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Post by oxbowfarm on Oct 12, 2015 22:13:06 GMT -5
Ran across this GMO Corn/Squirrel Preference Experiment on my FB feed. I am dubious that squirrels can detect GMO. My own suspicion is that you could manipulate the results in any direction you want by carefully choosing the varieties/hybrids you use. A squirrel is likely to attack the ear with the easy shelling kernels first, wildlife are usually very conscious of cost/benefit ratios. Thoughts?
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Post by steev on Oct 13, 2015 2:12:45 GMT -5
IMHO, the little bastards go for the easy score.
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Post by reed on Oct 13, 2015 4:26:14 GMT -5
If there was a way to know for sure the two ears were exactly the same in every other way it should work. I don't know how anyone other than the GMO producer could do that because they are probably the only ones that have the before and after versions of the same corn.
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Post by prairiegarden on Dec 6, 2015 11:20:09 GMT -5
the one thing they are not addressing, which is pertinent if they are thinking to apply the results in terms of what is suitable for human food; is that gmo corn is developed precisely to be able to take in poisons such as glyphosates and not die. THAT is the crux of the problem right now, (although ideas such as jellyfish genes in potatoes is not inspiring confidence either).
So, for this test to have any validity at all in regards to the safety of GMO corn or other foods, the GMO corn should be grown as gmo corn is normally grown, with all the sprays and such. The chances of animals being able to detect a deviant gene is likely slim, although some dogs have been able to detect cancer cells growing in people. But.. animals probably CAN tell if the ear of corn contains poisonous residue, and virtually all GMO crops normally will.
If they don't do that, then the whole thing is an exercise in the category of "totally useless and probably misleading information", imo.
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Post by keen101 (Biolumo / Andrew B.) on Dec 6, 2015 17:44:48 GMT -5
Ran across this GMO Corn/Squirrel Preference Experiment on my FB feed. I am dubious that squirrels can detect GMO. My own suspicion is that you could manipulate the results in any direction you want by carefully choosing the varieties/hybrids you use. A squirrel is likely to attack the ear with the easy shelling kernels first, wildlife are usually very conscious of cost/benefit ratios. Thoughts? Interesting. I heard someone mention recently that raccons walk right past GMO corn to feed on heirloom native american corn. Whether both or either claim is true is hard to say one way or another, but at least a possibility. My biggest gripe is the blanket term GMO. Each GMO is different, and treating them all the same is idiotic. Specifically WHICH GMO? If we are talking about GMO corn that has the BT gene, then i personally think there could very well be a chemical that animals like squirrels or racoons could taste and not like. Animals can be quite perceptive if it involves a food source they are already well adapted or accustomed to. Any change to that system in my mind is likely to be noticed.
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Post by prairiegarden on Dec 6, 2015 21:42:02 GMT -5
speaking of GMOs, Reuters reported that Putin is taking Russia entirely away from GMOs and industrial ag in general, in favor of organic production, saying that's a growing market and what people want so Russia intends to become the major world supplier of such food.
In another group someone reported that he is also giving a break for small producers, no property tax for anything up to 10 hectares as long as it is producing food. Astonishing.
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Post by steev on Dec 6, 2015 22:10:13 GMT -5
Damn! I really hate it when somebody I really don't like does things I really do like.
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Post by Walk on Dec 7, 2015 9:11:30 GMT -5
I think it would be interesting to have a few feed pans with shelled corn of various types, then let in one animal at a time to the pen/cage and let them choose without having to fight over it with others. I've seen in our garden that critters seem overly attracted to our flint corn, despite the hundreds of acres of nearby GMO corn. Is it because of our surrounding habitat and good cover? Is it because we water when it's dry? Is it the other crops that they like to eat with their corn? Is it because the GMO fields don't support raptors and the power company buried the electric lines, taking away some convenient perches for hawks so there are way fewer predators? Whatever the actual reason it seems like our garden has a big target on it as far as rodents are concerned. Raccoon pressure was high this summer but our corn was well fenced enough to keep them away - they had to settle for plums and grapes instead. About 30 years ago we lived in Wisconsin and one day came home to find our early winter kale crop eaten to the ground. The tracks in the snow told us that the neighbors cattle had come through a fence about 1/4 mile away and made a beeline to our place without stopping. They were in a field of standing chemically grown corn, crossed a lush pasture next to a small orchard without stopping, and zeroed in on the organically grown kale. After that the tracks circled our small greenhouse several times and when they couldn't get inside, they headed back home. It looked like a well-planned raid and without the snow cover to trace their tracks, we wouldn't have known the story.
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Post by RpR on Dec 10, 2015 12:14:53 GMT -5
From my own observations, squirrels have a way to determine what they want most.
From what I have found they prefer in order: Sweet Corn, flour corn, field corn, gourd seed corn, gmo corn, flint corn.
I have had some of these on the ground, on the cob and shelled, at the same time and they will leave what is least desired untouched till they realize none of the good stuff is coming.
I put gmo field corn on the ground with open pollinated field corn and they did not eat the gmo till they realized that was all they were getting. They love, old maids though.
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Post by steev on Dec 10, 2015 20:36:06 GMT -5
As do perceptive old bachelors, squirrelly as they may be.
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Post by DarJones on Dec 11, 2015 2:58:00 GMT -5
Where's the internet cops when you need em, we got us a predator on our hands. Send for the vigilantes!!!!
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