Politics makes strange bedfellows but practical compromises have to be made, including on occasion with the anti-science left.
But in times of turmoil, and Ireland has that, things change. The Green Party, whose departure from government triggered the announcement of a general election to be held on February 25th, had blocked any compromise on genetically modified food but their leaving means the ruling Fianna Fáil party can now embrace rationalism and science again and Minister for agriculture Brendan Smith has announced they are doing just that and changing Ireland's voting position on EU Commission proposals designed to allow the marketing of GM food for human consumption, animal feed and food ingredients.
Obviously Irish voters have more pressing concerns at the moment (as do Americans) but forcing them into higher prices for food that is in no way different than so-called 'organic' processed food means that during a recession that can make money stretch a little farther. And that's good for anyone at any time.
