The Gene Revolution, The Future of Agriculture: Dr. Thierry Vrain at TEDxComoxValley

Thierry Vrain retired 10 years ago after a long career as a soil biologist and ended head of a department of molecular biology running his own research program to engineer nematode resistance genes in crops. In his retirement career as a gardener he learned five or six years ago how the soil ecosystem really functions and have been preaching ever since. He find himself with a good knowledge of genetic engineering technologies surrounded by people in fear of being hurt by the food they eat. He found that he cannot ignore them anymore and has joined the campaign to educate consumers about the potential health problems reported in the recent scientific literature.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[aardvarkmcgillicuddy]

I stopped eating grains and processed foods, all of them. It was hard, but I feel much better. No foggy brain, no gut problems, more energy. I only eat veg and meat, all organic. I eat a lot less because it's much more expensive, but I feel much healthier. No dairy products either.

[wendax]

Thank you Dr. Vrain, for standing up against GMOs and spending so much of your time spreading the word! I hope you make it across Canada to share what you have learned over the years, it is important work.

[bimmjim]

I have noticed that once this antiGMO video got enough hits, a viral marketer named Camarelli, has been assigned to it. I have been encountering these people all over Youtube for about 5 years now. Their tactics are the same whether they are advocating for the nuclear industry, the coal lobby or GMOs. Their debating method is poor. This guy is not very good at it. I've seen their jobs get out-sourced to India. Dr David Suzuki has done some great videos on GMOs.

[cojanti]

Glyphosate was thought to be very safe, because it acts on a pathway we don't possess. The problem is that our gut bacteria, and the bacteria in the soil do possess this pathway.

That is why Glyphosate is classed as an antibiotic, and that is why - in this era of antibiotic resistance - its safety is being questioned.

[elburro]

It fortunately is an option for me. So I've already joined. I'm growing organic food with aquaponics and aim to produce enough to feed my family in about one year. I wouldn't be able to do so though without a well paid job. Few people have the resources to do this. With resources I mean land, time, skills, or money. Society depends on large farmers. But they now have a trust problem. If farmers would label their produce, it would make the transition to sustainable food production possible.

[danablackwell]

@bimmjim thanks for digging in and providing your insight. Obviously TEDx is not interested in losing out on some funding or another from corporations. They don't want to step on any corporate toes. Very scary that real science - the kind based on curiosity and observation - is now faced with many challenges in a world that is increasingly dominated by corporate influence.

[rbairos]

That one. It also showed benefits to the GMO-fed pigs (but statistically insignificant). The point is 'statistically insignificant' means 'statistically insignificant'. You can't pick and choose based on the topic.

The only things left to decide is if the analysis is wrong and/or the methodology.

[Julianne]

There is some labels. You can buy food that is certified organic. And it feels great to buy from organic companies because they truly support family (small and local) farming. or you can be a member of a CSA(Community Supported Agriculture). Search for CSA farms in your area. you can pick up produce at a farm or have it delivered. Cut out the middleman and corporations in one easy action. For processed food it is about learning which companies are worthy of your trust. OCA can help with that.

[RealiveProds]

I'm the same. Mostly meat, fish and veg. And since I got rid of all the processed junk food (ie sugar), I no longer have food cravings - so I eat a lot less, because my body knows how much it needs. Processed food is designed to make you over-eat, because it stimulates cravings.

[MrChristopherGuest]

The interesting thing about superweeds is that it shows that we didn't need to put genes from other species into plants to get herbicide resistance. So you have to ask, what's the point?

[Bushtailedwildcat]

‘The enzyme ferric-chelate reductase is required for most plants to acquire soluble iron.’ (Robinson NJ, Procter CM, Connolly EL, Guerinot ML; A ferric-chelate reductase for iron uptake from soils; Nature. 1999 Feb 25;397(6721):694-7.)

[maxklein]

according to Reuters " Weed resistance has spread to more than 12 million U.S. acres and primarily afflicts key agricultural areas in the U.S. Southeast and the corn and soybean growing areas of the Midwest.

Many of the worst weeds, some of which grow more than six feet and can sharply reduce crop yields, have become resistant to the popular glyphosate-based weed-killer Roundup, as well as other common herbicides."

[rbairos]

The summary for the article you list says:

"Results from all the 24 studies do not suggest any health hazards and, in general, there were no statistically significant differences within parameters observed. However, some small differences were observed, though these fell within the normal variation range of the considered parameter and thus had no biological or toxicological significance."

Please don't reinterpret their results without justification!

[scabilos]

I apologize for the stupid gesture. Thanks for your reply. Half an hour ago I watched the complete video and realized that I behaved like an idiot. This is a lesson to always watch it till the end and only then comment.
Thank you!

[rbairos]

More research is warranted, because its an important topic, not because the 24 reports hinted at some harm. It showed no harm.

You can`t both say the studies were too short *and* they showed harm.

[bimmjim]

I discovered TEDx about a year ago and right away I thought some thing was amiss. So I investigated TEDx by looking up all their vids on the subjects that I know. On Nuclear Power and alternative energy, I found a vast empty canyon with a few little scraps of advertising at the bottom. Unfortunately, TEDx gets a lot of hits. In your link I found these words, "Sells a product, supplement, plan or service related to their proposed talk --- This is a BIG RED FLAG” . Monsanto funds Universities.

[gMomma]

I live in a city in central PA. I have approx. 40ft x 60ft of back yard space. This is my second year gardening (organic). Thus far, I have: Russet and Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Carrots, Onions, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, Cabbage, Spinach, Lettuce, Broccoli, Green Beans, and Peas. I'm going to can and freeze most of my veggies (storing the onions and tatoes). I have all of this in seven raised beds that take up only 1/8 of the space in my yard. Oh yes cities have PLENTY of room.

[Bushtailedwildcat]

These 'herbicide resistant' crops are only resistant to 1 herbicide; Glyphosate AKA roundup. Perfection will be found in crops resistant to all herbicides due to the statistical improbability of finding a weed resistant to all herbicide resistance genes via lateral gene transfer, the application of herbicide blends will be a reliable solution to the 'weed-problem'. This however is an expensive and elaborate process which contradicts the business model to which Monsanto; an agrobusiness operates.

[bimmjim]

People can search and read the article I mentioned above and then judge for themselves. I did engineering for a living and I was good at it. I have lectured on the difference between the scientific method and the engineering method. Many professors don't understand this. I also did regulation so I understand the problems encountered when regulating any industry. There must be an adversarial relationship between the regulator and the regulatee. Have you listened to David Suzuki's video?

[Bushtailedwildcat]

17:00 most organic chemicals are chellators due to the fact that they contain functional groups which will bind to free ions in the soil medium; 'Virtually all biochemicals exhibit the ability to dissolve certain metal cations. Thus, proteins, polysaccharides, and polynucleic acids are excellent polydentate ligands for many metal ions.' (wikipedia; Chelation)