[MPWG] ginseng in the news

[Chip Carroll]

In regards to the concerns about the “Federal Government taking
control of wild ginseng”, the Federal Government has had control of
wild ginseng since it was listed in CITES in 1973.

Along these lines the USFWS and others outside of government agencies
have been stressing the importance of genetic diversity in wild
ginseng populations for a long time.  Over the last 10 or so years
this issue has bubbled up to be one of the more important concerns
with American Ginseng.

Most ginseng seed that is planted in the eastern forests comes from
either Wisconsin or Canada where it has been grown in extensive,
intensive, mono-cultures for many decades.  These seeds are sold all
over the country and put into the woods with wild ginseng plants.
These seeds may introduce disease or contaminate the local genetics of
the native populations...

The petition from United Plant Savers is simply stating that we think
there should be more effort and funding put into establishing local
seed banks that can supply regional growers and harvesters a better
quality and better adapted seed for their region.  This would help to
alleviate some of the concerns from many who feel that the genetic
diversity in wild ginseng is being diminished by seed from these
intensively cultivated sources.

There are others on the list-serv who know far more than me about
genetics but I hope this is helpful in providing some clarification in
regards to the petition.

Chip Carroll


On 9/6/13, Gena Fleming <genafleming at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear All:
>
> I have appreciated all the insight and information from the recent
> responses to the Ginseng media.
>
> Down here in Texas, I have no experience with ginseng cultivation or
> harvest issues.  I hope the public will recognize that the news cast is, by
> definition, the opinion of a few people and does not constitute
> comprehensive coverage.
>
> I am much more concerned about the petition being circulated by United
> Plant Savers, calling on the federal government to take control of wild
> ginseng.  From the petition:
>
> " It has become very apparent that there are very limited sources of local
> seeds and we ask that the USDA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest
> Service work together to Save American Ginseng by investing in programs
> that establish seed banks for local supply of regional seed source."
>
> The USDA, headed by Monsanto, factory farm and biotech proponent Tom
> Vilsack (specifically included among the addressees),  is the last
> organization I want involved with controlling genetic resources of
> medicinal plants.  Traditional herbal knowledge is regularly being mined by
> the biotech industry in order to genetically engineer medicinal plants with
> increased concentration of active ingredients (for conversion into patented
> drugs) and/or other genetic manipulations to render their cultivation more
> attractive to the agro-industrial complex.
>
> I feel people are signing on to this petition simply because they want to
> voice support for ginseng and are not giving much thought to the merit of
> the proposed solution.  I am at a loss to understand why United Plant
> Savers wants to turn genetic control of this wild plant over to the federal
> government.  I feel the petition, more so than the broadcast, stands to
> create the appearance of consensus and widespread support for federal
> control.
>
> I hope Susan will address this and the other concerns expressed in this
> thread.
>
> I thank Robin for voicing her opinions about individual vs. government
> control as well.   Do we need to start another petition?
>
> Gena
>
>
>
>>
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>>> reflects ONLY the opinion of the individual who posts the message. The
>>> information contained in posts is not intended nor implied to be a
>>> substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific
>>> medical condition or question. All medical and other healthcare
>>> information
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>>
>>  Robin Alton Suggs
>> MoonBranch Botanicals
>> 5294 Yellow Creek Road
>> Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771
>> USA
>>
>> Telephone: 828.479.2788
>> Email: moonbranch at earthlink.net
>> Websites:www.moonbranch.com  &  www.localharvest.org/store/M16074
>>
>> Member:
>> Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project; Farm Partner
>> Green Products Alliance
>> North Carolina Consortium on Natural Medicines
>> North Carolina Goodness Grows/NCDA&CS
>> United Plant Savers
>>
>> There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is
>> striking at the root. - Henry David Thoreau
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>> MPWG-request at lists.plantconservation.orgwith the word "unsubscribe" in the
>> subject line.
>>
>> Disclaimer
>> Any advice given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc.
>> reflects ONLY the opinion of the individual who posts the message. The
>> information contained in posts is not intended nor implied to be a
>> substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific
>> medical condition or question. All medical and other healthcare
>> information
>> that is discussed on this list should be carefully reviewed by the
>> individual reader and their qualified healthcare professional. Posts do
>> not
>> reflect any official opinions or positions of the Plant Conservation
>> Alliance.
>>
>