Re: [CH] Monsanto, GM - a dissent
Bob Batson (bob@sky.net)
Sat, 15 May 1999 19:14:24 -0500 (CDT)
On Fri, 14 May 1999, wrote:
> If it were not for selective genetic manipulation, the only chile plants we
> would have in North America would be the little tepins that grow only in
> Arizona, and there would be none in Mississippi or Missouri since the
> climate would not allow it.
>
> Humans have been messing about with selective genetic manipulation for many
> generations with disastrous or excellent results depending upon how
> selective your memory is.
A very good argument, and sure "humans have been messing about with
selective genetic manipulation for many generations ...", but the
genetic manipulation was always by cross-fertilizing different strains
within a plant or animal species. This is no longer the case. A few
years ago, for instance, plans to market soybeans containing a gene from
Brazil nuts were discontinued after it was belatedly discovered that the
protein produced by the gene is a major Brazil nut allergen. In another
case, a genetically engineered soil additive almost made it to market,
until it was discovered that the tests of the additive on sterile soil
failed to reveal what a graduate student in the lab later discovered: In
real soil, the additive killed every plant around. A gene from a fish
that is indigenous to the arctic has been inserted into a tomato so it
can withstand colder temperatures.
If genetically engineered food crops (genetically modified organisms)
are so much better for people and so safe, why are both Canada and the
US government/USDA so adamantly opposed to any sort of labeling?
Oh, and let's not blame Monsanto for the existence of the "Terminator"
gene. This little bit of biotechnology was developed by both the Delta &
Pine Land company, a major supplier of cotton seed, and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture Research Service (your tax dollars at work).
The USDA signed over all rights to this process to Delta & Pine in
exchange for 5% of all future profits. Three months after D & P was
issued a patent, Monsanto acquired them along with the patent
Now back on the topic of all things chile! Dave DeWitt has recently
published _The Chile Pepper Encyclopedia_ (ISBN 0-688-15611-8). Among
the web sites listed for more chile information are the Chile-Heads Home
Page (he gives the old URL though), Firegirl ("An entertaining site
about all things hot and spicy.") and Graham Caselton Chile-Head ("The
best British site for detailed information on chiles and fiery foods.")
=======================================================================
Bob Batson L 39 12 14 N 94 33 16 W
bob@sky.net Kansas City
Lifetime Member, Seed Savers Exchange USDA zone 5b
Amateur Horticulturist
Presently conducting evaluation trials growing Pachyrhizus ahipa