With CRISPR-Cas9 finally getting its Nobel Prize pundits talk about who was excluded, like Feng Zhang and his research group at the Broad Institute, but only a few talk about entire countries left out. And left behind in the 21st century.
Like France. Though Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier got her education in France, its anti-science mentality meant she had no career prospects there, the way she did in Germany and, of course, the United States. Though genetic engineering has fed a trillion animals and billions of people without any issue, France bans any science that is not given a pass by their environmental NGOs. Old mutagenesis techniques, where seeds are bathed in chemicals and radiation to force mutations, can still be deemed "organic", but modern science is not allowed. They are about to lose a giant chunk of their sugar cane revenue because they fell for hype about a supposed "beepocalypse" and banned targeted neonicitinoid pesticides. And will have to undo it, enraging activists in government.
A scientist who wants to feed the world must first leave France. Animal experiments in violation of humane laws? Allowed in France, which is why Gilles-Eric Seralini manufactured his retracted 'Monsanto causes cancer' rat study there. But making food able to grow in more places or with less water by shutting off a gene? Banned in the home of legendary scientist Marie Curie.
As Nicolas Beytout notes, France adores Marie Curie from its past while it denies science in its present - it was more accepting of women who want to advance progress a century ago than it is now.
Emmanuelle Charpentier Had To Leave France To Be Allowed To Do The Science For Her CRISPR-Cas9 Nobel
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