Vatican Transubstantiates GM Foods

The controversy over genetically modified foods is more political than scientific, says Archbishop Renato Martino, former Vatican ambassador to the UN and current head of the Vatican's council dealing with social issues. "I lived 16 years in America and I ate what came from the market, what was given to me," says the Archbishop. "So far I have had no ill effects." What's more, consider the young cleric-to-be's diet back in his Open City days:

Martino says during the Second World War in Italy he and others ate bread that was made of powdered marble as well as flour to give it substance.

"But we ate it because that's what we had," Martino said.

Comments

[Mark S.]

His Eminence points out that the anti-GM furor is "more political than scientific." My question is "whose politics?" The far right who screams that biotechnology somehow violates "God's will," or the rock-throwing, WTO-protesting, eco-luddite leftists who would rather see Africans starve than to let them use GM seed?

Then again, does it really matter?

[Martin Haggerty]

Archbishop Martino has stated his personal opinion regarding GM food and farming, in this case in its favour. This is quite distinct from the Vatican expressing that view. Similarly, the Pope has spoken out about the dangers of this technology. In that case, also giving his personal opinion, the Pope was speaking primarily to the Church rather than for the Church. The fact is that the Catholic Church has not pronounced on this issue. Until that happens, I suggest that we take more notice of the Holy Father's personal opinion than that of a self-publicising archbishop.