USDA will not take action in case of GMO alfalfa contamination

Reuters ^ | September 17, 2013 | Carey Gillam

[opentalk]

The detection of a small amount of genetically modified material in a Washington state farmer's non-GMO alfalfa crop constitutes a "commercial issue" only and does not warrant any government action, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday.

The Washington state farmer had complained in late August to state agricultural officials that his alfalfa hay had been rejected for export sale because of the presence of a genetically modified trait that makes the crop resistant to herbicide.

The event triggered a wave of concern from consumer and agricultural groups who have fought the government for nearly a decade to keep biotech alfalfa from contaminating conventional and organic supplies.

Crop experts have warned that the confirmation of contamination threatens U.S. sales of alfalfa feedstock to many Asia nations who reject GMOs, and some are encouraging farmers to test every bag of seed they buy before they plant.

But USDA said the detection of Monsanto Co's patented Roundup Ready herbicide-tolerant trait in the Washington farmer's non-GMO alfalfa crop should be addressed by the marketplace and not the government.

[1010RD]

You mean my hero, Norman Borlaug. I just heard a guy, a ‘scientist’, talking about overpopulation and how we will be going hungry soon. I laughed and thought of Julian Simon and Norman Borlaug. Is it true that wheat crops are the highest bushel/acre ever?

[Mase]

I love the guy too. He was a true and gifted scientist, a staunch conservative, a guy that never gave in, and a wrestler. Could there possibly be a better resume? When you read about his life, and what he had to overcome on a personal level - combined with what he did (and overcame) on a professional level - it is truly inspiring.

I had the opportunity to meet him once at an ACSH fundraiser many years ago. First class guy and a firm believer in the benefits of bio-engineering. Today, for some unknown reason, that's referred to as GMO. Borlaug would have some very unkind words for the Monsanto bashers and GMO opponents on these threads.

Of course, he was one of America's greatest scientists ever, won a Nobel when it meant something, and saved more than a billion people from death by starvation by genetically modifying food. So what the hell would he know compared to some internet jockeys that never passed biology 101 and basic chemistry?

[Mase]

Bio-engineering uses the exact same genetic engineering techniques that Mother Nature uses. As a matter of fact, every technique that scientists use in the lab today to genetically modify food came directly from nature. Viruses started placing themselves in our food long before we ever did. We learned from nature how to manipulate the genetic make up of plants.

All foods are/have been genetically modified whether its with grafting, cross-breeding, or with a gene gun. You rant about things not being "natural." This is an anti-technology belief system based on some sort of mysticism. Humans dying from disease is perfectly natural. Using advanced technology to save people from those diseases is not natural. To believe that natural is going to be better than GMO because natural is just better, and that anything not natural is bad, is the height of absurdity. Your goofy links notwithstanding.

[1010RD]

That he’s not venerated worldwide is the tragedy. Liberals don’t believe in human life. So somebody who saved lives cannot be lifted up as an example. If he perfected a more effective technology or procedure for abortion, he’d be in every school house and book.

As for FReepers, I think scientific ignorance and a general suspicion of the ‘powers that be’ leads to a lot of this bad thinking. I also think that bad thinking about God and creation leads to this, that somehow messing with nature is ruinous in a Frankensteinian way.

One consistent thing about wrestlers is that they turn out conservative. Take care and be undaunted.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Genetic manipulation is on steroids and its no accident that the amount of genetically modified items in all our foods is a major contributor to the epidemic rise of celiac disease and diabetes. Try to find a can of tuna without any soy. 93% of all US soy crops in 2013 are genetically modified, 90% of corn, 92% of cotton. Celiac disease and diabetes is a food allergy to the crap in our foods.

I know. Mr. Peel was diagnosed diabetic - he was NOT over weight - he ate the "healthy" foods - you know, the garbage "chemically the same" foods like splenda instead of raw honey, diet colas, etc and became diabetic, not through his weight but through the additives in the foods.

The Genetically modified foods pose the greatest danger. And the danger is increasing as more and more foods are "re-engineered". To think that man can supplant Mother Nature is hubris in the extreme.

[Toddsterpatriot]

he ate the "healthy" foods - you know, the garbage "chemically the same" foods like splenda instead of raw honey,

Who told you Splenda was chemically the same as honey?

[opentalk]

The danger is also to the export market of crops, GMO contaminated crops are being rejected... economically impacting farmers

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Splenda was originally marketed as "coming from sugar and tastes like sugar". They lost a major court case in 2007. On the topic of Mr. Peel's diabetes, we were told by his doctors and hospital staff to go "sugar-free". That turned out to be a massive misdirection. He can digest raw sugar and raw honey just fine. He cannot digest the synthetic, man-made sugars very well at all.

The other great marketing lie you'll see these days is the use of the word: "natural" as in "100% Natural". When you read the actual label, you'll find that there's everything in the product BUT naturally occurring items.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

The shame is that alfalfa needs the humble bee to germinate. So, the GMO alfalfa crop may have been hundreds of miles away, and the contamination with the non-GMO crop spread by the bee. The non-GMO, organic farmers lobbied congress not to allow GMO crops that needed bees to germinate, as they were afraid that once allowed, no organic crop would be safe.

This doesn't bode well for organic farmers everywhere.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Splenda was originally marketed as "coming from sugar and tastes like sugar".

Both statements are true.

He can digest raw sugar and raw honey just fine. He cannot digest the synthetic, man-made sugars very well at all.

Splenda is indigestible, that's why it is calorie free.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Splenda, even though it is calorie free raises his blood sugar level and keeps it raised. Raw sugar and raw honey, also raise his blood sugar levels, BUT not as long, and his body is able to return to normal blood sugar levels after having a food with raw honey / raw sugar as opposed to the synthetics sugars.

[Toddsterpatriot]

You can use most sugar substitutes if you have diabetes, including:
Saccharin (Sweet’N Low)
Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal)
Acesulfame potassium (Sunett)
Sucralose (Splenda)
Stevia (Pure Via, Truvia)

Artificial sweeteners, or sugar substitutes, offer the sweetness of sugar without the calories. Artificial sweeteners are many times sweeter than sugar, so it takes a smaller amount to sweeten foods. This is why foods made with artificial sweeteners may have fewer calories than those made with sugar.

Sugar substitutes don't affect your blood sugar level. In fact, most artificial sweeteners are considered “free foods” — foods containing less than 20 calories and 5 grams or less of carbohydrates — because they don't count as calories or carbohydrates on a diabetes exchange. Remember, however, other ingredients in foods containing artificial sweeteners can still affect your blood sugar level.

Also, be cautious with sugar alcohols — including mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. Sugar alcohols can increase your blood sugar level. And for some people, sugar alcohols may cause diarrhea.

M. Regina Castro, M.D.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/artificial-sweeteners/AN00348