Originally posted by browha
I was under the impression that the GM terminator gene was a direct consequence of the plant being made more fertile (e.g. producing more), and as a
genetic flaw or something, being unable to reproduce for future generations
GM seeds don't necessarily produce more, they are modified for certian tasks such as killing certian insects or being tolerant to certian herbicides.
Of course they want you to think that yields are greatly increased, but they are not. For example, one year I planted two cotton varities that were
the same except that one was modified to kill certian insects. The comventional variety out yielded the GM variety.
The terminator gene started out as a genetic flaw or some kind of damage that was done as a byproduct of the modification, but was tweaked to be more
pronounced so that farmers can't save the seed to plant.
The last few years the farmers have started to complain about the low yields of these GM crops AND THE COST OF THE SEED.
[edit on 15-7-2004 by MBF]