On Sun, 04 May 2003 21:03:35 GMT, x wrote:

Glyphosate has not been out long enough for anything to have
evolved significant resistance.


A US patent recently secured by Monsanto reveals it is gearing up to
profit from special chemical mixtures using multiple-class herbicide
formulations to tackle the problem of GM superweeds. GM superweeds are
a problem Monsanto has created from its own transgenic crop
technology, a side-effect of which is to produce herbicide resistant
volunteer weeds from a number of 'Roundup Ready' crops (see article
below).

After several years practical 'in-field' experience with GM herbicide
resistant crops in the US these developments represent a 'de facto'
admission by Monsanto of the GM 'superweed' problem, and the
inherently unsustainable nature of the technology which has given rise
to it.

These developments also represent an astute - if somewhat breathtaking
- business move which will enable Monsanto to derive additional income
from sales of chemicals beyond its own glyphosate herbicide
formulations. Specifically the intention appears to be to derive a new
income stream from farmers who have grown 'Roundup Ready' crops
earlier in their rotations and the novel volunteer weed problems that
that creates.

The extraordinary US patent acquired by Monsanto which permits this
situation clearly anticipates the superweed problem arising from a
wide range of GM glyphosate resistant crops - including corn, cotton,
soybean, wheat, canola, sugarbeet, rice, and lettuce.




"Nature, left alone, is in perfect balance.
Harmful insects and plant diseases are always present,
but do not occur in nature to an extent which requires the use of poisonous chemicals.
The sensible approach to disease and insect control is to grow sturdy crops in a healthy environment."

Masanobu Fukuoka, One Straw Revolution--1978