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Some GMO stuff is a little creepy to me - trying to cross shrimp with wheat to increase protein content, for example, sounds reasonable but I still picture whole fields of wheat trying to slither away at harvest time!
I suppose that reaction is natural if it were anything at all like traditional "crossing" of breeds, involving entire genomes of unrelated species... but it's actually not anything like that. Swapping out a single gene or two, in the midst of an entire genome consisting of thousands of genes, is nothing like you imagine. Nothing.
What it is most like is substituting a very small snip of computer code for another in an existing program, primarily for the purpose of turning some innate property of the organism on or off. Each of those snips of code consists of only 4 tiny bio-chemical bits, designated by the letters... A - C - G - T... arranged in various combinations and sequences. In and off themselves the place where the donor snips came from is completely irrelevant, just as copying a tiny bit of computer code from a game program to a financial program would not change the latter into a game.
That's why Dr. Gonsalves correctly said (paraphrased) "It was a papaya before, and it's still a papaya afterwards," about his development at Cornell of the UH Rainbow RSVR (Ring Spot Virus Resistant) Papaya for the University of Hawai'i. The solution to the infectation which was killing the Hawaiian Papaya industry, was to substitute a biochemical switch for self-immunization against viruses which was turned "ON" in the donor organism, for the natural one which was turned "OFF."
Yep, that's what that simple change made possible... the papayas now inoculate themselves against the RSVirus by turning on their own immunity system to combat it, rather than leaving that ability turned off. What's there to fear from that?
The bad PR of fighting labeling is odd in a general biz plan, Starbucks is hurting not helping themselves with this stance I believe. Back in the 1980's they did not care about the coffee growing countries and thought no one would notice, now they think no one notices this.
Today many consumers Do care about the 'little details' in a company's practices, while avoiding a store like Walmarts may be too expensive for most, avoiding a specialty store like Starbucks is easy.
I doubt people are afraid of the type of modifying you mentioned. I think most people would just like to be told what they and their children are buying, ingesting and supporting with their tax dollars.
Btw, thanks so much for keeping this thread going, "stink", snark, off point, whatever, LOL, each post puts it out there for folks to think twice before setting foot in Starbucks again!
The bad PR of fighting labeling is odd in a general biz plan, Starbucks is hurting not helping themselves with this stance I believe. Back in the 1980's they did not care about the coffee growing countries and thought no one would notice, now they think no one notices this.
I doubt must Starbucks coffee drinker today were drinking coffee in the 80's and have no idea about where they grow coffee or issues. I doubt 90% even know what GMO is. I'm even struggling with remembering Starbucks even being around in the 80's.
I doubt must Starbucks coffee drinker today were drinking coffee in the 80's and have no idea about where they grow coffee or issues. I doubt 90% even know what GMO is. I'm even struggling with remembering Starbucks even being around in the 80's.
I didn't doubt that - I just doubt most people who frequent Starbucks were coffee drinkers in the 80's (as in, they are a younger demographic) - I'm not saying they weren't there - but I don't remember any Starbuck's in Chicago in late 80's when I was going to college - I'm don't remember any in San Francisco in the early 90's - I'm sure they were there - they seemed to explode in the late 90's in my mind.
I just personally don't believe the average Starbuck's drinker knows how they source the beans or have any idea what GMO is.
Starbucks brought European coffee culture to the USA. They deserve credit for opening little urban oasis everywhere. One can have a cheap hot drink, pluck themselves on a sofa or chair and won't be bothered. They actually offered free newspapers. Critics did not understand how a shop can make money without turning tables quick and serving liquor or food. Yet they did! Of course they attracted a young urban clientele, many students, shoppers, even business folks to sit down for some quick chats. The next were the corporate offices they conquered. But coffee houses were always synonymous with politics and hotheaded folks arguing and debating.
All of these aforementioned groups were higher in their education, more engaged in politics, than i.e. fast food shoppers and blue collar workers. Child labor in coffee fields? Organic coffee? Women's rights or farm owner ship? Bird friendly coffee? All these issues came on to the map mainly through Starbucks existence. Therefore this boycott will be much noticed in their headquarters. Even comments to a barista and store managers will be wired up the command chain. The new GMO potato was not automatically picked up by the fast food companies because of exactly these concerns. McDonalds sales are not good and a similar boycott would really bring their franchisees in trouble.
So, if McDonalds says no (for now), Starbucks will have to do the same and show support for its customers
Starbucks brought European coffee culture to the USA. They deserve credit for opening little urban oasis everywhere. One can have a cheap hot drink, pluck themselves on a sofa or chair and won't be bothered. They actually offered free newspapers. Critics did not understand how a shop can make money without turning tables quick and serving liquor or food. Yet they did! Of course they attracted a young urban clientele, many students, shoppers, even business folks to sit down for some quick chats. The next were the corporate offices they conquered. But coffee houses were always synonymous with politics and hotheaded folks arguing and debating.
All of these aforementioned groups were higher in their education, more engaged in politics, than i.e. fast food shoppers and blue collar workers. Child labor in coffee fields? Organic coffee? Women's rights or farm owner ship? Bird friendly coffee? All these issues came on to the map mainly through Starbucks existence. Therefore this boycott will be much noticed in their headquarters. Even comments to a barista and store managers will be wired up the command chain. The new GMO potato was not automatically picked up by the fast food companies because of exactly these concerns. McDonalds sales are not good and a similar boycott would really bring their franchisees in trouble.
So, if McDonalds says no (for now), Starbucks will have to do the same and show support for its customers
Therefore this boycott will be much noticed in their headquarters. Even comments to a barista and store managers will be wired up the command chain. The new GMO potato was not automatically picked up by the fast food companies because of exactly these concerns. McDonalds sales are not good and a similar boycott would really bring their franchisees in trouble.
So, if McDonalds says no (for now), Starbucks will have to do the same and show support for its customers
Uh, what boycott? They didn't seem to get the memo.
"Record Q4 EPS of $0.77; Non-GAAP EPS jumps 23% to a record $0.74 excluding non-routine items
Comp sales increase 5% globally
Consolidated net revenues increase 10% to a Q4 record $4.2 billion
Company grows dividend 23% and increases outlook for a strong FY2015"
You don't need to see a boycott reflected in an immediate drop in profits, viper. A shot in front of the bow is often all what's needed to get the suits going internally. Customer retention, easier picking of top employees by competitors, dealing with minimum wage issues & health benefits, rent negotiations, etc is all so much more difficult if public opinion is against you.
Along the way the revolution also still needs a decent cup of joe to succeed. ;-)
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