Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumHe holds the patent that could destroy Monsanto and change the world.
In 2006, a patent was granted to a man named Paul Stamets. Though Paul is the worlds leading mycologist, his patent has received very little attention and exposure. Why is that? Stated by executives in the pesticide industry, this patent represents the most disruptive technology we have ever witnessed. And when the executives say disruptive, they are referring to it being disruptive to the chemical pesticides industry.
What has Paul discovered? The mycologist has figured out how to use mother natures own creations to keep insects from destroying crops. Its what is being called SMART pesticides. These pesticides provide safe & nearly permanent solution for controlling over 200,000 species of insects and all thanks to the magic of mushrooms.
Paul does this by taking entomopathogenic Fungi (fungi that destroys insects), and morphs it so it does not produce spores. In turn, this actually attracts the insects who then eat and turn into fungi from the inside out. This patent has potential to revolutionize the way humans grow crops if it can be allowed to reach mass exposure.
To tolerate the use of pesticides in modern agriculture is to deny evidence proving its detrimental effects against the environment. Such ignorance really can no longer be tolerated. For example, can you imagine a world without bees? Monsantos chemical concoctions which are being sprayed all over farmers fields around the world are attributed to the large-scale bee die off. While a growing number of countries are banning Monsanto, its still being used in nations who should be aware of its dangers. To say that new methods need to be implemented before it is too late is an understatement.
Monsanto presently generates $16 billion dollars per year (as reported in 2014), therefore you can be certain they do not want anything interrupting that flow of revenue. Such income gives them nearly limitless resources and abilities to suppress information that may be damaging their reputation. But by becoming educated on the benefits of growing sustainable, organic, and bio-dynamic food, sharing articles like this, and boycotting GMO & herbicide-sprayed crops, they may soon get the message.
At: http://www.getholistichealth.com/42450/he-holds-the-patent-that-could-destroy-monsanto-and-change-the-world/
jeff47
(26,549 posts)And he's been trumpeted as a Monsanto Killer for years.
Also glyphosate doesn't control insects.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,185 posts)jeff47
(26,549 posts)HuckleB
(35,773 posts)Lifelong Protester
(8,421 posts)Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)But I'm sure some probably think there's a vast conspiracy to quash the concept.
This story keeps getting repeated as if fungal pesticides are some kind of revolutionary idea. The reality is they only work on a narrow range of temperature and humid and have other practical limitations which render them commercially unfeasible.
Tumbulu
(6,278 posts)and you are correct, microbial control of pests is tricky and generally the profit margins on all biologicals are so very low. Which is why the big corporationss have never shown that much interest in them.
And that headline does get passed around a lot.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)Microbial control of pests works in all sorts of instances and they just aren't that tricky. Fungal pesticides have their own set of problems which renders them unpractical today and almost certainly in any foreseeable future.
Tumbulu
(6,278 posts)Last edited Sat Oct 24, 2015, 12:24 AM - Edit history (1)
but the cost of manufacture of a biological are generally much higher than for chemical production.
The profit margins on biological used to average 10%, while the margins for ag chemicals was 90%.
There is only so much people will pay for pest control agents. It is a sad fact that growing something always takes more effort than running chemical reactions.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)I'm also pretty certain the numbers you are coming up with are completely manufactured kinda like what you are calling a fact.
Tumbulu
(6,278 posts)and each biological insecticide has it's own unique correct situation. But they are, in general, more expensive to produce, and some have shorter shelf lives. Some must be kept in cold storage, there are many different biological pesticides. Each is unique. I worked in this industry for a few decades. Have you? But if they were more profitable, you would see a lot more of them in use.
Judi Lynn
(160,526 posts)I heard him on CBS "60 Minutes" already, and was astonished by his material, and his complete grasp of the subject.
Of course, as you have seen already, there are always wingers who are going to throw up all kinds of trash to keep the information from getting the attention, and scrutiny it deserves, but anyone who takes the time to even listen to the speech is getting TONS of food for thought.
So glad to see this post, forest444, absolultely had to stop and listen to the speech all over again because I simply could not pass up the opportunity.
This needs to be shared, and studied.
Thank you, so much.
niyad
(113,279 posts)JackInGreen
(2,975 posts)But i'd hate it if my pizza turned me into a Goomba.
His names not really Bowzer is it?
Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)Go for it, Mr. Stamets. If you become a billionaire, at least you will have earned it.
fasttense
(17,301 posts)I've bought mycelium from him. So why doesn't he at least sell some of the bug killer through his site Fungi Perfecti?
Judi Lynn
(160,526 posts)This article does mention Monsanto as a powerful enemy:
Mushroom-Based Natural Insecticide
Kim Robson April 3, 2015
A 2006 U.S. patent for a natural, mushroom-based insecticide has the power to significantly disrupt Monsantos lucrative chemical pesticide industry. The patent was awarded to the worlds leading mycologist, Paul Stamets, but has received very little media attention. Pesticide industry executives believe it could represent the most disruptive technology they have ever encountered. Disruptive, that is, to their bottom line profits.
It is now clear that chemical pesticides are causing detrimental effects to the environment, people, animals, Paul-Stametsplants and insects. RoundUp weedkiller has been found in air and water samples, making it virtually unavoidable. The loss of millions of pollinating bees to colony collapse disorder has been linked to the use of chemical pesticides. A growing number of countries, many in Europe, have banned Monsanto GMOs and pesticides.
Despite all their bad press, Monsanto made nearly $16 billion in 2014 for their shareholders, and they intend to keep that money flowing. A company that wealthy can buy a lot of political favors and resources, not to mention have the ability to suppress media stories that may be damaging to them, such as Stamets patent.
U.S. patent number 7,122,176 details how to use Mother Natures own defenses to prevent insects from destroying crops. These bio-pesticides (also called smart pesticides) provide a safe and environmentally friendly solution for controlling over 200,000 species of insects.
. . .
Stamets has applied for sixteen U.S. patents related to his findings in the field of mycology. Check out his website, Fungi Perfecti, where he offers high quality mushroom products for the home and garden.
http://green-mom.com/mushroom-based-natural-insecticide/#.VihUQOSFObw
ancianita
(36,048 posts)I've bought from his site, too, but his patents, according to the U.S. Patent Office, constitute a paradigm change that might better be marketed globally, since markets are too tightly controlled here by big ag and biotechs to allow his competition.
fasttense
(17,301 posts)I hope he does it. The current organic pesticides are not so efficient.