Genetics & Food at its Worst

[Roy Hersh]

Our food supply is in a world of hurt. From seed suppliers and the manufacturers of pesticide companies to the multi-nationals behind the genetic engineering and modification of the impregnation of the food supply's most important grain's cellular structures ... the news is not good. This is not new and hopefully awareness and education may result in change and improvement in the near future. Here are two uniquely different documentaries that provide worthy insights.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1112115/ King Korn

Rent it at NetFlix:
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/King_Corn/70080822


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427276/ The Future of Food

Rent it at NetFlix: http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Future ... d/70038794

[Roy Hersh]

I hope you folks realize how serious of an issue this is becoming worldwide. Don't take it lightly, that is for sure.

[Moses Botbol]

I had read on this before and is quite serious. Some vegetables have been produced that its seeds can't germinate. This is quite scarey. Seeds are the foundation of our food supply.

[Roy Hersh]

True that.

The fact that slowly but surely Monsanto is taking control of the world's seed supply of things like Soy bean, corn and other key grains ... thank god they've failed in efforts with wheat (so far) it is very scary. The billions they put into this effort, to dominate farmlands buying habits, create patents on living organisms like corn seed and work in lobbying legislatures to forego food labeling laws that would show what is genetically modified in a product ... I am pretty seriously against that type of monopolistic approach. It is not just about money, but power and Monsanto has more than almost any company in the USA ... even if they are down the "food chain" in terms of overall profits.

<---- Monsanto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :devil:

[Eric Menchen]

1. I haven't seen these movies yet.
2. I too worry about Monsanto, Pioneer, genetic engineering of crops, seed patents, etc.
That said ...
- Monoculture isn't a new problem at all. Ask the Irish about the potato famine and what caused it.
- Plants that don't reproduce isn't new at all either. Do you eat seedless oranges or grapes?
My point is that we've been manipulating the food supply for centuries, instituting bad practices and crossing species in ways nature never would have come up with. Genetic engineering takes the cross-breeding to new, and potentially more risky levels.

[Moses Botbol]

1
- Monoculture isn't a new problem at all. Ask the Irish about the potato famine and what caused it.
- Plants that don't reproduce isn't new at all either. Do you eat seedless oranges or grapes?
My point is that we've been manipulating the food supply for centuries, instituting bad practices and crossing species in ways nature never would have come up with. Genetic engineering takes the cross-breeding to new, and potentially more risky levels.

There's a little difference between using Colchicine and making terminator seeds. Yes, we have been manipulating plants for centuries, just as the weather has manipulated plants. Luckily there is a culture steadily growing that wants more natural fruits and vegatables. I do not mind crossing species, it's just when it's done for dubious reasons, there should be some global oversight. I applaud the Honey Crisp Apple and who ever made it!

Then again we have reached the point with throw away electronics. We are dependent on the newest thing as most consumer electronics are not realistically repairable...

If this wasn't such an important issue, there wouldn't be a mega vault in the Artic of Norway caring all of the seeds it can...

I wish I could grow my on food or buy everything locally grow or slaughtered. The meat industry is not that strong in New England.

[Eric Menchen]

If this wasn't such an important issue, there wouldn't be a mega vault in the Artic of Norway caring all of the seeds it can...

I spent a year in the late 80s researching all of this, arguing for a seed bank, or plant germplasm repository. I was so delighted when I learned, 20 years later, that they were setting up that facility in Norway. I wonder how much we lost in the interim.