From the Schwartz Report: [log in to unmask]

If this is accurate, ethically should organic farmers and others not
wanting their seeds contaminated be able to sue Monsanto for damages -
and maybe put them out of business? If anyone here is an orthodox free
marketeer it seems to me they have little choice (in terms of
intellectual integrity) but to endorse suing Monsanto for damages.
After all, if it's their property, they are responsible for where it
goes. yes?

Somehow I suspect the "free marketeers" will discover that principles
are secondary to serving corporations. But I'd love to be surprised.

Gus

       Sunday, March 07, 2004


       Genetically Modified Strains Have Contaminated Two-thirds of All
U.S. Crops

       By GEOFFREY LEAN
       Environment Editor
       The Independent (U.K.)

       More than two-thirds of conventional crops in the United States
are now contaminated with genetically modified material - dooming
organic agriculture and posing a severe future risk to health - a new
report concludes.

       The report - which comes as ministers are on the verge of
approving the planting of Britain's first GM crop, maize - concludes
that traditional varieties of seed are "pervasively contaminated" by
genetically engineered DNA. The US biotech industry says it is "not
surprised" by the findings.

       Because of the contamination, the report says, farmers
unwittingly plant billions of GM seeds a year, spreading genetic
modification throughout US agriculture. This would be likely to lead to
danger to health with the next generation of GM crops, bred to produce
pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals - delivering "drug-laced
cornflakes" to the breakfast table.

       The report comes at the worst possible time for the Government,
which is trying to overcome strong resistance from the Scottish and
Welsh administrations to GM maize.

       The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee drew attention
to the problem in North America in a report published on Friday, and
said the Government had not paid enough attention to it. The MPs
concluded: "No decision to proceed with the commercial growing of GM
crops [in Britain] should be made until thorough research into the
experience with GM crops in North America has been completed and
published". It would be "irresponsible" for ministers to give the green
light to the maize without further tests.
       posted at 1:28 AM 0 comments