Brussel sprouts

[Hopkirk]

What are they?

At Christmas 'er indoors bought sprouts still attached to the branch. It set me thinking, what was the plant trying to make?

Are they flowers, buds for new branches or something else?

[Andyvon]

They weren't the natural plant though 237SJ. The seeds have been modified over generations.

[237SJ]

I`m not sure about the natural plants but my family were farmers in the same village for 400 years and nothing was modified as far as I know. I`m sorry but I don`t agree. You always use your best plants/seeds for the next year but modified? no.

[Andyvon]

That's the same as for animals then 237SJ. Cows have been 'reared' from wild aurochs, pigs from wild boar, dogs from wolves etc. If it could be argued those animals have been reared or 'modified' to suit humans then couldn't the same be argued for plants?

[237SJ]

Of course but that`s not genetically modified is it (as you first mentioned). There`s a huge difference between evolution and GM

[Andyvon]

Isn't natural evolution or human husbandry and farming (rearing) genetic change/mutation/modification? After all, those plants and animals have had their genes selected, altered or modified, both naturally and artificially. Domesticated plants and animals wouldn't exist if they hadn't been created by humans selecting various genes.

[237SJ]

No. As far as farming (and old fashioned farming) is concerned, it is genetic selection and that is all. A good farmer will know which animals/plants to breed from.