Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) yesterday said the country doesn’t produce foods with transgenic seeds, and refuted reports that their use poses a risk for Dominican exports to Europe and the United States, as the Greenhouse Cluster recently denounced.
JAD vice president Osmar Benítez said the seeds used in the country aren’t modified genetically, and that the country exports more than US$45 million greenhouse vegetables, using only top quality and non-modified seeds.
But when DT asked Benitez to comment on similar reports in a recent press conference in the JAD, the agro executive defended their use, calling the concern over the genetic modification “ridiculous” and scientifically unfounded.
He said Dominican exports to Europe are tropical, genetically unmodified products such as cacao, bananas, coffee, Chinese vegetables, pineapple, and mangoes. He noted that Europe regulates the entrance of transgenic products,
Benitez admitted however that the JAD doesn’t know whether transgenic products are being imported into the country.
The JAD official, accompanied by its president Gustavo Florentino, also distanced the entity from information associating it with the multinational Monsanto, affirming that it provided office space to one its partners, the company Euro Provisions, for a particular activity.
Written by: anthonyC, 5 Jan 2012 6:14 AM
From: United States
Just like in Europe. The anti-Business, Greens play upon the people's fear and ignorance of the unknown to advance their agenda while people go hungry.
Written by: RoyStone, 5 Jan 2012 6:31 AM
From: Australia
The EU ban on the import of GM foods is really a matter of protectionism for European farmers disguised as environmental or health concerns. Regardless there are other substantial export markets available, as well as a local market of 9 million people, and significant potential for processing and value-adding that can benefit from the increased productivity coming from GMOs.
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
Millions Against Monsanto
A Project of Organic Consumers Association
6771 SOUTH SILVER HILL DRIVE, FINLAND MN 55603
CONTACT US · FAX: 218-353-7652
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
NEW YORK – December 29, 2011 – In a development celebrated by the organic plaintiffs, Judge Naomi Buchwald announced yesterday that oral arguments on Monsanto’s motion to dismiss the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA) et al v. Monsanto will be heard in federal district court January 31, 2012 in Manhattan. Judge Buchwald’s decision will establish if organic farmers are to see their day in court.
The eighty-three family farmers, small and family owned seed businesses, and agricultural organizations comprising the organic plaintiff group represent over 300,000 individuals. The landmark lawsuit, filed in March 2011, challenges the validity of Monsanto’s transgenic/GMO patents and seeks court protection for innocent family farmers who may become contaminated by Monsanto seed.
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
OSGATA is a membership organization composed primarily of farmers and seed businesses. Their mission is to develop and protect the organic seed industry along with their growers. In an effort to raise funds, OSGATA has launched a “Farmers Travel Fund” enabling family farmers from the plaintiff group to attend the court proceedings and related events. See www.osgata.org.
Background information on the OSGATA v. Monsanto lawsuit may be found at www.osgata.org .
About OSGATA: The Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association and lead plaintiff in this lawsuit is a not-for-profit agricultural organization that develops, protects, and promotes the organic seed trade and it’s growers, and assures that the organic community has access to excellent quality organic seed free of contaminants and adapted to the diverse needs of local organic agriculture. OSGATA’s membership is comprised of organic farmers, seed breeders, seed businesses, and affiliate organizations. www.osgata.org
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
I never knew before that AnthonyC or RoyStone were such experts in the subject of genetically modified food ,,which is still such a subject without agreed conclusions that more than 60 countries ban GM modify food .
It reminds me of John le Carre s great novel The Constant Gardner when the three B company killed millions of people mainly in Kenya while selling drugs to counter TB ...knowing that the drug had side effects that had not totally been quantified .
Hopefully we can produce and distribute enough food that is produced without modification , until GM is proved 100% safe
Written by: josean, 5 Jan 2012 7:10 AM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Ricardolito,
You’re going to be shocked but I agree with you!
Written by: RoyStone, 5 Jan 2012 7:53 AM
From: Australia
Ricardolito,
Nothing in existence is 100% safe, and that included natural, inorganic foods. Even getting out of bed in the morning has dangers, however staying in bed perhaps has more dangers. Everything is a trade-off. All drugs have side-effects however we use them since in general, the benefits outweigh the detrimental effects. GM foods have been tested for a long time and so far so good. however even after 100 years, a problem could still be found. It can be addressed. In the meantime productivity in increased, and the reduced need for insecticides, artificial fertilizers, etc is reduced, which has a net benefit.
Of course Josean agrees with you on this - with respect, he's of the left. Anything that increases productivity is a fiendish capitalist plot to exploit and subdue the proletariat. Oh and it's Leo and the Purple Gestapo's fault.
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
Monsanto is for the under educated third world nations with corrupt officials that take on bribes......
Written by: josean, 5 Jan 2012 8:35 AM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Roy, you really have to stop your simplistic characterizations of left and right, the world is slightly a little more complex than that; you’re beginning to sound like Alpha 66!
From: Dominican Republic
I'm not even going to bother.....
the people who believe in GMO's wont change their minds!!
the people against GMO's wont change their minds either...
Written by: anthonyC, 5 Jan 2012 11:51 AM
From: United States
Go ahead and ban Genetically modified food. Remember that when you eat some corn or drink your beer.
Plants have been Genetically modified for centuries. Ever see a wild Cauliflower or Corn?
Check out what a wild, un-genetically modified eggplant looks like
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/thedirt/wp-content/uploads/wildeggplant.jpgHow about one of the greatest scientist ever....Gregor Mendel
From: Dominican Republic
Mr AC please there is a difference between cross breeding and a GMO...
Genetic modification is fundamentally different from traditional breeding. Traditional breeding methods only combine natural genetic material from the same or related species. Genetic modification involves taking foreign DNA or transgenes from several different species, creating a package and then inserting it into the target organism.
DNA from plants and/or animals is inserted to introduce the desired new trait into the target organism. Examples include DNA taken from spiders introduced into GMO potatoes to produce artificial silk; DNA from the flounder fish (which produces a kind of natural anti-freeze in this cold-water species) introduced into GMO fruits to provide greater frost-resistance; and DNA taken from a worm introduced into cloned GMO pigs to make them produce large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids believed to stave off heart disease.
Please don't try to make claims you don't know the basic fundamental
Written by: RoyStone, 5 Jan 2012 12:55 PM
From: Australia
stillhere, I think the point that anthonyC, is making, and it is a valid one, is that mankind has been interfering with the natural genetic processes of plants for centuries. True GM is a different and more intrusive and may have very different consequences, however I maintain that so far it has proved okay. Still if you have evidence otherwise I would like to see it, because I have not done an intensive investigation on the subject. As far as I can see, the main objection is "what if",
Written by: anthonyC, 5 Jan 2012 1:47 PM
From: United States
Has there been one credible piece of evidence that GM crops have caused harm to people?
This smells like the Hysteria about food irradiation.
From: Dominican Republic
breeding between one strain of wheat and another is one thing and in no way like the other.. transferring pollen from flower to the other to get a new flower of the same species is not taking the gen from a fish and putting it in a tomato to make it last longer in a box.... so to say man has been doing it for thousands of year is totally incorrect ..... We had lead in our fuel for over 90 years before it was decided to out phase it.... should we just say what if or just go back to it. The oil companies and GM were warned back in 1924 about the problems...
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
still here I agree with you but I like my fruit and vegetables natural ,,impossible to find a decent tasting GM tomato ..
Written by: josean, 5 Jan 2012 4:23 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Death of the Bees. Genetically Modified Crops and the Decline of Bee Colonies in North America
This article was originally published by Global Research in March 2008
Commercial beehives pollinate over a third of [North}America’s crops and that web of nourishment encompasses everything from fruits like peaches, apples, cherries, strawberries and more, to nuts like California almonds, 90 percent of which are helped along by the honeybees. Without this pollination, you could kiss those crops goodbye, to say nothing of the honey bees produce or the flowers they also fertilize’.1
This essay will discuss the arguments and seriousness pertaining to the massive deaths and the decline of Bee colonies in North America. As well, it will shed light on a worldwide hunger issue that will have an economical and ecological impact in the very near future.
continued:
Written by: josean, 5 Jan 2012 4:24 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
There are many reasons given to the decline in Bees, but one argument that matters most is the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and "Terminator Seeds" that are presently being endorsed by governments and forcefully utilized as our primary agricultural needs of survival. I will argue what is publicized and covered by the media is in actuality masking the real forces at work, namely the impact of genetically modified seeds on the reproduction of bee colonies across North America
Genetically modified seeds are produced and distributed by powerful biotech conglomerates. The latter manipulate government agricultural policy with a view to supporting their agenda of dominance in the agricultural industry. American conglomerates such as Monsanto, Pioneer Hybrid and others, have created seeds that reproduce only under certain conditions, often linked to the use of their own brands of fertilizer and/or insecticide.
continued:
Written by: josean, 5 Jan 2012 4:25 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
The genetic modification of the plant leads to the concurrent genetic modification of the flower pollen. When the flower pollen becomes genetically modified or sterile, the bees will potentially go malnourished and die of illness due to the lack of nutrients and the interruption of the digestive capacity of what they feed on through the summer and over the winter hibernation process.
I will argue that the media reports tend to distract public opinion from the true cause which underlies the destruction of bee colonies. As such, outlined are four major arguments which the biotech conglomerates (which produce and market GMO seeds) have used to mislead the public regarding the demise of the bees. These arguments include Varroa mites, parasites, cell phones, and terminator seeds.
Read the rest:
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=25950Written by: josean, 5 Jan 2012 4:39 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Genetically modified food controversies
"In March 2011 a coalition of family farmers, consumers and other critics of corporate agriculture held a town meeting to protest what they see as unfair consolidation of the nation's food system into the hands of a few multinationals. They contend that global biotech seed leader Monsanto controls the U.S. commercial seed market using unfair, and in some cases illegal, practices. They argue that Monsanto, which develops, licenses and markets genetically altered corn, soybeans and other crops, manipulates the seed market by buying up independent seed companies, patenting seed products, and then spiking prices. The group hopes to re-establish farmer rights to save seed from their harvested crops and replant it."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_food_controversyWritten by: josean, 5 Jan 2012 4:41 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Expert Jeffrey M. Smith, author of the #1 GMO bestseller Seeds of Deception, and Genetic Roulette, presents shocking evidence why genetically modified crops may lead to health and environmental catastrophes, and what we can do about it.
http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/Home/index.cfmWritten by: RoyStone, 5 Jan 2012 5:10 PM
From: Australia
The lead in fuel analogy is not really valid.
The Ethyl company started commercially selling lead fuel in the 20s. Despite evidence of it's harmful effects, were able to ward of its phasing out until the 90s through litigation.
1) As yet there have been no harmful effects of GM foods detected.
2) This is a different world from the 20s. There was no internet and virtually no effective anti-industrial lobbyists until Ralph Nader. Companies today could not get away with what the Ethyl company did for so long.
3) Although there are still a lot of uneducated and health-apathetic people, there are significant numbers who are informed, hearth-conscious and active these days.
From: Dominican Republic, Civil Rights and Peace Activist for Our Dominican People
DR can not economically or sustainably afford to import GM seeds or food. period. We should never get USA agricultural products neither, just remember that all the campesinos in US get a big fat check from auncle Sam, DR campesinpos get none, maybe a loan that their tataratatararataranietos will be able to pay in a 100 years.
Written by: josean, 5 Jan 2012 5:17 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
hearth-
Roy is that how you spell health in Australia or is that nuclear broccoli beginning to show its effects?
Written by: anthonyC, 5 Jan 2012 6:50 PM
From: United States
Has there been one credible piece of evidence that GM crops have caused harm to people?
Anybody
Well?
No One?
Surely somebody can pull up some obscure, unsubstantiated, source?
From: Botswana, La reconnaissance est une lachete'
Ricky Bobby-I agreed with you 100% when it come to those two characters critism please bear in mind some of us are so educated we become ignorant the perfect tools.
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
This may help you with your selective learning abilities Ant-Knee,
In 1989, dozens of Americans died and several thousands were afflicted and impaired by a genetically modified version of the food supplement L-tryptophan creating a debilitating ailment known as Eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS) . Released without safety tests, there were 37 deaths reported and approximately 1500 more were disabled. A settlement of $2 billion dollars was paid by the manufacturer, Showa Denko, Japan's third largest chemical company destroyed evidence preventing a further investigation and made a 2 billion dollar settlement. Since the very first commercially sold GM product was lab tested (Flavr Savr) animals used in such tests have prematurely died.
BoooYaaah.........Recorded, Homey!!!!
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
this is only the beginning Toe-Knee, you only read what you would like to hear.
In March 1999, researchers at the York Laboratory discovered that reactions to soy had skyrocketed by 50% over the year before, which corresponded with the introduction of genetically-modified soy from the US. It was the first time in 17 years that soy was tested in the lab among the top ten allergenic foods.
it all leads to something....
Written by: RoyStone, 6 Jan 2012 4:24 AM
From: Australia
"The fact that the Showa Denko facility used genetically engineered bacteria to produce L-tryptophan gave rise to speculation that genetic engineering was responsible for such impurities.
However, the methodology used in the initial epidemiological studies has been criticized. An alternative explanation for the 1989 EMS outbreak is that large doses of tryptophan produce metabolites that inhibit the normal degradation of histamine, and excess histamine in turn has been proposed to cause EMS. Most tryptophan was banned from sale in the US in 1991, and other countries followed suit."
So this is not proof that GM caused the problem in this case and certainly no reason o ban all GM food.
Is this the best you can come up with to put a blanket ban on all GM which has substantial benefits? Perhaps we should ban all air travel because of the Hindenburg disaster?
Written by: josean, 6 Jan 2012 5:11 AM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
No Roy, but we certainly don't fill our dirigibles with Hydrogen anymore do we?
Written by: anthonyC, 6 Jan 2012 5:34 AM
From: United States
Bobbi Joe.
first off you never cited a source for you allegations.
Also
A Food Supplement is not a Genetically modified crop
And
The theory that the EMS outbreak was due to Genetically engineered bacteria was discredited
And the cause was really the excessively large doses of tryptophan.
And in final
It is apparent that you have no idea how scientific methodology works in your rant about Soy
Written by: josean, 6 Jan 2012 6:05 AM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
"first off you never cited a source for you allegations."
A case of the Pot calling the Kettle Black!
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
1. I do it intentionally , Do your own homework!!!!
2. I knew you wouldn't understand.... Let me help you once again, What does Genetically Modified Supplement and Genetically Modified Crops have in common ?
3. Maybe, Roy is right and you should get pointers from him......To each his own, I'm still against it
Genetic engineering is like performing heart surgery with a pitchfork . Scientist have yet to understand living systems completely enough to perform DNA surgery without creating mutations which could be harmful to the environment and our health. They are experimenting with very delicate, yet powerful forces of nature, without full knowledge of the repercussions
From: Dominican Republic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81rp%C3%A1d_PusztaiAfter the TV show aired, Pusztai was a hero at his prestigious Rowett Institute, where the director praised his work to the press, calling it world-class research. After two days of high-profile media coverage throughout Europe, however, the director received two phone calls from the UK Prime Minister's Office.
"It's only when we think there was political pressure coming from the top that the situation changed," said Pusztai. "And then the director, to save his own skin, decided that the best way to deal with the situation [was] A) to destroy me, B) to make me shut up."
Pusztai was told the next morning that his contract would not be renewed, he was silenced with threats of a lawsuit, his team was disbanded, and the protocols were not to be implemented in GMO safety assessments. And then came the attacks.
Learn more:
http://www.naturalnews.com/033804....er_Attack_GMOs.html#ixzz1ih349Pv0 what happened to good science?
Written by: Grosero, 6 Jan 2012 7:35 AM
From: United States
From: Dominican Republic
http://www.grist.org/industrial-a....ironmental-impact-studies-on-gmosjust another way around not doing the right thing.... Self regulate and no outside independent testing......
Some struggles facing Indian farmers are detailed in the article "Seeds of Suicide: India's Desperate Farmers" on Frontline. The transition to using the latest pest-resistant seeds and the necessary herbicides has been difficult. Farmers have used genetically modified seeds promoted by Cargill and Monsanto hoping for greater yields. Resulting debts from such gambles with genetically modified seeds have led some farmers into the equivalent of indentured servitude. More than 125,000+ farmers have committed suicide, which some claim is mostly due to mounting debt caused by the poor yields, increased need for pesticides, and the higher cost of the Bt cotton seed sold by Monsanto.
From: Dominican Republic
In 1999, a review of Roundup Ready soybean crops found that, compared to the top conventional varieties, they had a 6.7% lower yield. This so called "yield drag" follows the same pattern observed when other traits are introduced into soybeans by conventional breeding. Monsanto claims later patented varieties yield 7-11% higher than their poorly performing initial varieties, closer to those of conventional farming, although the company refrains from citing actual yields. Monsanto's 2006 application to USDA states that RR2 (mon89788) yields 1.6 bu less than A3244, the conventional variety that the trait is inserted into.
From: Dominican Republic
A major UN / World Bank sponsored report compiled by 400 scientists and endorsed by 58 countries concluded that GM crops have little to offer to the challenges of poverty, hunger, and climate change. Better alternatives are available, and the report championed organic farming as the sustainable way forward for developing countries. One of the best options is organic Permaculture.
From: United States, words of wisdom from the nutcracker
export markets available, as well as a local market of 9 million people, and significant potential for processing and value-adding that can benefit from the increased productivity coming from GMOs
roy stone and anthonie c I always thought you guys were morons , but now I see thats not the case , you guys are really just government agents and your jobs is to spread lies and misinform the public . GMO foods have been banned in europe and sued by canadian farmer a couple years ago , monsatos sells poisonoes seeds to farmers in order eliminate the competitions, not only that but theere foods have proven to be harmfull to humans.
Written by: RoyStone, 6 Jan 2012 9:00 AM
From: Australia
hellborn25,
then give us the "right" information, the proof, with credible references if you can.
Otherwise, shut the fu(k up.
From: Dominican Republic
I gave you three.. now you show us one from an independent research group not working for or funded by those companies that make GMO's
From: United States, FREEPORT, Long Island.... (Look, beyond the words)
Thank you Still, you beat me to it.
He who is silent is understood to consent
From: United States, words of wisdom from the nutcracker
Written by: RoyStone, 6 Jan 2012 9:00 AM
From: Australia
hellborn25,
then give us the "right" information, the proof, with credible references if you can.
Otherwise, shut the fu(k up.
Hey Bill maher if you look up top , stillhere already has placed the proof for you to see , theres
about three references for you to see, just click away when ready .
Written by: RoyStone, 7 Jan 2012 7:57 AM
From: Australia
Just "clicked" on on of the articles re the effect of GM on bees, where it states "Organic farming maintains the diversity of the eco-system".
There are similar illogical statements which require an ignorance of entomology to be conniving. however just taking the first one, organic farming has been destroying bio-diversity long before the invention of GM, and still is.
I have seen with my own eyes, massive areas of North Brazilian rainforests (half the area of Belgium every year) destroyed to grow palm-oil plantations which are not GM. These rainforests had twice the number of species of African and Asian rainforests. For decades before GM, hundreds of square miles of USA had just one cereal being grown, organically. That's not bio-diversity in my view.
From: Dominican Republic
The entire food system is F&^^&d up... the Amount of South American rain forest destroyed to grow McDonalds Beef or Chaketa bananas as well,
"USA had just one cereal being grown, organically. That's not bio-diversity in my view." Yes you are right it's not and is very fuel dependent... and even before GMO all was subsidized by the Government to lower the cost of pork, chicken and corn syrup. Very little of the crop ends up as corn flakes or pop corn.. It is feed to cows ??? Look that up!! Pick up almost anything in a box or bottle in your kitchen and 90% of the time it will have some corn or soy by-product in it... I or know one is claiming that crops eg palm oil is a well manged, same with forestry, rice, cotton, from growing in arid areas with large amounts of diverted river water to blocking off native animal migration paths..
The entire food system is F&^^&d up.....
From: Dominican Republic
Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.
Organic is a NAME give by producer to their product to inform customers that their product is held to a standard........ The term Organic has only been used for that and that only.... It makes no claim to be bio-divers, and was only introduced AFTER the mass use world wide of chemicals in the food system.... So can we please remove the talk about Organic in the history of food production as "again"... IT'S A LABELING NAME, CONSUMER CHOICE AND NOTHING ELSE......
Yes Cane toads, rabbits, foxes, Salvation Jane, Bridal Creeper, Willows, Carp, Feral goat, Feral pig, Salvinia, Lantana, on and on the list of stupidity goes.... and that is some and just Australia....
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A Project of Organic Consumers Association
6771 SOUTH SILVER HILL DRIVE, FINLAND MN 55603
CONTACT US · FAX: 218-353-7652
The eighty-three family farmers, small and family owned seed businesses, and agricultural organizations comprising the organic plaintiff group represent over 300,000 individuals. The landmark lawsuit, filed in March 2011, challenges the validity of Monsanto’s transgenic/GMO patents and seeks court protection for innocent family farmers who may become contaminated by Monsanto seed.
Background information on the OSGATA v. Monsanto lawsuit may be found at www.osgata.org .
About OSGATA: The Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association and lead plaintiff in this lawsuit is a not-for-profit agricultural organization that develops, protects, and promotes the organic seed trade and it’s growers, and assures that the organic community has access to excellent quality organic seed free of contaminants and adapted to the diverse needs of local organic agriculture. OSGATA’s membership is comprised of organic farmers, seed breeders, seed businesses, and affiliate organizations. www.osgata.org
It reminds me of John le Carre s great novel The Constant Gardner when the three B company killed millions of people mainly in Kenya while selling drugs to counter TB ...knowing that the drug had side effects that had not totally been quantified .
Hopefully we can produce and distribute enough food that is produced without modification , until GM is proved 100% safe
Ricardolito,
You’re going to be shocked but I agree with you!
Nothing in existence is 100% safe, and that included natural, inorganic foods. Even getting out of bed in the morning has dangers, however staying in bed perhaps has more dangers. Everything is a trade-off. All drugs have side-effects however we use them since in general, the benefits outweigh the detrimental effects. GM foods have been tested for a long time and so far so good. however even after 100 years, a problem could still be found. It can be addressed. In the meantime productivity in increased, and the reduced need for insecticides, artificial fertilizers, etc is reduced, which has a net benefit.
Of course Josean agrees with you on this - with respect, he's of the left. Anything that increases productivity is a fiendish capitalist plot to exploit and subdue the proletariat. Oh and it's Leo and the Purple Gestapo's fault.
Roy, you really have to stop your simplistic characterizations of left and right, the world is slightly a little more complex than that; you’re beginning to sound like Alpha 66!
the people who believe in GMO's wont change their minds!!
the people against GMO's wont change their minds either...
Plants have been Genetically modified for centuries. Ever see a wild Cauliflower or Corn?
Check out what a wild, un-genetically modified eggplant looks like
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/thedirt/wp-content/uploads/wildeggplant.jpg
How about one of the greatest scientist ever....Gregor Mendel
Genetic modification is fundamentally different from traditional breeding. Traditional breeding methods only combine natural genetic material from the same or related species. Genetic modification involves taking foreign DNA or transgenes from several different species, creating a package and then inserting it into the target organism.
DNA from plants and/or animals is inserted to introduce the desired new trait into the target organism. Examples include DNA taken from spiders introduced into GMO potatoes to produce artificial silk; DNA from the flounder fish (which produces a kind of natural anti-freeze in this cold-water species) introduced into GMO fruits to provide greater frost-resistance; and DNA taken from a worm introduced into cloned GMO pigs to make them produce large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids believed to stave off heart disease.
Please don't try to make claims you don't know the basic fundamental
This smells like the Hysteria about food irradiation.
Death of the Bees. Genetically Modified Crops and the Decline of Bee Colonies in North America
This article was originally published by Global Research in March 2008
Commercial beehives pollinate over a third of [North}America’s crops and that web of nourishment encompasses everything from fruits like peaches, apples, cherries, strawberries and more, to nuts like California almonds, 90 percent of which are helped along by the honeybees. Without this pollination, you could kiss those crops goodbye, to say nothing of the honey bees produce or the flowers they also fertilize’.1
This essay will discuss the arguments and seriousness pertaining to the massive deaths and the decline of Bee colonies in North America. As well, it will shed light on a worldwide hunger issue that will have an economical and ecological impact in the very near future.
continued:
There are many reasons given to the decline in Bees, but one argument that matters most is the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and "Terminator Seeds" that are presently being endorsed by governments and forcefully utilized as our primary agricultural needs of survival. I will argue what is publicized and covered by the media is in actuality masking the real forces at work, namely the impact of genetically modified seeds on the reproduction of bee colonies across North America
Genetically modified seeds are produced and distributed by powerful biotech conglomerates. The latter manipulate government agricultural policy with a view to supporting their agenda of dominance in the agricultural industry. American conglomerates such as Monsanto, Pioneer Hybrid and others, have created seeds that reproduce only under certain conditions, often linked to the use of their own brands of fertilizer and/or insecticide.
continued:
The genetic modification of the plant leads to the concurrent genetic modification of the flower pollen. When the flower pollen becomes genetically modified or sterile, the bees will potentially go malnourished and die of illness due to the lack of nutrients and the interruption of the digestive capacity of what they feed on through the summer and over the winter hibernation process.
I will argue that the media reports tend to distract public opinion from the true cause which underlies the destruction of bee colonies. As such, outlined are four major arguments which the biotech conglomerates (which produce and market GMO seeds) have used to mislead the public regarding the demise of the bees. These arguments include Varroa mites, parasites, cell phones, and terminator seeds.
Read the rest:
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=25950
Genetically modified food controversies
"In March 2011 a coalition of family farmers, consumers and other critics of corporate agriculture held a town meeting to protest what they see as unfair consolidation of the nation's food system into the hands of a few multinationals. They contend that global biotech seed leader Monsanto controls the U.S. commercial seed market using unfair, and in some cases illegal, practices. They argue that Monsanto, which develops, licenses and markets genetically altered corn, soybeans and other crops, manipulates the seed market by buying up independent seed companies, patenting seed products, and then spiking prices. The group hopes to re-establish farmer rights to save seed from their harvested crops and replant it."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_food_controversy
Expert Jeffrey M. Smith, author of the #1 GMO bestseller Seeds of Deception, and Genetic Roulette, presents shocking evidence why genetically modified crops may lead to health and environmental catastrophes, and what we can do about it.
http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/Home/index.cfm
The Ethyl company started commercially selling lead fuel in the 20s. Despite evidence of it's harmful effects, were able to ward of its phasing out until the 90s through litigation.
1) As yet there have been no harmful effects of GM foods detected.
2) This is a different world from the 20s. There was no internet and virtually no effective anti-industrial lobbyists until Ralph Nader. Companies today could not get away with what the Ethyl company did for so long.
3) Although there are still a lot of uneducated and health-apathetic people, there are significant numbers who are informed, hearth-conscious and active these days.
hearth-
Roy is that how you spell health in Australia or is that nuclear broccoli beginning to show its effects?
Anybody
Well?
No One?
Surely somebody can pull up some obscure, unsubstantiated, source?
In 1989, dozens of Americans died and several thousands were afflicted and impaired by a genetically modified version of the food supplement L-tryptophan creating a debilitating ailment known as Eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS) . Released without safety tests, there were 37 deaths reported and approximately 1500 more were disabled. A settlement of $2 billion dollars was paid by the manufacturer, Showa Denko, Japan's third largest chemical company destroyed evidence preventing a further investigation and made a 2 billion dollar settlement. Since the very first commercially sold GM product was lab tested (Flavr Savr) animals used in such tests have prematurely died.
BoooYaaah.........Recorded, Homey!!!!
In March 1999, researchers at the York Laboratory discovered that reactions to soy had skyrocketed by 50% over the year before, which corresponded with the introduction of genetically-modified soy from the US. It was the first time in 17 years that soy was tested in the lab among the top ten allergenic foods.
it all leads to something....
However, the methodology used in the initial epidemiological studies has been criticized. An alternative explanation for the 1989 EMS outbreak is that large doses of tryptophan produce metabolites that inhibit the normal degradation of histamine, and excess histamine in turn has been proposed to cause EMS. Most tryptophan was banned from sale in the US in 1991, and other countries followed suit."
So this is not proof that GM caused the problem in this case and certainly no reason o ban all GM food.
Is this the best you can come up with to put a blanket ban on all GM which has substantial benefits? Perhaps we should ban all air travel because of the Hindenburg disaster?
No Roy, but we certainly don't fill our dirigibles with Hydrogen anymore do we?
first off you never cited a source for you allegations.
Also
A Food Supplement is not a Genetically modified crop
And
The theory that the EMS outbreak was due to Genetically engineered bacteria was discredited
And the cause was really the excessively large doses of tryptophan.
And in final
It is apparent that you have no idea how scientific methodology works in your rant about Soy
"first off you never cited a source for you allegations."
A case of the Pot calling the Kettle Black!
2. I knew you wouldn't understand.... Let me help you once again, What does Genetically Modified Supplement and Genetically Modified Crops have in common ?
3. Maybe, Roy is right and you should get pointers from him......To each his own, I'm still against it
Genetic engineering is like performing heart surgery with a pitchfork . Scientist have yet to understand living systems completely enough to perform DNA surgery without creating mutations which could be harmful to the environment and our health. They are experimenting with very delicate, yet powerful forces of nature, without full knowledge of the repercussions
After the TV show aired, Pusztai was a hero at his prestigious Rowett Institute, where the director praised his work to the press, calling it world-class research. After two days of high-profile media coverage throughout Europe, however, the director received two phone calls from the UK Prime Minister's Office.
"It's only when we think there was political pressure coming from the top that the situation changed," said Pusztai. "And then the director, to save his own skin, decided that the best way to deal with the situation [was] A) to destroy me, B) to make me shut up."
Pusztai was told the next morning that his contract would not be renewed, he was silenced with threats of a lawsuit, his team was disbanded, and the protocols were not to be implemented in GMO safety assessments. And then came the attacks.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033804....er_Attack_GMOs.html#ixzz1ih349Pv0
what happened to good science?
http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/c....?channelid=123&contentid=1060
The truth speaks louder then Monsanto who is behind the push for global transgenic seed growth
http://www.enveurope.com/content/23/1/10
http://www.naturalnews.com/033784_GMO_animal_feed.html
Don't worry about correcting yourself on the claims that humans have been doing this for thousands of years, you silence on the mater speaks volumes.....
just another way around not doing the right thing.... Self regulate and no outside independent testing......
Some struggles facing Indian farmers are detailed in the article "Seeds of Suicide: India's Desperate Farmers" on Frontline. The transition to using the latest pest-resistant seeds and the necessary herbicides has been difficult. Farmers have used genetically modified seeds promoted by Cargill and Monsanto hoping for greater yields. Resulting debts from such gambles with genetically modified seeds have led some farmers into the equivalent of indentured servitude. More than 125,000+ farmers have committed suicide, which some claim is mostly due to mounting debt caused by the poor yields, increased need for pesticides, and the higher cost of the Bt cotton seed sold by Monsanto.
In 1999, a review of Roundup Ready soybean crops found that, compared to the top conventional varieties, they had a 6.7% lower yield. This so called "yield drag" follows the same pattern observed when other traits are introduced into soybeans by conventional breeding. Monsanto claims later patented varieties yield 7-11% higher than their poorly performing initial varieties, closer to those of conventional farming, although the company refrains from citing actual yields. Monsanto's 2006 application to USDA states that RR2 (mon89788) yields 1.6 bu less than A3244, the conventional variety that the trait is inserted into.
roy stone and anthonie c I always thought you guys were morons , but now I see thats not the case , you guys are really just government agents and your jobs is to spread lies and misinform the public . GMO foods have been banned in europe and sued by canadian farmer a couple years ago , monsatos sells poisonoes seeds to farmers in order eliminate the competitions, not only that but theere foods have proven to be harmfull to humans.
then give us the "right" information, the proof, with credible references if you can.
Otherwise, shut the fu(k up.
He who is silent is understood to consent
Written by: RoyStone, 6 Jan 2012 9:00 AM
From: Australia
hellborn25,
then give us the "right" information, the proof, with credible references if you can.
Otherwise, shut the fu(k up.
Hey Bill maher if you look up top , stillhere already has placed the proof for you to see , theres
about three references for you to see, just click away when ready .
There are similar illogical statements which require an ignorance of entomology to be conniving. however just taking the first one, organic farming has been destroying bio-diversity long before the invention of GM, and still is.
I have seen with my own eyes, massive areas of North Brazilian rainforests (half the area of Belgium every year) destroyed to grow palm-oil plantations which are not GM. These rainforests had twice the number of species of African and Asian rainforests. For decades before GM, hundreds of square miles of USA had just one cereal being grown, organically. That's not bio-diversity in my view.
"USA had just one cereal being grown, organically. That's not bio-diversity in my view." Yes you are right it's not and is very fuel dependent... and even before GMO all was subsidized by the Government to lower the cost of pork, chicken and corn syrup. Very little of the crop ends up as corn flakes or pop corn.. It is feed to cows ??? Look that up!! Pick up almost anything in a box or bottle in your kitchen and 90% of the time it will have some corn or soy by-product in it... I or know one is claiming that crops eg palm oil is a well manged, same with forestry, rice, cotton, from growing in arid areas with large amounts of diverted river water to blocking off native animal migration paths..
The entire food system is F&^^&d up.....
Organic is a NAME give by producer to their product to inform customers that their product is held to a standard........ The term Organic has only been used for that and that only.... It makes no claim to be bio-divers, and was only introduced AFTER the mass use world wide of chemicals in the food system.... So can we please remove the talk about Organic in the history of food production as "again"... IT'S A LABELING NAME, CONSUMER CHOICE AND NOTHING ELSE......
Yes Cane toads, rabbits, foxes, Salvation Jane, Bridal Creeper, Willows, Carp, Feral goat, Feral pig, Salvinia, Lantana, on and on the list of stupidity goes.... and that is some and just Australia....