Very recently, a news item appeared in a major ecomic publication voicing concern that the major corporate argi-business players in the world seed market are conducting genetic experimentation to develop seed stocks that are 'reproductively self-limiting'. That is, the seeds may be purchased for planting by farmers and will produce the desired fruits, vegetables, etc., but unlike conventional seed-grown crops, they will not produce new seed for new crops. Each subsequent crop MUST be planted using a NEW supply of the seeds purchased from the company that provided them originally. Multiply this cost by the number of seed planters in the world and one can easily see the vast ly profitable nature of such specially modified food seed stocks that such gentically 'improved' seeds represent for whatever company controls the process.

While this revelation may at first seem innocuous enough, the implications are truly staggering, for it means that control of the entire world's food supply could theoretically be concentrated in the hands of a few major corporate concerns. A few moments of thought in this direction should be enough to sound some very important alarm bells, should the seed operations on Molokai be involved in this type of unconscionable experimentation.

Genetically modified food seeds are controversial enough in the applications that are already well-known and regularly discussed, but this new area of seed research stands an order of magnitude above the 'known' genetic researches being carried out conventionally. The implications for the world, should this new area of research be undertaken to any serious degree, are profound and extremely disturbing.

While it behooves Molokai to be grateful for the economic development that Monsanto has invested in the island, we also need to become far better informed about exactly to WHAT extent the seed research activities on Molokai are being conducted and in what specific directions. Research of the specific kind referenced here (self-limiting seed stock) is socially, economically, and culturally reprehensible. Perhaps it is prudent to make inquiries and seek information on this from Monsanto?
Malama pono!
Kalikiano