"phil..c" wrote:
>
> Arri London wrote:
> >
> > "phil..c" wrote:
> >> Arri London wrote:
> >>> "modom (palindrome guy)" wrote:
> >>>> Brief descriptions, too.
> >>>> http://webecoist.com/2009/02/19/gene...ts-vegetables/
> >>>>
> >>>> I'd like to taste a lemato, I think.
> >>>> --
> >>>>
> >>>> modom
> >>>
> >>> Interesting page.
> >>> All the foodstuffs we eat are genetically modified. Sometimes that
> >>> modification took place centuries ago. Other modifications are more
> >>> modern.
> >>> Simple hybridisation (pollen transfer by insects, wind or humans) is
> >>> genetic modification. The insulin gene put into the lettuce required
> >>> more than pollen transfer
> >>> Carrots naturally come in many colours; the orange sort has become the
> >>> most common in parts of the world.
> >> Arri I am still personally a NON GM sort of person
> >> in some areas but not all I have profound issues with the manner and
> >> corporate behaviour of the likes of Monsanto just to name one .
> >> Consider the following:
> >
> > <snip very good considerations>
> >
> > BTDT, my PhD is in biotechnology/genetic engineering The work
> > concerned medical/pharmaceutical uses.
>
> Arri wonderful discipline (off Ng we should perhaps speak again)
> Some delightful stuff happening here by Natural cross pollination

Yes of course. It is a form of naturally-occurring genetic modification
but the term has been hijacked by the biotech people :P


>
> We have been Trialing Indian mustard seed varieties, Lupins Tritacali
> and wheat barely
> and x breeding a sea grass with wheat and have had up/down success
> with salt tolerant strains fighting our galloping soil salinity .

Should work fine in the long run. Plenty of salt-tolerant plants around
to play with.

>
> Also mucking about with result various peptides and breeding strains
> again via assisted ( camera blow brush is a handy tool )
> of cereals that lead to less acidosis .

Also sounds good. Have been known to pollinate plants with a tiny
paintbrush. Works fine if one isn't dealing with hectares.

>
> There has been some truly elegant science emerge as a result .

Of course. More than one way to breed a plant or animal.

><snippage>

> >
> > Could also go on at great length but won't
>
> Same here but there have been some dreadful decisions handed down by
> the courts because of certain querks in our laws .

>
> Majority are going through the appeals process
> but the big guns have far more money than farmers who have also had a
> bashing due to weather .

Precisely. Those with the most legal staff win.

>
> Here under our Joint Economic Development cells as well as the other
> hats I have to wear we are working with Unesco & others to address
> what you & I have similar issues with .
>
> Also touches on stock & human feeds a HUGE area
> and getting the supply chain to comply is a nightmare in itself

The agbiotech industry likes to tout their work as the solution to world
hunger. Not going to happen that way. There is more than enough food
around the world to feed everyone. Wars, politics and lack of
infrastructure cause famine more than 'traditional' forms of
agriculture.

>
> Cheers we should swap papers <grin>

LOL. My work (plant cloning among other things) is vastly out of date.
Most recent publication along those lines was several years ago and
didn't involve original research.

>
> One of our Partners is also Negev University
> ranging from Solar and renewable research to
> dry land broad acre farming .
>
> Food security is also a national security issue.
> I better stop now as far beyond the charter of this group
>
> Take care
> Phil

Still needs to be discussed. With lack of consumer labelling in the US
it's difficult to avoid biotech foods if one chooses not to buy them.
Something labelled 'non GMO containing' shouldn't contain such things.
Something that has no such labelling may or may not contain biotech
foods.

TC yourself and keep up the good work!