Eco-matters

[Mr Potato Head]

I know that there's some hot debate about 'organic' gardening and suchlike, so I thought I'd test this subject out here to gauge the response...

Basically, I want to know if the following subject would be sufficiently of interest to warrant an article / mention in the magazine.

Here's the link www.eco-matters.org.uk (It's about the use of 'Terminator' GM crops...)

But let's try and keep it civil here though....

[Colin Miles]

Having read the report I would say yes, but please as a measured summary on what is happening by one or more experts in the field, for and against. As I understand it the Terminator Gene is only for GM crops, presumably intended to protect income from these crops and to prevent their spread, though I am sure that the issue of cross-contamination will be a hot one.

[richard p]

most of the comment in the newspapers and tv is biased one way way or the other, a well researched accurate article would be welcome.

[Chez]

Thanks for opportunity to for us to have say. Much appreciated! I have voted and have a couple of comments to add. I am interested in this topic if covered in an intelligent, balanced way. I would like to see links which cover both sides of the argument from which I can draw my own conclusions and would be very reluctant to be spoon-fed one side of the argument only. Personally, I am not interested in emotive or political responses. I do realise KG magazine has a right to take any stance it chooses on this argument - but I would be less interested in reading coverage of this type.

[sue-the-recycler]

Whooah! I didn’t even know such scary technology existed! I would absolutely like to see a regular column on this kind of issue and the wider eco-debate. I know its not for everyone - but hey - I never look at the KG recipe page Its too easy to get a bit tunnel visioned as the bottom of our own plots but stuff like this could have a major impact on us too in future. I respect growers copyright when I sell cuttings of my fruit bushes – most named blackcurrants are now copyrighted but to be in a position a few years down the line when I cant save my own veg seed….
I would endorse the call from other KG members for impartial info, journalism seems so keen to shock us first, advertise second and inform us last these days, that one wonders if ‘impartial’ or ‘balanced’ are words in some columnists vocabulary! (Present company excepted of course )

[Tigger]

More of the same from me - yes please, a balanced debate would be good.

[lizzie]

Yep, we need a balanced debate with the emotion taken out. Just the facts from both sides.

[Guest]

It must not deteriorate to a For OR Against matter. GM is going to be around from now on, in fact it is as old as gardening itself, it's just that modern techniques have enabled it to be done in more effective ways than before. I am of the opinion that at any rate in the UK the scientists are treating it in a very appropriate manner, it's the media that are mudding the water with sensationalism that does no good in the end. Sorry to open the subject but I object to the questionnaire which is pre-judging the possible answers, not at all a good start to the project, I cannot really accept any of those options without qualifications, i.e. it all depends...
Allan.

[peat]

gm genes have escaped into the wild and if the terminator gene escapes as well then we are on the slow road to starvation. Plants will not be able to set seed and all land animals depend on food to live.
GM is not and never will be the same as the natural selection of seeds.
Monsanto have already ruined businesses around the world and many farmers in India are calling to have them banned from selling in their country.
Pete

[Jenny Green]

Yes, I'd like to see a thoughtful discussion of the subject - maybe a debate between representatives of opposing sides? I think it would be particularly interesting to see GM's potential impacts on small farmers here and in the developing countries.

[Johnboy]

Well were not off to a very good start.
Monsanto have not ruined anybody's buisness as well you should know Peat. The strange thing is that Monsanto cannot keep up with demand with gm cotton seed. You can read on anti-gm sites such things as "Cotton Crop in India Complete Failure" but what is so strange is that Indians are exceedingly good buisnessmen yet they are queuing up for seed not running away from it!!.
Overall use of chemicals have fallen and accidents from the use of chemicals have also dramatically fallen and yields have risen.
The British public deserve the truth which they so far have not had and that is thanks to the Media who very soon realized that to go against something sells more papers.
I vey much agree with Jenny: handled sensibly GM is an exceedingly exciting subject and we could all benefit from, apart from anything else, knowing the truth.