Protesters have gone to great lengths to make the field test of genetically altered bacteria into a science fiction soap opera in which men in white coats from Advanced Genetic Sciences, an Oakland-based biotechnology firm, are the mad-scientist villains.
They have called the test a shocking and scandalous development that will make guinea pigs out of innocent men, women and children. They have acted out guerilla theater in which people have dressed up as strawberries and been attacked with "Frost ban," the name of the product to be tested. They have called on Brent-wood residents to throw their bodies down—in front of what, we're not sure. They have likened the test to a nuclear holocaust.
The only thing that members of the Berkeley Greens, Earth First and other protest groups haven't done is give the public any reason to take their claims seriously.
One Earth Firster says, "We're opposed to ...
