Monday, June 15, 2009

Taking Up for Monsanto




Several Points:

1) Bringing up DDT isn't the best grounds to stand on from a humanitarian standpoint. More lives have been lost as a result of the DDT ban than saved.

2) Increased use of Roundup is a bad thing? Roundup Ready technology has allowed for glyphosate herbicide to substitute for 7.2 million pounds of other chemicals that are more toxic and persistent in the environment.

According to a recent study,biotech crops have decreased the environmental impact associated with herbicide and insecticide use on the area planted to biotech crops by 17.2%

3) The number of farmers that don't use biotech seeds is diminishing. That is true and it is a worldwide phenomena. The largest increases are actually among subsistence farmers in the developing world. They are able to produce safer, more vigorous and resource efficient crops all while saving costs. The idea that this technology is being forced upon them is specious at best.

As far as 'contamination' is concerned, the technology to prevent it exists. The idea of a 'terminator' gene that would prevent environmental contamination has been trumped by the groups opposed science based agriculture, and the technology has never been used as a result.

4) For peer reviewed research regarding biotech foods, see this link.
Another exhaustive look at this issue can be found here.
The research is actually proliferate.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dude,

you sound like you are on acid

Matt Bogard said...

If you are used to the editorializing and sensationalizing of science, like we see in the popular media ( and in the video) then yes, actual peer reviewed research may seem a little intimidating at first.

I wouldn't expect someone to go from the Michael Moore level of analysis to real research overnight and expect any more of a response than 'Dude'.

Vines and Cattle said...

Thanks for the comment, it's always good to find another Randian, especially in these times. Satan's Bushel does look right up my alley!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the post. Hate that the video ha been removed as I assume the points you make respond to it.