GreenWatch

B. McPherson Throw a previously undetected viral gene into the GMO mix and you've got a whole new experiment. Independent researchers at the University of Liege Belgium have discovered the presence of a viral gene present in the majority of GM plants that they investigated. They have dubbed the gene Gene VI. It is significant that this group of investigators have revealed the presence of the virus particle in the genetically altered organisms because they were independent, neither opposing the proliferation nor supporting their use. These scientists were working for the European Food Safety Authority(EFSA). Genetic engineers use viruses that are generally believed to be harmless to people to carry foreign genes into the cell’s nucleus. Theoretically, the virus will disappear entirely as the GM plant reproduces. Now this group of researchers in Belgium have found numerous incidents where this is not the case. The researchers are not speculating on the possible t...

B. McPherson Currently genetically modified alfalfa is not released in Canada, but is probably will be soon. The US approved it about this time last year with no restrictions. A farmer can plant Roundup Ready alfalfa next to an organic farmer and ignore the inevitable genetic pollution of the organically grown crop. Monsanto has developed a patented seed that will allow farmers to spray their fields with Roundup or glyphosate to kill weeds. As with other GM seeds, if the modified plants are found growing in a neighbouring field, the farmer with the intrusive plants is in trouble and all kinds of hurt comes down on him from the corporation owning the patents. A few GM plants in an organic farmer’s field are enough to disqualify him from using the organic label and consequently his crop losses mount as his crop loses value. Because farmers who do not qualify for the organic label, but eshew GM seeds cannot label their product as GMO free, people can only be sure that they...

By B. McPherson While Americans were celebrating the end of 2011 and the beginning of a new year, the USDA quietly approved a new strain of genetically altered corn developed by Monsanto in coordination with the large chemical corporation BASF. According to Monsanto’s press release, the corn will be able to better able resist drought conditions as well as stand up to Roundup and the predations of insects. “For the 2012 trials, Monsanto plans to have Genuity® VT Triple PRO® and Genuity® VT Double PRO® technology serve as the agronomic trait platform to be used with the drought-tolerant trait. These technologies offer growers excellent insect protection and tolerance to Roundup® agricultural herbicides.” Monsanto Press Release Corn varieties that have these characteristics are ‘stacked’ in that they have multiple non-corn genes inserted into their DNA.  There is little to no independent research done on the possible synergistic effect of multiple alien genes ins...