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3 GM Wheat (biotech wheat) - are we ready for Roundup Wheat ?
Are we ready for wheat which is resistant to Roundup ?Is biotechnology crucial to the future of the wheat industry ?
Why are governments so intent on allowing the likes of Monsanto to market their product ?
Answers
+2
Votes
The wheat industry can be advanced without using biotechnology.
I've written an article called "Six Reasons to Reject Monsanto's Round-up Ready Wheat", and in the article I point out the following --
"1. Genetically-modified wheat crops will contaminate nearby wheat varieties, harming the diversity of wheat around the world and endangering the stability of the global wheat supply .
2. Roundup-Ready Wheat is genetically modified to be resistant to Roundup (glyphosate), but has not been altered to boost crop output. This means more Roundup will be used than before, but the amount of wheat harvest will remain the same.
3. Production costs of genetically-modified crops such as Roundup-Ready Wheat tend to be higher than conventional crops due to expensive seeds and herbicides.
4. Higher quality wheat can be, and has been, achieved through conventional plant breeding rather than through genetic engineering.
5. Unlike many genetically-modified crops grown for fuel and animal fodder, Roundup-Ready Wheat will be grown for human consumption. Some countries require all genetically-modified commodities to be labeled, yet research indicates that consumers reject genetically-modified food when it is labeled as such.
6. Seed patents to many genetically-modified crops are owned by giant agriculture corporations. Because of these patents, farmers are no longer permitted to save seed from season to season."
http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/06/03/wheatless-wednesday-6-reasons-to-reject-monsantos-roundup-ready-wheat/
(community)
I've written an article called "Six Reasons to Reject Monsanto's Round-up Ready Wheat", and in the article I point out the following --
"1. Genetically-modified wheat crops will contaminate nearby wheat varieties, harming the diversity of wheat around the world and endangering the stability of the global wheat supply .
2. Roundup-Ready Wheat is genetically modified to be resistant to Roundup (glyphosate), but has not been altered to boost crop output. This means more Roundup will be used than before, but the amount of wheat harvest will remain the same.
3. Production costs of genetically-modified crops such as Roundup-Ready Wheat tend to be higher than conventional crops due to expensive seeds and herbicides.
4. Higher quality wheat can be, and has been, achieved through conventional plant breeding rather than through genetic engineering.
5. Unlike many genetically-modified crops grown for fuel and animal fodder, Roundup-Ready Wheat will be grown for human consumption. Some countries require all genetically-modified commodities to be labeled, yet research indicates that consumers reject genetically-modified food when it is labeled as such.
6. Seed patents to many genetically-modified crops are owned by giant agriculture corporations. Because of these patents, farmers are no longer permitted to save seed from season to season."
http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/06/03/wheatless-wednesday-6-reasons-to-reject-monsantos-roundup-ready-wheat/
(community)
References
[1] 6 Reasons to Reject Monsanto's Round-up Ready Wheat, http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/06/03/wheatless-wednesday-6-reasons-to-reject-monsantos-roundup-ready-wheat/+1
Votes
The ellimination of disease and insects from plant foods is an obvious attraction, and helps feed a lot more people, particularly in poor countries.
But the consequences of eating food that may not be "the same" as natural food will still not be known for a while. But if in the meantime original strains of natural crop are lost or converted or cross-pollinated, then it isn't easy to go back should we need to.
It is a brave new adventure, and I hope human ingenuity is strong enough to adapt to whatever the outcomes are.
But the consequences of eating food that may not be "the same" as natural food will still not be known for a while. But if in the meantime original strains of natural crop are lost or converted or cross-pollinated, then it isn't easy to go back should we need to.
It is a brave new adventure, and I hope human ingenuity is strong enough to adapt to whatever the outcomes are.
1 0
Votes
Roundup is the major herbicide used worldwide, in particular on genetically modified plants that have been designed to tolerate it. New research available, reported from the below site reveals alarming detail;
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/roundup-mix-more-toxic-to-liver-cells-than-glyphosate/
Very low doses of some types of the herbicide Roundup can disrupt human liver cell function; the formulations' toxicity may be tied to their "inactive" ingredients rather than the active weed-killing ingredient glyphosate.
French scientists report that a number of Roundup formulations tested at very dilute concentrations can alter hormone actions and cause human liver cells to die within 24 hours of treatment.
The key factor affecting how dangerous the different formulations were lay in their "inert ingredients" ... chemicals usually protected by trade secrets clauses.
Chemical mixtures in formulations appear to be underestimated regarding their toxic or hormonal impact.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/roundup-mix-more-toxic-to-liver-cells-than-glyphosate/
Very low doses of some types of the herbicide Roundup can disrupt human liver cell function; the formulations' toxicity may be tied to their "inactive" ingredients rather than the active weed-killing ingredient glyphosate.
French scientists report that a number of Roundup formulations tested at very dilute concentrations can alter hormone actions and cause human liver cells to die within 24 hours of treatment.
The key factor affecting how dangerous the different formulations were lay in their "inert ingredients" ... chemicals usually protected by trade secrets clauses.
Chemical mixtures in formulations appear to be underestimated regarding their toxic or hormonal impact.
