@willie

Thank you for your comments. It sounds like you are looking for more “evidence” on why GMOs are not the best agricultural approach. There is something to be said about that-especially since biotech companies do not let any independent research to be performed on their products. “No truly independent research can be legally conducted on many critical questions regarding the technology,” commented the Editors of Scientific America. (see:http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=do-seed-companies-control-gm-crop-research). Dr. Don Huber noted a similar problem when he stated, “[u]nfortunately, most researchers are forbidden to do work in the area. They don’t have access to isogenic lines (conventional and Roundup Ready plant lines that are otherwise genetically identical); the materials are denied to researchers.” (see http://www.non-gmoreport.com/articles/may10/consequenceso_widespread_glyphosate_use.php).

Since not enough independent research is performed, no people, anywhere, should be subject to such experimentation.

And GMOs are not necessary to feed the poor and the hungry. In fact, Tom Philpott reported recently that researchers led by the eminent Washington State University soil scientist John P. Reganold urged “organic farming, alternative livestock production (e.g., grass-fed), mixed crop and livestock systems, and perennial grains,” as the way to feed in the future. Similarly, earlier this year, the U.N.’s special rapporteur on food, Olivier De Schutter, stated that “[s]mall-scale farmers can double food production within 10 years in critical regions by using ecological methods.”

Lastly, genetic modification of crops in developing nations represents issues of domination and control (patented seeds that farmers do not own), access (could farmers afford the annual purchase of GM seeds? will farmers have access to non GM seeds? will governments take measures to prevent cross-contamination?), forced change of agricultural practices (no seed saving allowed, requiring farmers to use specific herbicides and pesticide, creating monocultures, etc), plundering of natural resources (patenting plants unique to Africa) and most importantly, a hereto unseen dependence on a foreign corporation (farmers dependent on inputs, markets, and credit; dependency leads to fewer farmers, lower prices for farmers, jobless, indebtedness and loss of land).

Case in point: a new report on farmer’s suicide in India shows that a quarter of a million Indian farmers have committed suicide in the last 16 years—an average of one suicide every 30 minutes because of crushing debt. (http://www.democracynow.org/2011/5/11/every_30_minutes_crushed_by_debt). “Like other cash crops in India, the cotton industry is increasingly dominated by foreign multinational corporations that tend to promote genetically modified cottonseed and often control the cost, quality and availability of agricultural inputs.”

As far as climate change is concerned, we are going to have to agree to disagree on that point.

GMOJ.