Diversity is Key

When reading part 5 of Cradle to Cradle one thing really came to mind was diversity in food.  Not just the food itself, but its genetics.  Its easy to get many different food items at any of our local food markets, but with all the genetically engineered food out there i fear that diversity of food plant life is being manipulated too much.  When we watched the Film in class about food, one thing that struck me as very interesting is that Monsanto has patented genetics, and seed stock, and that their seed stock that is being legitimately grown by farmers and is also pollinating other farmers crops that do not buy these genetics.  I feel as though our food crop is getting "dumbed" down by such practices of patenting.  I sincerely hope that all of our food stock isn't leaning toward this trend.  We need different genetics in out food stocks to keep the plant species healthy and nutritious.  Mixing genetics is what helps plants evolve to be strong and viable.  If we are kept eating one type of corn with one type of genetic make up, I fear not only for us but for the plant itself.  With any type of breeding  project, whether plant of animal there is always the possibility of working yourself into a corner, and that corner usually comes with inbreeding.  If we keep inbreeding these specimens without out-crossing them, there runs a high risk for sterility.  And if farmers are getting forced to grow one type of seed, where is the diversity in that.  I understand that breeding and some inbreeding needs to happen to stabilize certain genetics, but if out crossing never happens i feel like we are heading towards a heap of trouble.  I am grateful though for the seed bank tucked away in the arctic that holds many of the worlds viable seeds in case we as humans get our selves in trouble, atleast we have that to fall back on.

side-note: my spell check has Monsanto in its word bank.........creepy