"ScrAPES #15- Scotland to ban GM crop growing"

Article- Scotland to ban GM crop growing, (Author Unknown), August 9 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-33833958

Topic: Genetically modified crops 

Summary: 
      The Scottish Government is going against the idea of having GM crops in Scotland. Scotland is known for it's "clean, green status," for having a natural environment. The government doesn't want to ruin Scotland's reputation, and ruin their natural food and drink brands; which can cause consumer backlash if their brands were suddenly GM. An amendment was created to allow member states and developed administrations to ban or restrict genetically modified organisms within their area. However, farming leaders and environment groups are disappointed in the government's decision. They believe GM crops will help to sustain agriculture and protect the environment. They see the GM crops are safe to use, and should be allowed in Scotland due to other countries allowing it.  
     I chose this article because I wanted to learn more about why Scotland wanted to ban GM crops. What I found interesting was that Scotland wanted to keep their reputation clean, which I thought was a good idea. The other thing that I found interesting was that there were still some people who disagreed with the government's decision because of other countries were using it. This article connects with Chapter 5 that is in the environmental textbook; connecting with the genetic engineering method scientists are using to create desirable traits. 
    This article is important to environmental science because it shows how not everyone desires to use GM products- which is a good decision. The next step is to spread the word that if one country declines the use of GM crops, then every other country can do the same. We now need to examine thoroughly the use of GM crops and how it might have an effect in our health and the environment in the long run.