Editorials & Other Articles

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts) Wed Sep 19, 2012, 06:36 AM Sep 2012

Agent Orange chemical in GM war on resistant weeds

A US pharmaceutical company is set to introduce a controversial new genetically modified corn to help farmers fight resistant weeds.

Dow Agrosciences says its new GM product will use a chemical that was once a component of the Vietnam war defoliant, Agent Orange.

It is needed they say because so called "superweeds" are now affecting up to 15 million acres of American crops.

Dow argues the new approach is safe and sustainable.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19585341

3 replies

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Agent Orange chemical in GM war on resistant weeds (Original Post) dipsydoodle Sep 2012 OP

It was the Dioxin in Agent Orange that was causing problems formercia Sep 2012 #1

Oh great a never ending cycle of GM products to fight the monsters created by other GM products. fasttense Sep 2012 #2

I have the solution.. it's called a hoe Viva_La_Revolution Sep 2012 #3

formercia

(18,479 posts)

1. It was the Dioxin in Agent Orange that was causing problems

Reply to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Wed Sep 19, 2012, 06:53 AM

Sep 2012

Dioxin was a contaminant that was created as a byproduct of manufacturing.
3,4,5,T the main ingredient, if pure is not an issue as far as I know.

If Farmers used Organic or sustainable farming methods, this wouldn't be an issue.

fasttense

(17,301 posts)

2. Oh great a never ending cycle of GM products to fight the monsters created by other GM products.

Reply to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Wed Sep 19, 2012, 08:30 AM

Sep 2012

The solution is stop using GM products so that Super Weeds wont be created. So what Super Weed will be created from the Agent Orange GM product? A super-super weed that will need another GM product maybe with DT in it? How many poisons can you add to the genetics of corn before you are growing nothing but poison?

Viva_La_Revolution

(28,791 posts)

3. I have the solution.. it's called a hoe

Reply to fasttense (Reply #2)

Wed Sep 19, 2012, 11:40 AM

Sep 2012

never met a weed I couldn't kill off with one.
unfortunately it's labor intensive and more expensive than poison

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