>Genetic engineering is not limited to agriculture -- it can be & has
>been used for production of medicines (in Cuba as well). As for
>genetic engineering in agriculture, it may be very well used to
>decrease the need for pesticides, irrigation, & chemical fertilizers.
>What's wrong with pursuing such an objective once we abolish
>capitalism & build socialism?
The problem with genetic engineering in agriculture (I leave medical uses
aside) is that it opens the door to cataclysmic events in nature, despite
the best intentions of humanity, even socialist humanity. This is the
reason that atomic energy would be a terrible idea as well.
>Farming without industrial inputs & equipment tends to be very
>labor-intensive, often involving back-breaking labor for tilling,
>sowing, weeding, watering, & harvesting. Peasants & agricultural
>workers themselves would benefit from & probably desire labor-saving
>technology in the absence of fear of unemployment.
It is not about tractors, etc. It is about chemicals, etc. Right now the
big problem is monoculture, which is necessary for large scale
agri-business, particularly exports in wheat, corn and other lucrative
commodities. By reintegrating animals with food production, you move in the
direction of resolving the metabolic rift. Furthermore, when cities are
located next to sustainable food sources which makes the long-distance
nature of industrial farming less essential. This is what some greens call
"bioregionalism". It makes sense as far as it goes. What it is lacking is
an understanding of the enemy that confronts us and how to defeat it. For
that socialism is required.
Louis Proyect
Marxism mailing list: http://www.marxmail.org/
