The year-old trees could not support the weight of the fruit they set. There's a reason God made trees wait six years to produce fruit. Economists, however, say that worldwide overproduction of grain, not agribusiness consolidation, has driven down commodity prices. At least one team of researchers thinks not. After feeding rats a component of genetically altered potatoes for ten days, investigators found that the rats' intestines had thinned in some places and thickened in others.
Opponents claim the study was flawed, however.
Lawsuit Targets Seed Firms Landmark class action lawsuit against agricultural giants Novartis, Monsanto, and DuPont alleges they are using controversial genetic crop-modification techniques to exert a stranglehold over global agriculture. Food Supply One plant species in eight is at risk of extinction. In the United States, fewer than 20 percent of seed varieties from a century ago are available today. Some natural varieties have disappeared forever. Be careful as you read, though, New Scientist has a subtle but definite pro-biotech bent.