Mosanto: The Invasive Species?

The term neophyte, with its ecclesiastical heritage from the term neophutos, means literally newly planted. Many ecologists are of the opinion that the (plant/animal) newcomers do more harm than good and must be eradicated. A rather uncanny feeling creeps up in the connotation and conjures xenophobic visions that see a threat in all newcomers. Nevertheless, it has been accepted as the gold standard, to cut down and eradicate that what is considered new and threatening. And the tools that are put to use, in the pursuit of this aim, can range from mechanical to plain poison aka herbicide.

Before we fall into the inane fear of the “unknown unknowns”, as one unfortunate soul of history had trumped up, let us ponder on a slightly related issue. Is it possible to hold the clock and stop evolution in its steps, without influencing it? From our knowledge of quantum physics, we should know that it is impossible to do so. But nevertheless we try and try again, in this never-ending search for equilibrium that has evaded humankind since time existed.

The majority of people would not have heard about Willapa Bay in Washington State, USA, or ever get to see that part of the world. What is taking place there is a microcosm of our (mis-)conception of what we perceive to be the ‘correct’ evolution of species. This could be an oxymoron or a dangerous precedent that has its antecedents in eugenics, which was practiced on humans in the not too distant past. Animal and plant breeding has been practiced for thousands of years, with some success and an equal amount of failure. In a modern day 12 loaves story, they have been instrumental in providing nutrition for millions worldwide.

Monsanto Corporation has been in the limelight for decades for reasons that any company would prefer not to be in. This appears to be the fate of many large corporations working in fields such as biology, chemistry or pharmaceuticals. Are we dealing with greedy corporations who seek their own self-aggrandisement at the expense of many others? Or does it go with the territory of offering solutions that have, by their very nature, a flip side?

The presence of a salt water grass, spartina alterniflora, in large numbers in Willapa Bay has provided Monsanto, with their Roundup and Rodeo and BASF with their Imazapyr herbicides a good commercial opportunity in the governmental attempt to eradicate this weed, which incidentally is not classified as a weed on the US east coast.

A quite incisive, neutral and detailed write-up can be read at Truth Out.

The greater issue that should be of concern to us is our wish for a constant, static and highly regulated change process that refuses to acknowledge that evolution has been a timeless and a never-ending process. If any species can be termed as the master of invasion, it would be the dubious privilege conferred on homo sapiens sapiens.

It is but opportune for us to reflect on the positive (and negative effects) of the Scotch Broom, cytisus scoparius, introduced to America from Europe and the effect of PL 480 (US Food for Peace!), which brought Parthenium aka Congress Grass to India from the US in the late fifties.

In the words of Portia from The Merchant of Venice act 4, scene 1)

“Tarry a little, there is something else.

This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;

The words expressly are ‘a pound of flesh’.”