Ireland Allows Iconic Potato to be Genetically Modified
http://naturalsociety.com/ireland-allows-iconic-potato-to-be-genetically-modified/

Quote:

In a monumental move that signifies the truly terminal state of the international food supply, Ireland’s government officials have given the green light to begin genetically modifying the iconic potato. Met with severe resistance from both citizens, watchdog organizations, and political figures, the decision allows for the genetically modified potatoes to be planted within Ireland by the Irish food development authority Teagasc.

Quote:

Starting off with a trial within the nation’s borders, Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authorized Teagasc to plant the GMO crops throughout a two hectare land plot. While supports continue to assert that the relatively small size makes the process ‘safe,’ experts from within the Emerald Isle say otherwise. In response to the idea that starting the trial with a ‘small’ land plot is safe, The Organic Trust in Dublin explains that once you unleash genetically modified seeds into the environment, the consequences that may follow do not depend on how many acres of land is modified — only the fact that genetically modified seeds have been planted.

Quote:

Spokesperson Gavin Lynch stated:     It is only a two hectare trial, but that’s like saying you’re only a little bit pregnant, there are no grey areas with GM…. Organic Trust calls on Teagasc not to act on the approval granted but to adhere to the wishes of the vast majority of Irish citizens not to pollute our precious land. Not one single solitary benefit will accrue to Ireland as a result of this trial. So why it is going ahead?”

Quote:

The above stated is a valid question to which the answer may hide in previously leaked documents dating as far back as 2007. It was back in 2007 that WikiLeaks cables revealed a surprising threat made to nations who rejected GMO crops and biotechnology overall. As plainly stated by the United States ambassador to France and business partner to George W. Bush, Craig Stapleton, all nations that oppose GMOs will be hit with calibrated ‘target retaliation’ and ‘military-style trade wars’. Stapleton even goes on to specifically state that many European nations are culprits of such anti-GMO activity and should therefore be hit with such target retaliation. In other words, it is becoming more and more apparent that political incentives and even political threats appear to play a much greater role in the establishment of genetically modified crops and subsequent trials than public opinion. And until the public utilizes serious political activism and peacefully demands change from their representatives on a major scale, such political corruption will continue to ultimately influence decisions that affect your daily life.

Quote:

Genetically modified potatoes now threaten the purity of potatoes internationally. All it takes is a careless farmer to allow his modified crop to be planted elsewhere, without properly labeling the crop as modified. This would mix in the genetically modified crop with traditional, and even organic, crops. This is a legitimate environmental issue, as it is a major threat to food integrity.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/gepotatos.htm

http://www.ecoglobe.org/nz/news1999/1369news.htm

Apparently rats dont fare well from GE potatoes

SOB

Potatoes are less of a threat than other transgenic crops and species, being clones. That they may enter the food chain is their ultimate end purpose and the scientists involved would no doubt say they are safe to eat. That they are mixed with non-GM or even organic crops is more an issue of removal of consumer choice.

Interestingly they have now at least one eradication program for GM creeping bentgrass. This is herbicide tolerant and growing and being spread along irrigation channels in Idaho and Oregon. It was originally meant for lawns and golf courses. It has escaped other sites as well and crossbred with other species of Agrostis spp. It is to be sprayed with high doses of 2 different herbicides (in irrigation channels, I see no possible problem there, no doubt these connect to water courses and agricultural land). The grass can spread by seed but does not require seed and a fraction of stem or stolon can be washed long distances and take root. The Oregon State Board of Agriculture says they work as "long as it takes" to eradicate the plants. It would be to my absolute astonishment if they did. You can't push the sand back up the hourglass.

About 80%+ of GMO's are developed for herbicide tolerance so the crops can be sprayed at levels that will kill non-resistant weeds. About 16% of the remainder have both herbicide resistance and produce toxins as well that target crop pests to reduce pesticide use. Usually one of the things that GM companies such as Monsanto and Bayer say is how much pesticide use has been reduced through the use of GM technology. Unfortunately herbicide resistance in weeds is becoming a problem. On the up side they can contaminate the crops of others and sue them for infringement of their copyright.

But the science is in and GM is the only way to ensure the food security of the world. The only people that oppose this are loons and the uneducated...he said with tongue in cheek.  :)