"Brian Sandle" wrote in message
...
Gordon Couger wrote:

"Brian Sandle" wrote in message
...
Gordon Couger wrote:

"Brian Sandle" wrote in message
Where are some other honest comparison photos?

I have never seen photos of comparing cotton that is just coming
comparing up with RR and conventional. The latest research I know
of shows RR varieties costing a few pounds of lint and BT
varieties adding about twice what RR costs. In my moisture limited
conditions in south west Oklahoma no one can see the difference.
[...]

I doubt that a set of photos on the internet exists that compares
those
conditions.

Now I see why:

From `Multinational Monitor' Jan/Feb 2000

Technology Agreement
"[...]
But if the farmer chooses GM seed, such as Bt corn or Roundup Ready
soybeans, the seed dealer has the farmer sign a "Technology
Agreement" before leaving. Usually without even reading the document
-- and likely without understanding it -- the farmer signs the
contract and goes home.

[...]

The second Trouble Clause prohibits farmers from supplying seed to
any other person.


This provision does more than block third parties from acquiring
Monsanto's genetically altered seed without writing Monsanto a
check. It also prevents and punishes those who may try to do
independent research on the genetically modified crops without
Monsanto's express permission. Friendly university scientists with a
Monsanto relationship can gain access to seed for research -- but
scientists who may be critical of biotech can and likely will be
denied access.


The third Trouble Clause stipulates punitive damages for farmers who
violate Monsanto's decrees. Farmers who save the seed for replanting
must pay damages in the amount of 120 times the technology fee. This
is $3,000 in the case of corn -- far more than Monsanto would likely
be able to prove if it sought damages from farmers in court. This
part of the contract further makes farmers pay Monsanto's legal fees
and other costs of enforcement.

[...]"

And I guess comparing growth aspects would indeed be research.

There is no problem getting Monsanto seed for research or a farmer doing his
own comparison. Every farmer knows what he is signing. You don't run a
business that controls millions of dollars worth of land and machinery and
not know what you are doing. You may claim that as a defense but a farmer in
the US that is still in business is not that dumb.

I farmed before breeders could protect their intellectual property and the
cotton progress was slow. As soon as the plant protection act passed there
was an immediate increase in choices private breeders had been holding back
waiting for it to pass. Cotton growers started getting the some of the
progress that hybrid corn farmer had been getting for years. Hybrid cotton
doesn't work as well as corn because you get so few seed per acre and the
hybrid vigor isn't there as it is in corn. The only reason they use it in
Asia is to protect their property.

If you don't like private breeders raise some funds for public breeders. My
state shut their cotton program down 10 years ago. Texas has one man working
on cotton. If the public sector won't do it you best be glad the private
sector does.

Gordon