Shocker! Monsanto’s Transgenic Crops Found to Be Polluting Our Waterways

[G_j]

http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/10/04/shocker-monsantos-transgenic-crops-found-to-be-polluting-our-waterways/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=alternet

Posted by Tara Lohan at 8:26 am
October 4, 2010

Shocker! Monsanto’s Transgenic Crops Found to Be Polluting Our Waterways
Posted by Tara Lohan on @ 8:26 am

It was news to me that biotechnology companies think that some of their products are ‘eco-friendly,’ but according to Tom Laskawy at Grist, that’s exactly what Monsanto likes to claim about their Bt corn, soy and cotton. The trouble is, someone took the time to do a little research on the issue and shockingly, Monsanto’s products aren’t looking so hot (again).

Laskawy explains that Bt crops are genetically engineered to produce their own pesticide, which is a toxin that comes from the genes of the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis. The supposed eco benefit to this would be that farmers wouldn’t then need to spray a whole bunch more pesticides on their crops. In theory this would be great news for our waterways, which have become polluted by industrial agriculture (more on that in a minute).

However, researchers tested an area where Bt corn was being grown in India and found that the waterways were in fact still polluted, but this time the toxin they found in streams was the same one in the Bt corn. The reason this happens is because farmers leave crop debris on their fields after harvest, a practice that would make a lot of sense if your actual crop didn’t contain toxins, I guess. This debris then washes into streams.

This is obviously bad, but Laskawy points out, no one really knows how bad because the effect that small amounts of Bt crops can have on aquatic life and other wildlife is unknown.

..more..

[sakabatou]

1. Well, duh

[gratuitous]

2. Uh oh, are we going to have to pay Monsanto royalties?

After all, we didn't pay them for the patented material, and here we are lugging it around in our bodies thanks to its seeping into the water. Monsanto will surely be seeking compensation. Ask Percy Schmeiser about the penalty for appropriating Monsanto's property without due compensation.

[SpiralHawk]

3. The only shock is that it took this long to 'discover' it

The Genetically Mutant food movement, inc. is a curse upon the natural world and human health.

Seven generations from now our mutant offspring will bear the full consequences.

[G_j]

4. and this time, it's not a movie!

a gypsy with a broken flag and
a flashing ring
said son, this ain't no dream no more
it's the real thing


b.d.

[TexasObserver]

5. recommend

[L0oniX]

6. Of course the toxins don't hurt people ...right? USA number 1 in cancer.

[wuvuj]

7. Seems that some of the altered genetic material...

...can also be taken up by the bacteria in your gut...producing more pesticide in your gut...poisoning you from inside?

GM crops and probably the new salmon escaping into the wild...polluting native populations?

Monsanto and GMOs are after us all....run! Except there's no place to go.....