Proof is always the burden of the accuser
In reply to Mr ((John) Allan’s letter to the editor (August 18) following my response to his article (Franklin County News, July 14).
Mr Allen has missed my point.
I am not debating GMO or Golden Rice in particular, not least because I am not even remotely qualified to do so.
I do support GMO research, unhindered by politically motivated blanket interference as practiced by Greenpeace.
I am questioning why Mr Allen chooses to write to the people of Franklin each week as if he is an expert, particularly where the stories are embellished with very easily disprovable statements which, unfortunately, bring into question every word.
In the July 14 article Mr Allen stated that many of the 110 Nobel Laureates have done so for personal gain (‘‘many do this at the behest of their corporate masters’’). Where are the references to any credible source Mr Allen?
In the July 21 edition Mr Allen asserts that these 110 Nobel Laureates, along with Nick Smith and none other than the Royal Society have argued that GMOs ‘‘should be allowed unfettered commercialisation’’.
Certainly the open letter to Greenpeace makes no mention of the checks and balances around the technology being dismantled.
I am happy to have my mind changed just as soon as you provide credible references that prove your point. Good on you Mr Allen for raising many and varied topics which deserve to be in the public eye but proof is always the burden of the accuser. Andrew Sweney, Drury (Correspondence on this topic is now closed, Editor)
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Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name. The editor reserves the right to abridge or withhold any correspondence. Letters may be edited. Email julie.kaio@fairfaxmedia.co.nz.