Is Genetic Engineering Good for the Environment?

[achillessniper]

thanks, I like how you miss out how the target pest has built up an immunity, how these seeds are sold in such an immoral way and how thousands of Indian farmers have committed suicide in the last 10 years due to them buying these expensive seeds, only to find a pest with resistance

[mmazzi61]

You can also see Jeffrey Smith present much of his information for free here on youtube. His presentation is in 10 parts. Search youtube for the presentation title: "Everything YOU HAVE TO KNOW about Dangerous Genetically Modified Foods". You should get results for all 10 parts.

[averagehomosapien]

@mmazzi61

Pam Ronald is a respected researcher at a public university. She receives no funding or incentives from Monsanto or any private company. She's merely expressing the consensus view of nearly ALL biological scientists today, public AND private. You, on the other hand, would rather believe a fringe scientist (if you can even call her one) who thinks that just because she has a PhD in physics, she can weigh on something she hasn't the slightest knowledge of.

[mmazzi61]

@averagehomosapien "public universities" receive plenty of grant money. Read "Seeds of Deception" for the whole, well-documented, thoroughly referenced story with names of expert scientists who have lost their careers by telling the truth (see my other posting for details).  I don't buy into the God complex... there were nuclear engineering experts who built reactors with generators on ground level next to the ocean in tsunami territory. Our ignorance is only surpassed by our arrogance.

[mmazzi61]

@averagehomosapien Financial experts still preaching the same crap that's melting down our economy. There're biotech "experts" who truly believe what industry is pushing. At least open your mind to hear what other experts have to say. Though you don't believe in Dr. Shiva's credentials, you can't argue with the facts of what's actually happened in India. If agri-science wasn't in the pocket of business, we wouldn't dump pesticides galor and condone mono-culture which has depleted our soil.

[averagehomosapien]

@mmazzi61

It's unfortunate that you've been so taken in by these GMO fear-mongerors. You shouldn't rely on information from "dvds and books", but rather from the actual scientific literature. This is just like the evolution-creationism "debate": you'll always be able to find a few pariahs in the scientific community who will speak against the consensus view -- and these are the people given media attention. I suggest you look up "GM food controversies" on wikipedia to get an introduction.

[myndy86]

@averagehomosapien This is what the vast majority of the scientific community says about GMOs "Hence assesments of modern biotechnology is lagging behind development: information can be anecdotal and contradictory and uncertainty on benefits and harms is unavoidable. There is a wide range of perspectives on the environmental, human health and economic risks and benefits of modern biotechnology, many of these risks are yet unknown." -IAASTD, UN/World Bank report by 400 scientists.

[myndy86]

@averagehomosapien Most scientists will not accept a GMO as safe until long term safety testing by independant scientists is done. "The most detailed regulatory tests on the GMOs are three-month long feeding trials of laboratory rats,which are biochemically assessed. The tests are not compulsory,and are not independently conducted. The test data and the corresponding results are kept in secret by the companies." ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/­20941377?dopt=Abstract&holding­=f1000,f1000m,isrctn

[myndy86]

@averagehomosapien "An equilibrium in the number research groups suggesting, on the basis of their studies, that a number of varieties of GM products (mainly maize and soybeans) are as safe and nutritious as the respective conventional non-GM plant, and those raising still serious concerns, was currently observed.""it should be noted that most of these studies have been conducted by biotechnology companies responsible of commercializing these GM plants." ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/212964­23

[myndy86]

@averagehomosapien "Animal toxicity studies with certain GM foods have shown that they may toxically affect several organs and systems.""The results of most studies with GM foods indicate that they may cause some common toxic effects such as hepatic, pancreatic, renal, or reproductive effects and may alter the hematological, biochemical, and immunologic parameters. However, many years of research with animals and clinical trials are required for this assessment." ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/189898­35

[mmazzi61]

@averagehomosapien Seriously, I hope you'll order the book and trilogy for less than the cost of a pizza. There're at least 21 scientific points made about the dangers of gmo's along with the silencing of VALID biotech experts who were at the top of their field. If you can watch the two dvd's, read the book and STILL believe wholeheartedly in GMO's, then please come back and explain why so that I can hear your argument. I'm serious.

[mmazzi61]

While Ms. Ronald seems enthusiastic about what she perceives as a benefit to the earth, I believe she is misinformed and mistaken. She claims 80% increased yield in cotton crops of India. While she might believe the bull Monsanto is telling her, I don't. I believe the statistics coming from Vandana Shiva, Physicist, eco-activist, and author. Indian farmers killed themselves over the bankruptcies that resulted from these failed cotton crops. We are being lied to by Monsanto.

[Hoodamanow]

Hundreds Of Indian Farmers committed Suicide Because this Product Failed .. so where she getting Her INformation from?

[raptors222222]

It's cotton, it's not like it's corn or anything. You wear it, you don't eat it.

I think that GMO's are the way of the future when it comes to crops. Scientists are always coming up with creative ways to combat both the environmental conditions and increase nutritional yield.

[mmazzi61]

@raptors222222 Cotton has the highest pesticide use of any crop. More people die, globally, from pesticides used on cotton than any other crop. Monsanto sucks people in with the whole "theory" that there will be less pesticide use, but the result is that there is actually more Roundup required.

[hebephoebe]

I can understand that there may be well meaning people like Pamela that see the potential from GM crops, but, as has been pointed out, these are short term measures as Mother Nature finds ways to circumvent anything that we throw at her. But there is still the fundamental problem of health and safety in the crop itself. These crops are untested and unlabelled and if they want to be taken seriously these two events must be mandatory before we go any further down this path.

[IIIClydeBarrowIII]

No, it is not good for the environment...

[Salladsdressing]

@IIIClydeBarrowIII

your comment smell like science denial

[cavejourney]

Insecticides don't work as they create stronger insects.Rotating crops has often been successful.

[Keylimedelight]

you should watch the whole video, they talk about crop rotation.

[edewit08]

That GMO companies try get monopoly over ALL the worlds food is wery worrying.

We need Organic food, lokal private farms, and other things lokal.. Not global..

[Mastikator]

They're in legue with the Illuminati to first take over the world's food, then make food that allows them to control peoples minds.

The serpent god is always watching!

[merdufer]

this makes more sense in combination of the other part of her talk, about how all of these techniques should be labeled.

[stkmce]

when criminal psychopaths control "science and technology" what kind of nightmare would you choose? academic blather that avoids this issue indicate the hollow mindset occupied and the ensuing irresponsibility it engenders. real science is none of that! we have a lonnnnnnnng waaaaaaay to go, kiddies!

[DanOManno]

Pretty interesting video - man seems to have always been drawn towards a distant horizon involving constant change and innovation - sometimes it works out and sometimes not. I think mother Nature is pretty much the same, only she works over millions of years.

[givebirthathome]

Stewart Brand's TED talk video also advocated genetic engineering. There are a lot of comments on that video discussing the negatives of genetically modified organisms. Scientist Arpad Pusztai found negative health effects in an animal feeding study. He was suppressed.

The problem with the "debate" on safety with genetically engineered foods, is that there is too much conflict of interest, now that corporate-university funding agreements hold sway.

[goldgrif]

there is no debate, actually if you look at data that is allowed out the increase of both pesticides and herbicides have been shown in cotton, and now there is an adpated pigweed that is marching in cotton fields,

[Smaug84]

Makes one wonder what'll become of humanity once large scale genetic engineering occurs. Most I've talked to believe it should be legal on the basis of inherited diseases, and genetic predisposition to addiction. But on the same token they don't agree with altering height, eye color, intelligence, strength, agility, hearing, eyesight; fearing that it would lead to a war between those who're unafraid to alter the genome, and those who fear man playing god.

[archaedemos]

sounds like a trade off: Use less Insectacides . Use more Genetic Modified plants, and Animals.

[2xtream]

This is a paid for dog and pony show. This woman would sell her child if her boss (Monsanto) to her too. Just read up on (codex alimentarius) if you want to get what they have in store for all Americans. You will be sup prized. I have a link here for you to watch here on youtube.

watch?v=K1zJm3ERvUI

You will be disturbed. But if you remain asleep they will continue there dirty work behind closed doors and in the dark.

[Smaug84]

Goddamn Monsanto, there is clearly scientists with noble ambitions. And then there is Monsanto, who uses the information to do as they please.

[goldgrif]

you're surprised, I do advocate the need to do genetic studies and eventually engineer,

[kaxitaksi]

Ofc it's not..

[Matchu80]

The "suicide genes" that make specific GE crops only grow for 1 year and large corporations patenting GE crops are two big issues...

I plan to watch this speechbut anyone that watched it already, does this women cover either of those topics whatsoever?

[strogg9]

we could just have a giant crop rotation of different GE things that kill certain pests one year, and different ones they next year. since the pests are always Reproducing exponentially, we solve the problem of extinction and we all live happy :D

[Smaug84]

My biggest problem with GE crops is the terminator gene. I realize it sounds irrational, but I do worry that the gene could transfer via pollination to non GE plants of the same species.

[ragnarocks0]

that have been accounted into the equation, there is something called a termination gene in which it negates the genetics that were engineered in any first generation crops thus stopping pollination of non GE plants.

[Smaug84]

Hmmm, I was under the impression that the terminator gene allowed for pollination to still take place, but that it just wouldn't result in seeds forming. Thus my fear is that non GE plants could potential inherit the gene, which could in effect cripple a farmer's future crop...all because of greed.

[ragnarocks0]

well both , to the best of my knowledge, are used to achieve the same end , tho with varying results.

All i'm trying to say is GE is definitely a way in which humanity can enjoy a better future, if perfected, but it won't be perfected if all ppl see are the current defects ; and fears it whilst ignorant of what it can bring to us in the future.

[Smaug84]

I support advances in genetics & nanomedicine, just I try to have a healthy bit of caution lest my idealism lead to tragedy.

[thesparitan]

i agree with that

[FIGHTFANNERD3]

@Smaug84 okay there

[sugarpuddin88]

Genetic Engineering can be good or it can be bad

It depends on who is funding it

When the US Government is funding it, then likely there are going to be bad consequences, (such as the altered crops they sent to India now causing famine)