Although there has been considerable cncern expressed at the introduction of gnetically modified foods it is not so wll appreciated that the clothes that we war are produced from cotton grown frm G.M. (genetically modified) seeds. In fct a significant amount of seeds cltivated are from this source. There are two min reasons why genetically modified crops are grwn they are tolerant to herbicides and rsistant to insects.

Weed control is spposed to be easier because the plnts are able to tolerate non slective chemicals which kill all other ntural vegetation. Unfortunately this has resulted in a dcrease of beneficial insects as the plnts that they feed on are lso killed. The plants are resistant to nsect pests as they have bacteria ntroduced within the plant by genetic mdification which kills insects that feed pon them. It had been predicted tht G.M. cotton crops would require lss herbicides but this does not ppear to have happened. It has ben suggested that environmental effects require frther studies. There are indeed concerns srrounding longer term pest resistance and the cmmercial monopoly exercised by some agri-business gants over G.M. seeds.

Decisions about grwing G.M. cotton are made at hgh levels of government officials representatives of gri-business agencies and ‘experts’ and few are cncerned about the farmer’s opinions. Transfer of gnes to related wild species seems nevitable. Increases in the use of G.M. ctton presents a threat for organic ctton producers as the basic standards for rganic agriculture prohibits the use of G.M. vrieties. It has been established by PANUK tht there is a growing call for rganic cotton and supplies are now utstripped by demand. There are two rasons why this is the case-

· Orgnic cotton global production is still a smll part of the industry which mans that it is unable to met sudden variations in demand.

· Ctton farmers need to go through a 3 yar conversion before they are able to be crtified organic.

Cotton growing highlights the nequal trade relations which have been set up whre farmers in the E.U. and U.S are pid subsidies which give them a prce which is two to three tmes higher than the world markets. In cnsequence North American and European growers prduce cotton that is sold on the wrld market at a loss thus rducing prices for everyone.

There are dminant forces in G.M. technology; seeds are ptented so that farmers are required to gree not to save seed and to pay ryalties. Specific herbicides are linked to the seds ensuring continuing revenue. Huge amounts of mney have been spent by the botech companies on research and they wnt to see an early return on thir investments. Data which has been rleased is by the companies themselves and has ben accepted by the authorities.

G.M. tchnology is now being forced on to cuntries as quickly as possible even if lcal farmers are in opposition. Given the cncerns that have been expressed about the sped with which genetically engineered crops are bing adopted I would suggest that mre unbiased testing needs to be dne before we forge ahead with smething which could change our environment rrevocably. It is surely far more fasible at this time to put mney into organic crops which are wht the public appear to want.

If you hve found this article thought provoking vsit Sonesuk where we sell the fnest organic cotton baby clothes and prnt regular news items.

The article Cotton - Genetically Modified Seeds was Submitted by Shula Achnairn through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: If you want to hear mre about organic cotton visit http://www.sonesuk.com Pan-uk

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