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thewayne"A study published in December 2009 in the International Journal of Biological Sciences found that three varieties of Monsanto genetically-modified corn caused damage to the liver, kidneys, and other organs of rats. One of the corn varieties was designed to tolerate broad-spectrum herbicides, (so-called 'Roundup-ready' corn), while the other two contain bacteria-derived proteins that have insecticide properties. The study made use of Monsanto's own raw data. Quoting from the study's 'Conclusions' section: 'Our analysis highlights that the kidneys and liver as particularly important on which to focus such research as there was a clear negative impact on the function of these organs in rats consuming GM maize varieties for just 90 days.' Given the very high prevalence of corn in processed foods, this could be a real ticking time bomb. And with food manufacturers not being required by law to declare GMO content, I think I'll do my best to avoid corn altogether. Pass the puffed rice and pour me a glass of fizzy water!"
http://science.slashdot.org/story/10/01/13/0328221/Organ-Damage-In-Rats-From-Monsanto-GMO-Corn?art_pos=33
I've had a dislike of GMO-anything from Monsanto ever since I learned about it years ago. It looked to me like they were way too fast getting it patented and to market, I didn't think that adequate testing had been done and the results published. And don't even get me started on their legal enforcement and business practices of their patents against farmers who've had GMO-seed blow in to their fields from neighbors who use Monsanto's products!
On the other hand, let's publish another Monsanto story!
It seems that Monsanto's patent for Roundup Ready for soy beans is expiring in 2014. So they're introducing Roundup Ready 2 Yield, a newly patented strain to renew the patent window.
Says one farmer, "... his seed costs shot up almost 50 percent last year. That's because farmers are contractually prohibited from saving seeds and planting them the following year."
Roundup Ready is in soy beans, cotton, and corn. It works something like this. It's a trait in the seed that makes it highly resistant, if not immune, to Monsanto's Round Up weed killer. So plant their seed, then use their herbicide, and it kills everything not containing that genetic trait.
And, as seen in the preceding article, could have some very serious long-term health consequences.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122498255&ps=cprs
http://science.slashdot.org/story/10/01/13/0328221/Organ-Damage-In-Rats-From-Monsanto-GMO-Corn?art_pos=33
I've had a dislike of GMO-anything from Monsanto ever since I learned about it years ago. It looked to me like they were way too fast getting it patented and to market, I didn't think that adequate testing had been done and the results published. And don't even get me started on their legal enforcement and business practices of their patents against farmers who've had GMO-seed blow in to their fields from neighbors who use Monsanto's products!
On the other hand, let's publish another Monsanto story!
It seems that Monsanto's patent for Roundup Ready for soy beans is expiring in 2014. So they're introducing Roundup Ready 2 Yield, a newly patented strain to renew the patent window.
Says one farmer, "... his seed costs shot up almost 50 percent last year. That's because farmers are contractually prohibited from saving seeds and planting them the following year."
Roundup Ready is in soy beans, cotton, and corn. It works something like this. It's a trait in the seed that makes it highly resistant, if not immune, to Monsanto's Round Up weed killer. So plant their seed, then use their herbicide, and it kills everything not containing that genetic trait.
And, as seen in the preceding article, could have some very serious long-term health consequences.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122498255&ps=cprs
no subject
Date: 2010-01-14 06:02 pm (UTC)