Posted by WellWorn on May 04, 2010 at 04:38:52 from (208.20.34.42):
In Reply to: roundup ready corn posted by Don V on May 03, 2010 at 07:08:36:
While Monsanto has done wonders with the marketing of Roundup and RR crop seeds, the net benefits are not to the consumer, or the environment, but to Monsanto alone.
A very quick search on "roundup persistence" came up with this as a top hit:
A half life (half of what was applied) still being there 100 days later (and a quarter 200 days later, an eighth nearly a year later, etc) is not a rapid breakdown. From the link: [quote:51b51504d0]Toxicology of Glyphosate's Major Metabolite
In general, studies of the breakdown of glyphosate find only one metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA).(2) Although AMPA has low acute toxicity (its LD50 is 8,300 mg/kg of body weight in rats),(16) it causes a variety of toxicological problems. In subchronic tests on rats, AMPA caused an increase in the activity of an enzyme, lactic dehydrogenase, in both sexes; a decrease in liver weights in males at all doses tested; and excessive cell division in the lining of the urinary bladder in both sexes. (16) AMPA is more persistent than glyphosate; studies in eight states found that the half-life in soil (the time required for half of the original concentration of a compound to break down or dissipate) was between 119 and 958 days.(2) AMPA has been found in lettuce and barley planted a year after glyphosate treatment.(90a) [/quote:51b51504d0]
The proven health risks among farmers who use it, such as an increase in non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Then there is genetic drift. GM corn pollen has been proven to have contaminated OP seed stocks. The Supreme court ruled for Monsanto that those farmers planting OP crops and saving seed, if found with Monsanto genes (even due to drift), can be sued for patent infringement. Judge Clarance Thomas wrote the majority opinion for the court. Somehow, he forgot to recuse himself, as he was a former lawyer for Monsanto. The big M has over 76 lawyers taking up cases against farmers who save seed and seed cleaning operations. Why? because they want to be the sole source of seed stocks.
Oh, Monsanto also has former high level employees working for the EPA, because it's important whose best interests are protected.
Corporate ethics like that don't get my green, even if I have to weed my acres by hand, and take a loss in yield in doing so.
Well Worn
This post was edited by WellWorn at 04:42:06 05/04/10.
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