Roundup 2

 Yesterday we heard a less than appetizing description of the genetic modification of sugar beets from the Managing Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology. Charles Burkham, who we must tell you does not have scientific credentials, used less than assuring language to describe his version of the process by which Roundup genetic modification of sugar beets transpires. After his description, he was asked about dangers.

 (Burkham) “The dangers in that are one, when this plant is growing, this gene is present in all parts of the plant. So it’s also present in the pollen. So the pollen in this can then go and contaminate other things. And in this case, not just contaminate other sugar beets. Sugar beets are actually a member of the chard family so potentially this can cause genetic cross-contamination into not just non-genetically modified sugar beets if they happen to be grown near these sugar beets. For example, up in Oregon, where they grow the seeds for the GM sugar beets, there’s not very far where growers grow organic seeds and they are extremely concerned about any potential contamination of their crops.”

 Burkham also claims there is worldwide anecdotal, but not scientifically proven, evidence that this technology increases allergies in children.