By the late 1970s, Rifkin focus shifted to the fledgling biotechnology industry. Although Rifkin possesses no formal training in the sciences, he nonetheless speaks out against biotechnology, the genetic research that could offer cures to diseases such as Sickle Cell Anemia, Alzheimer's and others and has already made possible the development of heartier, more disease-resistant agricultural crops. Among the advances offered through biotechnology Rifkin has opposed is Frostban, a synthetic microbe that helps protect plants from frost. Both Frostban and the oil-eating bacteria have been found to be harmless. Jeremy Rifkin's newest crusade has been against the beef industry.
Cattle release methane into the atmosphere and thus contribute to global warming.
By contrast, fresh water contributes 5 million tons of methane per year, oceans 10 million tons and termites 40 million tons. Nature offers us the sublime resignation that goes with an undifferentiated participation in the world around us. On a scale ranging from 0 to 10 measuring political science versus real science, Dr. Rifkin scores a 9.0 for political science.