign against genetically enhanced varieties of food crops where there is zero evidence of harm to human health or the environment, and the benefits are measurable and significant. GE food crops result in reduced chemical pesticides, higher yield, and reduced soil erosion.

"Golden Rice, for example, could prevent blindness in 500,000 children per year in Asia and Africa if activists would stop blocking its introduction. Other varieties of food crops will contain iron, vitamin E, enhanced protein and better oils. No other technology can match the potential of GE to address the nutritional deficiencies of billions of people.

"The anti-GE campaign seeks to deny these environmental and nutritional advances by using Frankenfood scare tactics and misinformation campaigns. Regardless of whether individual U.S. rice farmers may choose to support or oppose the planting of GE rice, they can all agree that it is time for the critics of GE rice to provide their sound science on such an important issue, a technology that by all accounts is safe and can help the world's population."

- Source: U.S. Rice Producers Association press release, November 30