Professor's Comments....
Well I see that ALL of you are against genetically engineered potatos to be used for conserving water.
Let's gain some insight shall we!
It is important for you to recall the drought - a good connection between agriculture and water resource use. There is only a very limited amount of water, as you probably have already experienced. Should 1/3 of that water (if not substantially more) go to growing potatos rather than your shower or morning coffee?
Agriculture wastes more water than commercial and residential activities combined. So if a method is available to reduce the amount of water used, and to time the application of that limited water resource to its maximum use, then that leaves more water for other activities and less water is wasted evaporating uselessly off a field. Note the anthrocentric perspective here.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to use water for agricultural purposes, but given the limits of supply - we should use it sparingly. The potato is one example. Not running the water continuously as you brush your teeth is another.
The greatest irony I find in the USA is that people complain about the water bill from the public utility - especially if it increases a bit each month. The average American household pays less than 40$ a month. Yet we go to the store or 7/11 and pay 0.79$ for a 10 ounce bottle of water. Why? It's really the same thing (REALLY). Want to achieve equal filtration? Let the tap water run through a coffee filter and sit for one day in your refrigerator. You will have accomplished the same basic process that 95% of the bottlers do. Sure, they MAY provide additional filtration. But it is not significantly greater, relative to public health, than what comes out of the tap in an average city with a sand filter drinking water plant (the EPA minimum in most cases).
Consider also that the average household uses 450 gallons PER DAY!!! Now, do you really think that 40$ water bill is worthy of complaint? I am not picking on any individual here, just providing an awareness of reality.
Since agriculture uses FAR MORE WATER than any other activity in America, doesn't it make sense to use that water as sparingly as possible? And for those of us that don't like genetic engineering, consider what is in a steak, eggs, prawns, shrimp, corn, wheat (getting close to natural), and vegetables. Rachel Carson was right, we are contaminating ourselves with a great deal of in-organic foods and materials. But it is but one cost of the Modern style of living.
I thank you for your lively input and debate. Please feel free to challenge the above statements and make your case for a more sustainable society. What should it include, how should it be fed, and what shouldn't be included in this new sustainable generation.