"Fields are now planted with genetically modified corn and soybeans resistant to the herbicide Roundup, allowing farmers to spray the chemical to eradicate weeds, including milkweed....
Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed, and their larvae eat it. While the evidence is still preliminary and disputed, experts like Chip Taylor say the growing use of genetically modified crops is threatening the orange-and-black butterfly by depriving it of habitat.
“This milkweed has disappeared from at least 100 million acres of these row crops,â€
- rainbowgardener
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- gixxerific
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- Greener Thumb
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- ElizabethB
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Even worse than the loss of milkweed is what happens to farmers who are not growing GMO crops (corn).
Farmers growing GMO corn are not allowed to harvest seed crops.
Scenario:
You grow non GMO corn. Your neighbor grows GMO corn. You harvest your crop and keep some for seed. Monsanto can inspect your field. If there is evidence of GMO corn in your non GMO field your crop can be confiscated and you can be subject to a law suit. Since your neighbor is growing GMO corn you will have some in your field from cross pollination. You are SOL.
Keep growing Milkweed.
Farmers growing GMO corn are not allowed to harvest seed crops.
Scenario:
You grow non GMO corn. Your neighbor grows GMO corn. You harvest your crop and keep some for seed. Monsanto can inspect your field. If there is evidence of GMO corn in your non GMO field your crop can be confiscated and you can be subject to a law suit. Since your neighbor is growing GMO corn you will have some in your field from cross pollination. You are SOL.
Keep growing Milkweed.
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- Greener Thumb
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