Scarey If True

[catjac1975]

That is my main concern also. I've used BT for years (ironically, mostly on sweet corn) with great results. However, it was applied in small amounts externally - and any of the spray that remained would have been washed off prior to consumption. The same can't be said of the BT toxin present in every cell of the GM corn... and obviously, it won't wash off. Then too, the BT genes are not the only genes artificially inserted; there are the glyphosphate-resistant genes as well. This represents the introduction of new proteins into the human body, possibly in large amounts depending upon the individual diet... and these products have not yet been around long enough to observe their long-term effects on the population.

Consistently, studies that purport to show possible health risks of GM crops are targeted for criticism, leaving only the "reputable" studies funded or influenced by the GM companies themselves to be the final word. Its hard to know who to trust... after all, the makers of Agent Orange wouldn't lie to us, would they?

This is a controversial topic, one which tends to evoke strong feelings in the garden community - and sometimes animosity. What I've come to enjoy most about TEG is its overwhelmingly positive, inclusive tone... so this will be my last word on the subject.

Applied not just externally. Applied to the husk. I rarely bother to spray. The corn worms just eat a bit at the send of the ear. And only after a certain time of the year. No, I could not sell them. Americans are so afraid of the natural world they would never eat corn where they have d to remove a worm. I always say be afraid of what you can''t see.

 

[seedcorn]

If just tip, I cut off and eat. Usually not a problem as I’ve picked the ear before they have a chance to invade the ear. If I miss ear, chicken gets it. Down to one rooster that refuses to die.....

 

[flowerbug]

If just tip, I cut off and eat. Usually not a problem as I’ve picked the ear before they have a chance to invade the ear. If I miss ear, chicken gets it. Down to one rooster that refuses to die.....

yes, see, that's my view, the bugs are doing their buggy thing, and i'm in favor of bugs in general, they are a part of this life cycle too and they do deserve their share. the greed aspect, where every little bit must be harvested and none left for wildlife and for others - that to me is just plain wrong.

plant diverse crops, the bugs may gets some of them, *shrug* turn 'em under and get on with other things, there's no need to fret, poison or anything, just do something else.

feed it to the chikns is a prime good use, bugs get 'et too.

i don't really mind GMO things but you have to respect my right to have non-GMO seeds and what ticks me off is that if my previously non-GMO seeds get contaminated i have no easy method to know, i'd have to either have some kind of test or to use their poisons to find out. none of this is free to me as it was before so my efforts and $ are being co-opted by others and this hasn't been compensated for and in most cases it just ends up that i don't plant that crop any longer or save those seeds. which means i have to source non-GMO seed.

so suddenly the expense shows up where before it wasn't an issue. this is eventually going to be the case with alfalfa too. my choice will be taken away.

there is no guarantee that they can contain the pollen/seed lines, they've never contained it in the past, eventually it gets out. i consider it contamination and not what i want to eat. people claim no harm, but they're full of S**T. greed is harm. poisons are harm. the fields are dead more often than not. etc. if you don't see it as harm you have your head up your you know whats...

 

[seedcorn]

Why is it AG’s job to feed wild life? Never understood that. Let those that worry about such things, buy dirt, plant it, pay taxes on it, and let wild life have it. Can’t afford it? Rent a field-about $200/acre and let wild life have it. Anyone can afford $200/year.

I would support food labels. We have it now as everything is marked non-GMO-including non food items which I find hilarious. What makes me furious are the food items marked “organic” that I know aren’t but have passed the “organic” business paperwork. All the loop holes are beyond reasonable.

The reason seed prices are climbing is varied from cost of selling, packaging, growing and the plant breeders are all protecting their work on developing that line. Seed companies pay millions on breeder royalties.

 

[flowerbug]

when the government co-opts a word, mayhem ensues...

the idea that AG is apart from life is a prime example of what's messed up about AG and our society in general...

 

[seedcorn]

Don’t disagree that government messes up most of what they try to legislate.

I’ll leave the whole AG discussion alone since it leads down a road where we will not agree.