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Monsanto released Roundup-Ready Soybean in 1996 to INCREASE herbicide use, without affecting crop yield [1] Programs like Bt-corn reduce pesticide use... by ma

Monsanto released Roundup-Ready Soybean in 1996 to INCREASE herbicide use, without affecting crop yield [1] Programs like Bt-corn reduce pesticide use... by making the plant produce the herbicide in the fruit. So, instead of being able to peel or rinse fruit (with varying results), you're eating corn kernels that have pesticide on the inside. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_soybean https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_soybean

JumpCrisscross 9y ago
> instead of being able to peel or rinse fruit (with varying results), you're eating corn kernels that have pesticide on the inside We eat lots of pesticides. Capsaicin (in chilis) [1] and piperine (in peppers) [2] are two examples. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piperine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piperine
- windexh8er 9y ago
  Those both being 100% natural, yes they are used as pesticides. However, they are not are engineered chemicals which can be a differentiator in the comparisons and conversation.
  - JumpCrisscross 9y ago
    > Those both being 100% natural The endotoxin used in Bt corn is also 100% natural [1]. I'm not arguing for (or against) Bt corn. I'm trying to show that the language we used to describe GMOs is misleading. Something we think of as natural isn't inherently healthy or unhealthy compared with something we think of as artificial. The same applies to GMO. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_endotoxin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_endotoxin
    - sampo 9y ago
      The Bt-toxin from Bt-bacteria is even a certified organic pesticide, because it's produced "naturally" by the bacteria. It's used in organic farming. https://www.amazon.com/Bonide-Products-803-Thuricide-16-Ounce/dp/B001D1H6SE https://www.amazon.com/Bonide-Products-803-Thuricide-16-Ounc...
  - thaumaturgy 9y ago
    Arsenic is also 100% natural. "Engineered chemicals" shouldn't be used when you mean "harmful". It sounds ignorant.
mPeriodFRESH 9y ago
bonus!

JumpCrisscross 9y ago

> instead of being able to peel or rinse fruit (with varying results), you're eating corn kernels that have pesticide on the inside We eat lots of pesticides. Capsaicin (in chilis) [1] and piperine (in peppers) [2] are two examples. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piperine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piperine

windexh8er 9y ago
Those both being 100% natural, yes they are used as pesticides. However, they are not are engineered chemicals which can be a differentiator in the comparisons and conversation.
- JumpCrisscross 9y ago
  > Those both being 100% natural The endotoxin used in Bt corn is also 100% natural [1]. I'm not arguing for (or against) Bt corn. I'm trying to show that the language we used to describe GMOs is misleading. Something we think of as natural isn't inherently healthy or unhealthy compared with something we think of as artificial. The same applies to GMO. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_endotoxin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_endotoxin
  - sampo 9y ago
    The Bt-toxin from Bt-bacteria is even a certified organic pesticide, because it's produced "naturally" by the bacteria. It's used in organic farming. https://www.amazon.com/Bonide-Products-803-Thuricide-16-Ounce/dp/B001D1H6SE https://www.amazon.com/Bonide-Products-803-Thuricide-16-Ounc...
- thaumaturgy 9y ago
  Arsenic is also 100% natural. "Engineered chemicals" shouldn't be used when you mean "harmful". It sounds ignorant.

mPeriodFRESH 9y ago

bonus!