Genetic Modification

[Unchecked Expansion]

As I've mentioned before, I'm a bioscience student focusing mostly on applied genetics and microbiology this year. I've recently been studying genetics in agriculture, and am curious what the opinions of this forum are.
Given the evidence I've seen (I can't exactly link to lecture notes, but I'll try and find some online references) GM agriculture seems to be a very useful application of genetic technology, and if I could I'd probably buy GM food where I could over non GM (It's not sold in British supermarkets due to media hype)

[Maurepas]

I know they ruled it was legal in the US...Idk if they sell it or not though, its not exactly massively advertised on labels or anything,

But, as long as its been tested by the FDA and all that and is found to be safe, all I care about is price/taste,

[Milks Empire]

You need a fourth option - "Needs more research" - before this poll can really go anywhere.

[United Technocrats]

You need a fourth option - "Needs more research" - before this poll can really go anywhere.

Agreed. I can think of numerous reasons for this stance. For example, a single gene can influence multiple phenotypic traits, which is known as "Pleiotropy." A single gene can carry information coding a protein which can have several functions, say in metabolism and/or signaling and regulation. Or even signaling on multiple targets. Or being an amino acid sequence used in several capacities in an organism. I am not even sure that we're dealing with non-distributed information here. For example, the information could be distributed in a way that those amino acid sequences could be used in a more complex protein synthesis, but in various, different proteins playing different roles. Modifying a gene coding such a sequence could then have unwanted repercussions.

[Dimoniquid]

Well, one day, I think we will have to go to the moon for survival - and that... because there's hydrogen and oxygen, I think that genetic modification may be needed to get some vegetation that doesn't need CO2. If that makes sense.

[Kobrania]

They aren't inherently harmful, I see no problem with it.

[Allanea]

Norman Borlaug.

That is all.

[Non Aligned States]

You need a fourth option - "Needs more research" - before this poll can really go anywhere.

Agreed. I can think of numerous reasons for this stance. For example, a single gene can influence multiple phenotypic traits, which is known as "Pleiotropy." A single gene can carry information coding a protein which can have several functions, say in metabolism and/or signaling and regulation. Or even signaling on multiple targets. Or being an amino acid sequence used in several capacities in an organism. I am not even sure that we're dealing with non-distributed information here. For example, the information could be distributed in a way that those amino acid sequences could be used in a more complex protein synthesis, but in various, different proteins playing different roles. Modifying a gene coding such a sequence could then have unwanted repercussions.

Wait, wait, wait. I believe the topic at hand here is gene modification of crops. But the risk factor you're talking about here seems tailored for humans. How would a GM crop alter the genetic makeup of a human through ingestion unless it was designed with a specific toxin or disease?

[ChengISao]

You need a fourth option - "Needs more research" - before this poll can really go anywhere.

Ditto

[Cabra West]

As I've mentioned before, I'm a bioscience student focusing mostly on applied genetics and microbiology this year. I've recently been studying genetics in agriculture, and am curious what the opinions of this forum are.
Given the evidence I've seen (I can't exactly link to lecture notes, but I'll try and find some online references) GM agriculture seems to be a very useful application of genetic technology, and if I could I'd probably buy GM food where I could over non GM (It's not sold in British supermarkets due to media hype)

I'm in two minds about it... I'm not sure we can estimate the environmental impact of it yet, and I don't like the notion that GM food will be another nail in the coffin of biodiversity. It's bad enough as it is already, you can hardly get more than 3 kinds of apples or potatoes in the supermarkets, and I do love my variety when cooking.

Another aspect I'm not comfortable with is copyrighting. I don't like it in any aspect of life, but where farming is concerned I find it especially immoral. It's a way to make money out of those least able to defend themselves from it.

Healthwise I don't think I would be too worried about eating GM food.

[Allanea]

you can hardly get more than 3 kinds of apples or potatoes in the supermarkets,

What kind of supermarkets do you shop at that you only have three kinds of apples?

[Cabra West]

you can hardly get more than 3 kinds of apples or potatoes in the supermarkets,

What kind of supermarkets do you shop at that you only have three kinds of apples?

Tesco, Lidl, Aldi.

Usually, it's Granny Smith, Gala, and Golden Delicious.
If you're very, very lucky, they might have Braeburn. If you want anything else, you have to try your luck at the farmers markets, but even their choice seems to be shrinking in recent years.

My grandfather had an apple orchard with 15 different kinds of apples... I do miss that, sincerely.

[Allanea]

Amazing. It's common to have 4-5 types of apples at the really crappy local supermarkets next to my house, and there are bigger SMs where we generally go for the better choice of stuff (these are also conveniently outside of town and therefore allowed to sell non-kosher food).

[Cabra West]

Amazing. It's common to have 4-5 types of apples at the really crappy local supermarkets next to my house, and there are bigger SMs where we generally go for the better choice of stuff (these are also conveniently outside of town and therefore allowed to sell non-kosher food).

Used to be the same here, too. But as the supermarket chains grew, they streamlined their suppliers (same suppliers all over Europe, basically), and that has severely limited the choice.
The way I see it, GM is only going to worsen that situation. Why stock the more perishable types of fruit and veg, when it's cheaper just to have the longer-lasting GM ones?

[Allanea]

Because people want them? You can still get dozens of specialty apples, they still exist.

[Cabra West]

Because people want them? You can still get dozens of specialty apples, they still exist.

People don't miss the ones that have disappeared of the shelves already, and they won't mind if the choice goes down to green or red apples altogether. People like the illusion of choice, but real choice isn't needed to keep them happy.

So the "speciality" kinds like Bramley, Cox Orange, Elstar and Boscop will hang on in the farmers markets, and possibly the "organic food sections", at a multiple of the price of the GM apples.

[Allanea]

I don't see how it's an 'illusion' of choice, frankly. If there was a massive demand for those other apples, they'd be back to the shelves.

[Cabra West]

I don't see how it's an 'illusion' of choice, frankly. If there was a massive demand for those other apples, they'd be back to the shelves.

How could there be? Ask around and see how many people can even name more than 4 kinds of apples of the tops of their heads. How can they demand something they don't even know about, since supermarkets don't sell it?

[Allanea]

I don't see how it's an 'illusion' of choice, frankly. If there was a massive demand for those other apples, they'd be back to the shelves.

How could there be? Ask around and see how many people can even name more than 4 kinds of apples of the tops of their heads. How can they demand something they don't even know about, since supermarkets don't sell it?

How many people can name more than one brand of wine off the tops of their heads?

[Cabra West]

I don't see how it's an 'illusion' of choice, frankly. If there was a massive demand for those other apples, they'd be back to the shelves.

How could there be? Ask around and see how many people can even name more than 4 kinds of apples of the tops of their heads. How can they demand something they don't even know about, since supermarkets don't sell it?

How many people can name more than one brand of wine off the tops of their heads?

You've got to be joking... most people here would probably be able to name around six or seven. Not to mention different beers.

[Allanea]

No, I don't - very few people here have a clue about different wines aside from how there's 'red wine' and 'dry wine', and so forth. Few people know the difference between Barkan and Karmel.

Beers? Forget it.

[Cabra West]

No, I don't - very few people here have a clue about different wines aside from how there's 'red wine' and 'dry wine', and so forth. Few people know the difference between Barkan and Karmel.

Beers? Forget it.

I'm guessing that's down to cultural differences, then. There's hundreds of wines on offer here, and most people would be able to name Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons, Chianti, Rioja, Bordeaux, Beaujolais.... mind you, when tasting them they probably couldn't say which is which, but then few people can anyway.

To give a potatoe example : I was recently looking for waxy potatoes, to make a salad. I went to the shop, and asked if they had any. The assistant stared at me like I was out of my mind, and said "What do you mean, waxy?" So I asked what kinds of potatoes they had, and she said "Dutch and Irish".
Given that there are around 4000 known varieties of potatoes, I find this trend very sad to say the least.

[Allanea]

I'm going to take a random guess and say you have cooking as a hobby?

[Cabra West]

I'm going to take a random guess and say you have cooking as a hobby?

I wouldn't call it a hobby, but I like good food, so it's a necessity.

[Allanea]

I'm going to take a random guess and say you have cooking as a hobby?

I wouldn't call it a hobby, but I like good food, so it's a necessity.

I've been cooking (a little bit!) for myself and sometimes for Rejistania (when she visits). I've never cooked anything that requires a specific type of potato and I suspect neither have most people.