DailyDirt: Rediscovering Heirloom Plants

from the urls-we-dig-up dept

It turns out that many Americans aren't paying much attention to the ongoing battle over labeling genetically modified foods. A recent survey by researchers at Rutgers University found that half of Americans know very little or nothing at all about GM foods, while a quarter have never even heard of them. Furthermore, they found that many Americans are also confused about what types of GM foods are on the market. Meanwhile, heirloom fruits, vegetables, and grains are gaining popularity. These are plants that have been grown and passed down from one generation to another -- some for more than 100 years -- often selected for their superior flavor, as well as other characteristics such as productivity, hardiness, and adaptability. If you want to avoid GM foods, why not spend some time rediscovering heirloom varieties? Here are a few links to get you started. If you'd like to read more awesome and interesting stuff, check out this unrelated (but not entirely random!) Techdirt post via StumbleUpon.
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Filed Under: biotech, bread, food, genetically modified foods, glass gem corn, gmo, grain, heirloom corn, heirloom varieties, plants, seeds, svalbard global seed vault


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  • identicon
    Anonymous, 27 Nov 2013 @ 5:04pm

    Svalbard...kingdom of the ice bears. All hail Iorek Byrnisson!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Paraquat (profile), 27 Nov 2013 @ 5:19pm

    GM Foods, Inc

    ...A recent survey by researchers at Rutgers University found that half of Americans know very little or nothing at all about GM foods, while a quarter have never even heard of them.

    GM Foods? You mean General Motors makes food? Gosh, I didn't know that. I learn something new everyday.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Nov 2013 @ 6:21pm

    I hate GM supporters

    They always think the debate is you being a moron, and that you just can't understand the "genius" behind GM food, when its not at all about the science. I understand the science behind it perfectly, but I refuse to support copyrighting our food supply to a few world monopolies. Considering the damage patents and copyright maximalists have had on simple things like books, moving pictures, and sound, pardon me for not trusting them with the basics of life like food and water.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Pegr, 27 Nov 2013 @ 7:14pm

      Re: I hate GM supporters

      I'm not an expert, but my understanding of the present state of law is that you can patent the method by which you produce GM, but not the actual result. Copyright, of course, has nothing to do with anything in this discussion.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 28 Nov 2013 @ 6:01pm

        Re: Re: I hate GM supporters

        look up Monsanto and read about the farmers that can't use Monsanto seeds from last years crops or they'll be sued .. it's pretty bad out there especially if you happen to be the guy who owns crops between Monsanto seed users .. unintentional cross pollination from gm crops to family owned seeds can get you sued

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Nick (profile), 27 Nov 2013 @ 8:36pm

    Oh, heirloom p"L"ants. Man, I haven't played WOW in a year but it still worms its way into article headlines...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Rekrul, 27 Nov 2013 @ 9:22pm

    That Glass Gem corn looks interesting. How long until Monsanto files a patent for it and forces everyone else to stop growing it?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    alternatives(), 28 Nov 2013 @ 10:02am

    have a different gluten quality that makes them easier to digest.

    There is an entire book called Wheat Belly on the topic that may be worth a read.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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