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I always felt people who were against GMOs believed in the right thing for the wrong reason. The problem is not directly from consuming a genetically modified p

I always felt people who were against GMOs believed in the right thing for the wrong reason. The problem is not directly from consuming a genetically modified piece of corn, that seems fine. The problem instead is all of the baggage associated with growing 1000s of corn plants that are genetically identical. Pesticide overuse, soil degradation, etc.

TeMPOraL 8y ago
I feel the exact opposite - that people believe the wrong thing (there's a problem with GMOs) for the right reason (business practices of companies). Note that the business practices people mind are not tied to GMOs, and affect all "natural" agriculture the same.
- imtringued 8y ago
  I don't think that's true, otherwise what's the benefit of GMOs if business practices stay the same? I can already think of a counter example: GMO plants are often more resistant to herbicides which makes it more profitable to overuse herbicides. Whether this is good or bad doesn't matter. Your argument is based around the fact that business practices don't change.
  - TeMPOraL 8y ago
    > I don't think that's true, otherwise what's the benefit of GMOs if business practices stay the same? Increased yields, increased disease resistance, decreased maintenance (e.g. pesticide use). > GMO plants are often more resistant to herbicides which makes it more profitable to overuse herbicides. Why are GMO plants made more resistant to herbicides? In order to enable more efficient utilization of them. For instance, AFAIK Roundup is less toxic than most other stuff people spray on plants, and it replaces the use of that other stuff.
    - jefflombardjr 8y ago
      Round up is toxic. The active ingredient is the only ingredient that is tested for toxicity - it only makes up ~30% of the mixture. The other chemicals in the solution that help the active ingredient bind to organic matter is most definitely toxic, but conveniently ignored in toxicity studies. Tao Orion has a really great perspective changing book on this: Beyond the War on Invasive Species https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25782048-beyond-the-war-on-invasive-species https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25782048-beyond-the-war-...

TeMPOraL 8y ago

I feel the exact opposite - that people believe the wrong thing (there's a problem with GMOs) for the right reason (business practices of companies). Note that the business practices people mind are not tied to GMOs, and affect all "natural" agriculture the same.

imtringued 8y ago
I don't think that's true, otherwise what's the benefit of GMOs if business practices stay the same? I can already think of a counter example: GMO plants are often more resistant to herbicides which makes it more profitable to overuse herbicides. Whether this is good or bad doesn't matter. Your argument is based around the fact that business practices don't change.
- TeMPOraL 8y ago
  > I don't think that's true, otherwise what's the benefit of GMOs if business practices stay the same? Increased yields, increased disease resistance, decreased maintenance (e.g. pesticide use). > GMO plants are often more resistant to herbicides which makes it more profitable to overuse herbicides. Why are GMO plants made more resistant to herbicides? In order to enable more efficient utilization of them. For instance, AFAIK Roundup is less toxic than most other stuff people spray on plants, and it replaces the use of that other stuff.
  - jefflombardjr 8y ago
    Round up is toxic. The active ingredient is the only ingredient that is tested for toxicity - it only makes up ~30% of the mixture. The other chemicals in the solution that help the active ingredient bind to organic matter is most definitely toxic, but conveniently ignored in toxicity studies. Tao Orion has a really great perspective changing book on this: Beyond the War on Invasive Species https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25782048-beyond-the-war-on-invasive-species https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25782048-beyond-the-war-...