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1. Steve says:

   April 2, 2012 at 1:15 am

   We live in America. With that being said you have options. I choose to know my farmers and what they are growing. Sure I do think that labels should say if it’s GMO or not. All of you that are ranting and raving need to focus your efforts on yourself. You can’t save everyone, further more even after education the real work comes next. You can protect your kids but not your neighbors.

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   • Alicia says:

     April 4, 2012 at 3:57 pm

     Steve I agreee with you that it is our responsiblity as stewards of the environment to be aware of our actions” focus on yourself”. However, with our responsibility to “protect our kids” and in focusing “on ourselves” we half to protect our future selves. If GMOs are left unattended, as for the most part they are right now, how are we possibly going to be able to make these choices in the future? If GMOs are allowed to take over the world of crops. Regulations need to be set in place to ensure we ALL have a CHOICE in the future as well as now.

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2. Terpsichore says:

   March 29, 2012 at 9:23 pm

   Why do I feel like some of these people are missing half the point?
   The reason soybeans were GMed to resist high amounts of pesticide (RoundUp) was so that farmers could, and would, use high amounts of pesticide…

   The farmer CANNOT harvest his own GMO seeds. They must be purchased every year.

   Round Up sales go up.
   Lots of organisms that don’t need to be harmed… dead because of all the pesticide.
   Giant dead zones in the oceans are not “opinion”.

   So while yes, there may be benefit, there is also great disadvantage and irreparable harm. You cannot have your cake and eat it, too.

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3. RINGO says:

   February 27, 2012 at 11:52 pm

   MONSANTO,BILL GATES@THE DEVIL!!! “= AGENDA 21″!!!!!!!!

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4. Anonymous says:

   February 27, 2012 at 3:00 pm

   Articles along these lines are making this biologist tired. GM crops are the most studied on the planet and the massive, solid base of peer-reviewed research deems those approved and in commerce safe. Multitudes of generational studies on mammals, birds (and other poor research critters) have shown they are as safe for consumption as any other crops. The French “organ failure” study is poor research (if it can be called research) that flatly ignores other multigenerational studies on GMOs done by top researchers worldwide. The “study” is politically driven; European farmers have a problem with the socioeconomic aspects of GM crops and want to create distrust in them. As far as “mutated insects”, all insects, or diseases for that matter, adapt and become resistant to pesticides, herbicides, environmental stresses and so on. That’s how they survive. This is basic biology and nothing to freak out about. Evolution happens.

   Another point, many new GMOs use native DNA. That means they do not contain DNA from other organisms but instead house variants of beneficial genes from a given plant group’s own gene pool. This makes many new GMOs like traditional hybrids with more streamlined genetic profiles.

   Genetic modification is just like any other technology, if well-managed it can do good things for us. GMOs are not going anywhere and they can help us. As the world population explodes and the climate changes, we will need better, healthier, more resilient crops more and more. I encourage GMO activists to REALLY learn the science behind the technology and work with it rather than against it. Help in defining safety standards and get involved!

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   • Jerott says:

     February 27, 2012 at 10:09 pm

     A logical, well-thought out post that will more than likely be ignored in favor of an irrational tirade. This is probably the only post that hasn’t given me a headache.

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   • sooty says:

     March 27, 2012 at 1:15 pm

     Anonymous biologist, I would like some citations on the research you quote as having determined the safety of GMOs, especially since the USDA allows the biotech companies themselves to research toxicity and other issues.

     Also, who funds you? From my experience trying to get a big-10 university to limit pesticide use on campus, even highly respected scientists with tenure apologized to me off the record that they supported my efforts but I couldn’t use their names because their funding was at risk. A search through the database showed significant long-term funding by both the ag branches of biotech and chemical companies and the pharm divisions.

     “As the population explodes” doesn’t have to be a given. There are highly effective ways to encourage family planning and better health, as the Population Media Center has proven in dozens of countries. Meanwhile, which GMO crops have provided superior yields? The multi-million-dollar Kenyan GMO sweet potato venture, for example, was a bust. Much higher yields, at far greater expense, not to mention health and environmentl risk, were achieved through traditionally produced hybrids.

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   • Andrew says:

     April 1, 2012 at 4:53 pm

     Wow, a lot of interesting comments and discussion. I’m surprised this thread hasn’t descended into a ping pong name game but nevertheless.

     The evidence is quite clear that GMO is harmful. Harmul to the human body as per damage in other animals (http://www.naturalnews.com/033784_GMO_animal_feed.html), harmful to pollinators (http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=25950), and with a small leap in reasoning, harmful to the environment.

     The FDA and USDA are not in the business of protecting the American people. Look at the approval of aspartame. After years of studies proving it to be toxic and poisonous, it gets approved. Why? Money!

     We the people are not here to contribute, we are here to be drained, used up, and experimented on. If you don’t know that by now than you just moved here from some other galaxy!

     WE need fundamental change in the way our society deals with big government and corporations. We need to mobilize and deal with the threat of mass annihilation. We need to protect ourselves! The government is not the answer to our problems and will not help us! In fact the fascist system we live under is the problem. Lets wake up! Death by 1000 cuts. Incrementalism!

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     • David says:

       April 19, 2012 at 9:07 pm

       Obviously, what you fail to recognize is the science behind what a genetically modified organism even is. You’re attacking the wrong issue with your argument. Yes, I agree that our nation is terrifyingly fascist, and something should absolutely be done about it as soon as possible. It would be reasonable to attack the companies that produce GMOs only for capital gain, but GMOs themselves are nothing to be afraid of. You read one study that says GMOs are dangerous, and because it is the ONE study that happens to coincide with your opinion, you take it as absolute truth. This is a very close-minded and irrational way to expand your knowledge on an issue. You need to approach both sides of the argument with an open mind. Perhaps try learning how a GMO is genetically modified and what exactly being genetically modified means. I’ll make it easy for you. To create a GMO, one of a variety of methods is used to either insert, delete, or alter a specific gene within an organism. Genes code for proteins. In short, one gene out of millions within an organism is altered. You are essentially dealing with the same exact organism except that it has one different gene. This one gene codes for one protein…perhaps a protein that enables resistance to a certain disease. So unless that one protein that differentiates a GMO from its organic counterpart is directly responsible for all of these “dangers” you speak of (ie. liver damage) then you’re argument and all others about GMOs being unhealthy have no foundation. And unfortunately for you, that one protein does no damage to humans. There are hundreds of published studies much more reliable than the one you sited that prove this! Look on PubMed! Please do a little research before you go spewing you’re unfounded opinion all over place. It only serves as a detriment to the progress of humankind.

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   • lebiolo says:

     April 2, 2012 at 7:12 am

     I agree entirely. I study plant biology and the misunderstanding of GM foods by activists absolutely frustrates me!

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   • minkxy says:

     May 13, 2012 at 5:47 pm

     Population explodes? If monsanto and the likes have ther way…”explosion” averted. Monsanto doesn’t allow countries to make choices, hauls us to court if their frankenfood mixes with ours, and their own employee’s won’t eat it. We don’t want people with God complexes running the world anymore. Got it? Really, really a creepy reponse ,anonymous. Par for the course.I think the farmers in India would disagree with you. But then, it helps with the “explosion” when they commit suicide at crop failure,right

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5. Freedomtochoose says:

   February 24, 2012 at 3:32 am

   I do not want my food supply altered in anyway by man. We are good at screwing things up for the sake of science. I don’t trust science as their high level brains are not able to grasp the concept of consequences. All smart people are really ignorant people with computer brains. I think rationally and morally weather something should be done. They just want to do it so they can say they did and take credit for it. Such as cloning, GMO’s, Nuclear testing on bikini island, Vaccinations, …. Lies and more lies to cover up their ignorance and now that we have the internet and can research for ourselves we find they are the very enemies of the U.S.

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6. Hani says:

   January 2, 2012 at 2:03 pm

   These are some great points mentioned throughout the article and comments. Thanks

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7. Paul says:

   December 30, 2011 at 9:56 pm

   “GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved. ” – http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/

   “In 2006, countries that grew 97% of the global transgenic crops were the United States (53%), Argentina (17%), Brazil (11%), Canada (6%), India (4%), China (3%), Paraguay (2%) and South Africa (1%). Although growth is expected to plateau in industrialized nations, it is increasing in developing countries” – http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml

   “In 2010, crops modified by molecular methods were grown in 29 countries on more than 360 million acres. Of the 15.4 million farmers growing these crops, 90 percent are poor, with small operations. The reason farmers turn to genetically modified crops is simple: yields increase and costs decrease.” – http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/opinion/genetically-engineered-food-for-all.html?_r=2

   “Many U.S. farmers who grow genetically engineered (GE) crops are realizing substantial economic and environmental benefits — such as lower production costs, fewer pest problems, reduced use of pesticides, and better yields — compared with conventional crops” – http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100413112058.htm

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   • Freedomtochoose says:

     February 24, 2012 at 3:38 am

     LOL… Love how you said “not likely to present risk to human health” Truth is you really don’t know. This is another experiment for the science world. Have you not seen from the past how these fail miserably and us normal thinking individuals keep telling you this but you think you know it all.

     Remember the testing on Bikini Island and how they used our own enlisted men as test subjects and told them how safe they were.

     Lol… No one in the FDA, or the USDA can be trusted. You are all liars. Just a little research on the internet will bring up many reasons why you can’t be trusted. LOL

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8. James Rogers says:

   December 26, 2011 at 9:38 pm

   Just one more thing
   research about Monsanto chemical and the things they have done to the small farmers.
   I know they have taken some of their farms and every thing else.
   THIS IS FACT!

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9. James Rogers says:

   December 26, 2011 at 9:32 pm

   I guess there are a lot of non believers out there. I remember back in the 60,s there was a lot of talk about this same info and every one thought it was great now the truth is slowly rising to the top only now it may be to late to recover. maybe every one should research before commenting on this. as far as I can see things are going to get really bad if this keeps going look at all the countries that are banning G M O’s then make a decision on the so called smart folks

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10. Darryl says:

    December 13, 2011 at 2:25 am

    You’re right, small amounts of activism can cause large-scale change. For that reason I ask you to please calm down and think these things through. We live on a planet of 7billion people – a planet is responding to our growing impact by flooding coastal communities and annihilating any regularity in water systems. Already, 6million children die every year from hunger ( http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11/17/italy.food.summit/ ).
    Genetic modification is a tool to fight this. Yes, it needs more testing regulations; and no, I do not approve of Monsanto’s continued existence on this planet. However, I do not like your fear-mongering, as science is not (inherently) evil.

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    • Anonymous says:

      December 27, 2011 at 3:06 pm

      These people live in squalor due to the conflict between the West & Soviets to gain control of the countries, now that the West have won, their corporations loot the land and support oppressive governments.

      Any aid that goes to these countries goes to the oppressive governments.

      They don’t need GM, they need us to get out of their countries and let them grow their own food.

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      • Anonymous2 says:

        March 19, 2012 at 5:21 pm

        Although a gross over-simplification, you are correct, Anonymous.

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11. Osvaldo Lugo says:

    December 9, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    They (Monsanto) are in my country Puerto Rico and are taking over our land for seed production some people here are getting wise to them but our own goverment is helping and subsidizing them. What greed.

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12. Amy Pearson says:

    November 10, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    American’s are increasingly “going” organic. But the process of living organic isn’t made easy by the system in place. In fact, much of the food labeled organic still contains non-organic by products. The majority of the plastics are made with GE crops, specifically corn.

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13. Anonymous says:

    November 6, 2011 at 1:25 am

    And to think nothing is done about this!

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14. Anonymous says:

    November 4, 2011 at 7:32 am

    Soon 100% of all crops with be GMO if we don’t peacefully stop it soon.

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    • Anonymous says:

      November 4, 2011 at 7:33 am

      Keep spreading the info & when enough people know, activism will spread!

      Reply
15. Martin says:

    November 4, 2011 at 7:20 am

    The fact that 93% of US soybeans are genetically modified proves how insane agri business has become.

    Reply