Posted on 02/25/2011 5:31:05 PM PST by bronxville
Monday, February 21, 2011
Scientists warn of link between dangerous new pathogen and Monsanto’s Roundup
Rady Ananda, Contributing Writer
A plant pathologist experienced in protecting against biological warfare recently warned the USDA of a new, self-replicating, micro-fungal virus-sized organism which may be causing spontaneous abortions in livestock, sudden death syndrome in Monsanto’s Roundup Ready soy, and wilt in Monsanto’s RR corn.
Dr. Don M. Huber, who coordinates the Emergent Diseases and Pathogens committee of the American Phytopathological Society, as part of the USDA National Plant Disease Recovery System, warned Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that this pathogen threatens the US food and feed supply and can lead to the collapse of the US corn and soy export markets. Likewise, deregulation of GE alfalfa “could be a calamity,” he noted in his letter (reproduced in full below).
On January 27, Vilsack gave blanket approval to all genetically modified alfalfa. Following orders from President Obama, he also removed buffer zone requirements. This is seen as a deliberate move to contaminate natural crops and destroy the organic meat and dairy industry which relies on GM-free alfalfa. Such genetic contamination will give the biotech industry complete control over the nation’s fourth largest crop. It will also ease the transition to using GE-alfalfa as a biofuel.[...]
Same here.
The smallest true organisms found to date are a great deal larger than this supposed critter, so its discovery would be huge.
Apparently quite a few freepers are equally anxious to believe in a government/industry conspiracy to destroy our food supply.
The difference is that whether we're right or wrong on this, we're NOT demanding all the power in the world so we can stop it. We're planting gardens to take care of our own families and sharing knowledge with anyone who's interested.
For the record, I don't think it's a giant conspiracy to starve everyone who won't knuckle under to The Man. I think the putative conspirators really do see Agribusiness as the most economical and efficient way to produce more food for everybody, and small farmers are just sand in the gears.
And now I need to get offline and go work in MY garden. I'm getting the beds ready and building cold frames.
Nice analogy. For what it’s worth, on the Reuters article, IIRC, it mentioned in the background that it seemed the fungus had an affinity for the roundup ready crops, not that it was caused by it. After looking into it more, I think that there has been more alarmism added to what the doctor has said, and some extra conclusions drawn.
That having been said, as another poster mentioned, Monsanto is known for its very questionable practices and unethical behavior (such as going into local seed banks and taking the seeds to patent offices, thereby gaining legal right to something they did nothing to develop, but merely took from local communities).
I’ve been looking for more information on the organisms themselves, but have been unable to find anything. I’ll let you know if I do.
Here’s a link to a story that gives a bit more information, but I think is a better written, and more objective article (yet probably still a little biased). Dr. Huber seems much more reserved in the statements in this article, but the copy of the letter he sent is the same, it just has more info. From the article:
“But he cautions:
Although the organism has been associated with infertility and spontaneous abortions in animals, associations are not always evidence of cause in all cases and do not indicate what the predisposing conditions might be. These need to be established through thorough investigation which requires a commitment of resources.
I hope that the Secretary will make such a commitment because many growers/producers are experiencing severe increases in disease of both crops and animals that are threatening their economic viability.”
I meant for this to be an all post, so it’s doubled.
Here’s a link to a story that gives a bit more information, but I think is a better written, and more objective article (yet probably still a little biased). Dr. Huber seems much more reserved in the statements in this article, but the copy of the letter he sent is the same, it just has more info. From the article:
“But he cautions:
Although the organism has been associated with infertility and spontaneous abortions in animals, associations are not always evidence of cause in all cases and do not indicate what the predisposing conditions might be. These need to be established through thorough investigation which requires a commitment of resources.
I hope that the Secretary will make such a commitment because many growers/producers are experiencing severe increases in disease of both crops and animals that are threatening their economic viability.”
And, if everyone will forgive me, I did just realize that the publication says “A radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice.” Yikes! Still, they have several comments from Dr. Huber, which gives more info on his research, which is what I mean as being objective. As to any conclusions they may or may not reach, or the content of any other articles, don’t hold me to the fire. I just did a Bing search and this is the first I’ve heard of the group, a little late. I still think the article (if accurate) pertaining to Dr. Huber seems better researched than the original article the thread is about (but there’s some anti Roundup stuff in the middle).
So anyway, I didn’t want to start advocating a lefty site. I’m sorry, didn’t look at the publication further.
Correct, I should use spell check. My spelling ability is not the best.
Regards Roundup being sprayed on crops.
Seesh, I am so wrong, you guys are so right, farmers can/do spray it on the crop after emergence.
I was thinking back to my farming days, a time when Roundup ready crops were still a dream for some scientists.
Thanks for the correction, guess I’m older than I feel.
monsanto is the devil.
“Roundup Ready means that the crops are Roundup tolerant. The ground is sprayed with Roundup before emergence, not the crops.”
Wrong.
Roundup is a post-emerge herbicide.
The poison is sprayed on the crop and the weeds.
See post 149. It’s more accurately called a herbicide.
I like you noto bene’s: degreed in math and another subject.
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