GM foods- the answer to overpopulation

[dragonfly]

Before anyone gets their underwear in a wad, the title is intended tongue-in-cheek.

There was a study done in Vienna that shows GM corn fed to mice decreases their fertility. I know there is an ongoing debate regarding GM foods, and this study certainly casts a negative light on the matter.

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/MediaCenter/ReleaseAustrianGovernmentStudy/index.cfm


(Los Angeles, CA.) - A long-term feeding study (http://www.seedsofdeception.com/utility/showDocumentFile?objectID=190) commissioned by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, managed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, Family and Youth, and carried out by Veterinary University Vienna, confirms genetically modified (GM) corn seriously affects reproductive health in mice. Non-GMO advocates, who have warned about this infertility link along with other health risks, now seek an immediate ban of all GM foods and GM crops to protect the health of humankind and the fertility of women around the world.

[Bodo]

One study. The next thing will be to see if it's reproducible. Then we need to figure out exactly what's causing it.

Just because it's GM, doesn't mean it's the problem. It would possibly be something else...

[randydrivesabus]

So if this is true isn't it too late to do anything about it anyway? aren't those genes already spread by pollination by insects and the wind? and aren't there enough mice around already?

[dragonfly]

So if this is true isn't it too late to do anything about it anyway? aren't those genes already spread by pollination by insects and the wind?

As far as I know, you are right. The cat's already out of the bag, but ceasing to use new GM seeds may enable dilution of those genes over a period of time. I'm pretty sure Sundance will jump in here, and he seems to be da man when it comes to crops and such.

and aren't there enough mice around already?
:D Good point.

[dragonfly]

One study. The next thing will be to see if it's reproducible. Then we need to figure out exactly what's causing it.

Just because it's GM, doesn't mean it's the problem. It would possibly be something else...

I'm not a plant or genetic scientist, but I believe that altering plant genes with pesticides and the ability to tolerate herbicides is a bad idea.

[Bodo]

You may be right DF. But what's worse?

More spraying of chemicals to fight pests/disease/weeds can't be the answer. "Organic" would be nice, but it's not practical to feed to world that way right now.

[dragonfly]

You may be right DF. But what's worse?

More spraying of chemicals to fight pests/disease/weeds can't be the answer. "Organic" would be nice, but it's not practical to feed to world that way right now.

The world was already being fed prior to the introduction of GM seed. I would prefer to have my food sprayed with a pesticide than have the seeds genetically encoded with pesticidal abilities. But that's just me.

That being said, if a study were to show that food sprayed with pesticides causes the same infertility as foods grown from GM seed, that would be pretty telling of the political bias of the study done in Vienna. Am I making any sense?

I grow my garden organically. Without GM seeds spreading GM pollen, I can pretty much ascertain that I know basically what I am eating.

[Bodo]

That being said, if a study were to show that food sprayed with pesticides causes the same infertility as foods grown from GM seed, that would be pretty telling of the political bias of the study done in Vienna. Am I making any sense?

Perfect sense. It's a possibility too. Likely in fact.
It's also interesting that they only used one type of GM corn. I wonder what effects other types would/wouldn't have.


I grow my garden organically. Without GM seeds spreading GM pollen, I can pretty much ascertain that I know basically what I am eating.

I try in my garden...it's a whole other mindset. Still working on it ><

[dragonfly]

I try in my garden...it's a whole other mindset. Still working on it ><

It's a whole lotta work and time too.;)

[iddee]

UMM, I'm thinking....and that's dangerous.

Could we make GM seeds with birth control rather than pesticide, and require those foods to be used in all give away programs. Organic foods could only be purchased with cash, not food stamps. All food give away programs would use only the birth control foods. All international food give aways would be the same. It would help reduce population growth and, over time, reduce hunger and the need for free food.


OKAY, Tec, and Sundance, I've got my bullet proof underwear on.
FIRE AWAY!!!

:D :D :D :D

[dragonfly]

UMM, I'm thinking....and that's dangerous.


OKAY, Tec, and Sundance, I've got my bullet proof underwear on.
FIRE AWAY!!!



:D :D Kevlar, I presume?

[Bodo]

:D :D Kevlar, I presume?

I would think asbestos would be more apt. Flame Proof! :p

[dragonfly]

I would think asbestos would be more apt. Flame Proof! :p

Great point. :D And iddee could get big bucks suing the asbestos underwear manufacturer.

[Sundance]

I am no fan of GM foods.

There is a concerted effort to develop seed stock
that would eliminate the need for insect pollination.
If I had to guess, it's just a matter of time before
they do. No if, but when.......... Imagine the money
agriculture (other than beekeepers) would save.

[Gene Weitzel]

The biggest advantage to the GM seed producers is monopoly. With GM seed you can't save seed for planting next year, you must repurchase it from the producer. They have also been successful in suing farmers for patent infringement when their crops were cross-pollenated with GM pollen from a neighboring farm, thus preventing them from marketing their crop in an effort to extort them into using their GM product. There has recently been a movement to counter sue the GM producers for contaminating their cops, but it has yet to play out in the courts to see how it goes. The premise that we can't possibly feed the planet without GM is a cover, open-pollenated and other non GM varieties can be just as successfully grown, particularly in a small AG model. They are just not profitable for the large AGRI-CORP behemoths. It all boils down to "Follow the Money".

[Galaxy]

UMM, I'm thinking....and that's dangerous.

Could we make GM seeds with birth control rather than pesticide, and require those foods to be used in all give away programs. Organic foods could only be purchased with cash, not food stamps. All food give away programs would use only the birth control foods. All international food give aways would be the same. It would help reduce population growth and, over time, reduce hunger and the need for free food.

iddee, you have a superbly innovative mind. :D

[dragonfly]

It all boils down to "Follow the Money".

That is kind of what I figured.:(