Biotech seeds shipped in error | Sacramento Bee

[Ediacara]

Biotech seeds shipped in error
Over a 7-year period, UCD sent researchers the tomato samples.

By Mike Lee and Edie Lau -- Bee Staff Writers
Published 2:15 a.m. PST Friday, December 19, 2003

Genetically engineered tomato seeds from the University of California, Davis, were shipped accidentally to researchers around the world over the last seven years because university scientists didn't realize the seeds contained biotech genes.

Officials at Davis, one of the nation's top-ranking agriculture research universities, on Thursday announced a recall of about 30 seed samples, including those sent to demonstration gardens in England and Ethiopia, and to researchers in 14 countries.

The incident marks the latest in a string of failures across North America to contain biotech genes, raising questions about whether biotechnology can coexist with conventional or organic farming.

More at the Sacramento Bee

[arcane1]

1. hell no it can't coexist, that's the point

you can't copyright the naturla stuff, so in order to maintain your profit, the natural-occuring strains have got to go

[DemExpat]

2. The issue of not being able to keep biotech separate

makes me ill and so fearful for the future.

:puke:

DemEx

[Journeyman]

3. I had no idea Pandora was an agronomist. . .

n/t

[damnraddem]

4. Oh, no problem -- we have controls in place.

Biotech tomatoes will never get loose. Oops!

And California is the state of 'The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes,' yet.

[Vogon_Glory]

5. Bio Tech Solution Obvious: Use Other Species

Once again the big brains doing bio tech research repeat the same mistakes that again lead to contamination. Someone should point out to these guys that the people who are likely to do the packing and shipping of their latest genetic brain children aren't going to be the best and brightest, and probably aren't going to pay all that close attention as to which tomato seed or corn kernel is gene-modified and which one isn't.

I think the solution is obvious. Bio technicians ought to start looking for other plant species and bacteria that aren't in use for foodstuffs or clothing.

There are lots of species out there which even the more careless aren't likely to mix in with the seeds for Mama's home-grown tomatoes: Bois d'arc, other members of the Deadly Nightshade family, cannabis sativa...

:eyes:

[Lisa]

6. thanks for posting, Dinoboy!

I was just looking for case studies to use in my Global Environmental Change course in the next semester ... this is perfect. Over the past few years, I've been distributing samples of heirloom tomato seeds to all my classes, so people already know I'm a tomato geek.