Re: George Ball's NYT op-ed article

**Rose Marie McGee r*@comcast.net**

I think this somehow pertains. The current issue of Wired Magazine has 
a profile of the CEO of Scott's and discusses a GMO Bentgrass. that 
because of pollen drift has escaped in Central Oregon, an area that is 
not considered grass compatible unless irrigated. Neverthess, this 
glyphosphate resistant strain seems to be on the move. Very interesting 
article in a non-horticultural magazine.
I've enjoyed reading everyone's recent comments and appreciate George 
Ball stirring things up a bit.
Rose Marie Nichols McGee
On Mar 27, 2006, at 7:28 AM, Maryann Whitman wrote:

> Another unpublished letter to the editor:
>
> To the editor:
> George Ball ("Border War" Op-Ed, March 19) argues that the border
> control options for plants are to either allow or outlaw the 
> importation
> of all non-native species. Invasive plants cause economic damage to the
> US totaling $35billion/year, and most are intentionally introduced for
> ornamental purposes. Paradoxically, only about 5% of introduced species
> become invasive and cause harm. The other 95% never escape and instead
> generate benefits as garden plants and crops. Invasive species can be
> accurately identified prior to introduction, making it possible to
> exclude harmful species while allowing beneficial ones. It is a shame
> that Ball didn't consider this middle ground option, because it is
> closer to where the opinions of most scientists, environmentalists,
> plant sellers and policy makers lie. Indeed, the Department of
> Agriculture may soon begin screening non-native plant species for
> invasiveness. This would be a vastly different, and vastly more
> desirable, option than either of the extremes offered by Ball.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Reuben
> Department of Biological Sciences
> University of Notre Dame
>
> Maryann
>
> Maryann Whitman
> Editor, Wild Ones Journal
> www.for-wild.org
>
> Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes: promotes environmentally 
> sound
> landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the 
> preservation,
> restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Wild Ones 
> is a
> not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization.
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gardenwriters-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
> [g*@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Marge 
> Talt
> Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 1:49 AM
> To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
> Subject: Re: [GWL] George Ball's NYT op-ed article
>
> Thank you, Dan.  Good point regarding the substitution of people for
> plants.  Considering that we are a nation of in-comers on the human
> side, it does seem unfair to expect all other life forms to all
> originate here.
>
> Those who excoriate all 'exotic' plants would have a very meager diet
> should their desire to ban all of them become reality.
>
> Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
> mtalt@hort.net
> Shadyside Garden Designs
>
> ----------
>> From: Dan Clost <dan.clost@sympatico.ca>
>> That's a terrific post, Marg. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a
> great
>> deal. Thank you.
>>
>> After reading Panayoti Kelaidis' quote I substituted the word
> people for
>> plant for this exercise.
>> How far back would we go to determine native and invasive?  Why
> would this
>> be different from plants? Should we all go back to our "native"
> lands?
>
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