Barbi Walker interviewed me for her article on Genetically Modified Organisms to see what I thought about the science in this debate. She and I talked about how other countries are involved in this debate and the impact of how American choices in farming and agriculture impact our economy worldwide.
But with education and information we can begin to understand more about GM foods and their impact on our society and overall health. “As a society we need to get more educated,” says Lisa Niver Rajna, an award winning sixth grade science teacher in California.
Niver Rajna, recently nominated for the 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math Science Teaching, is currently reading a series of articles on GMOs through the California Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) with her students. “I tell my students that you have to look carefully at the good and bad of an issue,” Niver Rajna says. Science may be the common ground for answers. Both Niver Rajna and Murphee agree on one thing—don’t be afraid of science. Science can create techniques and products that make both organic and bio-engineered farming better.
“Unfortunately we only have sound bites which causes knee-jerk reactions,” says Niver Rajna. “I think legitimate information is out there and sometimes it’s hard to know what’s accurate, but science has a lot to offer in the way of education and information.”
Barbi Walker is a freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. Barbi lives in Phoenix with her husband and young son.