RIP Noeman Borlaug

Discussion in 'Science & Society' started by iceaura, Sep 14, 2009.

  1. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    Well damn: Norman Borlaug died, yesterday.

    AFAIK he holds the standing record for "most human beings not dying in misery because he saved their asses", world, human history.
     
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  3. EntropyAlwaysWins TANSTAAFL. Registered Senior Member

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    His legacy will live on in his enormous contributions and effects they have had on humanity.
     
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  5. original sine Registered Senior Member

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    Thank you, Mr. Borlaug.
     
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  7. EmeraldAxe Registered Senior Member

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    Is there any tie to the increase in celiac sprue and the contributions he made to genetic engineering of wheat (both ~1950). All scientific advances seem to have unintended long term consequences.
     
  8. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    He did no genetic engineering AFAIK - those techniques were not available during his major work.

    He just bred wheat to produce more and feed more people. Also rice, etc.

    In his later years, he did advocate using genetic engineering to introduce wheat gluten related proteins into maize and other grains - to boost their nutritional benefit. That would probably be extremely dangerous to the gluten allergic - but it has not happened, yet, AFAIK.

    One of the overlooked aspects of his viewpoint has been his continual warnings about overpopulation. He saw it first hand, and no one knew better than he what the dangers were in what he called the population "monster". He is often criticized for his willingness to sacrifice "environmental" concerns for more bulk food production - he has long advocated roadbuilding in Africa and the Amazon, for example, and the intensive use of agricultural chemicals - but the basis for his advocacy is the same perception of looming disaster that is often associated with the flighty and lefty and over excitable. He knew his work only postponed a day of reckoning.
     

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