genetically-modified sugar beets

apparently we will all soon be consuming sugar from GMO sugar beets. some large companies, such as Mars and Hershey are still holding out, but others (Kellogg's) have jumped right on the cheaper-sweetener bandwagon. GM high-fructose corn syrup isn't enough: now they want GM sugar, too. certainly there is legitimate concern over GM ethics and health effects, but to me there are greater concerns than that.

concern #1) all sugar beets will soon be sprayed several times per season with roundup, arguably the most potent herbicide ever invented. how much roundup residue will be in my morning cup of tea? mmm, roundup sugar. here's an interesting and pertinent quote from here:

People who fear genetically engineered crops are poorly educated in molecular biology and genetics. The risk from bioengineering in the over-expression of a protein is far less than that from the pesticides used on the crops.

What people need to worry about are the small organic molecules like the cleaning agents we use in our houses, and the preservatives in our foods.

On the large scale, proteins just aren't as dangerous as organics.

— Alex, Santa Cruz

or, simply, "roundup is gonna kill you before GM stuff will."

#2) of greater concern, how much roundup residue will remain in the soil? will the roundup concentration in the soil increase from year to year, eventually contaminating the water table as well? then it would be roundup beets, growing in roundup soil, getting watered with roundup water... and probably still being sprayed with roundup a few times, you know, for good measure.

#3) patenting seeds. corporations, like the one who produces both roundup and roundup-resistant GM seeds (fishy, eh?), can actually patent their GM seeds. therefore farmers legally have no choice but to purchase seeds from the same company, year after year. the problem is compounded by the fact that these powerful, wealthy corporations actually enforce their patents bring bringing huge lawsuits against family farmers whose fields contain stray GM plants or crossbreeds.

#4) see above phenomenon. GM plants are the "superplant" that takes over, crosses with other non-GM wild or domestic plants, and is unable to be extinguished (not even with roundup). basically, there's no way for the family farmer to win.

#5) soil depletion, as an effect of #2. here are several "arguments" for GM crops that ignore this concern:

All the whiners here have lost site of the fact that we just might be able to feed the 7 billion souls that will soon inhabit this earth.

What have any of you done to sove that impending problem?
— Sternberg, Mauldin, SC

With the world population exploding technology is needed to feed everyone.
— MM, Japan

There are far too many hungry people to allow us to ignore the potential of engineered crops.
— buzz, narberth, pa

I have yet to see proof that long-term use of potent herbicides and GM crops actually is more productive than traditional organic farming. so far this combo has just required more fertilizer, and encouraged greed (in the form of monoculture and mega-farms) and discouraged quality produce in favor of quantity. it seems to me that long-term use of this method is contrary to everything in nature, and will self-destruct (hopefully not permanently destroying too much of the world in the process). technology is NOT the answer to feeding a growing population, especially technology that may destroy our only food source: the earth. gradually killing the dirt's every last organism with roundup is truly shooting ourselves (or our children) in the foot. it will take generations of rest and rich compost to restore the soil to its former productivity. but all of us, and the CEO of kellogg's will be long dead, so what do we care?

here's one lady's suggestion:

This is not a done deal; consumers can and should push back! Call Hersey Co (1-800-468-1714 and then press "0" to speak with a customer representative) and ask them to hold firm on their opposition to Genetically Engineered sugar. Call M & M Mars Company (1-800-627-7852 and then press "0") and ask them to also continue their opposition to "Roundup Ready" sugar beets. This will take ten minutes tops. Call the Kellogg Corporation at (1-800-962-1413) and ask for Consumer Affairs and tell them you won't buy their products if they contain GE beet sugar.

Then, if you are inspired call the American Crystal Sugar and tell them you don't want to eat Roundup Ready sugar: 218-236-4400, ask for customer service - they will tell you that they have made "business decision" to buy GE sugar and that it has many benefits. If their corporate-speak call doesn't totally depress you call Amalgamated Sugar (208-383-6500), Michigan Sugar (989-686-0161) and Western Sugar Cooperative (303-830-3939). Nothing worries companies more than the word "boycott" and you will have done something to help stop Pandora's box from opening.

— Diana, San Anselmo, CA