Norman Borlaug’s research definitely shows through this article regarding biotechnology and antiscience zealotry. His devotion and knowledge to his career is evident, resulting in his Noble Peace Prize Award in 1970. Borlaug anticipated great strides through biotechnology, primarily through food and fiber resources. Due to its presence in agriculture, transcience crops and the use of biotechnology have paved the way for medicine improvements and public health (Borlaug 487). Focusing mainly on transcience plants such as corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat, just to name a few, Borlaug suggests that the growth of these crops will decrease environmental damages and herbicidal growth.
Also, he provides logical explanations for the use of genetically modified foods. For example, he said, “Genetic modification of crops is not some kind of witchcraft; rather, it is a progressive harnessing of the forces of nature feeding the human race” (Borlaug 489). As a reader, I agree with all of his statements made about GMO crops. Arguing against those opposing crossbreeding of genes, he says how “Mother Nature” took matters into her own hands long before humans invented genetic engineering.
Later, Borlaug praises the headhunters of the environmentalist movement, whom, at the time, seemed like lunatics. Borlaug wrote, “This movement has led to a legislation to improve air and water quality, protect wildlife, control the disposal of toxic wastes, and reduce the loss of biodiversity” (Borlaug 488). Because of those “extremists”, current advances are being made agriculturally, but, more importantly, daily choices made by the human population are changing. A societal shift yearning for healthy food and compostable means is the present and future. With this mentality, long-term environmentally-sound ideas will become a reality.
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