Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumEPA Raises Alarm Over GMO Crops that Are Breeding Swarms of These Mutant Bugs
NationOfChange
9/2/15
One of the promises of GMO crops was that they would be more resistant to bugs and pests, however, it seems that the chemicals used on these crops, and the modifications that have been made to their basic structure, have actually created an explosion in pesticide resistant bugs.
It was reported this week that genetically modified crops, corn specifically, has created a pesticide resistant rootworm, that is now stronger and more numerous than ever before. To make matters even worse, due to the growing over-infestation, farmers have been forced to use even more of the harmful pesticides that have been known to contribute to cancer, and are suspected of devastating the global honeybee population.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has taken a recent interest in the rootworm problem, and they are expected to set limits on the amount of genetically modified corn that can be grown in the US.
Bill Jordan, the EPAs deputy head of pesticide programs said that the problem is getting worse, and suggested that limits are needed to keep the rootworm in check.
...However, the fact that the EPA wants to implement restrictions presents a very interesting problem because it is actually the US government that is responsible for the overproduction of corn in the first place, thanks to massive farm subsidies.
According to EWG farm subsidies, the United States government has put forward over $84 billion between the years of 1995 and 2012, encouraging farmers to plant corn, most of which is used for animal feed and junk food....
Read full article~
http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/09/02/epa-raises-alarm-over-gmo-crops-that-are-breeding-swarms-of-these-mutant-bugs/
WE are subsidizing this...a BigAg program that results in the death of pollinators & the addition of cancer-causing chemicals in our food supply.
I wonder if the execs at Monsanto & Bayer eat only non-GMO food. They know what they're fighting so hard to hide from the public after all.
FlatBaroque
(3,160 posts)losing the fight over our food supply.
zeemike
(18,998 posts)It has been going on for a long time and it is a war we cannot win.
MisterP
(23,730 posts)and then we'll be as gods, or something
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)Poor Mother Earth is being flushed down the toilet, all in the name of corporate profit.
hunter
(38,264 posts)Sell GMO... profit!
Sell more pesticides... profit!
Sell new GMO... profit!
Sell more pesticides... profit!
An endless cycle of... profit!
Until everyone is dead.
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)making a PROFIT!!!!
Greed is insane.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)It was for an ethanol program that went crazy.
BTW: Did Monsanto manage to get a bill passed that made it so ONLY their own patented seeds were eligible for the corn subsidy?
nationalize the fed
(2,169 posts)with their revolving door between MonSatan and Washington DC
The revolving door is a massive problem in American politics, where individuals cycle between public and private sector positions in a way that produces massive conflicts of interest. An individual can start their career working for a for-profit corporation, then migrate into a regulatory post or elected office, then into trade association positions, and finally go back to the private sector and make a huge profit off of decisions that they made during their previous public positions.
The multi-billion dollar agribusiness giant Monsanto has a long and extremely widespread history of participation in this revolving door, at every level of American government. Ex-Monsanto employees, particularly from their lobbying and legal infrastructures, fill numerous judicial, regulatory and advisory positions in the US government...
http://theprogressivecynic.com/2014/06/10/monsantos-revolving-door/
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Bill USA
(6,436 posts)NRaleighLiberal
(59,940 posts)It is beyond that - it is sufficient, independent, objective testing.
It is the butterfly effect - impact on pollen, meaning impact on pollinators
It is impact on keeping our genetic heritage - not only the ability to be seed savers, but the confidence that our genetic heritage will not be polluted/changed by GMO pollen.
As to the food we eat, there not been nearly enough testing, but that horse seems to be out of the barn.
And it's not about genetic modification. It is about genetic engineering - genes from species X into species Y (that is not natural).
But if we wait, we will hear the footsteps and the usual suspects will show.
Just wait. Can you hear them!?
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)looking both ways and behind me. Its still early though. They could be on a coffee break.
NRaleighLiberal
(59,940 posts)...at least the threesome seems to be the quickest on the draw. I guess they are busy getting their directives
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)the same script. They are relatively skillful, but pathetically predictable. When they can't get a sympathetic response, they carry on discussions with one another or pick fights to shut a thread down. I fell for the bait a few times until I saw the trend.
NRaleighLiberal
(59,940 posts)They argue, they ridicule - but in no way can that approach persuade or enlighten.
The basic premise of science is continual learning. Which needs a continual open mind to change.
Unless it is profitable to think otherwise, of course!
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)actual information, they respond by asking questions, often in a patronizing, belligerent manner. Then they accuse people who oppose GMOs of being "anti-science" - they think that makes them sound like liberals you know.
Most of the ones I've encountered are well trained, articulate, and very professional. They often have been members for years and have a high post count. It is a pretty sophisticated operation (best money can buy I suppose) - they don't come across as reactionary, right-wing trolls. They are careful not to get banned.
NRaleighLiberal
(59,940 posts)PatSeg
(46,804 posts)It took me a bit to catch on, but I won't let them shut down a thread I'm interested in anymore.
Duppers
(28,094 posts)Especially since it confirms my experience of being called anti-science (2 scientists in immediate family).
30 replies to this thread so far and I can see only 17.
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)who were affected. On a positive note though, it caused me to do a lot of research on GMOs in a quest for solid scientific data. If nothing else, I am far more informed because of the unpleasant exchanges. And I don't avoid these threads anymore!!!
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Then they accuse you of wanting poor children to starve.
(They never mention GMOs don't actually increase crop yields.)
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)And they rattle off statistics about scientists who support GMOs. If you respond with contradictory data, they start blasting you with questions in an intimidating, mocking manner. It quickly devolves into a playground confrontation, "I'm rubber, you're glue....."
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Thus blowing the "anti-science" charge.
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)They are good to a point and then they become very transparent.
RiverLover
(7,830 posts)I agree. The main problem with GMOs for me as well is their horribly destructive environmental impact on bees, butterflies, then up the chain to bats & other birds. And run-off getting into waterways, creating dead zones, suffocating & poisoning our aquatic animals....
And for what? Killer deals for high rollers in commodities? Cheap food sold at high volume to line stockholders pockets?
Its just not worth it.
http://www.agweb.com/markets/futures/
^^^^ This makes me want to puke.
NRaleighLiberal
(59,940 posts)RiverLover
(7,830 posts)I still have nightmares from when I first started posting here & on a thread about GMOs. lol, not really nightmares. But at that time, I kept having to check to make sure this was in fact a -Democratic-Underground. It was surreal, like arguing with boneheaded rethugs...highly frustrating. I haven't seen the main contributors from then on here lately.
Don't want to jinx that!
But there are others now, I know. Like the recent proGMO/anti-antiGMOers thread in GD. I didn't even click on it. Life is too short...
immoderate
(20,885 posts)But hey, I haven't been called "anti-science" yet today. I think the Monsanto troopers have me on ignore, though.
--imm
d_legendary1
(2,586 posts)Makes me wonder where that puts our nation's poor in the pecking order of things.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Binkie The Clown
(7,911 posts)who always post here based on wishful thinking and nothing in the way of long term observations?
"They can't possibly be harmful because... science."
Sounds a lot like "X can't possibly be right because ... Jesus."
The "GMOs are Great" crowd has a lot in common with the "God is Great" crowd; specifically, deep and abiding faith and a willingness to believe in what they wish were true.
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)Last edited Wed Sep 2, 2015, 06:19 PM - Edit history (1)
the pro GMO folks who often show up here, appear to be professionals. It does not appear ideological, more likely they are paid to infiltrate the boards by Monsanto or Syngenta. Most are working out of the same playbooks, so they are easy to recognize and ignore.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)RiverLover
(7,830 posts)Indeed. That was shocking, his betrayal. I do wonder how much he got. It must have been a big bundle, in an offshore account of course.
SoLeftIAmRight
(4,883 posts)We need a complete conversion of the agricultural systems.
It will not be fast, easy, or cheap.
The issue is too important to let corporations control make the decisions.
This is only the beginning hope to spend the time to expand
Sustainable production less input co2 sequestration no gmo's
Start with
Allan Savory Ted Talk
http://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change
Then
Gabe Brown
Soil health
This talk is directed to farmers that have a anti-environmental bend so less emphasis on environmental issues when speaking to a more enlightened group his talk is less country twang and more science based
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gabe+brown+soil+health&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=4145088DB3EF49DFB8CF4145088DB3EF49DFB8CF
Mike Hands this is only a little info on this subject see the full documentary
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mike%20hands%20inga%20frontline&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=mike%20hands%20inga%20frontline&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=46F489526F819D99DF6E46F489526F819D99DF6E
People to start with
Allan Savory
Gabe Brown
Mike Hands
Michael White
Concepts to start with
monoculture
alley cropping
no-till
cover crops
mob grazing
soil health
local production
crop diversity
composting
green manure
Other issues
Is it wise to send our soil to feed livestock in other countries
where do farm subsidies go and is that where they should go
are big agri-businesses promoting a form of agri that is sustainable
where is the rain where is the agriculture
Other resources
Much more to come
If you want more science try Dr. Jill Clapperton
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gabe+brown+soil+health&form=HDRSC3&first=1#view=detail&mid=A0CCD0CA92DCF1C4A621A0CCD0CA92DCF1C4A621
The problems with big agri corps and their products
Michael White vs Monsanto
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017282430
Mike Hands more about inga
http://www.ingafoundation.org/mike-hands/
Ted Talk on neighbor gardens
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017281878
food variety
http://www.upworthy.com/we-used-to-have-307-kinds-of-corn-guess-how-many-are-left
4000 potato varieties
http://cipotato.org/potato/facts/
rice 40,000 varieties
http://www.riceassociation.org.uk/content/1/10/varieties.html
Apples
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/04/heritage-apples-john-bunker-maine
Bill USA
(6,436 posts)RiverLover
(7,830 posts)R2-D2 meet 2,4-D