On Fri, 14 May 1999, wrote: > If it were not for selective genetic manipulation, the only chile plants we > would have in North America would be the little tepins that grow only in > Arizona, and there would be none in Mississippi or Missouri since the > climate would not allow it. > > Humans have been messing about with selective genetic manipulation for many > generations with disastrous or excellent results depending upon how > selective your memory is. A very good argument, and sure "humans have been messing about with selective genetic manipulation for many generations ...", but the genetic manipulation was always by cross-fertilizing different strains within a plant or animal species. This is no longer the case. A few years ago, for instance, plans to market soybeans containing a gene from Brazil nuts were discontinued after it was belatedly discovered that the protein produced by the gene is a major Brazil nut allergen. In another case, a genetically engineered soil additive almost made it to market, until it was discovered that the tests of the additive on sterile soil failed to reveal what a graduate student in the lab later discovered: In real soil, the additive killed every plant around. A gene from a fish that is indigenous to the arctic has been inserted into a tomato so it can withstand colder temperatures. If genetically engineered food crops (genetically modified organisms) are so much better for people and so safe, why are both Canada and the US government/USDA so adamantly opposed to any sort of labeling? Oh, and let's not blame Monsanto for the existence of the "Terminator" gene. This little bit of biotechnology was developed by both the Delta & Pine Land company, a major supplier of cotton seed, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Service (your tax dollars at work). The USDA signed over all rights to this process to Delta & Pine in exchange for 5% of all future profits. Three months after D & P was issued a patent, Monsanto acquired them along with the patent Now back on the topic of all things chile! Dave DeWitt has recently published _The Chile Pepper Encyclopedia_ (ISBN 0-688-15611-8). Among the web sites listed for more chile information are the Chile-Heads Home Page (he gives the old URL though), Firegirl ("An entertaining site about all things hot and spicy.") and Graham Caselton Chile-Head ("The best British site for detailed information on chiles and fiery foods.") ======================================================================= Bob Batson L 39 12 14 N 94 33 16 W bob@sky.net Kansas City Lifetime Member, Seed Savers Exchange USDA zone 5b Amateur Horticulturist Presently conducting evaluation trials growing Pachyrhizus ahipa