beetles develop resistance to GM corn

something that was predicted from day one.
Sepp gets a shout out in the article

http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2011/08/24/monsanto-gm-corn-in-peril-beetle-develop

Making the switch to GMOs is akin to jumping off of the Empire State building...once you take that first step, it's hard to change your mind and go back.

Many GMO farmers are now reporting that they are now using more chemicals than they ever did before, and now feel that they have reached a 'point-of-no-return'.

The truly sad fact is that with the 'promises' of GMOs, most research on herbicides and pesticides has been halted for many years.  Not only will "we" be left with one source of seeds, "we" will only be left with one source of ways to combat the threats to our crops.  And, "they" are successfully pushing their products in developing countries, who will soon become dependent on products they will not be able to afford, nor be able to abandon.

it's a pretty sad story, isn't it.  I get absolutely no comfort at all from having known from the start this would happen.

It makes me feel like it is that much more important to demonstrate sustainable practices, and try to keep seeds, develop new OP varieties, and feed feed feed the soil, and provide for healthy populations of organisms we've never heard of, be they insects or microscopic soil dwelling organisms (some of whom are insects too).

Go us!

"

Denise wrote:
It really is a sad story.  Unfortunately the problem isn't just the GMO seeds; it is those involved in making and promoting them.  If only those folks had something else in mind other than sheer power over the rest of us.  (If they are the only source of seeds, then they force us to be dependant on them.)

Yes, Denise, the seeds, the people who are making and promoting them, AND the people who accept them, who complacently believe what "the experts"  say, usually spokespeople for the industry.

What of the people in congress, and the regulatory agencies who allow this?

It really is a situation way bigger than just the seeds.  In my mind our difficulties are with a system that allows such a strange definition of property ownership and property rights, and holds that the highest value is making a profit in the present.

Kind of a downer.  Food is the issue to which I dedicate my efforts.  Good clean food, and the means to produce it, in perpetuity.  The birthright of humanity.  The gifts of our ancestors.

Thekla

I sent a letter to parliment to try and get protection of our heirloom seeds from being taken by companies like Monsanto. I hope it works, because the heirloom seeds may be all that's left after coventional (gmo/chemical) agriculture colapses.

It just makes me cringe...  we can only hope that the masses realize the importance of seeds one day.  Its just unimaginable at this point to think about that happening.  We can only change ourselves, spread the word, and hope for the future!

OurPermaTrip wrote:
We can only change ourselves, spread the word, and hope for the future!

I am right there beside you, sister!

Thekla