Superweeds are Sprouting in GMO Crops

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http://www.mercola.com/2003/jan/29/gmo_crops.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superweeds are Sprouting in GMO Crops

 

 

 

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Genetically engineered crops designed to be resistant to weed killers are sprouting so-called superweeds that cannot be killed with traditional herbicides.

 

The soybean, cotton and corn crops, sold under the brand name Roundup Ready, are the world’s largest group of genetically altered crops. In fact, the altered soybeans now make up more than three-quarters of all soybeans grown in the United States. The Roundup Ready gene is also part of 65 percent of the cotton and 10 percent of the corn grown in the United States.

 

While farmers like the modified crops because Roundup herbicide can be sprayed directly onto the fields, killing weeds without harming crops, the widespread popularity of the crops is rendering the herbicide ineffective against some weeds.

 

Crop scientists say that the crops’ prevalence has greatly increased the use of Roundup herbicide. As a result, the rare weeds that survive the herbicide will ultimately flourish in the “survival of the fittest” environment. Herbicide-resistant weeds have already popped up in Delaware, Maryland, California, Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana.

While currently the few types of resistant weeds can be killed with other herbicides, some scientists are concerned that the resistance may spread, leaving Roundup less effective. As glyphosate, the generic name for Roundup, is the most-used weed-killer in the world, the fate of the chemical’s usefulness will greatly impact farmers.

 

Experts say that in order to maintain the long-term usefulness of the crops, the use continuous use of Roundup and Roundup Ready crops will need to be reduced.

However, Roundup has gained so much popularity that other chemical companies have reduced investments in developing new herbicides. The lack of new herbicides on the market may make it hard to find a suitable replacement for Roundup.

Monsanto, the company that developed both Roundup and the Roundup Ready crops, reported that the herbicide-resistant weeds are not a significant problem, and expect the use of both products to continue increasing. Roundup brought in 40 percent of the company’s 2002 revenue, estimated at a total of $4.6 billion, while Roundup Ready crops had revenue of about $470 million in 2002.

Since Roundup Ready crops were introduced in 1996, the use of glyphosate has increased two and a half times, with even higher increases in the Midwest.

According to scientists resistance develops with most all herbicides, and the fact that Roundup has not developed a significant resistance yet suggests that resistance will not be spread quickly. However, although Roundup has been used for close to 30 years, resistance has only recently become an issue.

Scientists recommend using a variety of herbicides in order to prevent resistance. However, crop specialists say that unless resistance becomes severe, farmers are not likely to reduce their use of Roundup and Roundup Ready crops.

The New York Times January 14, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:

 

 

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This development is absolutely no surprise and in fact has been long anticipated by many rational scientists. It is the inevitable consequence of using these non-natural methods.

For a few $100 million, Monsanto is sacrificing the future health of the planet by introducing genetically modified crops to increase sales of their herbicides.

Sound like something the drug companies might do?

Well it’s no wonder this sounds like a drug company tactic -- Monsanto is owned by drug company giant, Pharmacia.

Pharmacia Corporation was created in April 2000 through the merger of Pharmacia & Upjohn with Monsanto Company and its G.D. Searle unit. Pharmacia employs 59,000 people worldwide and has research, manufacturing and administrative sales operations in more than 60 countries.

Related Articles:

 

Drug Company Owns Monsanto and Their Weed Killer Is What Funds

Biotechnology is a Vital Issue That Impacts All of Us

Even Mice Don't Like Genetically Modified Food

 

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