Denying Science- Lecture

[Fransisco]

And I believe genetically modified cats and dogs are now available that are hypoallergenic. They're not cheap but if you've got allergies and really, really want a pet now you can have one.

There are also all sorts of GM mice out there right now. They've been modified for all sorts of research purposes. There's one line that's been modified to get cancer which is a boon to researchers trying to cure the disease. Others have been modified to model other diseases. I was just reading about one modification that results in mice living 20% longer than normal.

Yup, pure evil this technology is. Kid's with allergies should be happy with a fish and everyone else is living too long already anyways.

[parsley]

"Those nutrients are being mined somewhere else, and this is not sustainable. Eventually we are going to have to start recycling nutrients. This will happen when the cheap sources run out"



Indeed.

[parsley]

"They're not cheap but if you've got allergies and really, really want a pet now you can have one."


Indeed.

[Fransisco]

Let me guess suddenly you're opposed to selling a premium product for a premium price.

[charliep]

Curious is what is one of the ways to dealing with potential nutrient shortages is improving plant ability to use existing resources/be more efficient in the nutrients it does have access too? Again I note the comment that the organic industry will be one of the areas that has the most to benefit from biotechnology. Seeking alternatives outside the traditional way of just adding more chemicals.

Way off topic but I note USDA has dedicated $25 mln to research into organic farming and improving agronomics. Outside conventional research and farm level activities, are there any dedicated programs in Canada?

[parsley]

a goog topic charliep.

"dealing with potential nutrient shortages"

As shortages rise, so will the price.

As long as those darn dogs' genes aren't modified to spew out vegetarian pups, the demand for crops won't rise so sharply. (tic) LOL

[parsley]

"Let me guess suddenly you're opposed to selling a premium product for a premium price"

Tut, tut, fran, you know me better than that. I actually want ultra rich neighbors. I get such nice gifts.

BUT.. I am firmly opposed to paying for cleaning up the unintended consequnces resulting from those high priced doggie patents you buy.

Will you agree to own the benefits PLUS the liabilities of your sneezless canines? (Just in case Pluto inadvertantly becomes say, a primary carrier of smallpox and the EU get a bit snappy when all their Fifi's have to be put down.)

No big deal, I assure you can feel confident signing on that bottom line below the fine print. "I franny, am hereby responsible for what I own." Nice business-like ring to it, right? Pars

[burnt]

Fransisco, I guess I'm out of the loop too long. You will need to tell me where I can grow a premium GM crop and receive a premium rather than a penalty for doing so.

[checking]

I hope I live long enough to be able to see the reaction of an organic cat confronting a GM mouse that has been inserted with a meowing and purring strand. Oh wait!, that's likely why there is a strain that lives 20% longer.

[charliep]

Will note that genetically engineered crops in North and South America at least are growing in terms of acres and market share. Demand for energy (corn) and vegetable oil (canola and soybeans) is the driving factor but use of technology has allowed these crops to keep up with demand. GE technology may not have added to price but it hasn't reduced price either.

America's cereal crops that don't have access to GM technology are not as competive both internationally (production/exports shifting to Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union) and domestically (loosing acres to canola, corn and soybeans plus pulse crops in Canada) with other crops. Europe has access to a full slate of biotechnology breeding in cereals minus GE and better weather. Eastern Europe and FSU countries are simpling adopting developed world technology.

[charliep]

Will note Europe is a consistent buyer of genetically engineered soybeans with an embarassing blip when they stopped shipments for unregistered corn dust. The issue was dealt with swiftly by the registration of corn genetic events so could appear as adventitious presense.

[Fransisco]

Burnt, I was talking about the hypoallergenic pets.

But why don't you check out RR nexera canola or one of the Cargill CISCO varieties. There are also a whole host of GM nutraceutical crops out there you might want to investigate.

[Fransisco]

Well Parsley I am firmly opposed to paying for the <v>intended</v> consequences of luditism. I'm with Spector I'll take the future over the past any day of the week.