Genetically engineered food
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 180
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From: NB, Canada
Waxy, I agree it's all about greed. I work in ag research and farm a bit too. When you look into the agribusiness[they removed culture from agriculture] there are both long term food safety issues and short term food control issues. Personally, I see multi national corps., with total world wide food control as a far more imediate threat to our personal and economic well being. Think of one company taking charge of a particular commodity,[not called crops anymore]through patents, plant breeders rights, etc., then beginning to dictate when, where, and how "Their" commodity shall be produced. By controling seed/gene sources they can now limit production levels, processing facilities, and retail outlets. Monopoly. Those who could pay could eat. Parts of the world are already in situations where there is no freedom to feed the nationals first. Cash cropping. The political policy making infrastructure is already in place. Check out the seed corn industry, and the broiler chicken industry to get an idea of the narrow, concentrated power of a few integrated corporations who see the politicians every day. Be afraid.
Last edited by 351 power; Nov 26, 2003 at 11:06 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,496
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From: Calgary Canada
351 power,
I know it, and I AM afraid.
I've seen the power Monsanto has first hand with some of the farmers in my hometown when it comes to Canola. IMHO, it's virtually unrivaled in the world. That company would make a good evil entity to fight in the next action/thriller movie. They ARE trying to take over the world, and doing it under the guise of trying to be an benefactor to humankind.
I'm not much on doomsday and conspiracy theories, but companies like Monsanto and their ilk do scare me.
Waxy
I know it, and I AM afraid.
I've seen the power Monsanto has first hand with some of the farmers in my hometown when it comes to Canola. IMHO, it's virtually unrivaled in the world. That company would make a good evil entity to fight in the next action/thriller movie. They ARE trying to take over the world, and doing it under the guise of trying to be an benefactor to humankind.
I'm not much on doomsday and conspiracy theories, but companies like Monsanto and their ilk do scare me.
Waxy
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,746
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From: PNW
Originally posted by 351 power
By controling seed/gene sources they can now limit production levels, processing facilities, and retail outlets. Monopoly. Those who could pay could eat. Parts of the world are already in situations where there is no freedom to feed the nationals first. Cash cropping. The political policy making infrastructure is already in place. Check out the seed corn industry, and the broiler chicken industry to get an idea of the narrow, concentrated power of a few integrated corporations who see the politicians every day. Be afraid.
By controling seed/gene sources they can now limit production levels, processing facilities, and retail outlets. Monopoly. Those who could pay could eat. Parts of the world are already in situations where there is no freedom to feed the nationals first. Cash cropping. The political policy making infrastructure is already in place. Check out the seed corn industry, and the broiler chicken industry to get an idea of the narrow, concentrated power of a few integrated corporations who see the politicians every day. Be afraid.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Originally posted by Mikeman
You stole my thunder. Some (all?) of these seeds can only germinate once and then you have to go back and buy more for the next season from the supplier. You can't keep some of your harvest for seed for next year because it won't grow once planted. THAT is the single, most scary part of the whole GM issue to me. Having control of the food supply in the hands of a relatively few is absolutely scary. On top of that, it's stupid beyond belief. And, we better hope that the gene that controls this isn't dominant, or cross pollination will spread this all over the place and then we'll really be screwed. One does not need to be a conspiracy theorist to know that this is bad.
You stole my thunder. Some (all?) of these seeds can only germinate once and then you have to go back and buy more for the next season from the supplier. You can't keep some of your harvest for seed for next year because it won't grow once planted. THAT is the single, most scary part of the whole GM issue to me. Having control of the food supply in the hands of a relatively few is absolutely scary. On top of that, it's stupid beyond belief. And, we better hope that the gene that controls this isn't dominant, or cross pollination will spread this all over the place and then we'll really be screwed. One does not need to be a conspiracy theorist to know that this is bad.
1. Its in every sect of the food industry i've studied.
2. Most people are oblivious.
This infrastructure that we have is why socialism can be justified; the government has failed to protect the people from oligopolies.
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From: Los Angeles safe and warm
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally posted by sinjin
Soylent Green is peeeeeople!!!!!!!!!
Soylent Green is peeeeeople!!!!!!!!!
Why is it we are trying to put a band-aid over a cut in the jugular vain. The issue is not how much food we can get its how many mouths to feed.
Soylent green could very well be just a move…………………..but
and a GREAT movie
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 180
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From: NB, Canada
There is more than enough food in the world to feed everyone. Many companys and governments maintain stockpiles of surplus as a means of controlling supply and demand; thus price and distribution are at their whim. Satillite technology allows monitoring of planting and crop growth throughout the season to give futures trading corporations the advantage of early facts and figures of harvests around the world. When hungry nations come to the table to bargain for food they have nothing to sell but their souls. Corporate interests are ratcheting that value down.
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