New Grower Auoflowring GMO

[A4]

You guys make some good points and it is refreshing to see that people can actually talk about a divisive subject without it tailing out of control into personal insults. So, "un-internet-like" we are.

I fall into the category of farmer, as in I own a "for market" farm that sales highly valued heirloom produce. My biggest problems with GMO and Monsanto in general is that they are modifying genetics so their name brand pesticide can be used by the thousands of gallons on crops. The problem I have is that it is a short term solution to a long term problem. Yes, this makes it where they can dump more pesticides in the short term but pouring that much pesticides into the soil has consequences that continues to get pushed on to future generations. Sort of like PCBs or asbestos and many other things that industry has always done. Use it to make a killing then let a future generation deal with cleaning it all up once everyone has gotten rich. This is unethical in my opinion and a great disservice to future generations. It seems though, very rarely does industry or government put too much thought into future generations.

So my biggest concern isn't so much with GMO as it is with the motives behind the science. In the right hands, I can see GMO doing mankind a great service in it's "possible" ability to be able to cure some of the world's terrible diseases such as cancer, cardio-vascular problems, different neurological diseases and such. Especially with people that have a genetic predisposition to the diseases. The possibilities are limitless. Someone else mentioned "playing God" and while that is a slippery slope, we could also be considered playing God any time we cure any disease. Right now genetically modifying something is a hot topic but even with some religions surgery is still considered "playing God" as well as forbidden and that is an accepted practice in today's society. So with time maybe we can see some good come out of it but it should be highly regulated and controlled in my personal opinion.

 

[pop22]

"I think in 15-20-50 years genetic engineering and a digital blueprint of virtually every genome/species on Earth easily recreated"

Of only we could be so altruistic, but you know SOMEONE, somewhere will turn it into a horrorshow. Glad I won't be here to see it................

 

[Corgy]

Damn well said. What you're describing is racketeering, corruption and an expression of human conflict between good and bad/greed.

I can perfectly see with your farmers eyes it is, and I mean it, criminal.........every technology should be regulated and controlled as best as we can in the sense that nobody should be allowed to ride roughshot over others, and the majority benefits. Wonder what would have happened if a one company had a patent on penicillin right from the beginning.....?

It isn't the Change/Evolution of technology thats the problem, its humans who for various motives has an interest in perverting technology, it was mentioned above that pseudo-science was a classic........

 

[Mr Piggy]

Yes, monsanto always comes up when GMOs are mentioned, and I agree they are evil bastards. Their policy of allowing their pollen to drift and ruin crops is evil, and they are an extreme example of when genetic engineering goes wrong. However, there is no evidence that genetically engineered veggies are hurting anyone who consumes them. They do produce heavier crops that feed people better, when used correctly. GMOs are also used to produce medicines that keep us safe, and I'm perfectly fine with that.

Using glyphosate as an example of an evil herbicide is a poor one, as it is one of the safest out there. It goes neutral in the soil and has a planting reentry time of just three days, meaning when it stops working on anything it didn't come in direct contact with. Repeated and heavy-handed use of glyphosate can be a bad thing for sure, like in agricultural applications, but it is an invaluable tool in forestry where it is used for site prep. Do make sure to do research on an herbicide before deciding it's unfit for any application. You can do this on a basic level by looking up it's MSDS stats, which will tell you proper applications and it's danger to humans, pets, aquatic wildlife, and plants. You can also find out interesting facts like how combustible it is.

Here is an MSDS sheet for glyphosate concentrate: http://www.alligare.com/assets/pdf/Glyphosate_54_MSDS.pdf
And here is an MSDS for household bleach:http://www.sunbeltchemicals.com/sites/default/files/product/msds/Smart 210 SBC msds.pdf

Bleach is much more dangerous and most of the people I know that complain about glyphosate have bleach under the sink. It is not only more toxic to the environment, it is more dangerous to you and your pets, along with any aquatic wildlife it may come in contact with. Food for thought.

Let us not also forget that people will always abuse technology and technological advances, but this is not a good enough reason to ban advancement. It's like with growing pot, just because someone else is going to abuse it (looking at you, monsanto) does not mean that you should not be able to grow it.

 

[TimeTraveler]

True; like I said, I like the idea of GMO and research into it, it's the evil tactics undertaken by Monsanto and the incredibly ethically questionable nature of allow a patent to be issued on a species that I disagree with strongly.

 

[Corgy]

Indeed......but when the philistines and Luddites gets cranking.......the Dark Ages lasted for quite a bit ......certainly longer than any Auto would have tolerated ........clean waste of time!

 

[paddler54]

Lol, I can just picture Groot holding a hemp rope noose in one branched appendage and a balding, spectacled, terrified scientist grasping a testtube brimming with modified kali dna in the other branched appendage, screaming "I AM GROOT!" As he slips the noose around the scientist's head. I in no way wish to demean science or scientists, just a funny image due to the irony, just saying...

 

[Mr Piggy]

I definitely worry about the knee jerk reactions to science and the misunderstanding of how science works. The vehemence with which people fight against something they don't understand can cause them harm. It's best to approach a subject like a jedi, calm your mind and be receptive.

 

[Corgy]

and so it was said by Mr. P........... ............lost behind a pumpkin truck he ain't!

Does he really have a sty full of wise pigs........putting words in his mouth.......outch....outch.....let go!

 

[Mr Piggy]

Oh shit, I totally got lost at the pumpkin patch once :slaps:

I also was hired to be the guy that chases youth groups through the corn maze with a chainsaw. A better job I will never have.