Skip to main content
Log in

Science and the Consequences of Mistruct: Lessons from Recent GM Controversies

  • Published:
Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In 2001, it was announced thattransgenic DNA had introgressed intotraditional strains of maize in Mexico. Acontroversy erupted and raged throughout 2001and 2002. This episode represents an acutebreakdown in scientific discourse. Given thestakes in the genetically modified organismdebate, a breakdown in scientific discourse isalarming. The following inquiry looks into thecauses of this breakdown. Ultimately, it willbe argued that the underlying problem is thecurrent institutional structure of science,particularly in the United States. If thediagnosis is correct, then the proper course oftreatment is to pursue a program ofinstitutional reconstruction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • AgBioWorld, “Joint Statement in Support of Scientific Discourse in Mexican GM Maize Scandal,” http://www.agribioworld.org/jointstatement.html (2002) (accessed July 19, 2002).

  • Baier, A., Moral Prejudices: Essays on Ethics (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, R., “Environmentalist Biofraud? A New Report Challenges Research Published in Respected Journal,” Reason, February 12, 2002, http://reason.com/rb/rbo21202. shtml.

  • Barber, B., The Logic and Limits of Trust (Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ, 1983).

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J., Understanding John Dewey (Open Court, Chicago, 1996), pp. 184–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles, D., Lords of the Harvest (Perseus Publishing, Cambridge, MA, 2001).

    Google Scholar 

  • Christou, P., “No Credible Scientific Evidence is Presented to Support Claims that Transgenic DNA was Introgressed into Traditional Landraces in Oaxaca, Mexico,” Transgenic Research 11 (2002), iii–v.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J., Human Nature and Conflict, pp. 207, 228; in John Dewey: The Middle Works: 1899–1924, J. A. Boydston (ed.), vol. 14 (Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale, IL, 1976–1983).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J., Liberalism and Social Action, p. 56; in John Dewey: The Later Works: 1925–1953, J. A. Boydston (ed.), vol. 11 (Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale, IL, 1981–1990).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewey, J., Freedom and Culture, p. 94; in JohnDewey: The Later Works: 1925–1953. J.A. Boydston (ed.), vol. 13 (Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale, IL, 1981–1990).

    Google Scholar 

  • Editor, “Comment,” Nature 416 (2002), 601.

    Google Scholar 

  • Editor, Nature 420(2002), 730–731.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enserink, M., “Institute Copes with Genetic Hot Potato,” Science 281(5380) (1998), 1124–1125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enserink, M., “The Lancet Scolded Over the Pusztai Paper,” Science 286(5440) (1999), 696.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewen, S. and A. Pusztai, “Effects of Diets Containing Genetically Modified Potatoes Expressing Galanthus Nivalis Lectin on Rats Small Intestine,” Lancet 354(9187) (1999), 1353–1354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Food First, “Joint Statement on the Mexican GM Maize Scandal” (2002), http://www. foodfirst.org/progs/global/ge/jpintstatement2002.html (accessed July 19, 2002).

  • Joint Research (JRC) Report, http://www.jrc.es/gmoreview.pdf (2003) (accessed March 15, 2003).

  • Kaplinsky, N., D. Braun, D. Lisch, A. Hay, S. Hake, and M. Freeling, “Correspondence,” Nature 416(2002), 601–602.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krimsky, S., “The Profit of Scientific Discovery and Its Normative Implications,” Chicago-Kent Law Review 75(15) (1999), 15–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, T., The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 2nd edn. (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann, R., “Has GM Corn 'Invaded' Mexico?,” Science Magazine 295 (5560)(2002), 617–1619.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGee, G., “Pragmatic Method in Bioethics,” in G. McGee (ed.), Pragmatic Bioethics (Vanderbilt University Press, Nashville, 1999).

    Google Scholar 

  • Metz, M. and J. Fütterer, “Correspondence,” Nature 416(2002), 600–601.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metz, M. and J. Fütterer, “Correspondence,” Nature 417(2002), 897–898.

    Google Scholar 

  • Otto, M. J., “Critics Question Private Funding: Students, Others Wary of Corporate Influence in Education,” The Daily Californian (1998), http://archive.dailycal.org/archive/ 98/11/30/university.html.

  • Palevitz, B. A., –Corn Goes Pop, then Kaboom: Nature Regrets Publishing a Pager onTransgene Contamination in Mexico,— The Scientists (2002), http://www.the-scientist.com/yr2002/apr/palevitz_p18_020429.html.

  • Pearce, F., “The Great Mexican Maize Scandal,” New Scientist, 15 June 2002, pp. 14–16.

  • Press, E. and J. Washburn, “The Kept University, Part I,” The Atlantic Monthly March (2000), http:www.theatlantic.com/issues/2000/03/press.htm.

  • Quist, D. and I. Chapela, “Transgenic DNA Introgressed into Traditional Maize Landraces in Oaxaca Mexico,” Nature 414(2002), 541–543.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quist, D. and I. Chapela, “Correspondence,” Nature 416 (2002), 602.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Royal Society, “Review of Data on Possible Toxicity of GE Potatoes” (1999), http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk (accessed August, 8 2002).

  • Suarez, A., V. M. Benard, N. D. Tsutsui, T. A. Blackledge, K. Copren, E. M. Sarnat, A. L. Wild, W. M. Getz, P. T. Starks, K. Will, P. J. Palsbøll, M. E. Hauber, C. Moritz, and A. D. Richman, “Correspondence,” Nature 417 (2002), 897.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P., Food Biotechnology in Ethical Perspective (Blackie Academic and Professional Press, London, 1994), pp. 216–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Worthy, K., R. C. Strohman, and P. R. Billings, “Correspondence,” Nature 417 (2002), 897.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Scott, D. Science and the Consequences of Mistruct: Lessons from Recent GM Controversies. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 16, 569–582 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JAGE.0000004963.59665.3d

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JAGE.0000004963.59665.3d

Navigation