<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for The GM seed giants lumber into the veggie patch]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Anastasia http://www.grist.org/article/franken-broccoli/ Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:00:25 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/franken-broccoli/1 RoundUp Ready isn't the only one

It's really too bad that the big ag companies are sticking to pesticide resistance only. There are so many possibilities out there - disease resistance, improved nutrition, and better use of water and fertilizer to name a few. I can't help but wonder if the focus would change if customer perception changed first.

For more scientific discussion on GMOs, visit my blog: GeneticMaize.

]]> RoundUp Ready isn't the only one

It's really too bad that the big ag companies are sticking to pesticide resistance only. There are so many possibilities out there - disease resistance, improved nutrition, and better use of water and fertilizer to name a few. I can't help but wonder if the focus would change if customer perception changed first.

For more scientific discussion on GMOs, visit my blog: GeneticMaize.

]]> Comment #2 by SMLowry http://www.grist.org/article/franken-broccoli/ Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:33:16 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/franken-broccoli/2 Typical corporate behavior

Corporations say what they believe people want to hear at the time. When Monstanto bought Seminis they wanted farmers and gardeners to believe that everything would stay the same. It's no different when a local company gets bought up by a major corporation. They always say everything will stay the same. And it does, for a couple of years, then the changes begin. I believe Monsanto had every intention of implementing biotech in 2005.

We have already lost so many varieties of veggies to the industrialization of the food supply in large part because large-scale ag controls what's available. Why should a company bother growing out varieties that only small scale growers and family gardeners will order? There's not enough money in it. In the few years I've been gardening, I've noticed many old-time favorite varieties being discontinued by Fedco because they are no longer available. It's both sad and frightening.

]]> Typical corporate behavior

Corporations say what they believe people want to hear at the time. When Monstanto bought Seminis they wanted farmers and gardeners to believe that everything would stay the same. It's no different when a local company gets bought up by a major corporation. They always say everything will stay the same. And it does, for a couple of years, then the changes begin. I believe Monsanto had every intention of implementing biotech in 2005.

We have already lost so many varieties of veggies to the industrialization of the food supply in large part because large-scale ag controls what's available. Why should a company bother growing out varieties that only small scale growers and family gardeners will order? There's not enough money in it. In the few years I've been gardening, I've noticed many old-time favorite varieties being discontinued by Fedco because they are no longer available. It's both sad and frightening.

]]> Comment #3 by wiscidea http://www.grist.org/article/franken-broccoli/ Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:59:07 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/franken-broccoli/3 Large ag companies are the problem...

... not GMOs.

Anastasia, thank you for your contribution to the discussion. I'm looking forward to reading the material on your website. It looks quite thorough and enlightening.

Good luck trying to win converts here. I've been pushing GMO potatoes -- resistant to late blight, so reduced need for chemicals -- but environmentalist just don't get it.

Large ag companies have really mucked things up by focusing on GMOs that encourage use of chemicals, lying to the public, and sitting on very valuable technology that would actually reduce use of chemicals. Someone has to reform patent law. But until a few organizations other than large ag companies embrace GMOs -- while rejecting the dangerous ones -- nothing is going to change.

It is time for people to take back our natural heritage. Environmentalist think they are rejecting technology and saving lives when, in my opinion, they are just turning the technology -- an billions of lives -- over to large corpporations.

http://ffrf.org/day/

]]> Large ag companies are the problem...

... not GMOs.

Anastasia, thank you for your contribution to the discussion. I'm looking forward to reading the material on your website. It looks quite thorough and enlightening.

Good luck trying to win converts here. I've been pushing GMO potatoes -- resistant to late blight, so reduced need for chemicals -- but environmentalist just don't get it.

Large ag companies have really mucked things up by focusing on GMOs that encourage use of chemicals, lying to the public, and sitting on very valuable technology that would actually reduce use of chemicals. Someone has to reform patent law. But until a few organizations other than large ag companies embrace GMOs -- while rejecting the dangerous ones -- nothing is going to change.

It is time for people to take back our natural heritage. Environmentalist think they are rejecting technology and saving lives when, in my opinion, they are just turning the technology -- an billions of lives -- over to large corpporations.

http://ffrf.org/day/

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