You are correct Bunnahabhain: Likewise for Bhopal and the ozone layer - but in those cases, it was corporate interests that steamrolled over scientific pleading (no doubt aided by buying politicians).

And genetic research????? Most of us owe our lives to genetic research. The world's population is far above what agriculture could have supported even a few decades ago. Put down that ear of hybrid corn before you bash genetic research. Oh, you might say the solution is population control? Science will be involved there too.