Recently, BASF decided to move its GM Plant from Germany to the U.S. because of the anti-transgenic sentiment in Europe. And it is not for religious reasons (well, you might argue that it is after this entry).

Europeans are very dedicated to the preservation of life, the natural of things. There is a reason why Europeans are so in favour of clean energies, why they are against nuclear power (despite being the most clean and efficient energy source we know of), they prefer organic food and they are vocal in climate change talks. Europeans like things to be as unmanipulated as possible.

It is only natural that the whole incarnation of this, in order to strengthen Europe's people's 'good taste' in food, fair trade, etc., has lead to anti-transgenic sentiment in Europe. Europeans don't like the idea of food being manipulated to create better meat, create better crops, create better whatever. Because most of them, do not believe it to be better.

But Europeans need to understand that you can enjoy organic food and a transgenic beef without colliding views. The main problem, however, is the politicians who agree with the sentiment. We need better ways to develop our food. We need to develop more, faster and with lower cost. We've already exhausted the natural ways to do this, so science and research is the way forward in this field.

But considering how rich Europe generally is, it is not hard to grasp why people can be against it; because they don't need it. At least not desperately. Many people in the Third World, however, does, whom I am certain would not care how the beef was prepared if they were given one. But the research needs educated people, whom are only available in the First World. So if the research can continue by moving to the U.S., I am glad. But I am disappointed in my countrymen, in my continent and this general hippie mentality that seems to be at the highest levels in Europe.

We need to save people. Not just feel good about it.