Real Innovation
We have already covered much of the theory of discovery, science, creativity and innovation in
Previous Issues
of the if++ Innovation Forum. Now we take a look at applied innovation, by focusing on topical issues and articles in the news. You can, however, also steer the course of if++ by
voting on your chosen areas of interest
and expressing your own views.
The article below uses elements of theory (covered earlier) to analyse real world innovations.
More on GM Crops
Last month GM crops were in the news and if++ applied some of the theories of innovation to this topic. It concluded with a list of key questions. This month a panel of experts has reported on their review of GM crops. So here we look at what they have to say and cross-reference it to the set of questions if++ posed in the previous issue.
This gives you a chance to see how powerful the theories of innovation can be, and how they can be applied.
GM Crops: Report
 | The Report on GM Crops |
|
The highlights of the report include the following:
| |
Genetically modified crops pose a "very low" risk to human health
| |
Found no case for ruling out all GM crops in the UK
| |
Novel plants were unlikely to lead to the creation of "superweeds"
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It raised doubts about the effects the new crops could have on the wider environment - particularly wildlife
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It did not say they were entirely safe and said more research was needed, particularly as new varieties entered the market
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Gaps in our knowledge and uncertainties will become more complex if the range of plants and traits introduced increases
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Findings could not be seen as an approval of all GM crops
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GM is not a homogenous technology on which scientists can make blanket assurances on safety
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Applications of GM technology will have to be considered on a case by case basis
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Sir David [chairman of the panel] warned against opposing the developments because of a lack of knowledge, arguing that "if we are paralysed by uncertainty, innovation and progress will be stifled"
|
As reported by the BBC
see also:
wildlife concerns
|
The above shows that this subject is not simply a case of black or white.
It also shows possible contradictions, for example:
Genetically modified crops pose a "very low" risk to human health
versus
It did not say they were entirely safe and said more research was needed
Gaps in our knowledge and uncertainties will become more complex
GM is not a homogenous technology on which scientists can make blanket assurances on safety; and
Applications of GM technology will have to be considered on a case by case basis.
GM Crops Q & A
Questions
(from the previous if++ issue) |
Answers
(from the above report) |
|
Have we discovered everything we need to know about genetics and genetic engineering?
| No
| |
What will we discover during our experiments?
| Unknown
| |
What perspectives have yet to be considered?
| More research needed
| |
Would GM be better suited to another context?
| Not addressed
| | Will all of the changes be observable, traceable and measurable?
| Not addressed
| |
Has the full rigour of the scientific process been applied to GM?
| No, more research needed
| |
Do we have a complete and validated scientific model for genetics?
| No
| | What level of uncertainty exists in current scientific models?
| Unknown
| |
How accurate are their forecasts and predictions?
| None available
| |
Is the genetic / eco-system too complex to accurately model?
| Not addressed
| |
How accurate do we need it to be?
| Not addressed
| |
Do we understand the process?
| No, more research needed
| |
What are the potential implications of the uncertainties that exist in all models?
| Not addressed
| | What might the unexpected outcomes be?
| Unknown
| |
What can we deduce from other contexts?
| Not addressed
| |
What are the potential risks?
| Not addressed / unknown
| |
What are the contingency plans to deal with those risks?
| Not addressed
| |
Is it a controlled system? Where, and what, are the control systems?
| Not addressed
| |
How do we deal with innovative risks in other industries? What does that tell us?
| ?
|
Note the above refers only to the cited reporting of the findings, not the full report produced by the panel of experts. That report may address some of the above issues.
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