Scientists Say GE Crops Encourage Stronger Weeds
May 29th, 2009Via: New Zealand Herald:
Genetically engineered crops do little to improve yields and instead promote the proliferation of herbicide-resistant weeds that actually curb production, according to a study by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Corn and soybeans modified to resist insects and the herbicide glyphosate haven’t been proven to boost yields, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based group says in a 44-page report.
The modified plants have increased the number of glyphosate-resistant weeds that compete for soil nutrients and moisture, reducing production, the group says.
“The two major types of traits now present in transgenic crops – insect resistance and herbicide tolerance – are often classic contributors to operational yield,” said Doug Gurian- Sherman, a senior scientist in the group and the author of the report.
“Neither trait would be expected to enhance potential or intrinsic yield, and indeed, there is virtually no evidence that they have done so.”
Operational yield is obtained under normal field conditions and includes factors such as pests and other stressors, the report says. Intrinsic yield is the highest that can be achieved with crops grown under ideal conditions.
Monsanto, the world’s biggest seed producer, did not return calls seeking comment.
GMO is a farcical, dangerous scam that needs to end. Everyone needs to boycott this hideous concept and the people behind it…same old players.
The best book about this subject is called Seeds of Destruction by F. William Engdahl.
Oops! talk about aberrant behaviour, the Herald editor must have misplaced the memo telling him to only print pro-GE articles.