Grow your own wants to know how you feel about gm crops

[RuthC]

Please enter our poll - we'd like to discover whether, if you got the chance, you would consider growing genetically modified crops in your own garden!

[Capsid]

Where is the poll?

Ok you've added it now.

[jacob marley]

if the seed was GM the ordinary folk like what we are could not afford it so what is the point of the question.
Them is my thoughts any way ....jacob

[pdblake]

No, but not for the reasons you give in your poll, so I've not voted. I wouldn't use them because they produce sterile fruit and you can't save the seeds. You have to keep buying more, which is why they are a rip off for poorer countries.

I have no trouble with GM crops as the same results could probably be acheived eventually through selective breeding (if that's the right word). I really don't think we're going to start sprouting extra fingers and toes because of them.

My problem is when they start introducing pesticide elements into them.

[beefy]

I didn't vote as I couldn't find an option that matched my opinion (thats twice this week I've seen polls with insufficient/ loaded answers).

For what it's worth I'll grow GM crops when they become available.GM maize and soya have been entering the food chain in other countries for years with (so far) no ill effects. If we all stop eating meat as sugested in another poll on here then the use of GM crops to feed the world will be even more important as without cattle to utilise the areas of the country that cannot grow crops the arable areas will have to produce to the maximum to feed us all.

[Glutton4...]

Interesting poll. However, I'm not sure I know enough about the whole GM issue to be able to make up my mind. Guess I need to go and do some reading

[Two_Sheds]

GM crops are being touted as the solution (the only solution) to world food shortages.

Yet, Africa could feed itself:
"Declining soil fertility is the greatest problem affecting African farmers' ability to produce enough food for their families...Soil regeneration is key to sustainable development, where the loss of soil organic matter contributes to a rapid decline of soil fertility, degradation of soil structure and increased risk of erosion. In developing countries, food production could be doubled or tripled through the use of organic methods"

Yes, those methods would include some animals, for their meat, skin and manure, but on a more sustainable basis.
Cutting down the rainforests to grow grazing crops to make hamburger meat is just immoral, imo.

[SueA]

I voted no because the effects are unknown but it's not really the answer I wanted to give. I just personally wouldn't want to grow anything genetically modified because I don't see the need for my own personal use & don't trust the GM seed producers as it seems like a scheme to lock people into needing their particular seeds at whatever cost they choose. I'm not convinced that they don't have an effect on bees, wildlife, nearby organic crops etc. so remain sceptical at the moment.

[Sue]

The whole attitude of GM infuriates me, it's the go in, all guns blazing approach, top down solutions as the only way to go. Similar to wanting to build more nuclear power stations without first doing everything possible to save power.

And I absolutely would not knowingly buy/grow anything GM, the ethics are dreadful, biodiversity out the window.

And yes, I can see its less scientifically exciting and there's less money to be made in a bottom up approach and no I don't think Monsanto are in it for the greater good of mankind. It also takes power out of the growers hands, takes local decision making into corporate hands, this really isn't the way to go for a sustainable future.

Haven't done the poll as like others don't feel my answer fits the questions.
Sue

[Eco-Chic]

I voted no and the posts #8 and #9 by Sue A and Sue very much represent my views on GM and perhaps more importantly the manufacturers.

[Alison]

I voted no as it goes against my organic principles, not the full story but the one I'm closest to. I try to avoid buying F1 hybrids as I can't save the seed but GM is something quite different as it is nowhere near the same as the cross between two different parents. Whereas I don't think it's unreasonable that some GM crops could improve yields I'm very sceptical of many of the claims, especially as they are made by big businesses who have a financial interest. Anyway, the question related to would I grow them on my plot which is a different discussion to how to we solve world povety and starvation. For me, on my plot, the answer is most definitley no, I find very few modern varieties bring an improvement in flavour and, although some have improved yields, these tend to be associated with gluts so leave me with my tried and tested and I'll be fine.

[Flummery]

Another here who hasn't voted - I didn't vote in the last one either - my opinion was not covered in either poll.

I am against the fact that the big companies develop seeds which, although they can produce good crops in poor conditions, can't be saved, so the poor community is locked into having to buy each season, when it would be sensible to save your seed.

I am so bloody-minded that I wouldn't knowingly buy anything developed by a company that did this. It's all about profit, not about feeding the poor.

[Eco-Chic]

I've read too many sci-fi books about conglomerates taking over the world(s) and galaxy(ies) and calling all the shots with governments implementing their orders to trust in corporations and monopolies behaving in any way contrary to their bottom line interests.

I'd like to see every country sustainable in food, water and power. Otherwise I believe they are hostage to fortune.

[SarzWix]

I've added 2 more options to the poll, to cover "Other" reasons.

I personally would never grow anything that I couldn't save seeds from. Even F1's can have the seeds saved, whether or not they turn out the way you hoped once grown. Contributing to the ridiculous profits and evil trading practices of mass conglomerates isn't part of my life plan either... Although Nestle are getting harder to avoid these days too

[OllieMartin]

I voted - No, because it would go against my organic gardening principles.
Although I'm not a strict organic gardener so more accurately it would be: No, because it defeats the whole purpose of growing it yourself, if I was going to grow GM crops it'd be easier to just buy them in a supermarket