h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Ahem - so anyway I think what people have been talking about is that
Monsanto seems to have a history of creating invasive products and then
implementing their sales with invasive and bully sales tactics including
legal procedures. People have been talking about whether this is true or not.

I have read a lot of stuff on the internet and seen some pretty serious
documentaries on independant television channels (funded by viewers)
about Monsanto and it is pretty conclusive that they are doing unethical
and possibly planet damaging things. The scary thing is that even though
their cover is blown, they seem to be still doing it.

I myself suffer physically when I ingest genetically modified foods or foods
that have chemicals sprayed on them. Mainly I get huge gut wrenching belly
aches. I can actually be used to find out if a food has been genetically
modified or sprayed with bad chemicals but I am not volunteering.

After I get over my anger at them for so blatantly and arrogantly and cruelly
disregarding my and the rest of humanity's safety, then I remember this kind
of behaviour has been going on for ever. And I can despair except I believe
that we can makea difference. But I am not sure how. But we have to.

They are poisoning my food

Whilst one has to have a little dose of scepticism if only having read a wiki article, assuming the roundup article is reasonably accurate then then it really doesn't sound that terrible.

FB

Tastes rotten though.

I really don't believe what I read in Wikipedia, I know too many people who enjoy altering the articles.

I think it had been shown to be on average just as accurate as the Encyclopaedia Britannica (I read that on WiKi ).

Seriously though it is a handy resource. And if you are worried about vandalism you can quickly check the changes page.

I think rumours of its inaccuracy are wildly exaggerated.

FB

Glyphosate is nasty stuff, don't get me wrong - it's just not Agent Orange that's all. It's certainly toxic enough to be a widespread weedkiller. It's much better (or nastier if you prefer) than other, cheaper alternatives at your local garden centre.

What got modded? Did I get a toasty flaming? *warms hands*

I did my PhD in making chemicals very closely related to glyphosate BTW - so I *do* know a bit about it.

Not interested in fighting about issues to which I admit
being ignorant and prejudiced but a quick search reveals:

From BBC News link:

"Dow Agrosciences says its new GM product is based on a chemical
that was once a component of the Vietnam war defoliant, Agent Orange.
...Dow argues the new approach is safe and sustainable."

That quote is from paragraph two at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19585341
and the link does not open the video unless you click it.


~jwf~

In the interest of balance and fair play here's an article
that tries to refute the 'roundup is agent orange' myth.

http://www.renegadegardener.com/content/myth2002.htm

The colourful language in this 2002 article betrays
an underlying emotional enthusiasm that triggers all
my credulity filters. There's nothing scarier than an
enthusiastic scientist.

"It's alive! It's alive!"


~jwf~