I would smoke GMO marijuana

[Δ9-THC]

I'm curious as to what people thing of GMO's (genetically modified organisms). Naturally, since we're all... well... you get it... I figured I'd ask, how would you feel about smoking marijuana that has been grown from a geneticall modified plant? It is feasible to produce a strain which produces higher than normal amounts of cannabinoids, and would likely be the focus of a GMO marijuana plant.

 

[Northern_Greens]

hehe that bowl/blunt/joint your tokin is genetically modified....smoke some 60's genetics then some from today...and you'll see weve already come along way

 

[FallenBuddha]

already do. all of these hybrids are gentically modified by breeding. for example haze which is a pure sativa and takes approx 14 - 16 weeks to finish, crossed with something like northern lights five which is almost pure indica if not pure indica, ( i have heard some tales that nl5 had skunk in the cross but cant confirm or deny it myself) takes like 6 to 8 weeks to finish. and you get a strain with improved potency, shorter flowering time, and improved yield as well as shortening up those tall lanky haze beasts. just my rambling $.02 or tuppance if you will.

peace -fb

 

[The End Is Near]

I hate them and the people that produce and spread them with a passion. The people associated with GMO crops release untested products to the public and on many times have had unseen health consequences, ie eating away at stomach lining, people having allergic reactions to vegetables because of a fish gene inserted by a virus.

GMO companies force farmers off their land AND steal it by suing them for copyright infringement whenever a GMO plant is found on their property, no matter what the reason, even if it got there by accident or wind. They raped an entire nation (Iraq) by banning their own natural seeds, developed by farmers over THOUSANDS OF YEARS to survive the harsh, dry climate. The ONLY seed they can legally grow are GMO crops, which require lots of fertilizer and water, which the US will sell to them for $$$ obviously.

So, out of principle, fuck no, I would not smoke GMO weed. Genetic engineering was supposed to be good, but once again the technology that has great potential to help mankind has been hijacked and bastardized for a quick buck.

GMO crops were developed only to sell, and have only been around for a decade or 2. They stay fresh longer or look more robust, but are the cream of the crap compared to what good old fashioned farmers have developed over millenia.

I can go on forever about this, but I think this is enough for one thread, at least for now.

 

[Δ9-THC]

NG & Fallen Buddah: In a sense you're right, but I'm not sure if a hybrid plant classifies as a GMO. Generally when I think of GMO I think of gene insertion, or enhanced gene expression... basically.. something made in a laboratory under non-natural circumstances (i.e. not from breeding of haploid cells).

The End is Near: Yes, I completely agree there is an ethical debate over GMO's. I don't mean to open a can of worms, but I think it's good to go against US business practices which you don't support. However, if a marijuana hybrid was produced that was advantageous over hybrids that have been produced, and was the same $12 for a clone, would you buy it? Say it produced more THC, grew faster, and didn't produce as many compounds which become carcinogenic upon smoking.

I'm mereley proposing the idea not as a political question, but as a preference question for regular marijuana users. I suppose most medical users would rather take a couple hits of extremely potent herb than toke it all day long compromising their lungs. In reality, there will not be a bio-tech company producing a GMO marijuana plant and reaping the rewards of a helpless medical community, the laws absolutely will not allow this. HOWEVER, there are certain well seasoned growers amongst us that undoubtedly have the knowhow and capability to produce such a plant.

 

[NserUame]

already do. all of these hybrids are gentically modified by breeding. for example haze which is a pure sativa and takes approx 14 - 16 weeks to finish, crossed with something like northern lights five which is almost pure indica if not pure indica, ( i have heard some tales that nl5 had skunk in the cross but cant confirm or deny it myself) takes like 6 to 8 weeks to finish. and you get a strain with improved potency, shorter flowering time, and improved yield as well as shortening up those tall lanky haze beasts. just my rambling $.02 or tuppance if you will.

peace -fb

Hybrids are not genetically modified. It is nothing more than cross pollination, take the pollen from one plant add it to another and certain traits are inherited. No different than a Border Collie and a Dalmation breeding, the puppies will have traits from both parents.

Genetically modifying a plant is much more than that. It require splicing in genes with certain traits that NATURE can not duplicate. Such as those pigs that glow neon green, that is genetic modification, a pig did not fuck a jellyfish and have offspring.

I refuse to eat food that has been put through a labratory. It's too soon to know what the implications from eating genetically modified beef and plants can do to you. The results aren't in yet, and for the same reason I would not smoke bud that had been altered in anyway other than what nature could do.

 

[Chuckleberry]

depending on the cirumstances from which the genetics were manipulated

more that likely if done without chemicals, i would try anything once lol

 

[Guest]

What's seen in hybrids is "hybrid vigor". When the seeds are grown out you pick only the finest plants to reproduce with the closest traits you wish to see and then hybridise (or back X) again and do this over and over until you have a plant producing the traits you want to their maximum potential.

Colchicine is one of the more commonly used modifiers that is produced from the Autumn Crocus and is extremely dangerous to toy with unproperly. However, it can produce some amazing characteristics as well as some extremely odd ones.

I don't think at this point in time I would smoke it just yet but I wouldn't mind having one just as a novelty/collection plant. Like wax fruit; looks good but you probably shouldn't eat it.

J.

 

[Δ9-THC]

The 'easiest' genetic manipulation is done with mutagens... so... callus cells (the cells that form when a clone is taken, and where roots then grow from) can be cultured on a nutritive media in a petri dish. The result will be a thin layer of cells which can be manipulated. Exposure to x-rays or chemical mutagens may cause changes in gene sequences. Statistically, the most likely result would be cell death. Many DNA modifications will severely disrupt the proteins produced, and the cell can't live. However, there may be a few cells which don't die, and when grown back into a plant will exhibit radically different traits be it antocyanin (purple), no THC produced, more THC produced, or who knows what.

Other gene manipulations would be achieved by DNA insertion and deletion. For instance a gene could be inserted which would change marijuana from a short day to a long day plant.. that is to say.. it would flower in 18/6 rather than 12/12. Heck.. you could even insert a firefly gene and make your weed plants glow in the dark! Haha.. that would be a novelty indeed.

Here is an example of a tobacco plant with a firefly luciferase gene expressed. Wicked, huh!

 

[timmyocool]

they could do all kinds of crazy things if it were legal. if they can grow an ear on a mouse, why couldnt they make plants thats only purpose was to produce trichs?

 

[NserUame]

but do you want to be smoking whatever chemical produces all those trichs is the question. i mean hell the fda can't see the benefits of marijuana, i dont really trust them to tell me what's safe to eat.

 

[Δ9-THC]

You should keep this in mind: The FDA does not DO all of the testing for food and drug products, they merely approve the research that has been done. While I don't always trust the government, I can promise you that the laboratory practices are very strict concerning certification of pesticides, pharmacueticals and such. Anyway, off topic..

You're right, there's no enough known about the chemicals produced in marijuana to say what's safe or not... though... BBQ meat is one of the most carcinogenic things on the planet. Why?? Well... burn anything and it quickly undergoes chemical changes to give some weird chemicals which are somewhat unpredictable. You will NEVER be able to create a marijuana plant that is free of chemicals which will be dangerous for you to smoke... while you won't like this arguement... marinol is the safest form of THC, though I might argue that vaporizing and edibles come close.

 

[green michine]

this is a very interesting thread.

 

[Δ9-THC]

After reading up on the aforementioned Colchicine, it seems that this chemical can be used as a mitosis factor which will cause multiple duplications of a plant cell genome within one cell replication. The results would be extremely varied, but it would likely have 2 times as many genes coding for the production of THC. This speedy multiplication of the genome is prone to error, hence the mutations that may result.

This event is known as polyploidy (most plants are normally diploid (2x chromosomes).. hence poly would be more).

So what good is this? If we start with a 2x plant cell... induce polyplody to get a 4x cell (and a 0x cell which dies), we can grow a full plant that is 4x. This plant can be back crossed with a 2x plant to produce a triploid plant (3x chromosomes) which will likely be sterile. This is the process used in producing many seedless fruit.

Interestingly, Colchicine is also FDA approved as a human prescription drug.

Now that I think about it.... I'm not so sure I would jump right in and smoke some tetraploid bud! maybe smoke out some mice or something first

 

[The End Is Near]

Why "fix" something that isn't broken? Yes, we'd all like shorter flowering times and increased potency, but would you want to care for a cannabis-jellyfish-e. coli chimera made by money grubbing pricks that foolishly think they can imrove upon millions of years of evolution, or God's design (depending what you believe) just because they swapped a gene or two?

Selective breeding is the only safe way to go. And I'm sure you (Delta 9) can understand my skepticism that synthetic THC is safer than the natural cocktail of cannibinoids that is in cannabis. I'm more concerned about synthetics and pharmaceuticals than carcinogens made through burning.

 

[Δ9-THC]

Heh, fair enough. I trust my lungs evolution to deal with a little smoke now and then. But again, this would not be a money thieving endeavor so much as a novelty as pyrex suggested. I still agree with you, there is an ethical question at stake, and that is one that science cannot answer. However, science has shown processes in biology which truly are stranger than reality. For instance, certain cells' ability to take up random DNA fragments from the surrounding environment in a last ditch effort to survive. Or the fact that every time you have a cold, the DNA in your upper respiratory cells is changed FOREVER. Every vaccine you get at the doctors office alters your body's genetic make up PERMANENTLY. It's all some really crazy stuff, but I think if careful steps are taken to ensure that such GMO plants are not introduced into wild populations, we can ensure sufficient workarounds from the ethical problems.

Not to mention... there really is no 'native' population of marijuana anywhere within 1000 miles of most of us. However, I do think producing sterile GMO's is also important... as was seen in the Bacillus Thurengensis corn GMO.

 

[fr33th3w33d]

Here is an example of a tobacco plant with a firefly luciferase gene expressed. Wicked, huh!

haha woah, my genetics professor just showed us that picture in lecture like 2 days ago. wierd..


GM plants and companies are EVIL. it has been proven that changes in the genetic structure of foods and such can cause profound changes at the cellular level.

example

"Over 50% of newborn rats died within 3 weeks when mothers were fed with GE soya
36% were severely stunted"

More than half the offspring of soya fed rats died in the the first three weeks of life. This was six times as many as with normal diet. Of those who survived, six times many as those eating normal diet, had underweight.

"The morphology and biochemical structures of rats are very similar to those of humans, and this makes the results very disturbing" according to the scientists who did the research. "

http://www.psrast.org/intro1.htm

GM companies are also completely evil. ever heard of the terminator gene? it would cause seeds to be "turned off" so you cant plant them and grow anything.. causing farmers to pay for seeds anually.. this is terrible for poor farming countries like india..

i dont think youd like it very much if gypsy had terminating seeds..

 

[Guest]

I suppose I should add that it is extremely important that nobody try to make an extract of Colchicine. This can cause the same effect in mammals as plants and I'm quite sure that you do not want your cells attempting polyploidyism. (It would be somewhat comparable to giving yourself cancer in the time it takes to be absorbed)
It's natural purpose is to discourage other plants from becoming comfortable within rootspace of the Crocus.

If we GM plants then what fun is there left for the breeders? The fun and respect is in the time it takes to "create" your special plant; for some this can be a lifetime work in progress that is carried on by an apprentice of sorts.

J.

 

[NserUame]

THC, I know the FDA doesn't do all the testing, and I realize marijuana isn't completely harmless...in fact I've gotten flamed by this forum for suggesting that. I guess I was trying to make a point.

GM companies main concern is profit, not the health of their clients. If 30 years down the road I get some sort of fucked up bone cancer from smoking their bud, they don't care. Long term effects mean nothing, because by that point they'll have moved onto another product.

Science is indeed awesome, but mother nature worked fine for billions of years without our intervention, I'll trust what I know works.

 

[Guest]

I would like to point out that while they don't care about our health they do care that the public is quick to jump the lawsuite gun and I think that is on our side. Unfortunately, many have to get sick and/or die before lawsuites make a difference.

J.