Comments on: Joel Salatin on Spermicides in Genetically Modified Crops http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/03/02/joel-salatin-on-spermicides-in-genetically-modified-crops/ For the love of cheese. And bacon. And butter. And raw milk. And all those other things we're not supposed to eat. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:30:36 -0300 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Euradum Liberalhippy http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/03/02/joel-salatin-on-spermicides-in-genetically-modified-crops/comment-page-1/#comment-28343 Euradum Liberalhippy Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:15:18 +0000 http://www.cheeseslave.com/?p=2240#comment-28343 If you read either of the websites that the author posted, you will see that he is wrong... neither article says anything about the US shipping spermicidal corn to foreign countries. Actually. i only read one of his links because the other was broken. If you read either of the websites that the author posted, you will see that he is wrong… neither article says anything about the US shipping spermicidal corn to foreign countries.

Actually. i only read one of his links because the other was broken.

]]> By: Kris http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/03/02/joel-salatin-on-spermicides-in-genetically-modified-crops/comment-page-1/#comment-13063 Kris Sat, 23 May 2009 19:23:32 +0000 http://www.cheeseslave.com/?p=2240#comment-13063 Hi there, I'm a student at the University of Delaware, and I stumbled across this page while doing a research paper on unintended or unexpected effects of genetically modified food. Your post on the subject of "spermicidal corn" is interesting, but a bit misinformed. Firstly, the expression of the gene that produces these contraceptive antibodies occurs in the cells of the corn plant, which means that the protein antibodies are also produced there. It's impossible for a genetic sequence from plants to enter human cells, a process called "horizontal gene transfer." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizontal_gene_transfer) This means that eating this corn will not cause the consumer to produce these antibodies, only that the actual flesh of the corn plant will contain these contraceptive antibodies. Absorption of these antibodies by the digestive system is also unlikely, as they're attacked and denatured by the body's first line of defenses. If it were possible for this to occur, scientists could have created an edible vaccine by now. (http://www.acfnewsource.org/science/edible_vaccines.html) This crop was developed with the intent of creating plant-based contraceptives, not an edible biopharmaceutical contraceptive (or biological weapon, depending on whose opinion you ask). In fact, Epicyte, the company that created this species, is also working on the expression of antibodies against the herpes virus in corn, perhaps with the goal of a contraceptive gel that is preventative of herpes. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2001/sep/09/gm.food) I'm not sure who started the scientifically inaccurate rumor that we can somehow produce corn that makes men who eat it sterile, but that's scientifically improbable. The sources that you cited in this post (brooklynskeptic.net and alternet.org) seem biased and unreliable. In the interest of scientific accuracy, you may want to research the background of the story a bit more before reporting it. I agree that American consumers should insist on GM labelling and more extensive premarket testing of transgenic food, but overreacting to a story like this based on biased and anecdotal evidence isn't the way to accomplish that. Fight with information and persistence, not fanaticism. Feel free to contact me personally for further discussion on this matter. My e-mail is kgarrand AT udel DOT edu. I look forward to hearing from you! Hi there, I’m a student at the University of Delaware, and I stumbled across this page while doing a research paper on unintended or unexpected effects of genetically modified food. Your post on the subject of “spermicidal corn” is interesting, but a bit misinformed.

Firstly, the expression of the gene that produces these contraceptive antibodies occurs in the cells of the corn plant, which means that the protein antibodies are also produced there. It’s impossible for a genetic sequence from plants to enter human cells, a process called “horizontal gene transfer.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizontal_gene_transfer) This means that eating this corn will not cause the consumer to produce these antibodies, only that the actual flesh of the corn plant will contain these contraceptive antibodies. Absorption of these antibodies by the digestive system is also unlikely, as they’re attacked and denatured by the body’s first line of defenses. If it were possible for this to occur, scientists could have created an edible vaccine by now. (http://www.acfnewsource.org/science/edible_vaccines.html)

This crop was developed with the intent of creating plant-based contraceptives, not an edible biopharmaceutical contraceptive (or biological weapon, depending on whose opinion you ask). In fact, Epicyte, the company that created this species, is also working on the expression of antibodies against the herpes virus in corn, perhaps with the goal of a contraceptive gel that is preventative of herpes. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2001/sep/09/gm.food)

I’m not sure who started the scientifically inaccurate rumor that we can somehow produce corn that makes men who eat it sterile, but that’s scientifically improbable. The sources that you cited in this post (brooklynskeptic.net and alternet.org) seem biased and unreliable. In the interest of scientific accuracy, you may want to research the background of the story a bit more before reporting it.

I agree that American consumers should insist on GM labelling and more extensive premarket testing of transgenic food, but overreacting to a story like this based on biased and anecdotal evidence isn’t the way to accomplish that. Fight with information and persistence, not fanaticism.

Feel free to contact me personally for further discussion on this matter. My e-mail is kgarrand AT udel DOT edu. I look forward to hearing from you!

]]> By: Villits Willage » The food police - criminalizing organic farming and the backyard gardener http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/03/02/joel-salatin-on-spermicides-in-genetically-modified-crops/comment-page-1/#comment-7166 Villits Willage » The food police - criminalizing organic farming and the backyard gardener Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:44:01 +0000 http://www.cheeseslave.com/?p=2240#comment-7166 [...] those who like tinfoil hats: http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/03/02/joel-salatin-on-spermicides-in-genetically-modified-crops/ http://tinyurl.com/bvlgd6 GMO Corn Makes Men Sterile Spermicidal Breakfast Cereal Not from your [...] [...] those who like tinfoil hats: http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/03/02/joel-salatin-on-spermicides-in-genetically-modified-crops/ http://tinyurl.com/bvlgd6 GMO Corn Makes Men Sterile Spermicidal Breakfast Cereal Not from your [...]

]]> By: TeamBettendorf http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/03/02/joel-salatin-on-spermicides-in-genetically-modified-crops/comment-page-1/#comment-7038 TeamBettendorf Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:09:54 +0000 http://www.cheeseslave.com/?p=2240#comment-7038 This post reminded me of 10 years ago when Jeff was being kicked out of the Air Force for refusing to take the anthrax vaccine. I was at a park on base and this woman and I strike up a conversation. Jeff was all over the news at that time and she starts talking about "this guy that is refusing the shot" in a not so positive way. I quickly informed her that "that guy" was my husband. So she backpedals a bit and says "Oh, why is he refusing the vaccine?" I start to explain "Well, it can cause immune system problems." and she replies "Oh, my husband is very healthy. Never sick a day in his life." Ok. I present something else. She has an answer. I say "It can cause sterility." Her reply? "We're done having kids anyway." Seriously. <abbr><em>TeamBettendorf’s last blog post..<a href="http://teambettendorf.com/2009/03/10/we-love-technology/" rel="nofollow">We Love Technology.</a></abbr></em> This post reminded me of 10 years ago when Jeff was being kicked out of the Air Force for refusing to take the anthrax vaccine. I was at a park on base and this woman and I strike up a conversation. Jeff was all over the news at that time and she starts talking about “this guy that is refusing the shot” in a not so positive way. I quickly informed her that “that guy” was my husband. So she backpedals a bit and says “Oh, why is he refusing the vaccine?” I start to explain “Well, it can cause immune system problems.” and she replies “Oh, my husband is very healthy. Never sick a day in his life.” Ok. I present something else. She has an answer. I say “It can cause sterility.” Her reply?
“We’re done having kids anyway.”
Seriously.

TeamBettendorf’s last blog post..We Love Technology.

]]> By: Debbie http://www.cheeseslave.com/2009/03/02/joel-salatin-on-spermicides-in-genetically-modified-crops/comment-page-1/#comment-6992 Debbie Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:07:21 +0000 http://www.cheeseslave.com/?p=2240#comment-6992 What is to become of us! We need to educate people. People need to wake up and pay attention to what goes on in the world, and stand up for what is right. Jocelyn I read your link. PP is an evil organization, no doubt. What is to become of us!
We need to educate people. People need to wake up and pay attention to what goes on in the world, and stand up for what is right.
Jocelyn
I read your link. PP is an evil organization, no doubt.

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