This may be a stupid question, but why do some people fear GMO? I can understand COMPLETELY why people hate Monsanto but why GMO in particular? Has it been proven to cause any harm?
GMO does reduce biodiversity, and that can present a risk. When most crops have the same genetic make-up, they will all respond similarly to the same threat. Thus, you could have a large-scale crop failure because every plant is equally susceptible to the same pathogen.
Thank you for the explanation, is this the reason that most detractors give? I've always thought it was a health concern i.e. carcinogen etc.
I think a lot of folk probably worry more about the health concern, but IMO that is a far lesser threat. There are also unintended effects that GMO can have on other flora/fauna. Making a crop resistant to a certain fungus or parasite can have unintended effects upon the greater ecosystem. For example, the fungus could then be driven to adapt to eat the GMO, and at the same time gain the ability to wreck havoc on local flora. Everything in an environment is connected, and it’s almost impossible to change one thing without a ripple effect. GMO can be like turning up the setting on one knob in the ecosystem to 10.Thank you for the explanation, is this the reason that most detractors give?
Why would people hate Monsanto more than, say, Apple? They're big companies that serve their consumers and shareholders. Neither is Enron or Freddy Mac. -XC PS - People hate GMO for the same reason that people fear "climate change" - it serves the purpose of people who want money and control and who have media access.
It's their business practices. In my case, I strongly disagree with Monsanto's suing of farmers for patent infringement when they haven't planted Round-up ready seed, but due to cross-pollination with nearby Monstanto crops, the gene has inserted into some of their own. Not that some folk don't really dislike Apple. However, you seem to suggest that "big companies that serve their consumers and shareholders." should all be viewed equally.Why would people hate Monsanto more than, say, Apple? They're big companies that serve their consumers and shareholders.
I think that there are a lot of ethical companies out there that get caught up in peoples political, social, or "brand" issues and that "hating" a company is pretty futile. Seriously, if you have a well balanced mutual fund in your 401K then you probably have Monsanto stock in it. So, yeah, I don't worry too much about Dish Network being a crappy place to work or GSK being a great place to work, or hating Apple or loving Google. I save my corporate directed ire for companies that are unethical. _XC
I dunno, ever listened to Nancy Pelosi or Waters or Aiken? I also note that people (not saying you) often want to "end lobbying" but don't view their own viewpoints expressed to representatives as lobbying. Thus the teachers union wants the NRA driven out and the Coal lobby wants the Sierra club muzzled. Just like when people want "externalities priced" they never want THEIR externalities priced. -XC