MTV and Microsoft’s URGE launched today. What’s it like naming a joint venture between the world’s largest television network and the world’s largest software company? It’s gotta be a lot like naming URGE.

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Didn’t Igor name URGE? Indeed we did. Then how come we have been silent since Monday, since the day it was announced the curiously named URGE would finally go live on this Wednesday, the 17th? We had a meeting. It was agreed that we wouldn’t shoot our download prematurely. Not this time, not until there was a live URGE site to link to…

Really, this happens to lots of other blogs? Well, this has been building up for over a year, so, you know. Just go easy on the “micro soft” jokes. We’ve heard ‘em all.

At lest you forget, the Norwegians are not like us. They have different urges.

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…in the wrong direction. The new low linolenic soy and canola oils on the market bring some serious health benefits to the table, as well as some debate. First up, Dow’s entry, Natreon:

Developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC, Natreon canola oil is a naturally-stable alternative to partially hydrogenated oils used in commercial food applications. Natreon is now readily available to restaurants, food service and food manufacturers. Virtually trans fat-free and low in saturated fat, its use can substantially improve the nutrition profile of food products by reducing both trans fat and saturated fat.

And Vistive, from Monsanto:

Monsanto’s leading soybean breeders and research scientists have worked for more than a decade to develop VISTIVE soybeans, which Preete said not only provide yield parity with leading soybean varieties but also maintain outstanding agronomic benefits.

“We are very excited to give growers the opportunity to earn a premium on VISTIVE soybeans without sacrificing performance,” said Preete, who announced the commercialization of the new low-linolenic soybeans at the 2004 Farm Progress Show. “Growers don’t have to trade off yield and agronomics for this premium opportunity.” For 2005, VISTIVE soybeans will be available in Monsanto’s Asgrow®brand.

VISTIVE soybeans, which will have the Roundup Ready® trait, contain less than 3% linolenic acid, compared to 8% for traditional soybeans, resulting in a more stable soybean oil, with a better flavor profile, and less need for hydrogenation. Because soybeans with less linolenic acid reduce or eliminate the need for partial hydrogenation, trans fats in processed soybean oil can be reduced or eliminated.

Both seeds are Roundup Ready, meaning they are resistant to the herbicide Roundup. The idea is that the herbicide will kill everything in a field, except for the genetically engineered seeds and the resulting crop. Both Vistive and Natreon are technically classified as non-GMO, but for many, the debate is open.

As the trend toward and the debate over GMO foods heats up, neither Dow nor Monsanto are doing themselves a favor by giving their products names that make them sound like they were created in a lab. Natreon in particular sounds as if it were yanked off of the periodic table, while Vistive sounds like a pharmaceutical drug.