The debate about genetically modified foods need to be given the seriousness it deserves. Australia should not fear to go to Germany to articulate its position on genetically modified foods. I like the kind of debate that is going on in Australia: we have farmers demanding to be allowed to grow genetically modified crops and we have self-appointed representatives of organic farmers who are demanding that the government goes it easy on genetically modified organisms. Why on earth don't farmers be allowed the kind of crops they think will serve them better? Statistics show that more and more countries are growing genetically modified crops. We have thousands of farmers in the U.S., Canada, Argentina, China and even in South Africa growing genetically modified crops. There must be something good in these crops! Who can deny this statement? It's very easy to vilify biotech corporations such as Monsanto, DuPont and BASF. What, however, we need to remember is that they have an important role to play in alleviating food shortages in the world. I have always argued that those who want to grow organic crops must never be prevented from doing so. On the other hand, I would not like to see organic farmers threatening or frustrating genetically modified crops farmers. They, too, are entitled to plant crops of their choice. Blogger James has written a very interesting article on how genetically modified foods and their organic counterparts can help in alleviating food shortages. The post is available at this link (http://www.gmoafrica.org/2008/05/gmos-and-organics-can-alleviate-food-crises.html). So, let's try to exercise restraint and civility when discussing the issue of genetically modified organisms.

The Percy Schmeiser case should be a warning to all farmers worldwide, that the big boys are gradually taking control over all of the seed-stocks and will inevitably eradicate ALL independent Seed Banks, giving those greedy, domineering, (Judiciary buying), money grubbers, totalitarian control over all the world foodstocks!

For anyone who disbelieves this statement,.....go and buy eg: Tomatoes from your local supermarket and try to grow plants from the seeds inside them, but be prepared to be dissapointed with the results, as the product, if any, will be totally devoid of any flavour or character that one would be normally expecting!

The farmers are being conned! The consumers are being conned! Even Governments are being conned!......by these self appointed Big Brother Capitalists who could NOT give a jot for the possible effects on world food stocks, or the consequential starvation resulting,...as long as they can make their easy blood-money from all their unsuspecting victims!

Cuphandle, may I suggest that you calm down a little, remove the blinkers and actually learning about the technologies in question?

You right on only one thing: consumers and governments are being conned, but not by the biotech companies. They are being conned by ideologically driven pseudo-'environmental' lobbies, often supported by organic farming marketers.

The rest of your post is full of inaccuracies, eg:
1) Percy Schmeiser LOST his case with Monsanto, with good reason. He was deliberately growing and saving GM seed without paying for it and got found out. Now he's tried to transform himself into some kind of some kind of moral crusader.

The only 'damages' he was ever awarded was $660 (I have not missed any zeros there, it really is $660) in a small claims out of court settlement. To give anyone with a clue an idea of how this guy operates, he is trumpeting it as a 'moral victory' over the evil company. What a joke.

2)In Australia, tomatoes are not and have never been genetically modified. They are all conventionally bred and grown.

I find it interesting that many people think that they know farmers business better than farmers, when they can't get even basic information right.

Here's an experiment, why don't you go and talk to your nearest cotton farmer and explain to them how much better you know the business and how GM technology is evil. See what they say. (PROTIP: take a first aid kit)

Bugsy you are right about tomatoes, the tasteless shop bought ones are hardier hybrids bred specifically to withstand transit and storage.

GM Cotton was allowed because it was bred for fibre not food so the risk was deemed minimal in those earlier stages of GM research.

Schmeisser claims he did not plant seed intentionally into his fields. He noticed that some stray rapeseed plants had shown resistance to herbicides when he sprayed around ditches and telegraph poles. Only Schmeisser himself knows the truth of that one I guess but it is also not unreasonable to imagine a large corporation would seek to discredit someone like Schmeisser who has strong grass roots support.

The concerns I have with GM foods is lack of research and science based evidence. Clinical trials on rats produced abnormalities to various organs (I believe it was something to do with GM proteins).

Why are GM foods not subject to the same stringent research and processes that pharmaceuticals are prior to release to the marketplace?

Some GM proponents have claimed that GM food has been with us for at least five to ten years and has been ingested by a largely unsuspecting public (because of poor labelling laws) with no ill effects. This is nonsense. How can such people argue that there have been no ill effects without acknowledging studies that show a rise in various allergy based disorders, behavioural disorders in children (and adults), respiratory disorders, increase in mental disorders and other immuno-response illnesses like IBS, CFS etc.

There is no evidence that GM foods caused these increases but suggests more research is needed.

Bugsy we non-farmers have a right to be able to eat food that has been fully tested and declared safe to humans. Farmers are not scientists. Farmers have access to the same information that we do and there are many farmers who are fighting against GM crops being planted near their fields (and they are not all organic farmers).

Are the anti-GM farmers real farmers? I would think they deserve the right to be heard as much as pro-GM farmers.

Bugsy:
Here you go again true to form, arguing the toss and making out that anyone else who doesn`t subscribe to your pronouncements is a total blithering uneducated idiot!

Percy Schmeiser maintained that his (natural seedstock) crop was cross-pollinated by GM (contaminated) crops! There apparently was NO direct evidence that he was "trying to steal" unlicenced seedstock from Monsanto and regardless of whatever DID actually occur, there is still no guarantee that "natural" crops CANNOT be cross-pollinated by GM crops!

I can assure you that the Tomatoes produced here in Queensland on a commercial basis ARE either GM/Hybrid (which turn to sludge after ripening and taste like crap anyway!)

As far as being critical of farmers?......I have just been down and started my bore-pump and now have to go out and check my fences and stock, ....rather than sitting here all day thinking about whatever disparaging criticism I can heap upon other well-intentioned contributors to this thread!

I DO have a life to get on with,....DO YOU?

pelican,

The only reason to believe there is lack of research and science based evidence on GM foods is if you are wilfully ignorant of the amount of research that goes into them.

>>Clinical trials on rats produced abnormalities to various organs (I believe it was something to do with GM proteins).<<

Nope didn't happen. Try again.

>>Why are GM foods not subject to the same stringent research and processes that pharmaceuticals are prior to release to the marketplace?<<

They are. Far more than any conventional crop that you would care to name also. Lack of evidence for harmful effects is not from lack of testing.

The problem here is also the same mindset that affects pharmaceutical companies. They don't mind the amount of research and testing that goes into producing treatments that work, but to be put on an equal par with placebos like homeopathic remedies is galling when they haven't been tested at all scientifically.

cont'd