Epicyte: Contraceptive Corn
Epicyte: Contraceptive Corn
Tags: SCIENCE/HEALTH/CLIMATE/NATURE
In 2001 scientists at the Epicyte bio-lab in San Diego created the ultimate GM crop—'contraceptive corn'—after researchers discovered a rare class of human antibodies that attack sperm. By isolating the genes that regulate the manufacture of these antibodies, and by putting them in corn plants, the company has created tiny horticultural factories that make contraceptives.
The wheat field in Oregon that was found to be contaminated with an UNapproved GMO wheat gene is a clear warning. Monsanto stopped test growing that particular wheat 8 years ago! And the entire US wheat crop may have been contaminated. The Epicyte corn was being test grown 12 years ago! How far has that gene spread? Clearly the Epicyte gene was developed as a population control device. But if that gene has escaped into the wild in the same manner as the experimental wheat did, then we are looking at a potential extinction level event. Monsanto and the White House may serve what they think is GMO free food, but they really cannot know for certain any more. And birth rate in the US has gone into a decline.
Now, part of that decline is going to be due to the economic downturn. There was a drop in birth rates during the Depression of the 1930s. But given the Oregon contamination, there is no way to know for certain that the Epicyte gene has not gone wild and is already starting to make its way through the human population.
People who are of the opinion that the universe is full of life, including intelligent life, are often asked, "If there are superior civilizations out there, why aren't they visiting here?" One opinion is that contrary to science fiction, the speed of light is an unbreakable barrier. For another, we just may not be interesting enough to warrant a visit. After all, do you stop your car at every anthill as you drive down the highway?
But there is another possibility. Sooner or later every intelligent technological civilization reaches the point where it starts to play with its own life-code. That may prove to be a crisis point few civilizations survive.