Post #175,532
9/21/04 7:55:34 PM
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Biotech grass breeds with conventional relatives miles away
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Pollen from genetically engineered grass floated more than 12 miles from experimental plots and bred with conventional plants, raising concerns that the biotechnology industry can't control the ``gene flow'' of its creations.
[...]
Lidia S. Watrud, an EPA scientist who led the study, said the findings are significant because they showed that bentgrass pollen -- which is alive only three hours -- ``can move a lot farther than we had anticipated.''
Watrud's team tracked the flow of pollen from eight quarantined fields where 400 acres of the Roundup-resistant grass was experimentally grown in the past two years. Monsanto and Scotts have taken all but a few acres of the Roundup Ready bentgrass fields out of production until federal approval is received.
[link|http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/9723774.htm|source] The genie is going to escape from the bottle, just wait and see... lincoln
"Windows XP has so many holes in its security that any reasonable user will conclude it was designed by the same German officer who created the prison compound in "Hogan's Heroes." - Andy Ihnatko, Chicago Sun-Times
[link|mailto:bconnors@ev1.net|contact me]
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Post #175,579
9/21/04 11:53:36 PM
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Biotech industry doesn't want to believe it can happen.
There was a kerfuffle some months ago Down Unda about genetically-modified canola being sown and what sort of quarantine distance would be needed. A lot of people who have interests in not having GM grain around pointed out that grain pollinates over a much larger distance than the biotech companies believed. They related tales of telling these companies again and again and again... to essentially deaf ears.
It looks like one of two things: either the biotech companys don't want to accept this is a problem because it will make things Much Harder for their product, or they know and are hoping to use it to get their product out by means foul as well as fair.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
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Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
| -- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. |
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Post #175,580
9/22/04 12:20:37 AM
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Will the downwind landowner be sued for patent infringement?
--
Chris Altmann
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Post #175,581
9/22/04 12:34:27 AM
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No.
It was to some extent Organic Farmers worried about losing their certification.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
| -- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. |
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Post #175,607
9/22/04 8:55:35 AM
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Haven't you been paying attention?
Farmers have already been sued for trying to sell grain with patented genetic markers. Claiming that their crop must have been cross-polinated by a neighboring farmer's crop, one that is from patented seed, isn't apparently a defense.
===
Implicitly condoning stupidity since 2001.
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Post #176,041
9/23/04 10:29:24 PM
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Er... it wasn't mentioned, AFAIR.
I really don't remember this detail from the program I heard. Perhaps it was mentioned - I really don't recall. It would make sense that organic farmers would be afraid of these sorts of suits. It would be an ideal thing to hang out when saying "your GM seeds will pollenate over a much wider area than you think"
Sorry for my obtuseness.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
| -- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. |
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Post #176,065
9/24/04 12:08:44 AM
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Sorry, didn't mean it was in the program you saw
Just that hell, this is America we're talking about. Someone's been sued for everything.
===
Implicitly condoning stupidity since 2001.
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Post #176,093
9/24/04 4:28:43 AM
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That's true.
And the program in question was referring to Aussie farmers. Whilst we have our share of silly lawsuits, our judges and magistrates tend to throw out frivolous claims.
Wade.
Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed
| |
Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please
| -- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne. |
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Post #175,626
9/22/04 9:56:05 AM
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Wrong, they will.
They did it up here. They won, too... though the courts left open the possibility of countersuits for damages to the defendent, who previous to this had the organic qualification on his crops.
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