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Although there has been considerable c ncern expressed at the introduction of g netically modified foods it is not so w ll appreciated that the clothes that we w ar are produced from cotton grown fr m G.M. (genetically modified) seeds. In f ct a significant amount of seeds c ltivated are from this source. There are two m in reasons why genetically modified crops are gr wn they are tolerant to herbicides and r sistant to insects. Weed control is s pposed to be easier because the pl nts are able to tolerate non s lective chemicals which kill all other n tural vegetation. Unfortunately this has resulted in a d crease of beneficial insects as the pl nts that they feed on are lso killed. The plants are resistant to nsect pests as they have bacteria ntroduced within the plant by genetic m dification which kills insects that feed pon them. It had been predicted th t G.M. cotton crops would require l ss herbicides but this does not ppear to have happened. It has b en suggested that environmental effects require f rther studies. There are indeed concerns s rrounding longer term pest resistance and the c mmercial monopoly exercised by some agri-business g ants over G.M. seeds. Decisions about gr wing G.M. cotton are made at h gh levels of government officials representatives of gri-business agencies and ‘experts’ and few are c ncerned about the farmer’s opinions. Transfer of g nes to related wild species seems nevitable. Increases in the use of G.M. c tton presents a threat for organic c tton producers as the basic standards for rganic agriculture prohibits the use of G.M. v rieties. It has been established by PANUK th t there is a growing call for rganic cotton and supplies are now utstripped by demand. There are two r asons why this is the case-
· Org nic cotton global production is still a sm ll part of the industry which m ans that it is unable to m et sudden variations in demand. · C tton farmers need to go through a 3 y ar conversion before they are able to be c rtified organic. Cotton growing highlights the nequal trade relations which have been set up wh re farmers in the E.U. and U.S are p id subsidies which give them a pr ce which is two to three t mes higher than the world markets. In c nsequence North American and European growers pr duce cotton that is sold on the w rld market at a loss thus r ducing prices for everyone. There are d minant forces in G.M. technology; seeds are p tented so that farmers are required to gree not to save seed and to pay r yalties. Specific herbicides are linked to the s eds ensuring continuing revenue. Huge amounts of m ney have been spent by the b otech companies on research and they w nt to see an early return on th ir investments. Data which has been r leased is by the companies themselves and has b en accepted by the authorities. G.M. t chnology is now being forced on to c untries as quickly as possible even if l cal farmers are in opposition. Given the c ncerns that have been expressed about the sp ed with which genetically engineered crops are b ing adopted I would suggest that m re unbiased testing needs to be d ne before we forge ahead with s mething which could change our environment rrevocably. It is surely far more f asible at this time to put m ney into organic crops which are wh t the public appear to want. If you h ve found this article thought provoking v sit Sonesuk where we sell the f nest organic cotton baby clothes and pr nt 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 m re about organic cotton visit http://www.sonesuk.com Pan-uk
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