Sunday Open Thread | 54 comments (54 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Hot stuff!

Failure to Yield: Evaluating the Performance of Genetically Engineered Crops (2009) | Union of Concerned Scientists

Meanwhile, the report found that Bt corn likely provides a marginal operational yield advantage of 3 to 4 percent over typical conventional practices. Since Bt corn became commercially available in 1996, its yield advantage averages out to a 0.2 to 0.3 percent yield increase per year. To put that figure in context, overall U.S. corn yields over the last several decades have annually averaged an increase of approximately one percent, which is considerably more than what Bt traits have provided.

Monsanto's strain of Bt corn is just what Germany banned the other day.

The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman

by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 10:42:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sunday Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

So the real goal of genetically modified seeds is to:

Decrease pesticide use?
Allow Monsanto et al to corner the seed market? We're the only game left in town. Buy our seed or starve.

Interesting how we're so concerned with increasing yield. How about stabilizing demand by adequate human reproduction control?

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 10:53:47 AM EST
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Re: Sunday Open Thread (none / 0)

For such huge things as this, why can't states own seeds? Rather than letting a monopoly dangerously fall into the hands of private companies?

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 11:06:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sunday Open Thread (4.00 / 3)

Howdy In Wales. How's all that "iron breathing bacteria" doing with you?

Anyway, because our "states" i.e governments have been ... I guess the current term is "captured" ... by the multinational corporations, would it matter? The state is the company? Welcome to Soylent Green. Too bad Charleton Heston died. He'd appreciate the direction things are going, him being a gun freak and all.

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 11:12:45 AM EST
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Re: Sunday Open Thread (none / 1)

I was delighted to learn about the iron breathing bacteria, although I am concerned that perhaps I haven't been taught science correctly because I too did not know they existed.

Actually now I review my above comment - how about nobody 'owns' seeds?

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 11:19:34 AM EST
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Re: Sunday Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

Nobody "owns" seeds? What are you, a pinko commie? Everything must be owned. I'm thinking of claiming ownership of the world's supply of oxygen. If you want to breathe, you pay me first. Damn commie pinko iron breathing bacteria; I'll get them too, somehow!

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 11:29:57 AM EST
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Re: Sunday Open Thread (none / 1)

When I was in Pisa airport one of the bags/shoes/belts shops was selling expensive bags with PINKO written across the side in sequins.

I didn't buy one. The irony of anyone who does... unknowingly probably.

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 11:38:23 AM EST
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Re: Sunday Open Thread (4.00 / 3)

Everything must be owned. I'm thinking of claiming ownership of the world's supply of oxygen. If you want to breathe, you pay me first.

To Arms Citizens!

The iron breathing bacteria MUST breathe free!!!!

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 11:44:34 AM EST
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Re: Sunday Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

That's the problem. They don't need O2 to generate energy. They don't breathe. Little pinko buggers.

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 12:13:35 PM EST
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Re: Sunday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

...perhaps I haven't been taught science correctly because I too did not know [iron breathing bacteria] existed.

Unfortunately you studied and learned a squishy, subjective, subject: PChem. If you'd taken a Real© Science® like Journalism you'd have learned about 'em.

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 11:53:35 AM EST
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Re: Sunday Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

Oh, go ahead. Piss off a P. Chemist at your own peril. How would you like your jewels (assuming you have jewels) put in a bomb calorimeter and set off. That'll teach you some respect.

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Sun Apr 19th, 2009 at 12:11:38 PM EST
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Re: Sunday Open Thread (none / 1)