Butterflies Not Harmed by Genetically Modified Corn Pollen

Opponents of genetically engineered foods have often cited a laboratory study suggesting that the population of Monarch butterflies would be seriously damaged if they consumed pollen from corn plants that produced the insecticidal Bt protein. Anti-biotechnology activists suggest that other species of beneficial or harmless insects would suffer as well. However, a new study published in the June 6 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science makes this gloomy forecast seem unlikely. Continue reading

The Chicken Thinks, Yeah, Like I Had a Choice

You know, I actually agree with this whole ceremony thing. People have stopped giving sincere thanks for the food that’s on their table. This is the original reason for the blessing before a meal. Native Americans thank the gods for providing them with food and thank the animals for allowing themselves to be slow enough (or whatever) to be killed. This is common in many, many cultures. So, I agree with what Jake and Jan did, but I’m not sure I’d take to such an extreme. Continue reading

A Sales Tool

While industry manufacturers have put online support services at the forefront of their Internet agenda, online sales are also in the works, although few manufacturers currently allow club owners to purchase directly from their sites. One reason could be that the Web is just too new to the industry, and it will take some time for systems to be put in place. Another reason could be that it is unknown just how widespread Internet use is among club owners. As such, the idea of purchasing products via computer could take some getting used to. Continue reading