by
Paul
Benhaimdepending on the temperature. You can now place the log back
outside after fruiting and shock again 12 weeks after the first
shock for the second flush of mushrooms. I shock each log 4
times per year from April to November on warm days to get a
large drop in temperature.
Genetic
Modification
This book is ultimately about nature, natural foods and cures so a
short note regarding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is in
order. Genetic engineering (GE) is used to move genes from the
DNA of one species, for example a chicken and put them into
another species, for example a melon. This breaks the species
barrier allowing insect killing genes to be shared between species,
and there is no means of reversing this process. The long-term
effects of humans consuming GMOs are as yet unknown, however
some effects are starting to show. A soybean containing genetic
material from a Brazil nut caused allergies in individuals allergic to
nuts. Playing with our basic fuel without proper tests is, in my
opinion, too much of a risk and I recommend actively boycotting
any such products or companies supporting such research.
Possibly the most immediate problem is gene transfer. A
test in 1994 showed that 72% of natural potatoes grown near GE
potatoes had absorbed the modified gene. Another study found
that pollen from GE rape seed had fertilised plants up to 2.5km
away. Monsanto, a company responsible for many of the GMOs,
has been taking the farmers who were infected to court (before
they themselves were sued) for using their GM crops without a
license! These scare tactics are being used to quiet such
mistakes.