toothycat | Sense about science: Rothamsted research

A group called Take the Flour Back are planning to march to an experimental site at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden on 27th May and destroy the test GM wheat being grown there. There's been a sensible, polite appeal in the form of an open letter from the scientists to the protest group, and for a little while it looked like they might be able to arrange a debate chaired by a neutral party and actually talk through their differences. Sadly, the protest group have decided they don't want to participate in a civilised debate, instead they're just going ahead with the attack. It is a 'day of peaceful action' but that doesn't mean it won't involve the wanton destruction of years of hard work and effort, the waste of thousands of pounds of taxpayer's money, and another hope of keeping productive food crops out of the hands of Big Business (Rothamsted is publically funded and has committed to making its wheat available around the world at minimum cost).

So there's a petition, which I have signed (see link below), and there's a fantastic set of responses from people of all walks of life, which is great to see. The Rothamsted researchers have said they will meet the protest group on the day and be willing to talk to them and show them their work. They've also said they know they can't stop the protesters and they don't want to see force used against them.

I'm just wondering what would happen if another group of people turned up to show solidarity with the scientists. Take the Flour Back state that most people agree with them. I'd love to see the other side.

http://www.senseaboutscience.org/pages/rothamsted-appeal.html