Bella Caledonia independence – autonomy – self-determination

12.9.15

Bella Caledonia independence – autonomy – self-determination: The open letter to Richard Lochhead, Minister of Rural Affairs, criticises the ‘political’ and ‘uninformed’ decision to ban cultivation of GM crops, and is signed by a variety of academic and other organisations. Several of these signatories, including the John Innes Centre, NFU Scotland and the Physiological Society* confirmed that the letter came from the group ‘Sense About Science’.

It’s a persuasive piece of copywriting, going from the Scottish Enlightenment right through to our shared future and the ‘freedom and integrity of science’. It all sounds very sensible. Even the group’s name is reassuring – Sense About Science. A bit of plain-talking, isn’t that what these complicated debates need? Their aim to ‘equip people to make sense of scientific and medical claims in public discussion’ sounds absolutely laudable. It seems, at first, absolutely right that such a body would promote a campaign to make sure scientists are being listened to on momentous decisions like GM crop cultivation.