-Caveat Lector-
Dear Alamaine,
For the real reasoning behind G.M. crops please access:-
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Atrium/2012/gmterm.htm
I hope you enjoy it.
Peace be upon you,
JAH.
----- Original Message -----
From: Alamaine Ratliff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 1999 9:32 PM
Subject: [CTRL] (Fwd) Choking Down Genetically Modified Food
> -Caveat Lector-
>
> ------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
> Date sent: 16 Nov 1999 15:57:20 -0000
>
> Information on this email course appears at the bottom.
>
> The Politics of Genetically Modified Food
>
> Fact or Fiction?: Genetically modified food will be vital to solving world
> hunger by increasing crop yields. By incorporating natural pesticides it
> can reduce the need for spraying herbicides and pesticides and add
> diversity to the gene pool by expanding genetic combinations not possible
> through natural evolution. Despite worries of unlikely experimental
> mishaps, life science companies are out to do their best to help farmers
> and feed the world.
>
> In "Against the Grain: Biotechnology and the Corporate Takeover of Your
> Food," Marc Lappe and Britt Bailey reveal some deeply rooted problems with
> this rosy assessment.
>
> 1. Early evidence suggests that genetically modified crops have per acre
> yields that are 10 percent lower, not higher than their unmodified
> counterparts.
>
> 2. By next year, Monsanto, one of the largest companies, is aiming to
> have 100 percent of soybeans grown in the U.S. be genetically modified.
> Such monoculture will destroy, not enhance genetic diversity.
>
> 3. While some genetically modified crops such as corn have been altered so
> that natural pesticides are built in, others like soybeans are genetically
> modified to withstand more herbicide spraying -- herbicides made by
> Monsanto. By selling the seeds, and forcing farmers to sign contracts to
> use their herbicide, Monsanto ensures a monopoly and a lock on profits for
> both seed and spray.
>
> 4. Monsanto's herbicide, called Round-Up, can now be sprayed more heavily
> thanks to the EPA, which tripled the amount of Round-Up residue permitted
> to remain on crops.
>
> 5. Crops that incorporate pesticides have other problems. Where once Bt
> was seen as a natural pesticide safe for use by organic farmers because it
> is an organism that occurs naturally in the soil, now widespread use of
> the Bt gene inserted into crops such as potatoes may end its own
> usefulness as bugs become resistant to it. But in the short term, it's a
> great way to build profits -- for the so-called life science companies.
> Dow chemical scientists estimate that, because of this growing resistance,
> the usefulness of Bt will end within a decade.
>
> 6. Monopoly almost always means the ability to raise prices, which will
> further destroy small farms in favor of big ones. This decreases local
> self-reliance -- a lynch pin in the fight against famine -- in favor of
> corporate entities focused on maximizing investor profit.
>
> 7. With no requirements for labeling, consumers have no choice but to eat
> genetically modified food. Worse, epidemiological studies that look at
> large populations, which are the only means by which health effects of
> these modifications could be determined, can't be carried out--because
> there's no way to determine who in a study has eaten what.
>
> These facts come from "Against the Grain: Biotechnology and the Corporate
> Takeover of Your Food" by Marc Lappe and Britt Bailey.
> http://www.commoncouragepress.com/against.html
>
> Also available is the Beyond the Book interview with the authors, "You Are
> What They Want You to Eat," in which we ask them questions like: what's
> wrong with Monsanto's good intentions; they may be trying to make a buck
> but why do you posit ill will toward them?" Click
> http://www.commoncouragepress.com/againstinterview.html
> for a complete list of questions and how to order the transcript of their
> answers.
>
> TOMORROW: Using Hot Air to Deny Global Warming
>
> This is the free Political Literacy Course from Common Courage Press: A
> backbone of facts to stand up to spineless power. Email 53, November 16
> 1999. Week 11: The New Math of Science + Corporate Power Homepage:
> http://www.commoncouragepress.com To subscribe (or unsubscribe) for free:
> http://www.commoncouragepress.com Chatroom:
> http://www.cartserver.com/bbs/a/3827/index.cgi Feedback/Title suggestions:
> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> Missed any? Course archive:
> http://www.commoncouragepress.com/politlitarchive.html
>
> YES! This course is partly advertising for books. But it's also intended
> as political fertilizer: feel free to spread it around!
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________ To
> unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
> A<>E<>R
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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> The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking
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> "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said
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> be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and
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DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic
screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters
and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright
frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects
spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL
gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers;
be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and
nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
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Om
