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I find it difficult to believe that anyone who has studied GMO engineering in detail would defend it. For instance, they splice a fish gene into, say, corn. How can that be providential?
Genetically modified organisms (of all sorts, plant & animal) open up a can of worms that none of us know anything about. Can we really improve on evolution or God (take your pick--I believe It's All One.)?
The reading I've done on this subject has brought up all kinds of red flags for me. If all the "normal" seeds are eventually contaminated with genetically engineered ones, and they turn out to have dire consequences of any sort (crop failure, failure to nurture animals and humans) we are screwed.
There are plenty of chemically/lab produced products that have gone wrong and threaten our future as individuals and as a species, not to mention other species. Pesticides, herbicides, cleaning products, industrial wastes, the list goes on and on.
Many human experiments have backfired.
april
april
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There's the fear factor again.
"For instance, they splice a fish gene into, say, corn. How can that be providential?"
What if the fish gene cured a certain disease. Or stopped the corn from being eaten by bugs. Would it be beneficial then?
"Genetically modified organisms (of all sorts, plant & animal) open up a can of worms that none of us know anything about."
People who research it their whole lives may know something about the risks.
"Can we really improve on evolution or God"
Yes, we already have.
"Many human experiments have backfired."
Examples?
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...and what if the GMO seed cures some horrible disease? Is that bad?
There can be both good and bad with GMO seeds. We must use caution and proceed slowly.
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Just for conversation sake since "what if's" seem to be a popular part of the dialogue:
What if GMO seed causes some horrible disease?
What do you do when you are dead? Sue Monsanto?
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Who do you sue if a medicine kills you? Or a truck?
If the maker has been negligent, your family can sue them.
The hysteria surrounding GMO foods, which are used extensively all over the world and haven't harmed a single human, is getting so intense that some Third World countries in famine even refuse food aid from the West lest it be "contaminated".
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Not being particularly involved in GMO issues from a science stand point ( am am confident that there are true risks and benefits) I find myself positioned with real concern about corporate control of human food sources. The Norwegians are going to some lengths to create and stock a world seed bank. The cross contamination's that have occurred, and they have occurred, are effectively irreversible. Whether a Canadian farmer finds himself with 5% or 95% contaminated is moot to me. That farmer, and all farmers, should have an easy option to not become involved with GMO crops if they chose not to. Having patented, corporate owned GMO seeds traveling on the wind is an agricultural pandemic waiting to happen.
A number of our Hawaiian export markets would evaporate immediately if GMO became involved. I would vote for extreme caution. I also inherently dislike a seed stock that is required by law to not be planted or reused. Just simply seems wrong. I can think of no real incentive to place our food sources at the mercy of the Board of Directors of Monsanto Corp.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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The bottom line for me is there are proven alternatives to genetic modification of crops. That would be old fashioned diversification of crops, for one. A patchwork of species prevents a blight, fungus or whatever, from running rampant through the food chain. If 90% of our corn crop were one strain, copyrighted and protected against weeds and certain diseases through genetic modification; what about
unforseen pathegens? Doesn't that leave 90% of our corn vulnerable?
The bottom, bottom line for me is that I don't believe for a second that Monsanto is acting altruisticly, or for "the good of mankind". Their bottom line is market control and maximum profit to their shareholders. I'm not against profit, but it shouldn't come at such a high risk to consumers and farmers.
As for Human experiments that have backfired;
Agent Orange
Thalidomine
Benlate (ask an orchid grower)
Mongoose in Hawaii
8 track tape players
punatoons
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Rob, what's this about Monsanto buying up seed companies?
And what does it have to do with a Norwegian seed bank?
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I have read on the new wires (CNN, etc.) that Monsanto Corp. is currently on a buying spree of regional seed companies in the U.S. Many of these companies specialize in varieties which do well in their individual regions. I am making no statements as to what this means but by I would generally prefer not to see any key industries in the country become dominated by a small number of large players. Of course this has already occurred in many areas already.
As to the Norwegian Seed Bank: By reading and watching I am aware that some millions are being (have been) spent to build (completed now I believe) a seed bank on a desolate frozen island above the Arctic Circle. Into this bank are going base seed stocks from around the world. The agricultural genetic heritage of the planet. This seems inherently wise to me and rather generous on the part of Norway who I understand is doing this on it's own. I have always admired the practical thinking and quality of life in the Scandinavian countries.
Are these related? Best to ask the Norwegians.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
