Genetic Modification: Polarizing the population [infographic]

By Matthew Hardcastle and Poncie Rutsch
BU News Service

With all the angry voices chiming in on genetically modified foods, it can be really hard to figure out where the basic science stands. Lately, the conversation has been getting particularly ugly. People who support genetically modifying their foods (shortened to GMOs for genetically modified organisms) have started to proclaim that without genetic modification, people in the world will always be starving — that is, there is no other way to feed a growing population. Meanwhile, people who reject GMOs start to sound very similar to people suffering from climate denial — limited arguments based on poorly researched science.

We decided to put together a sort of GMO cheat sheet: what you need to know, some basic facts, and a few questions before you lose friends over this polarizing argument. We tried debating, but it felt mean and didn’t represent the amazing level of complexity that surrounds this issue. For this readon, there are occasions when the two paths overlap. In no way is this the end of the argument, but instead of reading another op-ed, why not get to the basics?

Reporting IN FAVOR OF GENETIC MODIFICATION is Matthew Hardcastle. His points follow the blue path.

Reporting LESS FAVORABLY ON GENETIC MODIFICATION is Poncie Rutsch. Her points follow the green path.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

A clickable map of world hunger.

A few more basics on what world hunger is and how it intersects with malnutrition.

Reporter Sharon Schmickle travels to Tanzania to explore GMO resistance through a Pulitzer grant.

Performer Follows Pianos Around The World

IMAGE: October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE -- Fabio Tedde plays a public piano in Harvard Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos around Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit, which has put temporary street pianos in over thirty cities in the past five years. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play them all -- this his 37th in Boston and his 433rd worldwide. (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.)

IMAGE: October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE -- Fabio Tedde plays a public piano in Brattle Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos across Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit, which has put temporary street pianos in over thirty cities in the past five years. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play them all -- this his 38th in Boston and his 434th worldwide. (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.) — October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE — Fabio Tedde plays a public piano in Brattle Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos across Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit, which has put temporary street pianos in over thirty cities in the past five years. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play them all — this his 38th in Boston and his 434th worldwide. (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.)

IMAGE: October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE -- Tourists stop to watch Fabio Tedde play a public piano in Harvard Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos around Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit, which has put temporary street pianos in over thirty cities in the past five years. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play them all -- this his 37th in Boston and his 433rd worldwide. (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.) — October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE — Tourists stop to watch Fabio Tedde play a public piano in Harvard Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos around Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit, which has put temporary street pianos in over thirty cities in the past five years. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play them all — this his 37th in Boston and his 433rd worldwide. (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.)

IMAGE: October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE -- Fabio Tedde plays a public piano in Brattle Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos spread across Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play them all. “99 percent of the time I improvise,” Tedde says, explaining that he used to read music but has long forgotten how. (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.) — October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE — Fabio Tedde plays a public piano in Brattle Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos spread across Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play them all. “99 percent of the time I improvise,” Tedde says, explaining that he used to read music but has long forgotten how. (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.)

IMAGE: October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE -- Fabio Tedde crosses a piano off of his master list in Harvard Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos spread around Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit, which has put temporary street pianos in over thirty cities in the past five years. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play each piano. “Now if I go to a city, “ says Tedde, “it’s boring because there are no pianos to play.” (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.) — October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE — Fabio Tedde crosses a piano off of his master list in Harvard Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos spread around Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit, which has put temporary street pianos in over thirty cities in the past five years. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play each piano. “Now if I go to a city, “ says Tedde, “it’s boring because there are no pianos to play.” (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.)

IMAGE: October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE -- Fabio Tedde covers a public piano to protect it from the rain in Brattle Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos across Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit, which has put temporary street pianos in over thirty cities in the past five years. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play them all. (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.) — October 4, 2013 CAMBRIDGE — Fabio Tedde covers a public piano to protect it from the rain in Brattle Square on Friday afternoon. There are 75 pianos across Boston for Luke Jerram’s “Play Me, I’m Yours” exhibit, which has put temporary street pianos in over thirty cities in the past five years. Tedde, an Italian street performer, follows the piano exhibits and tries to play them all. (Photo by Poncie Rutsch.)

(Click thumbnail to launch slideshow.)