short story

July 25, 20_4
Gary sat alone at the small Formica topped kitchen table, watching the early morning farm report on the television, as the sun was beginning to rise above the horizon. He had started his day earlier than normal, so he could get started spraying insecticide on the soybean crops that he and his two teenage sons had planted a couple of months earlier. The plants were now large enough to require it and should start becoming targets for the typical pests that can cause havoc to row crops. He had considered what the Margot seed company representative had told him, that spraying was unnecessary as the seed variety Gary had chosen to plant, Global System, contained a newly synthesized GMO element that would prevent insect predation of the plants, but he didn’t want to take any chances. Last year’s harvest was a bust due to insect damage, and his family’s finances needed a good year to keep the farm above water. The second mortgage that he had taken out without his wife’s knowledge weighed heavy on his conscience, as another bad year could put the 100 year old family farm in financial ruin.
      He reached for the remote and turned up the sound when the closed caption scrolling across the screen caught his attention. The reporter was standing in a field that looked like one of his own.
      “Farmers are seeing a decrease in soybean seed pod development as the growing season progresses. Local extension authorities are not concerned at this time, but some farmers are worried that the yields of some of their fields will be reduced,” the reporter voiced over as the camera panned across the lush foliage of a soybean field. “The USDA has not made a statement regarding if this year’s events are in anyway connected to the problems with the soybean growing season in South America this past winter. Margot’s new Global System seed variety was planted extensively in countries such as Brazil but generated extremely lows yields per acre, that are still under investigation. The reduced yield caused soybean markets to rise sharply as the supply of soy tightened. A failure in the US soybean harvest would add significantly to that already inflated world soybean market.”
     The image on the screen changed to show a rather elderly farmer, complete with his green and yellow hat. He shifted nervously as he spoke.
      “Never seen it this bad before. By now we’d have pods setting on full of seeds, but nothing yet. Some down the road are doing fine, but they’s the old variety. This here new one, Global something, is what’s not progressing. Glad I didn’t plant all my fields with it like so many others done. Can’t find any bugs causing harm, so not sure what’s going on.”
      “The new Global Systems variety, considered the first of the 4th generation GM products, was released last spring by Margot Seed, an agricultural products company based in Virginia,” the reporter said as the video changed to an aerial view of another large soybean field. “Margot claims Global Systems to produce increased yields and improved insect resistance over its previous varieties. It sold extremely well in foreign countries last year and in its first year on the domestic market, and has been the most popular choice for the over 100 million hectares of soybean cultivation worldwide. Global System has achieved over 8 tonnes/hectare, according to Margot publications. That’s double previous levels, at least in in field tests, causing Margot shares to skyrocket with the announcement of authorized sales across the globe, making it the world’s most powerful ag company.
      “Normally, new varieties are limited in their early sales territories, but Margot petitioned the major agricultural regulatory agencies around the world, including Brazil, Canada, China and Argentina, in addition to the US, to waive the standard limitations due to the positive impact the crop could have on global hunger. As a result, an exception was granted by most agencies based on the research performed by Margot before the seeds came to market. It has been in development for almost ten years, with no problems identified to date, other than the dismissed low yields in southern countries. Margot has not made any statements yet, and extension agents and university researchers are continuing to look for answers. All other crops in the US appear normal for this time of year, which gives farmers some basis for confidence in having a good overall crop yield aside from soybeans. For more on this and other agricultural stories visit our website at…”
     Gary turned the TV off, stood, and moved over to the window to look out at the edge of the field just past the barn, as he sipped the last of his coffee. He could just start to see the foliage of his soybean plants in the growing sunlight. The plants had looked healthy up until now, but he figured he’d better have a closer look. He had staked his success on Global Systems, planting all his acreage with it. Normally he wasn’t a betting man, but he felt he had to take the chance to keep the farm.
     Setting his empty coffee mug on the counter, he grabbed his own green and gold cap, and left the house through the kitchen door that lead onto the back porch. He made his way across the yard and rock driveway to the newer steel barn. Going over to the large trash bin near the corner, he reached in and pulled out an empty blue and gold colored bag that had contained the seed he had planted. He unfolded the bag, so he could read the front: “Global System. The latest source for improved yield and resistance in soybean technology. Margot.” He placed the bag back in the trash bin, continued walking through the barn past all the field implements, and out the side door to the edge of one of his many bean fields. He waded into the sea of green leaves, as the last of the overnight dew wet his jeans at mid-thigh as the sun broke fully over the horizon.
     After a few yards, he stopped, reached down, and pulled a plant out of the ground. He stood up and held the plant up to the growing light of the sun to evaluate it. It appeared completely healthy, no indication of insect damage, with a good growth of leaves and thick, solid stems. Pods were beginning to develop, but rubbing the pods between his fingers, they did seem on the small size for the development stage of the plant, and no seedlings were present. The literature that had accompanied the seed said that they should be setting seeds in the pods by now, but just as the farmer on the TV had said, there weren’t any to be found. He threw the plant on the ground at his feet and looked out over the field. He slowly tilted the bill of his hat up, away from his eyes as he rubbed his forehead. For as far as he could see, there was nothing but Global System.

July 29, 20_4
The news conference held outside the county extension office was well attended by farmers and local merchants, including Gary. Many in the town knew the impact a poor harvest would have on the town’s economy, so they had a keen interest in the outcome.
     The head extension agent picked up the microphone and began to speak to the sizeable and still growing crowd.
      “Our initial investigation to the findings that the new soybean variety Global System has a deficit in setting on seed within its seedpods has been completed. We have looked at data from both the crops grown during the previous season in South America, and those currently in fields in this region. The plants all appear to germinate, grow, and mature normally. Our investigations show that the overall plant development is typical, and that the pollination events of the blossoms appears to function normally. However, an in-depth look at the genetic makeup of the plant’s cellular DNA and pollen has revealed serious concerns. It appears that a unique GMO element, engineered by Margot, has, in conjunction with helper viruses, generated a new viral strain that appears to contain elements of both the soybean mosaic virus and the bean pod mottle virus. Both are often found in most soybean plants, but when they interacted with the new Global System genome, together they created a new viral element, which, when active in the plant, leads to the incorporation of the unique viral genomic sequence into its cellular DNA. Normally, the plant uses sections of its genomic DNA to not only produce pollen but is also used by other cells within the plant for routine maintenance activities. However, initial studies have shown that the newly incorporated DNA sequence leads to the production of a toxic compound in several elements of the plant, which not only makes the plant insect resistant as intended, but it also prevents seed development within the pods. An additional concern, is that the toxin makes the plant inedible for higher animal life, such as for use as a feedstock or for human consumption. The production of the toxin was not identified in crops grown this past winter down south. Alarmingly, and possibly the most significant finding, is that the pollen produced by an infected plant also contains the toxic sequence in its DNA structure, and can thereby transfer the viral sequence to other, similar plants where it is then integrated. In this manner, the virus can spread to similar crop stands. Infected plants can often show symptoms similar to the helper virus etiology: light and dark areas on the leaves, and downward curved leaf margins.
      “Studies are now underway to determine if other plant species are susceptible to the virus, and we hope to have those results very soon. We reviewed the developmental records provided by the FDA, USDA, EPA and by Margot and have found that no previous overt toxicity was ever detected, and that they followed all USDA guidelines for safety testing. All requirements according to the Office of Science and Technology Policy were also met prior to going to market. It may be that the helper viruses were the missing element for this to occur. Studies are ongoing at this time, with further results expected soon.
      “This concludes our prepared statement, and I will take a few questions now. Yes, you in the red shirt. Yes, you.”
      “Dr. Goerring, so what you’re telling us is that all the Global System plants are toxic to anything that eats them? Bugs, cattle, people?”
      “Yes, that is what I’m saying. The toxin produced affects the neuronal cell maintenance pathways that are commonly shared in insects and animals. The compounds lead to the destruction of the neurons over a relatively short period of time.”
      “Dr., Dr.?”
      “Yes, you there.”
      “Is the spread of this virus limited then to just Global System plants? You mentioned that you were looking into whether other plants can be affected, but do you have reason to think it can infect other species of plants?”
      “Yes, we do. We have tested other plants near Global System fields that were at the pollination stage when the beans would have been pollinating. Several species of plants have been found to contain the virus. We are not sure if it is active in preventing seed development or pollination in those species, or if it was a contamination type event. We hope to know soon.”
      “A follow-on question please?”
      “Yes, go ahead.”
      “If it can cross species, how would that happen? Isn’t pollen specific to the species?”
      “Pollen is normally species specific, you are correct. Think of it as a lock and key type system. However, our working theory is that the pollen, under the influence of the virus, is malformed randomly by DNA repair mechanisms that operate within the pollen generating cells themselves. These random repairs generate many variant pollen structures. In a field of soybeans, the number of variants would be extremely large, considering the number of plants in a typical field. If only one variant finds a novel recipient species outside the field, that new plant could be the nadir of a new, toxic variety of that species.”
      “But then, could the process just repeat, over and over. And if so, where does it stop?”
      “We hope to find out soon. Thank you, I must stop here.”

July 31, 20_4
The press conference at the Atlanta headquarters of the CDC was just getting underway as thunder sounded that shook the small building on Main Street. The conference was being shown on the television in the café where Gary was eating lunch with a small group of local farmers who had been discussing the soybean problem when the local news broke to cover the press conference. Gladis stopped pouring coffee to refill a man’s cup sitting at the counter and turned the volume up. Everyone in the café turned to listen.
      “And with that, we will begin our press conference.” It was Dr. Quinines, the director of the CDC genetics division. He stood at the microphone in the center of a long table, where several other individuals in white lab coats sat.
      “As you all may know, the CDC has and continues to work on the genetic problems encountered as the apparent result of deploying the Global System soybean variety to crop lands outside of the testing plots. We have determined that the initial incident occurred with its use in large fields in Brazil last fall and is now somehow spreading through the Great Plains of the US and beyond. Advanced detection methods indicate that a virus is being transmitted through the pollen of previously infected plants. It is theorized that pollen generated in South America has been transported to other latitudes on surface and or high-level winds which circulate the globe. It appears that some of the southern crop pollen was able to travel northward and infect new fields during the summer growth and pollination phases. In addition, the virus has been detected in other plant species, to include sorghum and barley. Normally, pollen is limited to a particular species, perhaps even to a particular variety, but this virus can cause random mutations to occur in the pollen structural genome, allowing viral DNA sequences to be contained within pollen capable of interacting with other species of plants. The CDC website has a link to a working paper by Dr. Kishnar, our chief plant geneticist, that has additional details on how the process is conceived to work. Expression of the sequences creates a toxin within the plant. The toxin that is produced is like Ricin, a potent neurotoxin. Ingestion of this toxin via plant matter by living organisms, including insects, mammals and beyond, is extremely dangerous. The buildup of the toxin leads to neuronal failure, and subsequent life ending consequences. The CDC has just issued working guidelines to contain the spread of the virus, including the immediate destruction of all known sources of the virus, including all Global System fields. The preferred method is to remove the detritus material, and place it into permanent storage containers, as burning could release the toxin into the environment, and tilling would allow the toxins to enter the underground water supply. In addition, long stands of any type of plant material near Global System variety plants should not be mown.
      “The extent of the impact resulting from this incident is still being analyzed. Much will depend upon the level of cross-species interactions that ultimately occur. Until we know for sure, we would suggest that everyone consider all plant material near Global System crop stands suspect, until tested.
      “The international community is working together to address this issue, and additional information will be released as deemed appropriate. This is not an isolated event. Toxic pollen has been found throughout the US and Canada, and air samples over the Atlantic by US Air Force indicates that upper level winds contain the pollen as well. Countries in Europe and Asia are working to develop protocols to deal with the threat as well and are evaluating how much of the seed was planted in their respective regions, as the sales of Global System were initiated in worldwide markets last year.
      “We will now take a few questions. Yes, Mr. Hammond.”
      “Doctor, what is the worst-case scenario for this incident? It sounds as if all plant life might get infected?”
      “Well, I think that might be a little far flung at this point in time. The cross reactivity of pollen is well documented, just not to this extent. As the pollen travels through the atmosphere, rainstorms will bring the viral loaded pollen back to the surface where environmental conditions will likely cause it to break down. It isn’t expected that the virus will be able to survive extreme conditions, such as in the polar or desert type regions. We may just be in a single growing season type event. Ms. Jenkins.”
      “Doctor, how can the virus do all of this? Is there a precedent for this type of virus?”
      “I’ll let Dr. Kishnar, our lead geneticist, answer that. Dr.”
      “Yes, there has been previous reports of a virus being genetically modified to jump species, if you will.” Dr. Kishnar had stood but refused the microphone. His deep resounding voice carried out over the crowd on its own. “From what we have found so far, it appears that the virus was the result of transposon sequences being incorporated into latent viral sequences that were used to generate the GMO genome of the Global System product. The testing specified by the USDA was inadequate to detect the potential of a recombinant viral event happening in the wild. It looks like a pair of typically nascent viruses, found in a high number of crop plants, had the ability to interact with the genomic sequences found in the Global System during developmental events. The transposon elements became active as a result and produced random incorporation of viral sequences in the Global System genome. Particularly in genetic sequences that control the production and packaging of pollen, and of seed maturation. If we are correct in our hypothesis, no testing available would have been capable to detect the future recombination events. It truly is a fascinating genetic event.”
      “Dr. Kishnar, Dr. Kishnar,” a voice called from the front row.
      “Yes, you there,” he responded.
      “First of all, weren’t you a consultant for Margot during the Global System development work, and paid handsomely for recommending that the variety be approved for rapid market entry, instead of the normal testing cycle? And in addition, how can you say it is a fascinating genetic event. Perhaps you don’t comprehend the potential impact that this would have on world food markets and supplies? If the virus can indeed infect multiple crop plant species, the world food supply just became extremely limiting for much of the world’s population. How can you sit there and simply think that it is all fascinating?”
     A general uproar from the crowd began to overwhelm Dr. Kishnar’s response.
      “All USDA required tests were performed or considered. The variety showed no indication of any characteristic that it would cause harm.”
     The noise from the crowd continued to grow as he spoke. He tried to speak over them, but relinquished after a few minutes of trying, and walked away from the group back towards the CDC entrance.
      “We will release information as it is available,” Dr. Quinines said over the microphone, as he looked from the crowd towards where Dr. Kishnar had gone. However, few in the crowd were able to hear him.
     The farmers in the café all sat in stunned silence, watching the final events unfold on the screen. Gary held his empty water glass between his hands, his eyes fixed on the ice that was slowly melting in the bottom of his glass.

August 20, 20_4
Gary was once again sitting at his kitchen table, watching the television. Kathy, his wife, and their two sons had gone into town to pick up some new school clothes, but he had stayed behind, wanting to watch the upcoming press conference from the CDC. He had spent most of the day wondering through the bean fields, hoping to see some positive pod development, but couldn’t. The crop looked like another loss.
     He had tried to contact Margot, if nothing else to get back the money that he had spent on the seed, but the phone lines were always busy. Other farmers nearby had spoken to a lawyer and were preparing to file a lawsuit against the company to get their money back. He hadn’t joined in with them yet, hoping that things would still work out.
     His temper was getting worse, and Kathy had taken most of the brunt of it. He was trying to cope, but another bad year would be the last straw for him. He hoped the CDC would have some good news.
     He grabbed the remote and turned up the volume when the local station started showing video from outside the CDC headquarters. He started to feel perspiration on his forehead and wiped at it with his sleeve.
      “God, let it be good news,” he said in a hushed voice to no one in particular.
     A woman in a lab coat was stepping up to the microphone as the crowd on hand quieted down.
      “Hello, I am Dr. Shrier, Secretary of Agriculture. I am joining the CDC here today to present their latest findings regarding the Margot incident. I will be available for questions following the press conference, but now I wish to bring Dr. Wall to the microphone to update everyone. Doctor.”
     She moved back and away from the microphone to stand behind Dr. Wall as he stepped forward.
      “Good afternoon everyone,” he started. Not looking at those in attendance, but staying focused on the sheets of paper in his hands. “Our efforts continue, looking into the Margot incident, and the fallout of the viral infections that are causing chaos with US agricultural production this season. Recent numbers have been generated to estimate the yields for many of the stable row crops based upon previous year harvests. The results are that the yields will be less than one percent of previous dry year’s numbers. Our teams have also found the virus in both the currently growing corn plantings and in retrospect, the winter wheat harvest. The virus appears to be jumping at a rate much higher than our models predicted and causing an increase in the percentage of crop failures. Non-Global System stands are also becoming affected, as the latent viral variant is starting to produce viral particles in other developing plant structures. The method that it appears to be using to propagate itself is entirely new to our staff, as we have been unable to determine how it is working in the lab.
      “Our colleagues in Europe, Canada, and parts of Asia are seeing similar problems with their crops. Atmospheric samples still show pollen is traveling throughout the globe. Rains have not been effective in clearing the atmosphere as previously expected and there have also been unconfirmed reports of water plants showing signs of infection.
      “Animal markets are beginning to feel the strain, as only uninfected forage areas and previously stocked feedstocks are available for feeding. Many farmers and ranchers are slaughtering animals earlier than expected to prevent their entire loss due to ingesting contaminated feedstock. We therefore expect meat prices to increase significantly during the next fiscal quarter.
      “We continue to look for a way to stop the virus. Our staff, and others around the globe, are spending countless hours pursuing every avenue and method. It is our hope that by next season, the virus will have run its course, and normal operations can resume.
      “Finally, in response to the new findings, all, I repeat, all crops currently growing, no matter what stage, are now considered infected. No additional planting should be done, and no crop sales will be allowed to take place. Even stockpiled crops will only be taken when tested by authorized agencies.
      “We are in the middle of a severe crisis. And we appreciate your predicament. As new findings become available, we will notify all of you as necessary.”
     With that, Dr. Wall stepped back, and Dr. Shrier returned to the microphone.
     Gary turned off the television and walked out onto the porch. He made his way across the yard, back to the soybean field behind the new barn. He slowly walked into the field, over the terraces, and down towards the bottom, where the drainage ditch ran towards the creek. The tall plants rubbed against his jeans, and he could feel the clods of dirt breaking under the weight of his boots.
     No bugs bothered him, and where grasshoppers used to spring to life as he stepped, there was nothing. He made his way down the ditch to the edge of the pond. It was muddy near the edge, and his boots started to stick as he slowly walked into the water.


September 10, 20_4
The television in the small café was broadcasting the national news, as a group of farmers gathered to discuss the failure of many of their fields of crops, and the absence of Gary. Not only the soybeans, but it appeared that now the corn and milo was not maturing as expected.
     
     They watched as the reporter discussed all the unrest around the world in response to the growing loss of crops.
      “A riot occurred again to today at Margot’s headquarters, in Richmond Virginia. Police had to be called in to break up the crowd, which was estimated at over twenty thousand people. Similar events took place in Montreal and in Beijing as food supplies become depleted in the face of unknown shortages. The meat markets were surging as demand for consumable poultry, beef, veal and pork continued to rise, and seafood product demand increases beyond capacity. The predicted shortages in both feed crops and usable forage areas for livestock are driving prices higher. Major unrest has already taken hold of a number of countries in South America, where looters have ransacked stores and markets looking for supplies as growers struggle to generate uninfected plants and imports become non-existent. The Margot Virus, as it is now being called, has been identified in over fifty plant species, infecting most of the major food crops grown for human consumption. The CDC, again today, put out additional warnings about the ingestion of any non-cleared plant material, or animal products not inspected by the USDA or local extension office.”
     The screen showed several images of rioters around the world looting stores and destroying property as they searched for food. Many of the farmers started to stand up and slowly make their way to the door of the café. A few remained seated, slowly finishing their coffee, having nowhere to go. The news station continued to switch between reporters, trying to keep up with the story of public unrest.
     The station switched to a reporter standing in what looked like a nice suburb neighborhood, but the camera panned to a large home, burning among the large trees that had grown in the grassy yard surrounding it.
      “This was the home of the Margot’s CEO for the past ten years, but as you can see, a group of rioters have made their way here and taken out their frustrations on his home.” The camera slowing zoomed in to the home as the reporter continued. “There has been no response to this fire from local fire departments, even after numerous calls. The owner had personally evacuated his family and pets before the intense flames consumed the structure.”


September 18, 20_4
Dr. Shrier was standing at the microphone outside the CDC in Atlanta for yet another press conference. She tried to speak but the yelling of the extremely large crowd around her drowned out everything she was saying. Police had formed a line between the crowd and the platform where she stood, and they tried to hold back angry attendees as they yelled obscenities at her.
      “This is a joint USDA, CDC, EPA and OSTP decision. All feed crop planting will cease immediately until further notice. No action shall be taken to destroy the crops currently in the fields, as any type of burning, mowing, etc. will only allow the virus to spread. It is hoped that the virus will go dormant over the next 18-20 months, but that is not assured. In the interim, government subsidies will be used to fund US farmers until they transition to other occupations. Animal husbandry utilizing wild, outdoor fodder and forage is hereby suspended, and will not be allowed and local authorities will be used to enforce this ban. Government agencies are developing policies to provide adequate levels of nutritional supplementation to citizens as stock piles of uncontaminated stores become exhausted. Large scale legal actions are currently being taken against Margot, as countries around the world seek damages from the havoc caused by Global System. Seeds currently stored in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault will become available when the threat of further contamination is completely removed. Luckily, it appears that the viral threat does not affect water-based food sources. But we continue to investigate that possibility; as such a finding would significantly increase problems in world-wide food supplies chains.
October 2, 20_5 An elderly farmer, wearing a worn-out green and yellow cap sits watching the news from his small kitchen table. Looking out the open backdoor, he can see one of his overgrown, unmaintained fields full of rotting Global System soybeans. A gust of dry wind sends a dust cloud blowing by as the useless screen door bangs open. Normally he would get up to close it to keep the bugs out, but the lack of any insects makes the effort of no value.
     The television is showing a reporter talking about reports just coming in.
      “It is now being reported that similar viral particles have been found in small stream prey fish and water vegetation in rural Argentina, Virginia, and Montreal. The virus appears to continue to mutate, with the research community having no consensus on how to try and stop its spread.”
     The farmer stands up, walks out through the door opening, and stands on the porch. He can still remember standing there and watching birds flying by, and insects buzzing all around the farm. But all he hears now is the wind.