USA Today just came out with a slightly different twist in their handling the story. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/01/03/gmo-genetically-modified-organism-facts-cheerios/4302121/ Of particular interest: " FDA is considering two citizen petitions it has received asking the agency to require GMO labeling." And "Why are some people concerned about GMOs? Critics say there are potential health effects (see next question) and environmental concerns surrounding GMOs. One of the supposed benefits of GMOs is that they should result in less herbicide spraying, since some plants have been modified to be herbicide resistant. However, over-reliance on these crops has led to the emergence of "super weeds" that are also more resistant to herbicides, requiring increased spraying, according to a University of Washington study." H.Kuska comment: the U. of Washington study link was given. It is: http://news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/2012/10/01/summary-of-major-findings-and-definitions-of-important-terms/ Of particular interest, to me, is the following: "Today’s major GE crops have increased overall pesticide use by 404 million pounds from 1996 through 2011 (527 million pound increase in herbicides, minus the 123 million pound decrease in insecticides). Overall pesticide use in 2011 was about 20% higher on each acre planted to a GE crop, compared to pesticide use on acres not planted to GE crops." And The biotechnology-seed-pesticide industry’s primary response to the spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds is development of new HT varieties resistant to multiple herbicides, including 2,4-D and dicamba. These older phenoxy herbicides pose markedly greater human health and environmental risks per acre treated than glyphosate. Approval of corn tolerant of 2,4-D is pending, and could lead to an additional 50% increase in herbicide use per acre on 2,4-D HT corn." H.Kuska comment: I could actually cut and paste much of the article, but instead I will simply suggest that everyone read the complete article. However, I will put the conclusion here: "Much new research will be required to translate emerging data on higher exposures to glyphosate and Bt toxins into estimates of human, farm and companion animal, and environmental risks." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ H.Kuska further comment: I feel that the above conclusion is consistent with my personel conclusion that scientists who are opposed to their being GMOs in our food supply generally are opposed to using the general population as beta testers ( beta testers is my term - long term safety studies are still needed is a more common statement). The main concern, as I see it, is what will happen if we are exposed to a continual diet of GMOs for an extended period. Normally included in statements like this is that each type of GMO has to be certified individually. ----------------------------------- 2013 scientific review: Title: "Food health quality of genetically modified crops ��" review of risks and benefits" "However, genetically modified organism are relatively new, as they appeared commercially in the mid 90’s and are poorly addressed by current testing methods [51]. That is why, there is a need for further discussions on risks and benefits of GM crops not only in terms of health, but also in terms of the environmental and socio-economic effects. To obtain more valuable results, the presented factors must be also evaluated in terms of their relative importance under specific conditions. For example, in poor and malnourished societies, “improved nutrition” and “food availability” may be considered a more important aspect of health sustainability than “changes in level of natural toxins” in plants, whereas in rich societies, this relation is likely to be the opposite. A major limitation of this review is the availability of the existing studies, showing results that were often conflicting and rooted in speculations. Thus, further research is needed to obtain more consistent outcome." http://mil-pharm-med.pl/2013/2-6/3.pdf Here is a link that might be useful: USA Today version of story

Hi, this is 2nd time around for me. The first one I killed during the winter. It turned to mush. I think I put it on a metal cabinet in the storeroom and it was just too cold and I watered it once. This 2 I got from QVC. I thought they were drying up so I watered them (twice)then I read the 101 site and replanted them. I kept bringing them in and outthe first month,then I had the grandkids here for 1 week and I just put them on a wall outside when I went back later the claws were turning into leaves and now they are doing great. I was killing them by TOO MUCH attention. I have a bamboo stick in the pots and when I pull the stick out it is always wet,even though I haven't watered them. It seems like they are making their own water somehow.Sweating maybe? I want to fertalize them so bad but I'm holding off. I want to see a flower just once. It's been kind of humid the last few days. I thought that would be good for them after all they are from Hawaii. Thanks for all the help

Hi everybody, Wow have I been missing things! Sounds like good news there for Bunny and Veeja's Grandbaby( great) it a cutie. Earthly, and Mellen and Sue K and Jeanne and Raggedy and Oh Mercy I'm sure I'm forgetting some of you, Anita.... SO GREAT to see you back active. You have been in my thoughts over the past few months. Really wish I could get back into trading because that is even more fun than gardening but..... I am limited to what will survive life on the road. My picnic table is half full of plants and I know I can't take them all with me so I am going to tuck few herbs into a corner by the laundry room here. I'll leave a sign telling folks to take some and enjoy them. Hope they survive the summer OK I have fallen in love with deep East Texas. It is more pines than Palms so does not feel tropical but is so mild that the Amarillis are growing in yards in clumps of 12 or 15 flower stalks. What a beautiful sight. The people are friendly too and I look foreward to getting back here again. Wednesday, I'll head for Oklahoma to see parts of the historic RT 66 and visit museums about that. Then on to New Mexico. So much to see there too. I'll be working for the summer right by Mesa Verda in Colorado. Plan to spend my free time visiting/studying the history of the Four Corners area. With the price of Gas continuing to go up I'll have to plan my trips carefully but I'm thinking if I don't see it now.... then when will it ever be any cheaper???? Carol, I have told many people about the book "The Long Emergency". He was so "right on" I hate to thing about next year oe five years from now. Hugs to all, Miss you. BB

Yes and I just saw it the other day darn it but where and was I on the desktop or laptop to go back in my history. Well hopefully someone will know but I will search and check both computers. It's like pink, blue, yellow, purple blocks with the letters in the middle of each one right? Oh going to drive me nuts now thank you, he he. Mary