Monsanto seems to have a glyphosate problem

[pscot]

This article is slanted toward the corporate side and leaves the issue of Huber's letter unresolved. The comments thread is a killer. You have to follow it down. It's worth it. The clarity is blinding.




http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/02/purdue-scientists-refute-anti-gmo-claims/

Purdue University scientists are questioning recent statements by groups opposed to the use of genetically modified (GM) crops, specifically that glyphosate use and Roundup Ready technology are impacting the health of plants, animals and possibly humans.

..........

Purdue article challenges some of the claims that Huber, a longtime critic of biotech crops, made in his letter, particularly his assertions about plant disease and decreased crop yields. Some of the same scientists have disagreed with Huber before. Last year, following an article based on an interview with Huber, they wrote, "In our opinion the doomsday scenario painted by this article is greatly exaggerated."

[saras]

1. Roundup is a textbook example of junk science

Montsanto, in general, refuses to do, or fund, the sort of research necessary to understand the consequences of exporting this technology into the world in general.

Because they don't DO the science, they then get to claim that there are few negative effects reported in the literature. Their record of fraud regarding GM food testing is well documented, as is the chemical industry's hundred-year-old record of criminal fraud, junk science, and corruption of elected and appointed officials.

[pscot]

2. The comment thread cited

is, ultimately, about the science. Monsanto is being called out.

[NickB79]

3. Huber made some astonishing claims in his letter to the Sec. of Ag.

http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2011-04-03/007640

Mainly, his claim of an unknown organism associated with the use of Round-Up Ready soybeans:

"This previously unknown organism is only visible under an electron microscope (36,000X), with an approximate size range equal to a medium size virus. It is able to reproduce and appears to be a micro-fungal-like organism. If so, it would be the first such micro-fungus ever identified. There is strong evidence that this infectious agent promotes diseases of both plants and mammals, which is very rare."

A virus-sized fungus that infects both plants and animals is completely unheard of. If confirmed, he could be eligible for the Nobel Prize. So far, I've read nothing about this finding being reported in any reputable, peer-reviewed journals. Without independent confirmation of his find by separate labs and critical peer review, it is very hard to take him seriously.