Our subdivision seems to use Round up like water. We don't live far from a lake. I am sure some of that round up finds its way into the lake.

I don't believe that issues like these are black and white - that goes for GMOs as well. They are complex - there are shades of grey to be considered. And what to and what not to use does often come down to personal choices related to our own persona philosophy about things.

Used to be every year local farmers had lots of runoff, not of herbicides or pesticides, but fertilizers.

This would cause huge weed "blooms" in the lake, choking off much of the boating and fishing.

Farmers take better care nowadays, and my Mom uses far less of the stuff that she used to.

Even the Roundup that we did use was sparingly.

I'm still trying to convince Mom to quit using malathion, not only is that stuff nasty, it really stinks!

I'll be using it very sparingly where grass has clumped up in cracks in a walkway.

Once that crap is dead, I'll glove and throw it away.

It's the only place grass grows in my yard. Concrete apparently provides a nice mulch for the rhizomes.

I worked in big pharma for 25 years. And I garden (and my first book came out a few months ago). So I sit squarely in the middle of so many current controversies. Suffice to say I've seen both the good and not so good of what big pharma does - and can do. Ditto GMO (though I prefer to use GEO - engineered, not modified). And I use (and do not use) that which I feel comfortable with in gardening.

I see most things in terms of grey and most things needing good thought and analysis. That is what we end up sorely lacking in the black/white, quick soundbite, current world when controversial topics become so emotional, yet are covered at barely skin deep.

My Mom used to use kerosene for that before Roundup existed.... in the early '60s.

But then she also cleaned the tile work and tub in the bathroom with ether!



So....is it better or worse today? (a real question)

It's more specific. It may be overused by some homeowners, but that can be said of anything. Many organic products are far more toxic.

... compared to so many others, including "organic" products.

Don't worry. Their noodles are about to be rocked but good:

'Neonics Not Key Driver of Bee Deaths'--USDA Study May Clash With White House Poised to Restrict Pesticide
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-entine/neonics-not-key-driver-of_b_6928578.html?

http://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2015/03/throwback-to-childhood-if-glyphosate-is-so-safe-then-why-dont-you-drink-it.html

“If you love it so much, why don’t you marry it?”

Who doesn’t remember this ridiculous line from their childhood? The schoolyard taunt was directed at a whole array of things that one might be inclined to defend – best friends, the teacher, or your favorite color crayon. Normally, or hopefully, most people grow out of such childish taunts when they reach an adult age and start to mature.

Most people.

Apparently that isn’t necessarily true for anti-GMO activists and, unfortunately, one interviewer used such a taunt against a respected scientist while he was attempting to promote Golden Rice. The now infamous YouTube video shows a short clip of an interview with Dr. Patrick Moore, where he states that glyphosate does not cause cancer and that you could drink a quart of it without it hurting you. The interviewer then mocks Dr. Moore by offering him a glass of glyphosate to drink. Realizing the interview is a sham, Dr. Moore ends the interview and walks off camera.

The video clip launched the attack by anti-GMO activists of Dr. Moore and anyone supporting genetic modification – if glyphosate is so safe, then why don’t you drink it? Naturally, activists also alleged that Dr. Moore was a paid Monsanto lobbyist.

..."