News flash (maybe not so much)… Monsoto is increasing capacity in order to produce more Roundup.
Read that in a week old RSS feed relating to agriculture current events this morning. Kind of scary when you think about it. Genetically manipulated and modified crops that withstand the application of the herbicide (weed killer for those that think like me) to the crop without harming the crop itself. It has been going on for awhile now which is scary in its own right. Now add to that the increased usage of such practices and it is even more scary. What is there to be scared about?
I for one wonder about the genetic manipulation and what that does to the future seed crops, especially if some disease should effect the crops. Think of it in these terms for a second. Quarter horses had a really popular stallion that later was determined to have had a major problem that was genetic in nature. Lots of mares were bred to that stallion and lots more were bred from that get. Now, if you get a horse from line you also want/need to get genetic testing information in regards to the horse being positive or negative for the trait. Now just suppose that had been the only stallion anyone had access to for a number of years.
Another thought for concern in this regard. Isn’t the roundup just a plant poison for all intent? Has there been any long term study ever taken that considered runoff and/or over spray? Probably not as it shouldn’t be sprayed during rain or wind I am sure based on label directions. But what about the effects of soil that is repeatedly sprayed with this stuff for years and years? Does it lead to poor quality of the soil overall? Does anyone know?
Take that one step further, what about the one kind of weed that also turns out to able to genetically withstand the application of the stuff. Without competition of other weeds will it just take completely over? Will it become some sort of mutant weed? Think about the things that are now resistant to basic antibiotics due to the over-usage of the same.
I don’t have enough science background in this field to say yea or nay on any of these situations. It does however give me at least a pause for thought in regards to them. And of course the folks that do have the agriculture science background are either working for the Monsoto family of companies, working for industrial agriculture (itself a user of such methods), or working for a research based university that is funding by one or both of the previous mentioned situations.
Food for thought to be sure, but questionable for consumption.
** Originally published on Mephistos on 7th of April, 2008.