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in order to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
What to believe and
For many people this is accompanied by the very
convincing argument of generating electricity for
what not to believe
free without any pollution. Another gnoup pours
scorn and contempt on this solution, saying that
Considerable progress has been made in techno-
wind farms change scenic locations into industrial
logy. Loolc at mobile telephones and the Internet.
landscapes, Icill significant numbers of birds and
Today, many people enjoy a standard ofliving much produce only a fraction of their potential energy
higher than that of their parents.
because the wind is unpredictable. In fifty years'

time, what will be the situation? Will the whole
So what is really happening? Are the rich getting
landscape be covered in wind turbines or will we
richer and the poor getting poorer, as one recent
laugh at such preposterously outdated solutions?
analysis suggested!Will the middle class disappear,
as many social scientists predict, and if so what
Recently, we heard about DNA kits that can be
will replace it! How will posterity look upon our
found on the Internet and apparently have gener-
society! What kind of world will we leave for our
ated a lot of business. People may be interested
children! in discovering their ancestral pasts, or to obtain a
genetic roadmap that may predict future personal
How many times have we seen the label "approved health conditions. Celebrities have had important
by scientists", "approved by the medical associa- parts of their bodies removed due to an ominous
tion" on a product! What could be more certain
genetic heritage.
than resorting to the integrity of a professional
organization! Marketing at its best! But, despite all
However, a decade's worth of analyses of genetic
this, has the world really become a better place to
screening services has shown that they almost
live! Franklin D. Roosevelt said: "The test of our
always promise more than they can deliver. It is
progress is not whether we add more to the abun- true that the genetic variations found in your DNA
we sample may be "associated" with diseases, but that
dance of those who have much; it is whether
provide enough for those who have little."
doesn't necessary imply "causation". In other
words, iust because a genetic test says your genes
Take,for instance,genetically modified (GM) crops. carry a "higher than normal" chance of developing
The aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant
Alzheimer's orType 2 diabetes, it's not guaranteed
which does not occur naturally, such as resistance
you will acquire it.
to pests or diseases, adaptation to environmental
conditions such as drought, frost or high salinity, The u.s. Government Accountability Office
or improving the nutrient value of the crop.There
conducted a review of online businesses offering
is broad scientific consensus that GM crops pose
genetic testing and lifestyle counselling services.
no greater risk to human health than conventional
They sent the same samples to a number of com-
food. On the other hand, there also seems to be
panies and found that their predictions ran right
widespread concern about them from environ- across the board.The conclusion? "These tests do
mental activists, religious organizations, public inte- not provide meaningful information to consumers."
rest groups and some professional associations.
The agribusiness has been criticized for pursuing
So what can we do? Stay alert, and each time we
profit without concern for potential hazards, and see something "approved by", do as my old granny
the government for failing to exercise adequate used to say: "Take it with a pinch of salt", meaning
control. It seems that everyone has a strong opi-
that, despite what the experts say, you are still
nion about GM foods-even the Pope and the required to use your own common sense.
Prince ofWales.When will we know the truth!
Marjt and John
Take, for instance, wind turbines. Governments
have encouraged companies to build wind farms