GM crops

[rov1200]

We have heard about the advantages of GM seeds but what are the disadvantages? For instance do we have to purchase the seeds from firms like Monsanto in the US every time we plant a new crop? Can we easily revert to the old method after a couple of years if not satisfactory? Do they cause superweeds? Is the cost of the seed lower than conventional seed? Is the yield greater or not? Will they interfere with the insect population or bees? Why do many governents including Britain ban them?

[wildwood]

The main disadvantage of genetically modified seed is, rightly or wrongly, that it carries the public 'frankenstein' fear.
There is no reason why GM seeds should not be able to set fertile seeds but I fear that preventing this could be a commercial aim of the bigger companies.
Yes, we can easily revert to the original crops as long a someone keeps them going.
GM has nothing to do with superweeds, as a matter of fact, the modification probably causes faster growth amongst other things so would be disadvantageous to weeds.
The cost will be (a lot) greater than conventional seed.
The crop yield will be greater, that is the aim of GM.
GM should not interfere greatly with the insects, no more than our common 'manmade' vegetable plants do now.
It is banned (completely???) in Britain because of the fear factor.

Don't believe a thing I said, I am just bored.

[chakka35]

So far they are neither banned nor permitted in Britain.

Tests are under way to see whether they should be permitted or not. Well, they would be if vandals led by loony lords didn't trash the crops.

In USA and Canada they are grown on a large scale without any undesirable effect.

[BertiWooster]

Yet

[rov1200]

I think your answer about superweeds is wrong. There have been instances:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2005/jul/25/ gm.food

[rov1200]

GM crops also responsible for the massive destruction of bee colonies especially in the USA says this article:

http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID =6234

[Whickerman]

the companies that sell the seeds are happy to announce that you need to either rebuy their seeds every year, or if you do manage to reseed using the plants from the year before you must pay a licence fee. And they are bloody ruthless about this. In fact, if their strain gets to your farm from a neighbour's farm, you are liable for this fee too.

[wildwood]

Hi rove. Have you read your own links right through with an unbiased mind? Brassica seeds have been the scurge of crop farming for ages, long before GM was even thought of. More research will probably resolve in an easy solution. Any problems which MAY occur need to be corrected, that's why such things are pre-tested with trails crops.
Your insect link clearly blames parasites which MAY be affected by GM crops. The other cause of mass depletion of bees, the varroa mite, has been around for many centuries and is now spreading far beyond it's natural Asian bounderies because the envoronment is warming up - nothing to do with GM.
If you already have a pre-conceived opinion on GM then no amount of answers is going to change your mind and that is everyone's prerogative, I'll wait a while before I make up my mind.