Saturday, July 4, 2009
Health Concern, or Practicing for the Real Thing?
Folks, the government and big business are doing crazy things. Now whether there is a small group of elites orchestrating all this, that's more debatable. But make no mistake, there are seriously disturbing trends in motion.
I just gave a talk in New Braunfels, TX (outside San Antonio), and one of the guys there was a small farmer who was playing with 52 cards. He told me matter-of-factly about the FDA's "NAIS" program: National Animal Identification System. Its ultimate goal is to microchip (or otherwise tag) all the livestock in the whole country. If I remember him correctly, the guy also said that several states had already mandated that their farmers participate.
Of course the official site doesn't sound ominous at all; it's just about containing disease outbreaks! Nothing sinister here. But still, this is creepy:
Oh, another thing I've been hearing about is that these genetically modified seeds don't reproduce. Did you know that? Further, did you know that even if you don't buy these seeds, they might wander onto your farm from your neighbors, and then your crops become infertile too?
(The above claims come from at least two independent sources, but I haven't actually done my own research on the matter. I used to think the worry over "GMOs" was mostly Luddite anti-corporation fretting. But now I see why the Whole Food'ers hate "Big Ag" so much.)
I just gave a talk in New Braunfels, TX (outside San Antonio), and one of the guys there was a small farmer who was playing with 52 cards. He told me matter-of-factly about the FDA's "NAIS" program: National Animal Identification System. Its ultimate goal is to microchip (or otherwise tag) all the livestock in the whole country. If I remember him correctly, the guy also said that several states had already mandated that their farmers participate.
Of course the official site doesn't sound ominous at all; it's just about containing disease outbreaks! Nothing sinister here. But still, this is creepy:
Individual identification is a good option for many situations. Any animal can be identified individually if you prefer. The method of identification varies by species. USDA recommends using 840 animal ID devices whenever official animal identification is needed or applicable. Available in visual only eartags, radio frequency identification (RFID) eartags and injectable transponders, 840 devices use a standardized 15-digit numbering system.
Oh, another thing I've been hearing about is that these genetically modified seeds don't reproduce. Did you know that? Further, did you know that even if you don't buy these seeds, they might wander onto your farm from your neighbors, and then your crops become infertile too?
(The above claims come from at least two independent sources, but I haven't actually done my own research on the matter. I used to think the worry over "GMOs" was mostly Luddite anti-corporation fretting. But now I see why the Whole Food'ers hate "Big Ag" so much.)
Comments:
Damn, reading this is scary, particularly because you begin by mentioning Texas, and then you quote the bit about the "transponders."
As soon as I read this I thought of the movie "No Country for Old Men" based on the book of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. Excellent book and film, but downright freaky, just like the content of this post. Dunno if you've seen the film, but if you have you'll get the reference.
As soon as I read this I thought of the movie "No Country for Old Men" based on the book of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. Excellent book and film, but downright freaky, just like the content of this post. Dunno if you've seen the film, but if you have you'll get the reference.
# posted by 
: July 4, 2009 12:50 AM
: July 4, 2009 12:50 AM
This highlights one of my concerns with intellectual property.
What happens when a Monsanto seed trespasses onto my property and infects my crops?
What happens when a Monsanto seed trespasses onto my property and infects my crops?
Speaking to what Erick was saying: I've read and heard testimonials detailing the (ridiculously) shady practices of Monsanto and the courts that support them. Monsanto has been known to trespass onto farms, collect samples to test for their "roundup ready" genetic varieties. If they find them, they claim ownership of your entire crop and levy enormous (for a farmer, 6+ figures) fines - even if the seeds were blown or spread to your property via other accidental means. Somehow the courts have (unjustifiably) found the farmers liable in these case - especially since intent or even negligence is impossible to prove.
A part of me wants to believe that Monsanto is just scamming everyone by infecting farmers crops intentionally, fining them, and forcing farmers to buy seed from them annually - because they own the rights to the seed as well (somehow). Of course I have no factual basis for this scheme, but why should that stop me...it hasn't stopped the courts.
A part of me wants to believe that Monsanto is just scamming everyone by infecting farmers crops intentionally, fining them, and forcing farmers to buy seed from them annually - because they own the rights to the seed as well (somehow). Of course I have no factual basis for this scheme, but why should that stop me...it hasn't stopped the courts.
these genetically modified seeds don't reproduce. Did you know that? Yes, I did. Bob, where have you BEEN the last decade? Here's a couple of sites for your education:video of a talk by former MIT scientist Vandan Shiva, and a Vanity Fair article. You could also try Googling Percy Schmeisser.
Bob,
Looks like Marc Sheffner is the Silas Barta of agricultural incontinence!
Btw, I researched that Franklin "The Money Changer" Sanders' website you linked to earlier. Quite interesting stuff with a horrifying personal story. But you might like to revisit the site now, Bob, as one of his other pet issues aside from gold/silver is... NAIS! I guess he does/did some farming at one point alongside his money-changing business. He's got a couple of fascinating little stories relating personal anecdotes he experienced back in the late 90s or early 2000s. I think you'll enjoy reading them.
Warning... they will concern you even more...
Looks like Marc Sheffner is the Silas Barta of agricultural incontinence!
Btw, I researched that Franklin "The Money Changer" Sanders' website you linked to earlier. Quite interesting stuff with a horrifying personal story. But you might like to revisit the site now, Bob, as one of his other pet issues aside from gold/silver is... NAIS! I guess he does/did some farming at one point alongside his money-changing business. He's got a couple of fascinating little stories relating personal anecdotes he experienced back in the late 90s or early 2000s. I think you'll enjoy reading them.
Warning... they will concern you even more...
Looks like Marc Sheffner is the Silas Barta of agricultural incontinence!
If Marc accuses me of burning down family farms because I like cheap (processed) food, then he might be worthy of a comparison to the inimitable Silas Barta.
If Marc accuses me of burning down family farms because I like cheap (processed) food, then he might be worthy of a comparison to the inimitable Silas Barta.
Bob, animal tagging has been done for decades, this is only more sophisticated, and it's something everybody along the supply chain wants.
Regarding the 'terminator' seed: it was a technology developed in response to the environmentalist whole food morons who did not want evil gm foods multiplying. So, Monsanto developed a technology that would make it impossible for these seeds to germinate in the second generation.
Did anybody thank them? No, they were then accused of developing the 'terminator' seeds that made all the farmers their 'slaves'.
The 'terminator' seed is a technological solution to the problem of IP. No need to protect your technology legally, it protects itself. What the hell can be wrong with that? It's actually very libertarian, since it cannot grow. It also cannot make your crops infertile.
If farmers don't like it, they don't have to buy it.
Percy Schmeisser: he KNOWINGLY broke the law, and got convicted - despite pulling the 'poor little farmer shtick'. Didn't work. Canadian courts ain't that stupid. He KNEW what was growing on his fields - RR-canola - and replanted it. Then bought Roundup and used it, and then pretended that he knew nothing.
Regarding the 'terminator' seed: it was a technology developed in response to the environmentalist whole food morons who did not want evil gm foods multiplying. So, Monsanto developed a technology that would make it impossible for these seeds to germinate in the second generation.
Did anybody thank them? No, they were then accused of developing the 'terminator' seeds that made all the farmers their 'slaves'.
The 'terminator' seed is a technological solution to the problem of IP. No need to protect your technology legally, it protects itself. What the hell can be wrong with that? It's actually very libertarian, since it cannot grow. It also cannot make your crops infertile.
If farmers don't like it, they don't have to buy it.
Percy Schmeisser: he KNOWINGLY broke the law, and got convicted - despite pulling the 'poor little farmer shtick'. Didn't work. Canadian courts ain't that stupid. He KNEW what was growing on his fields - RR-canola - and replanted it. Then bought Roundup and used it, and then pretended that he knew nothing.
Vandan Shiva? The let's-go-autarky-corporations-are-evil Indian? SHe's a nut. Read up on her stuff. Complete nut.
For almost TWENTY years, people have been using genetically engineered crops, for almost TWENTY years the eco-freaks have been predicting disaster, and NOTHING bad has happened.
Don't fall for it, Bob.
For almost TWENTY years, people have been using genetically engineered crops, for almost TWENTY years the eco-freaks have been predicting disaster, and NOTHING bad has happened.
Don't fall for it, Bob.
Regarding non-reproducing seeds, this is standard practice in non-GM proprietary seeds as well. As pointed out in the comments, this is basically a way for seed sellers (whether using GM or old-fashioned hybridization techniques) to protect their IP and make the farmers have to shell out for new seeds each year instead of collecting their own. (I use "IP" loosely, but this is a non-state granted monopoly solution.)
As for the GM seeds intermingling, the jury is still out on this. There have been some reports on this, but there are questions about methodology. I think it is possible (certainly theoretically if precautions aren't taken/mistakes are made), but not currently widespread. As always, Monsanto and GMOs would be much less dangerous if there were no politicians and judges to buy.
Regarding injectable transponders, people voluntarily do this for their pets, and it may be worthwhile for farmers to do the same. The problem is that this is going to start being mandatory and it favors large farmers over small, as usual. I disagree that "everybody along the supply chain wants" this - the most vocal and politically-connected do.
As for the GM seeds intermingling, the jury is still out on this. There have been some reports on this, but there are questions about methodology. I think it is possible (certainly theoretically if precautions aren't taken/mistakes are made), but not currently widespread. As always, Monsanto and GMOs would be much less dangerous if there were no politicians and judges to buy.
Regarding injectable transponders, people voluntarily do this for their pets, and it may be worthwhile for farmers to do the same. The problem is that this is going to start being mandatory and it favors large farmers over small, as usual. I disagree that "everybody along the supply chain wants" this - the most vocal and politically-connected do.
# posted by : July 6, 2009 9:15 AM
: July 6, 2009 9:15 AM
Thanks Kathryn for the clarifications. Incidentally, regarding non-reproducibility, the reason that is so alarming to the conspiracy camp is that (they believe) the long-term goal is to get everyone as dependent as possible on the global government. So, it will be necessary for them to disarm the population, force all their kids to go to the government school, etc. etc., and also it will be necessary to wipe out independent food producers. So if Big Ag can completely corner the seed market, and get every last family farmer dependent on buying seeds every year from the state-controlled monopolist, then obviously the people are much weaker. At best they can last a year.
Kathryn, ok, you are right - not EVERYBODY along the supply-chain wants it, but there are many business advantages to identity preservation. In fact, if you specialize on a particularly type of meat production, this kind of ID system is very useful.
BUT, just like the little numbered stickers on your fruits and vegetables, this technology is likely to kill off a lot of small farmers inadvertently(?).
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BUT, just like the little numbered stickers on your fruits and vegetables, this technology is likely to kill off a lot of small farmers inadvertently(?).
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