Well balanced post AFM.

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Labeling: My point is this…where does it stop? Do you label meat that was raised on transgenic grain? Products that contain corn syrup (like Coke) made from transgenic grain? Beer made from transgenic barley? I guess my point is this: how ofter (at least in the US) do we label things that have no known negative effects? We label cigarettes, alcohol, cholesterol, and trans-fat because of their potential negative health issues. I can’t think of anything off the top of my head that is considered safe and is labeled like the above examples.

That 90% number: I’m pretty sure that 90% figure is the percent of transgenic crops that contain Monsanto traits, not that Monsanto produces the seed for 90% of the world’s crops. I know that at least one other company sells a decent amount of seed worldwide ;).

“Traditional” farmers: Your definition of a traditional farmer is not what I’d use for that term. I’d consider a traditional farmer one that does not use modern farming practices, as many third-world farmers fall into that definition. A farmer in the US/EU/etc. that uses modern farming practices will definitely feel the impact of the regulation/control of transgenic traits (most likely a negative impact). But, I’d argue that the impact of technology has a huge positive impact on that third-world farmer. Using hybrid crops with natural traits improved through marker-assisted breeding, etc. would have a positive impact on yields, tillage practices and a variety of other aspects of farming that would benefit all.

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(You’re welcome for that insightful response to yet another astonishingly well-written science post…. But that really was my reaction upon seeing that photo. I will seriously always think of our corn connection first when you come to mind.)

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Nathan (and to some extent Andres) - I figured I’d have trouble with you on this one. Your points:

1. Would it be OK if non-GM foods were labelled? I just think that consumers should have the right to chose what they’re eating. While I’m perfectly comfortable eating GM foods (I’m old and crusty and full of toxins and vitriol) I don’t think I would feed them to my child. I don’t buy organic foods for myself but do so for Z. I just want the freedom to make an informed decision regarding what’s in my food. Why do you hate freedom?

2. For this discussion, one that doesn’t grow GM crops.

3. Don’t know, you pulled out one of my dodgy thoughts. Pulled it from The Guardian. Will give you a link when I get home.

Andrea - Seriously on the THC project? Wow, kill joys. With labelling, lots of things are labelled that are completely safe - organic foods, fair trade products, etc. Labelling doesn’t make it unsafe. A combination of good marketing and responsible regulation and you’ve got no problems.

CMGD - Wasn’t The Superstation awesome?

As long as I can have some radiated carrots that let me see further than anyone else, I’m in.

(Too much Gilligan’s Island re-runs as a kid.)

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A few things:

1. If biotech products are safe, why label them? Doesn’t that just perpetuate the idea that they aren’t safe?

2. I’m not sure what you consider a “traditional” farmer…is that someone that doesn’t use transgenic products or someone that doesn’t use more modern production techniques (hybrid corn, etc.)?

3. What are the specifics behind that “Monsanto produces 90% of crops worldwide”? Are you talking the transgenic trait (Bt) or the germplasm the trait is in?

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