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Seattle, WA

Scientists Warn of Link Between Dangerous New Pathogen and Monsanto’s Roundup

http://dissidentvoice.org/2011/02/scientists-warn-of-link-between-dangerous-new-pathogen-and-monsanto%E2%80%99s-roundup/

2/22/2011 1:04:13 PM

Seattle, WA

Ooops....that was supposed to say "Roundup" in the title!

2/22/2011 1:04:36 PM

Cedar City, Ut

that what I saw!!! lol (roundup not what you wrote)

2/22/2011 1:57:17 PM

Cologne Brescia Italy

Really impressing!!

2/22/2011 2:02:15 PM

Alaska

If true, eventually it will get pulled but it's gonna take a lot of animals and people either dieing or lots of birth defects to get anyone's attention. In the mean time Monsanto is buying up as many seeds companies as it can and buying the rights to as many seed varieties as it can Then they are put in the vault locked up and the key thrown away. Not available anymore. Then there GMO,s are allowed to cross contaminate everything it comes into contact with. Land-race corn varieties hundreds of years old in Mexico are being contaminated and nobody governing these guys seem to care.

2/22/2011 3:34:47 PM

Rochester, NY

Take a look at this film about genetically modified seed, roundup ready seed and Monsanto. You will not believe it. http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food

2/22/2011 5:57:50 PM

Then do a little research into who put that "documentary" together...

By the way, how exactly does one prove a negative? From the letter:

"Based on the current evidence, the only reasonable action at this time would be to delay deregulation at least until sufficient data has exonerated the RR system, if it does."

What constitutes sufficient data? Is that when people catch on to the logical fallacy contained in the premise above, or simply when the researchers identify another earth shattering cause that will yield even more research funding?

2/22/2011 7:03:23 PM

Rome Ga

these companies do their own data report on a new chemical. Common sense will tell that they are not going to give the product a bad review. As a Beekeeper i can tell you that alot of the problems we are having with honeybees is direct link to these chemicals. But the big companies have the money and you know where that goes.

2/22/2011 9:50:41 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

It continues to blow my mind that so many people are still so casual about flooding the environment with chemicals. It seems like the more we learn about our food, air and water, the more we are in denial about what we've learned. What goes around is coming around.......

2/23/2011 9:05:25 AM

Indiana

I still love Roundup

2/23/2011 12:45:03 PM

Iowa

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/why-arent-g-m-o-foods-labeled/

http://news.change.org/stories/epa-turns-a-blind-eye-as-pesticide-poisons-honey-bees

2/23/2011 2:36:18 PM

Iowa

For all you Face Bookers,there are lots of links here.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=121443803326
This is a non-profit BTW

2/23/2011 2:49:36 PM

Central Ca

I like Roundup ready corn & 2-4-D & Goal & Warrior T w/ xeon tech & Pasada & Roundup ready alfalfa (coming out this spring!) and ...cheese. I'll invent roundup ready cheese. Any takers?

2/23/2011 7:44:33 PM

Ashville, Ohio

good thing i put atrazine on my corn flakes!

2/24/2011 8:51:50 AM

Seattle, WA

Personally, I don't believe in the use of Roundup for a variety of reasons. As many of you are famers, I'd think you'd support the idea of organic and locally harvested food. I think there's going to be some issues in the next 20-30 years as we see the effects of some of these chemicals and GMOs, possibly relating to higher instances of cancer and other disease.

That being said, I wasn't posting the link to start a debate or convince anyone that my opinion is right. Just thought I'd share the info. and people can draw their own conclusions.

I am a firm believer that based on the research I've seen, that Roundup does affect the microbes in your soil, even though Monsanto claims it doesn't. This alone is a good enough reason for me to avoid it.

http://www.non-gmoreport.com/articles/jan10/scientists_find_negative_impacts_of_GM_crops.php

(though I got eaten alive for posting this link in the fertilizers section a few months ago).

Just hoping to get some info. out, draw your own conclusions...

~Tad

2/24/2011 12:56:21 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Wow, I missed the previous post in the Fertilizing and watering section, you did get eaten alive. I've always enjoyed your posts Tad, and like Danny said in the last one, you soak in all the information and make your own conclusions.

2/24/2011 1:30:10 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

Keep the faith, Tad, you're not alone! I personally don't know what the big deal is about hoeing or pulling weeds, but hey that is just crazy ol' me.

2/24/2011 5:51:35 PM

Central Ca

Nature is the best cleanser.

2/24/2011 8:01:11 PM

Central Ca

She's not given enough credit.

2/24/2011 8:01:29 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

OK, I admit that I've not checked out any of the links provided, but my only concern with Roundup over the past couple of decades is the danger of resistance by weeds due to the prolific use of it, and my concerns are shared by my farmer friends.

But let's look at what the market demands here: cheap food costs and answers to global hunger. Chemicals have been a real Godsend to both and the Glyphostate molecule has been one of the most effective and safest ever developed.

To develop grains which are resistant to its effects is nothing short of miraculous to me. It's the safest herbicide ever developed in terms its effects on humans.

Herbicides will always command a place in our world due to the pressure placed on every acre of ground and, so far, Roundup has been the most effective and safest.

I would love nothing more than to consume completely organic foods free of any chemical enhancement or treatment, but imagine our world without chemicals.

2/24/2011 8:57:30 PM

Georgetown, Ontario

Well said Joe....if we want to spend 75% of our income on food and get rid of at least half the population of the earth through starvation we could do without all the chemicals. I prefer to live on a planet where we live longer, healthier lives than ever before (except for the people that over-eat on the cheap food).

2/24/2011 9:30:28 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Well stated Mr. Gerchy, I think this post has many of us weighing the pros and cons of a chemical approach. In the end the historical data will support or refute the overall benefits or lack of to continue this way of thinking. From a back yard gardener's perspective, organic is better. I eat what I grow so I don't lose sleep worrying about what compounds are formulating in my colon as a result of my spray program. Commercial applications are a different matter. How does one weigh the benefits of the many compared to those of the few?

2/24/2011 10:44:15 PM

Seattle, WA

Chemical approaches actually end up costing us more in the long run because it destroys the viability of the soil. I think we're going to end up having to go back to organics, not just because the population is going to demand it, but also because it's just not sustainable. Many economists don't factor is all the other costs associated with chemicals, such as loss of soil fertility, remediation of salt buildup and runoff into our water supply (look at the "dead zones" off the Mississippi delta, erosion, health costs of processed food full of empty calories. If we could move towards a local-grown produce based economy (it would mean less meat), we could feed the entire world population without the need for chemical farming...but I think it would take too much collective agreement to reach this point anytime soon.

I think everyone has to make choices based on what they feel comfortable with, and if you do use chemicals, to do it responsibly.

I have yet to find a pathogen or insect problem without a solid organic solution. That being said, chemicals do work faster than organics, and I do believe that to maximize plant growth and yield, you probably are going to need to apply some synthetic nutrients in ionic form (growing giant pumpkins isn't a "natural" process, and research I've seen tends to support a combination of organics and light synthetics for maximal growth).

Cheers,
Tad

2/25/2011 12:03:21 AM

Central Ca

Tad12, that's what farmers do. Most use a combination of both. We do. Have you hugged your local farmer? I'm sure they can use a little more love than criticism. The government is hard enough on us.

2/25/2011 1:10:54 AM

The bottom of New Jersey

I welcome criticism, even of my organic methods. As long as it is based on sound factual research, it is what challenges us to constantly become the best we can, for ourselves and for future generations. I am a farmer and I'd rather have the respect of my community than a hug.

2/25/2011 10:59:08 AM

Redmond, Washington; U.S.A.

Haven't read the article yet and I will. I grow my pumpkins and vegetable garden organic. However, I use roundup for weed control in other area's of the yard.

2/25/2011 3:51:40 PM

Redmond, Washington; U.S.A.

MONSANTO IS EVIL!!!! Genetically altered crap.

2/25/2011 3:53:10 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Many of you may remember the seventies when it seemed farmers used every chemical known to man in order to eradicate weeds and boost production, mainly because herbicides were more specific in nature. The introduction of Roundup and widespread adoption of no-till farming practices has relieved us greatly in terms of the amount of chemicals introduced into the environment. Spraying took up much more time back then and was the biggest cost factor of production.

For six years back in the eighties, I worked for a railroad right-of-way vegetation control contractor and the story was the same. A typical per-acre roadbed tank mix would be: 2 lbs. Spike WP(tebuthiuron), 1 gallon of 2,4-D, 6 pounds of Karmex WP(diuron), and 1 pint of Paraquat or Diquat. Today, a typical mix would be: 2 quarts of Roundup and 1 pint of Arsenal.

The point to be made here is that chemicals have become more broad-spectrum and environmentally compatible. Do we live in a perfect world? No. But our increasing environmental awareness keeps us in the game developing more advanced ways of controlling pests.

One day, Roundup will give way to an even more advanced and environmentally friendly way of controlling weeds. I'm sure of it. I have witnessed that type of evolution from the sixties to the present day.

2/25/2011 9:30:42 PM

Rochester, NY

Interesting short article on how to keep Monsanto out of your home, http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-home-living/keep-monsanto-out-of-your-home-4-ways-to-avoid-gmos.aspx

2/26/2011 8:01:41 AM

Rochester, NY

This is the full article, http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/a-month-without-monsanto

2/26/2011 8:03:02 AM

Seattle, WA

Good post Joe, you bring up some valid points. We don't live in a perfect world by any means, and I hope people will make responsible decisions if they do decide to use chemicals.

2/28/2011 5:40:44 PM

Ashville, Ohio

http://www.btny.purdue.edu/weedscience/2011/GlyphosatesImpact11.html

heres purdues response to what dr. huber claims interesting read, and was forwarded to me by pathologist at The Ohio State University

3/7/2011 10:28:32 AM