Comments on: Who’s Afraid of the GMO? part 1: unknown consequences http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/whos-afraid-of-the-gmo-part-1-unknown-consequences/archives/187 Facts, opinions and reflections on being a techno-geek granolarancher Mom Thu, 17 May 2012 21:58:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Rebecca T. of HonestMeat http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/whos-afraid-of-the-gmo-part-1-unknown-consequences/archives/187#comment-4280 Rebecca T. of HonestMeat Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:46:04 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/whos-afraid-of-the-gmo-part-1-unknown-consequences/archives/187#comment-4280 If we know that the useful life of a pesticide or antibiotic will be cut in half due to a new technology that dramatically increases overall use (for corporate profits), perhaps we should use our noggins to think of something different. For example, we know fully well at this point that sub-therapeutic dosages of antibiotics in chickens and other meat & dairy animals have made several antibiotics used in humans less effective. There are new strains of bacteria that are building resistance to antibiotics used in livestock, such as MRSA (which is transferable to humans). I would say without any doubt that reducing the effectiveness of human medicines for increased profits in the livestock industry is never worth it. The economic benefits of today should not destroy the quality of life for our children. If we know that the useful life of a pesticide or antibiotic will be cut in half due to a new technology that dramatically increases overall use (for corporate profits), perhaps we should use our noggins to think of something different. For example, we know fully well at this point that sub-therapeutic dosages of antibiotics in chickens and other meat & dairy animals have made several antibiotics used in humans less effective. There are new strains of bacteria that are building resistance to antibiotics used in livestock, such as MRSA (which is transferable to humans). I would say without any doubt that reducing the effectiveness of human medicines for increased profits in the livestock industry is never worth it. The economic benefits of today should not destroy the quality of life for our children.

]]> By: Sara http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/whos-afraid-of-the-gmo-part-1-unknown-consequences/archives/187#comment-4271 Sara Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:07:58 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/whos-afraid-of-the-gmo-part-1-unknown-consequences/archives/187#comment-4271 Rebecca: Thanks for the link to the great article. It is nice to see some scientific data (and seemingly unbiased) on the subject. Note that there has been a previous case of Bt resistance from sprays, and this is the first case from GMO. You make a very valid point about effectiveness and resistance that points to a debate on widespread use of many things such as antibiotics, pesticides, etc. How much do we limit use of something that has economic benefit because of the possibility of downstream resistance? Rebecca:

Thanks for the link to the great article. It is nice to see some scientific data (and seemingly unbiased) on the subject. Note that there has been a previous case of Bt resistance from sprays, and this is the first case from GMO.

You make a very valid point about effectiveness and resistance that points to a debate on widespread use of many things such as antibiotics, pesticides, etc. How much do we limit use of something that has economic benefit because of the possibility of downstream resistance?

]]> By: Rebecca T. of HonestMeat http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/whos-afraid-of-the-gmo-part-1-unknown-consequences/archives/187#comment-4270 Rebecca T. of HonestMeat Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:47:51 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/whos-afraid-of-the-gmo-part-1-unknown-consequences/archives/187#comment-4270 The majority of commercial GMO crops are either Roundup Ready or include the Baccilus thurgensis bacteria in them. These differ dramatically from mutation breeding that selects for different traits within a species. As a result, there has been exponential growth in the last 15 years of glyphosate-resistant weeds and now Bt is loosing its effectiveness as a pesticide (see the article below). All herbicides and pesticides have a useful life- genetically engineering them into crops (as either resistance to an herbicide or inclusion of a pesticide) will only shorten the usefulness of those chemical resources for the rest of agriculture. I think most people are not afraid of the method, they are afraid of the consequences. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207140803.htm The majority of commercial GMO crops are either Roundup Ready or include the Baccilus thurgensis bacteria in them. These differ dramatically from mutation breeding that selects for different traits within a species. As a result, there has been exponential growth in the last 15 years of glyphosate-resistant weeds and now Bt is loosing its effectiveness as a pesticide (see the article below). All herbicides and pesticides have a useful life- genetically engineering them into crops (as either resistance to an herbicide or inclusion of a pesticide) will only shorten the usefulness of those chemical resources for the rest of agriculture. I think most people are not afraid of the method, they are afraid of the consequences.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207140803.htm

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