Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

eppur_se_muova

(36,227 posts)
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 01:10 PM Sep 2012

Agent Orange chemical in GM war on resistant weeds (BBC)

By Matt McGrath

Science reporter, BBC World Service

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.

For a farmer like Jeremy Leech who grows corn and soybeans near Humboldt, Nebraska, resistant weeds are a constant threat to his farm and his family.



***
more (w/ video): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19585341
related post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/112724180



The chemical in question is 2,4-D (DU3 does not properly process links with commas, you will have to use Wikipedia help to find 2,4-D); the EPA apparently considers it safe.

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Agent Orange chemical in GM war on resistant weeds (BBC) (Original Post) eppur_se_muova Sep 2012 OP
apparently, karma has a sense of irony. marasinghe Sep 2012 #1
2,4-D is a very old chemical, older then Roundup, but is NOT a root killer happyslug Sep 2012 #2
True, but part of the problem with both is dioixin contamination. From the Wiki ... eppur_se_muova Sep 2012 #3
 

happyslug

(14,779 posts)
2. 2,4-D is a very old chemical, older then Roundup, but is NOT a root killer
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 06:47 PM
Sep 2012

Roundup will kill weeds to the roots, but 2,4 D will not nor will it kill grass, thus is popular herbicide for lawns.

The problem with Agent Orange was NOT 2,4-D but 2,4, 5-T, Agent Orange contained BOTH Chemicals but 2,4, 5-T is now banned, while 2,4-D is still usable

More On Agent Orange
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange

More on 2,4, 5-T
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2,4,5-T

More on 2,4-D:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2,4-D

eppur_se_muova

(36,227 posts)
3. True, but part of the problem with both is dioixin contamination. From the Wiki ...
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 07:02 PM
Sep 2012

Dioxin impurities
Some preparations of 2,4-D are contaminated with dioxins due to the manufacturing process.[6] Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is classified as "carcinogenic to humans" by International Agency for Research on Cancer.[7]

Contamination is predominantly of the type with 2 or 3 chlorine atoms. Another form of dioxin, 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (DCDD) was found to be equipotent to dioxin TCDD in its toxic effect on the immunity of mice. TCDD received all the publicity while the DCDD component was largely forgotten. To this day, DCDD is not regulated or monitored by the EPA and PMRA, even though DCDD levels could be at much higher levels than TCDD.[citation needed] The typical smell of 2,4-D is the break-down product 2,4-dichlorophenol. 2,4-D is toxic to the liver at small dosages. Increases in liver function tests, jaundice, acute hepatitis, lobular and portal inflammation indicative of a toxic reaction, as well as permanent damage leading to cirrhosis in exposed golfers [8][9][10]

The defoliant and herbicide Agent Orange, used extensively throughout the Vietnam War, contained 2,4-D. The controversies associated with the use of Agent Orange were associated with a contaminant (dioxin) in the 2,4,5-T component.[11]

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Environment & Energy»Agent Orange chemical in ...