Can someone aware me quickly on why genetically modified plants should be bad for us or the environment?
If those modified plants survive better than their counterparts, I would say they deserve to win the evolutionary battle.
We humans have been doing this for thousands of years, its just the technology that has gotten better. Trying the best seed/breed is a good thing.
OK, first of all the Monsanto topic is WAY TOO HUGE to be fully discussed here at WF. Even in the STS section.
To catch you up to speed though.......
1.) Genetically Modified anything is NOT bad in and of itself. BUT, when it is controlled and MONOPOLIZED in such a way that NAZI BOOTJACK tactics are used to FORCE people into using them then it is HORRIBLY WRONG!!
Monsanto will/has sent their own Private "Enforcers" out to Independent Farmers who's farms have had Monsanto Seeds "BLOWN" onto their property and FORCED them to PAY for the crops.
It's also in the Pollination Processes. They have been able to Genetically PROVE that even Non-Seed Crops belong to Monsanto since BEES and other insects fly from Monsanto crops to non-Monsanto crops and pollinate them. Hence, putting Monsanto's PRODUCT/GENETIC MATERIAL on an independent farmers land.
2.) Genetically modified plants & animals "could" have long term effects that are NOT apparent to us at this time. We have had enough time with "some" of these things to have a good idea of what impact if any they will have. But not with the newer developments.
YES, they are working from the "known" base so theoretically they should hold to the data collected over the last 60 years or so. But....again...just one change at the atomic level can create a HUGE difference. So, CAUTION is the best practice which MONEY does NOT always like.
3.) You asked what HARM could come from the Genetically Modified Plants & Animals if they can survive better than the Natural things?
To start with, let's pause for a moment to consider "Sterile" Animal & Plant Products.
Let's say that Monsanto or some other company is putting out One or even Four Generation seeds & plants. This means that when the time frame is up that you MUST go to them for more.
Now, if those plant's Pollen happen to get carried to the Natural "Fertile" plants around them and it get's into the Natural Eco System.....it will only be a matter of TIME before all plants become either completely sterile or generationally stunted.
This does NOT bode well in the long term. It's GREAT short term for the companies to make money.
But, if....let's say that after time has passed (Not to be worried about in OUR lifetimes.) that all Food Plants & Farm Animals have become sterile or generationally stunted and something were to happen that renders our ELECTRICITY useless on the planet. Humans would be FUCKED ROYALLY.
This would be due the dependance on the TECHNOLOGY needed to create new plants and animals being inaccessible to us.
Without the Genetic Mutations having been introduced into the Natural Eco System that sterilize or limit reproduction the plants & animals would continue to thrive and reproduce and we would continue to have our food source and materials needed for shelter, clothing and tools.
No need for electricity.
I know, this all sounds like the Doomsday Prepper Stuff. But these are real LONG TERM concerns about this technology.
4.) Genetically Modified Animals and Plants "CAN" actually be BETTER than natural counterparts.
But companies like Monsanto are out to make a profit and PROTECT their INVESTMENT. So, by creating one to four generation products they are creating the possibility of altering the the self replicating Natural System on our planet.
There is NO WAY to contain the Plant Cross Pollination. They can have more control over the Animal Genetics though. But this too "could" get out of there hands like the Plants have already done.
5.) DDT was once thought of as a WONDER CHEMICAL for controlling insects. It was used in the US up until 1972 and is still being used in other parts of the world.
If you go to the EPA link I put above, you'll see that the US is still having problems with it due to those other countries and atmospheric dispersion.
DDT had devastating affects on the Eco System. Especially to Birds and their egg shells causing uncountable still births and deformities in the bird populations.
On a Personal Note, I grew up In Georgia and in the summers "The Bug Man" would drive through our neighborhood in a small truck with a big box on the back that would spray out a Thick Huge White Cloud of DDT in order to control the Mosquitos.
Myself and the other kids in the area would get on our bikes and ride RIGHT BEHIND THAT THING and thought it was Cool to be riding in that thick white smoke. Even our Parents thought nothing of it.
HURR FUCKING DHURR now days to think about. Maybe that's why I'm BALD NOW!!! ROFLMFAO!!
This is but one example of the MANY "Mistakes" Humans have made over the years when using New Technologies to try and Improve our lives.
Anywho, I know this wasn't QUICK, but it is "Infinitesimally Miniscule" on this subject.
