Thursday, August 15, 2013

Televised Debate Between Businessman and 14-Year-Old On GMOs

Wow. Another young woman, another force to be reckoned with.*

Canadian student Rachel Parent recently challenged Canadian Businessman and TV personality Kevin O’Leary to a debate about genetically engineered food after he said “Stupid people protest about Monsanto.” She said:
"Have me on your show next week, and if you promise not to use the word “stupid,” I won’t use the word “fascist.” "
They debated on July 31, 2013:



Parent said:
"At least test it. Properly. Adequately. That way we know, as the consumer, it's safe."
When O'Leary asked, point blank, if she was anti-science, Parent replied:
"I'm not anti-science, but I'm for responsible science and ethical progress. ... Science that's proven safe by not the very same companies that stand to gain by their approval."

* Her passion and ability to articulate remind me of Malala Yousafzai.
________

3 comments:

Bix said...

PRDaily describes why she won the debate:

1. She didn’t let O’Leary change the debate.
2. She refused to engage in hypotheticals.
3. She ignored his insults.
4. She knew what she was walking into.
5. She brought on the challenge.

Laurie said...

I could not believe how condescending and generally awful O'Leary was to her! I'm so glad that she was able to confidently refute his statements and rebuff his oddly phrased questions.
All for responsible science, I sincerely don't like being a guinea pig.

Bix said...

I second that!