The Galloping Beaver
I don't think GM per se is the problem, but rather GM seeds and terminator seeds designed not to feed more people using poorer soil and less water, but those designed to make money for Monsanto and ADM. And the only way that happens is with the help of the Indian government, requiring and subsidizing the "magic" seeds.
I remember hearing about these suicides when I was in India last November. Some of them are caused by farmers being forced to finance and purchase seeds yearly, instead of being able to keep some of their harvest for seeding the next year.
I think that Norman Borlaug is right, that fighting hunger by all means necessary. Fight Monsanto's attempts to pervert this for profit, but don't throw the GM idea out because of those that misues it.
I also think a big part of the problem is that the farmers are not allowed to save the seeds for planting the following year. Monsanto has a patent on the seeds, so you must repurchase every year.
Short funny story:
I live in a rural area in southern Quebec. I am literally surrounded by corn fields. A few years ago, on a quiet Saturday morning I see two twentyish males on my road. (It is roughly 300 metres long -- they were about half way.) All morning long they parked their car on my road and were in and out of my neighbours cornfield. It was also the first day of deer hunting season. Finally, around lunch time I decided to go and see what they were doing. More curiousity than anything -- they obviously were not hunters. I drive up the road, roll down my window, and ask if I can help them.
"No," they respond, "We are from John Abbot College and are doing a short film on genetically modified corn."
"Oh, you mean Frankenfood," says moi.
"NO, it's genetically modified food" says aspiring film maker.
I knew then, who they were filming for...
Have you got a credible source for the 2x water requirement? Is that inherent, or because of greater growth rates?
Commenting by HaloScan
