Did you know that scientists have genetically modified tomatoes so that they can grow even in cold climates.Scientists have created a frost-resistant tomato plant by adding an antifreeze gene from a cold-water fish to it. The antifreeze gene comes from the cold-water flounder, a fish that can survive in very cold conditions.
These days, I am reading about Genetically Modified Potatoes ( with low - carb), corn, soybeans and what not.As far as the Statistics goes US has the largest share in producing / consuming GMO's. India, didn't show up in the list though India has its own set of problems ( I read that the pesticide DDT, though banned several years back is still used in India).
Monsanto chemicals, a leading GM seed supplier was shown the door by the Indian Government which I felt very happy about. It would have had a bad impact on our eco-systems.
Nobody would know the impact to our health in the long run by consuming these GMO's, eventhough claims have been made by the PRO-GMO groups about the advantages of using GMO's and their negative effects on the human body.
As for me, I try to be organic as much as possible. By being organic,we can save several forms of life, save our own life by not consuming pesticides and also help mother nature.
15 comments:
Venkitu sir,
I've always felt that the vegetables in the US are tasteless despite their size. India-la fresh-a vegetables vaangi cook panni sapdara taste-e thani.....!
but can being organic feed the whole world? I'm asking this as a question, for I dunno the answer.
we cannot completely shun genetically modified stuff ans the use of chemicals and pesticides, but people should altleast consider using orgainc stuff twice a week.
subha, I second you. especially the radish we get here, it sucks big time.
Tharkaaliga theervukkaaga
Thakkaaliyai thaakkum
Tharkurigale kelungal -
Thaakkuppidikka mudiyaamal
Thaavarangal naalai
Thaththalikkum podhu
Thavippilirundhu yaare
Thookkividuvaar paavigaal
antha Thalirgalai?
Avvaiyaar style le try panninen (for paadupattu thedi panaththai pudhaiththu vaikkum maanidare paa)
:-)
I dont know much abt GMOs. But what exactly is being *organic*?
Nari, I use "organic milk" for my daily uses.You would not believe the difference in taste. I prefer doing groceries at WholeFoods, but unfortunately it is a long drive and I am stuck doing it in Giant Eagle.
Ayyo why dont these scientists spare the vegetables. I really dont know what is the ethics in tampering with nature. In a broad spectrum tomatoes and human beings are on the same plane being natures creation. Now how do we huma beings assume right over the fellow creatures in modifying there genes.
Even I wud try to be oraganic as possible... aana ulagam pora pokkula naama ithellam saptuthaan aganum !
Narayanan, I have included you in my book tag, do check it out and post your list too. Thanks.
I agree with everything said...did you know? when you buy seedless grapes, what you are buying is a regular grape whose seeds have been GMO'd to grow slowly than the grape....
We should thank MS.Swaminathan for making India, a land of 1.3 billion by latest count self sufficient without sacrificing any taste.....and Dr. Cherian for bringing a reform to the Dairy industry...
ganesh
Ganesh Venkat
Thats right not only that some of the vegetables are nonvegetarian,
I heard they use some genetical element of frog on tomatoes to grow it bigger if this is true that techinically those tomatoes is a non-veg :)
idhellam padicha neeenga koncha naal oru science fiction post pannineengale? reminds me that post:-))
You are right about going in for organic foods. Its a nice concept only problem is there isnt enough supply to meet the demand. Due to this they charge a "premium". I had a kitchen garden during my school & college days but after I moved out, I didnt have a choice. Non-organic foods arent in my banned list. Its just that they arent the preferred ones.
However I wouldnt like the spurt of Genetically Modified (GM) foods. Eventhough in short term it will appear good due to higher productivity, disease resistance etc, we shouldnt be tinkering with natural evolution. Over centuries mutations and replications has led to the current set of genes - remember "the survival of the fittest"! Due to short sightedness if we alter them - say replace X with Y. Y might be commercially useful but X might have had some evolutionary reason which we arent aware of.
Worst case scenario, is companies releasing GM seeds of a high yield plant which will grow but wont produce seeds which can be replanted. This will help the company to keep selling the seeds every year.
What concerns me the most is cross-poisoning? What if a farmer uses GM crop and his neighbour prefers organic farming? There will be cross pollination by which GM will get released into the wild.
Subha - I agree. Organic veggies taste a little better..but nothing compared to the veggies in India.
Saranyan - GMO's can damage eco-systems and result in other unknown / known side effects. Look at the % of GMO in the graph. Why is America so involved in this.? About me, I strictly buy only organic milk and eggs. Veggies and fruits occasionally depending on availability.
Thennavan - Good one, I got reminded of a tamil poem goes like this 'Thupparkku...thuppaya..etc..etc.' all THU.
Gayathri - Organic fruits/veggies. The plants are grown without pesticides. Also crops with are not Genetically modified like the Tomato example.
Jagan - I agree its a little pricey. But I think of it as paying for our own health. By the way, Watch out in India...like I said, they use DDT though it is banned.
Grey V - I am not sure, if it is harmful to the plants/trees, but remember we are playing against nature here.!
Venky - Giant Eagle brought a lot of fond memories. Glad to note that you have Whole foods in Pittsburgh. By the way I always use Organic Milk 5.29 per gallon. and also eggs. And true, the taste is a lot better.
Vasu - started with creating virus resistant plants for good production and then spread to these ideas of fish gene, frog gene, low-starch etc..etc. I am afraid..where this is all going to go
Virumaandi - Organic means non-gmo and plants grown without chemical herbicide/pesticide. Organic milk means the cows aren't fed non-organic diet and they don't even use antibiotics on these cows.
Thanks for the update on Monsanto. Farmers rule.! Good..to know.
Arun - I'll get Ganesha's blessings today.!
Krish - Good idea to avoid whenever possible. Sometimes we can't!
Chakra - Thanks for tagging, I'll write tomorrow.
Ganesh - Interesting to read about seedless grapes. I was surprised when I saw seedless papayas, watermelon, cantaloupe etc.
I agree about MSS and Cherian.
Ganesh (The other ) - Oxymoron
Non-vegetarian - Veggie.!!!
Prabhu - You got it right..!! Umm..maybe again.!
Baejaar - You look like a well educated farmer to me...You said it all 100%..especially
GM seeds of a high yield plant which will grow but wont produce seeds which can be replanted. This will help the company to keep selling the seeds every year.
That's why Monsanto was interested in Punjab.! Thanks to our farmers.
And a wonderful question. About the surrounding crops...!! Ummm Interesting.!
I am a 14 year old 2nd year high school student from Philipppines.
Well.... i dont know the situation in India but I think exactly the same thing as you do...... GMO SUCKS.... it is distortion to nature, catholics believe that everything that God created has a purpose...and those who manipulate organisms is a big-time SINNER....
And according to surveys... the nation with the most number of food borne diseases is none other than the nation who consumes the
largest amount of GMO...none other than USA. in my own opinion.... it is KARMA given to them by God beacause of disrespect to Mother Nature.
Not only that GMO tastes very very bad.... it is hazardous and according to some sources people who eats GMO will only be shock how they get this or that illness.
Later, they only found out that it was due to the food that they are Eating....
So for me, avoid GMO and be organic as posibble to avoid being sick due to this products.
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