GM CROPS

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17881727.post-1158464542827857082006-09-16T19:42:00.000-08:002006-09-16T20:02:16.616-08:00GM CROPS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1820/1735/1600/pharmcorn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1820/1735/320/pharmcorn.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> GM CROPS <div style="text-align: justify;"> America is awash in genetically modified crops that already have been approved for use both as animal feed and for human consumption. This year, 61 percent of all corn and 89 percent of all soybeans planted in the United States were GM varieties, the USDA estimates. More than 80 percent of the US cotton crop is also GM. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">In a news article entitled <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0831/p15s01-sten.html">when genetically modified plants go wild</a>, published in the Christian Science Monitor, even their advocates are expressing growing concerns regarding GM crops. If you have not kept pace with events, it should also be noted, Monsanto Company (MON) and Delta and Pine Land Company (DPL) announced that they have signed a definitive agreement whereby Monsanto will acquire Delta and Pine Land Company for $1.5 billion in cash. The transaction was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is subject to Delta and Pine Land shareowner approval, antitrust clearance, and customary closing conditions. As most investigative reporters will tell you, "Follow the money....." </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">While most of us don't bother to reflect on where the corn in the box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes or the rice in a box of Uncle Ben's Converted Rice come from, when we grab it from the supermarket shelf, they all must originate with seeds. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">This is such a chilling revelation - that the farmer's ability to re-grow crops will depend on buying new seeds every season from a corporation. The corporate control on our ability to eat will become complete - at a time when cooperative farming may be the only way people will have left to survive the petrol-collapse era. This sheds new light on the importance of <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0112-06.htm">Norway's Archipelago Project</a>, although an individual effort and independent local efforts are more of grater importance than a concentrated source. Let's hope that the genetically modified seeds cannot contaminate normal plant seed production or that will eventually mean certain doom. To understand the depth of this announcement and to get a greater context of the history of the Terminator Seed Program you can read this <a href="http://www.engdahl.oilgeopolitics.net/GMO/Monsanto/monsanto.html">article here</a>, by F. William Engdahl. Being aware of these policies and their future course on world events may not stop these events from occurring, but educating yourself and then others can have a significant impact on you, your family and the future of our local communities. Never underestimate the power of one. </div> Regards.Scott Holtzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14588128744203671494noreply@blogger.com2