Gene/bio patenting has been going on since the 1970s. The Supreme Court has already ruled on gene patents...in 1980 and points in between...including a case on human gene patents a couple years ago. It's been upheld as valid intellectual property. There's 2 cases on gene/bio patents working it's way through the SCOTS right one...one involving the right to patent isolated genes/DNA...one involving the use of after-market seed for planting from a grain elevator bypassing the patent holder of the seed seller. There's lots of "stupid" things about our patent system. A quick look at what Apple has patented over the years can produce some head shakers. You can patent swiping a finger over a touch screen to wake a device from being off. You can patent the amount of space between multiple razors on a razor blade. As far as patents go, having genetic patents aren't exactly full-blown out of control patent madness.

"give farmers options for "conventional," that is, non-genetically engineered seeds (around 95 percent of all seeds for soy, corn and cotton contain a pesticide-resistant gene, which encourages wanton spraying); and in general move toward using more organic principles." While there are good points in the article, this point shows the author's total lack of understanding of farming...a problem with too many food activists, imo. The issue with massive use of GMO soy, corn, and cotton vs "conventional" seed isn't an alternate supply issue, it's farmer preference. Many people have a romantic view of the farmer, but many (especially those that grow those crops) want to get the best yield out of their acreage and GMO allows them to use less $$ inputs while getting the best harvest. It's farmer choice, not farmers being shoved into a corner. Hell, there's plenty of hybrids (non-GMO) many corn farmers could plant, but because they want to use their equipment/labor/chemical inputs less...they choose GMO. They have options. They choose GMO, yield, and profit. It may sound harsh to some, but it sounds cut/dry to others...and it's how the market is behaving.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Still carrying on with the rationalizations and god delusions. Can you tell me of a single time when your man made god and angels were actually documented as showing up for work and performing said miracles? Please give specific examples such as CBS, NBC, ABC, the New York Times - businesses that are trusted sources. Not going to happen. There are plenty of tricks to claim your man made god helped surgeons and other medical professionals save someone life. Truth is that these people are highly trained and no such mythical being ever set foot in the operating room whatsoever. If so, it would have been documented, and it would have been a first. Why didn't your man made gods and angels help the Haitians, the people of Chile, the Samoans, the Indonesians, the people of Thailand, or any number of other places including here in the US? Quite simply, your man made gods can't. They don't exist. Ignoring the truth and continuing your god delusion isn't healthy for you nor anyone else around you. It is detrimental to everyone. Now, go mow some grass. You'll enjoy it much better. Rusty: I hear you dude! How about some Rocky Top just to get things going?

First i like to say i like your screen name,iv'e been a mrhappy sorts since i retired in Jan and find myself now more into my figs and veggie garden like never before. Anyways that Belleclare page is old but probably of some interest to paople not familar with it.I only wish now that i have the time i would have driven there and bought some dark varity's like that number 31 and 39 on the updated list i have seen. Oh well. Martin