The discovery of genetically modified herbicide-resistant wheat growing in a field in Oregon has produced a backlash:
Commercial farming of genetically modified wheat is banned in the United States. The practice is primarily not allowed because about half of America’s wheat is sold overseas and many foreign countries prohibit the import of genetically modified foods.
So when modified wheat was discovered recently on a small farm in Oregon, the response from U.S. trading partners was fierce. Japan, the number one buyer of U.S. wheat, suspended some imports, as did South Korea.
Korean scientists are testing their U.S. wheat for signs of genetic modification and the European Union is also urging its 27 member nations to test American wheat.
It’s not known how the modified wheat got into the Oregon field. Genetically it’s the same wheat that Monsanto tested for possible commercial use in 16 states including Oregon a decade ago.
Monsanto has a patent on this “Roundup Ready” wheat (I should have the little trademark thingy after that but I’m too lazy to look it up). Since it may not be grown legally in the U. S. and they’re the patent-holder, off-hand I’d guess that they have an affirmative responsibility to prevent its cultivation. I will be very surprised if we don’t see a class action suit by U. S. wheat farmers against Monsanto, suing for damages from loss of export sales.
The South Koreans are already suspicious of our beef. This wont help.
Steve
I believe there were warnings at the time of the dangers regarding field tests of genetically modified wheat, that cross-pollination is quite easy and foreign genes would be very difficult to contain within the Monsanto crop.
Monsanto should be shutdown over this, but they are Administration darlings.
Monsanto has put thousands of organic farmers out of business during O’s reign through their ability to lobby and place restrictions that favor them. Furthermore, the Administration is ok with Monsanto having recently put a Monsanto Lobbyist as Head of the FDA. MSM Coverage of this…..zero. Where is the investigative journalism? Its ok to allow small farmers to get put out of business and also allow Monsanto to grow illegal genetically altered wheat. Furthermore, Monsanto practices are also eliminating bee populations.
I mean what could go wrong.
Slight correction–it is the Food Safety Advisor who had been a lobbyist for Monsanto. Still, pretty bad.
I just read a couple articles on genetically modified wheat and I didn’t find the “against” arguments all that convincing. Rather speculative.
Perhaps the best argument isn’t the science, but a classic case of externalities. Some people simply don’t want it in their diet – as is their right – but preventing the GM wheat from spreading and entering the wheat food chain is problematic.
As for Obama, he never met a large corporate doner he didn’t like.
I think the reactions of the EU, Japan, etc. to GMO foods is pretty hysterical. Be that as it may, it’s against the law to grow genetically-modified wheat so I think that Monsanto has a pretty big problem on their hands.
try alt0153 to give you the trademark thingy…like soâ„¢.