Roundup and other herbicides fell last quarter because of a sluggish agriculture economy. However, net sales in the “seeds and genomics business” is taking over as the profit-generating hub. Because of the seed market, Monsanto’s seeds will continue to achieve higher yields in their fields. The company is pleased they will produce 20%-plus earnings in this recession.
Dr. Gardner’s comments: Millions of dollars are going into research and development of genomically altered seeds that produce a greater yield and more resistant to bugs, but I can’t find anywhere the research supporting the nutritional value and long-term health results of ingesting these modified foods. Rather, there is MUCH cause for concern about these products. Beware! For further information, check out the video I posted on the Future of Food.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
6 responses so far ↓
1 Martha // Apr 6, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I am concerned and confused about this info. HELP! What are we supposed to do with this info. We need more info. I know you are going to give us more info, but when? Thanks!
2 Joyce South // Apr 9, 2009 at 9:23 am
My sons, who are heavily into food storage, have been doing quit a bit of research into seeds for a garden. Because of all of the genetic changes people have done to the seeds and foods, the seeds that you buy at the stores will NOT reproduce more seeds for later use. We have been getting seeds from abceeds.com and heirloomseeds.com. We are trying to grow much of our own food and this year we will be learning how to harvest the seeds for another year. That way we will get more of the nutrition we need from good food. Joyce South
3 Dr. Stan Gardner // Apr 20, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Joyce, Thanks for the information. It looks like you may have helped Martha by providing sources of good seeds.
4 Marilyn // Apr 22, 2009 at 1:26 pm
This is interesting. I was speaking yesterday with a master gardener who believes that the outbreaks of salmonella we have had were caused by the process that is used to genetically modify the plants and thus the seeds. It is an interesting concept that I think merits further reading (for me) and reinforces my efforts at home gardening.
5 Bob // May 6, 2009 at 8:55 am
I saw the Future of Food video also. It is alarming and was designed to be so. Interestingly, it attacks Monsanto but not Pioneer Hi-Bred, a subsidiary of Dupont. Both are industry leaders in seed production.
There are good reasons to use hybrid seeds (I didn’t say genetically modified). They can increase production and provide resistance to certain pests. But due to normal genetics, a hybrid plant will not produce the same quality seed as itself. Buying seed will usually result in the best quality plant and fruit.
Genetic modification is another question entirely. We don’t know enough yet about the impact of changing the genetics. We DO know that the efforts to patent genetic changes can threaten diversity in the food chain and therefore make certain plants at risk for massive failures (e.g. corn). There is a great deal to be learned and the large seed corporations may be(probably are) putting profits ahead of solid science. This is obviously a risk.
National Public Radio recently did a story about farmers in India (I think) who applied modern farming techniques which were not sustainable. The increasing costs to adapt are now driving them into financial failure, if I recall correctly.
6 Sue // May 13, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is another source of a fantastic variety of heirloom seeds. Highbrixgardens.com explains how modern agriculture has sent the quality of our foods in a downward spiral and how we can grow foods that are nutritionally superior to those found in the supermarket. Bottom line - to get the best quality produce (the kind that is most likely to improve the health of your family) you have to grow it yourself or get it from a local organic gardener.
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