Why I quit the CJD team by a genetic scientist
WHEN genetic scientist Ian Goodbrand joined the team investigating the causes of Creuzfeld-Jakob Disease in humans, he had no idea the impact it would have on his life.
But after devoting 12 years to the advance of genetic engineering, the scientist was so shocked by the team's discovery he abandoned the career he had successfully built.
Now the man who once spent hours in the laboratory studying DNA devotes his time to stopping science playing God with nature.
Mr Goodbrand has become a leading advocate for organic food and a fierce opponent of the so-called 'Frankenstein' products.
He turned his back on his career after seeing at first hand the devastating effects of tampering with nature.
Mr Goodbrand had worked at the forefront of cell manipulation and genetic research, but disillusionment at some of the ways he felt science was being exploited set in when he was assigned to investigate the link between mad cow disease, BSE and CJD.
The 42-year-old was working alongside renowned researcher James Ironside at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital when the breakthrough discovery of the new variant of CJD was made.
Mr Goodbrand said that by feeding cows with animal offal going against nature they developed CJD, a discovery that sickened him and left him unable to continue his work.
'BSE was caused by making cows carnivores and people haven't learned,' said Mr Goodbrand. 'Now we have people dedicated to creating new species of crops in laboratories.
'We already have a huge natural genetic diversity, yet countless species are being wiped out.' He added: 'Why create with one hand and destroy with the other?' Before joining the CJD surveillance unit, the Glasgow University graduate had completed a PHD and carried out post doctoral research on cell manipulation and genetics.
Mr Goodbrand now wants to see traditional crops being grown in Scotland, and he believes such a move would help people appreciate the rich variety of natural food already available.
'Orchards used to be massively popular throughout the whole country,' he said. 'There used to be 4,000 varieties of British apple, now there are only around 2,500.
'But when you look on supermarket shelves you could could be forgiven for thinking there are only half a dozen varieties of apple.
He added: 'Why should we need to genetically engineer new varieties of fruit when we already have such a rich variety?
'Most of the apples we eat now are intensively farmed abroad.' Mr Goodbrand said the health benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables combined with worries over genetically modified food had sparked huge interest in locally grown produce using traditional varieties.
He said the campaign to produce more organic food for the public was gathering speed.
'We want to establish community orchards and gardens where people can browse and see the crops grow, producing local food for local people, ' he said. 'They want to feel part of a system they have been alienated from for so many years.
'Growing produce locally can help reconnect people with their food, and recreate the bond with the land.'
Copyright 1999. Publication Date: March 26, 1999
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