Genetically altered seeds sound alarm for contamination
Anyone who has driven through central Oregon has witnessed first-hand some of America’s most fertile crop ground. And what farmers there grow are, in large part, seeds to supply other farmlands. Oregon farmers right long and hard to ward off invasive grasses. It is a constant threat and battle so that they can continue to reap the yields that such grow-friendly soil/climate allows.
That has meant there’s been an urgency for Oregon farmers to plant genetically-altered seed stocks, so that they can ward off invasion from grasses. But what if the altered seed stock turns out to be a threat with serious implications, too?
Great story from the Associated Press today about potential contamination from altered seed. An organic farmer in central Oregon who is worried that cross-pollination of these altered sugar beets will take up with table beets and Swiss chard, among other crops being grown in the area.
“Who’s responsible if it isn’t on a leash?” said Frank Morton, a certified organic grower.
Morton began organic farming in the Willamette Valley 20 years ago, growing lettuce varieties for restaurants. He considers it a moral obligation to keep his seeds free of contamination from transgenic crops.
Four-fifths of the nation’s crops are grown from genetically-altered seeds, with Monsanto leading the way.
3 Comments
December 18, 2008 at 12:34 am
here’s a story to look at
http://waronyou.com/2008/12/gm-files-horrifying-new-disease-contains-identical-material-to-gm-%E2%80%9Cfood%E2%80%9D/
there’s others on the same topic
makes GM look not very appetizing
February 16, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I would imagine that ‘genetically altered’ seed could potentially have ramifications down the road. Don’t know the answer to this one, but as we go forward in the genetic field of research for seed and animals for human consumption, (and who can imagine what else), we need to be very certain that the advantages outweigh the risks.
February 19, 2009 at 3:32 am
intresting post. I knew a lot of seeds were genetically altered