Why is an Arts/Science perspective important in addressing GMOs?
Many now agree that science and technology are never neutral or value-free but always embedded in a social and political context. Scientists and the Sciences have been criticized for adopting an overly reductionist perspective in addressing pervasive global problems. Although scientists’ perspectives work brilliantly in addressing specific problems in closed systems, they have their limitations in the complex systems in which humans live. The so-called genetic determinism perspective, whereby genes are seen to lead directly to certain physical characteristics and behaviours has long been discredited. We now know that organisms, however minute, are constantly interacting with their environments and this, along with their particular genetic compositions, determines their traits. Despite idealistic visions, scientists are now realizing the limitations of trying to change the world’s most devastating problems, such as world hunger, with the addition or alteration of single genes in GM food
