Keep in mind the Mike Taylor has been the lawyer for Monsanto as well as the head of the FDA. Where's the check and balance system here? I'm glad that the this is being made known to the public and we are able to take action now. Too bad this has been brewing for so many years before we figured it out.
10 Things Monsanto Does Not Want You to Know
What's wrong with Genetic Engineering?
Genetic Engineering refers to a set of technologies used to change the genetic
makeup of cells and move genes across species boundaries to produce novel
organisms. Once released, these genetically modified organisms (GMO's) can
easily spread and interbreed with other organisms, and they are virtually
impossible to recall back to the laboratory.
Monsanto provides roughly 90% of GMO seeds in the world. These seeds have been
genetically modified to produce their own pesticide or to survive repeated
spraying of Monsanto's toxic herbicide Roundup. Monsanto's GMOs are not
designed to increase yields to feed the world, but rather to increase Monsanto's
profits. Monsanto sells high-priced, patented seeds to farmers who are required
to sign contracts stating that they will buy new seeds every year. And as their
crops become increasingly herbicide-resistant, Monsanto sells more and more
chemicals to farmers who are caught in this vicious cycle.
Due to the enormous political clout of Monsanto, the American public is being
denied the right to know whether their foods are genetically engineered or not.
Following is a list of 10 facts about Monsanto and GMOs, and how they can
adversely affect your health, local farmers, and the planet.
1. No GMO Labeling Laws in the US
More than 70% of processed foods in the US contain GMO ingredients. Yet because
Monsanto has fought hard to prevent labeling laws in the US, this information is
kept from consumers. The US is the only developed country in the world that
does not have mandatory GMO labeling laws – even though more than 62 other
countries, including Japan, China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the entire
European Union, have either banned GMOs or have laws requiring mandatory
labeling.
2. Lack of Adequate Safety Testing
In May 1992, Vice President Dan Quayle announced the FDA's consumer
right-to-know policy which stated that GMO foods need not be labeled nor
safety-tested. Meanwhile, prominent scientists such as Arpad Pusztai and Gilles
Eric Seralini have publicized alarming research revealing severe damage to
animals fed GMO foods.
3. Monsanto Puts Small Farmers out of Business
Percy Schmeiser is a Canadian farmer whose canola fields were contaminated with
Monsanto's Roundup Ready Canola by pollen from a nearby GMO farm. Monsanto
successfully argued in a lawsuit that Schmeiser violated the company's patent
rights, and tried to force Schmeiser to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in
damages. This type of biotech bullying is happening all over North America.
4. Monsanto Products Pollute the Developing World
According to plant pathologist Don Huber, Glyphosate, the active ingredient in
Monsanto's Roundup, changes soil ecology, making plants susceptible to diseases
that could eventually cause diseases in humans. Glyphosate kills many bacteria,
giving other bacteria a competitive advantage. It also makes plants highly
susceptible to soil borne diseases. With increasing use of glyphosate, Huber
said a number of plant pathogens are "emerging" or "re-emerging," including a
number of fusarium and root rot diseases. At the same time that diseases are
increasing, glyphosate has a negative effect on a number of beneficial soil
organisms, including those that fix nitrogen, mycorrhizae, plant growth
promoting organisms and earthworms. Huber's allegations of the impact of
glyphosate in soil sterility echo those of Elaine Ingham, a soil ecologist with
the Rodale Institute.
5. Monsanto in Bed with Government Regulators
A revolving door exists between Monsanto and US regulatory and judicial bodies
making key decisions. Justice Clarence Thomas, a former Monsanto Lawyer was the
one who wrote the majority opinion on a key Monsanto case. Michael Taylor once
worked for the FDA, later represented Monsanto as a lawyer, and then returned as
the FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Policy when rBGH, a growth hormone used to
make dairy cows produce more milk, was granted approval.
6. Monsanto Guilty of False Advertising
France's highest court ruled in 2009 that Monsanto had lied about the safety of
its weed killer Roundup. The court confirmed an earlier judgment that Monsanto
had falsely advertised it herbicide as "biodegradable".
7. Consumers Reject Bovine Growth Hormone
In the wake of mass consumer pressure, major retailers such as Safeway, Publix,
Wal-Mart, and Kroger banned store brand milk products containing Monsanto's
controversial genetically engineered hormone rBGH. Starbucks, under pressure
from the OCA and our allies, has likewise banned rBGH milk.
8. GMO crops Do Not Increase Yields
A major UN/World Bank-sponsored report compiled by 400 scientists and endorsed
by 58 countries concluded that GM crops have little to offer to the challenges
of poverty, hunger, and climate change. Better alternatives are available. The
report championed organic farming as the sustainable way forward for developing
countries.
9. Monsanto Controls US Soy Market
In 1996, when Monsanto began selling Roundup Ready soybeans, only 2% of soybeans
in the US contained their patented gene. By 2008, over 90% of soybeans in the
US contained Monsanto's gene.
10. GMO Foods May Lead to Food Allergies
In March 1999, UK researcher at the York Laboratory were alarmed to discover
that reactions to soy had skyrocketed by 50% over the previous year.
Genetically modified soy had recently entered the UK from US imports and the soy
used in the study was largely GM.
Avoid processed foods, especially those containing corn, soy, cottonseed oil and
canola, canola and sugar beet sugar unless they are organically certified.
My comment: They are using sugar beet for sugar in all sodas, juices and
anything else that has sugar in it. Unless it states on the label that it has
cane sugar in it, you can bet your last dollar that the product has sugar beet
sugar in it.
Pass this on to your friends, neighbors and family along with everyone you come
in contact with on the internet via e-mail.
Laszlo
What's wrong with Genetic Engineering?
Genetic Engineering refers to a set of technologies used to change the genetic
makeup of cells and move genes across species boundaries to produce novel
organisms. Once released, these genetically modified organisms (GMO's) can
easily spread and interbreed with other organisms, and they are virtually
impossible to recall back to the laboratory.
Monsanto provides roughly 90% of GMO seeds in the world. These seeds have been
genetically modified to produce their own pesticide or to survive repeated
spraying of Monsanto's toxic herbicide Roundup. Monsanto's GMOs are not
designed to increase yields to feed the world, but rather to increase Monsanto's
profits. Monsanto sells high-priced, patented seeds to farmers who are required
to sign contracts stating that they will buy new seeds every year. And as their
crops become increasingly herbicide-resistant, Monsanto sells more and more
chemicals to farmers who are caught in this vicious cycle.
Due to the enormous political clout of Monsanto, the American public is being
denied the right to know whether their foods are genetically engineered or not.
Following is a list of 10 facts about Monsanto and GMOs, and how they can
adversely affect your health, local farmers, and the planet.
1. No GMO Labeling Laws in the US
More than 70% of processed foods in the US contain GMO ingredients. Yet because
Monsanto has fought hard to prevent labeling laws in the US, this information is
kept from consumers. The US is the only developed country in the world that
does not have mandatory GMO labeling laws – even though more than 62 other
countries, including Japan, China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the entire
European Union, have either banned GMOs or have laws requiring mandatory
labeling.
2. Lack of Adequate Safety Testing
In May 1992, Vice President Dan Quayle announced the FDA's consumer
right-to-know policy which stated that GMO foods need not be labeled nor
safety-tested. Meanwhile, prominent scientists such as Arpad Pusztai and Gilles
Eric Seralini have publicized alarming research revealing severe damage to
animals fed GMO foods.
3. Monsanto Puts Small Farmers out of Business
Percy Schmeiser is a Canadian farmer whose canola fields were contaminated with
Monsanto's Roundup Ready Canola by pollen from a nearby GMO farm. Monsanto
successfully argued in a lawsuit that Schmeiser violated the company's patent
rights, and tried to force Schmeiser to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in
damages. This type of biotech bullying is happening all over North America.
4. Monsanto Products Pollute the Developing World
According to plant pathologist Don Huber, Glyphosate, the active ingredient in
Monsanto's Roundup, changes soil ecology, making plants susceptible to diseases
that could eventually cause diseases in humans. Glyphosate kills many bacteria,
giving other bacteria a competitive advantage. It also makes plants highly
susceptible to soil borne diseases. With increasing use of glyphosate, Huber
said a number of plant pathogens are "emerging" or "re-emerging," including a
number of fusarium and root rot diseases. At the same time that diseases are
increasing, glyphosate has a negative effect on a number of beneficial soil
organisms, including those that fix nitrogen, mycorrhizae, plant growth
promoting organisms and earthworms. Huber's allegations of the impact of
glyphosate in soil sterility echo those of Elaine Ingham, a soil ecologist with
the Rodale Institute.
5. Monsanto in Bed with Government Regulators
A revolving door exists between Monsanto and US regulatory and judicial bodies
making key decisions. Justice Clarence Thomas, a former Monsanto Lawyer was the
one who wrote the majority opinion on a key Monsanto case. Michael Taylor once
worked for the FDA, later represented Monsanto as a lawyer, and then returned as
the FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Policy when rBGH, a growth hormone used to
make dairy cows produce more milk, was granted approval.
6. Monsanto Guilty of False Advertising
France's highest court ruled in 2009 that Monsanto had lied about the safety of
its weed killer Roundup. The court confirmed an earlier judgment that Monsanto
had falsely advertised it herbicide as "biodegradable".
7. Consumers Reject Bovine Growth Hormone
In the wake of mass consumer pressure, major retailers such as Safeway, Publix,
Wal-Mart, and Kroger banned store brand milk products containing Monsanto's
controversial genetically engineered hormone rBGH. Starbucks, under pressure
from the OCA and our allies, has likewise banned rBGH milk.
8. GMO crops Do Not Increase Yields
A major UN/World Bank-sponsored report compiled by 400 scientists and endorsed
by 58 countries concluded that GM crops have little to offer to the challenges
of poverty, hunger, and climate change. Better alternatives are available. The
report championed organic farming as the sustainable way forward for developing
countries.
9. Monsanto Controls US Soy Market
In 1996, when Monsanto began selling Roundup Ready soybeans, only 2% of soybeans
in the US contained their patented gene. By 2008, over 90% of soybeans in the
US contained Monsanto's gene.
10. GMO Foods May Lead to Food Allergies
In March 1999, UK researcher at the York Laboratory were alarmed to discover
that reactions to soy had skyrocketed by 50% over the previous year.
Genetically modified soy had recently entered the UK from US imports and the soy
used in the study was largely GM.
Avoid processed foods, especially those containing corn, soy, cottonseed oil and
canola, canola and sugar beet sugar unless they are organically certified.
My comment: They are using sugar beet for sugar in all sodas, juices and
anything else that has sugar in it. Unless it states on the label that it has
cane sugar in it, you can bet your last dollar that the product has sugar beet
sugar in it.
Pass this on to your friends, neighbors and family along with everyone you come
in contact with on the internet via e-mail.
Laszlo
++++++++++++++++++++++
My comment: I have gone to our local grocery store and asked if their corn is GMO. No one who works there really knows if it is or not. I think it would be good if we all went to the store managers and asked questions like this to them. The grocery store I go to listens to the public. If they hear enough people complaining about GMOs, they would take an interest and do their own research.
I have wondered about corn being GMO. Most corn that is grown in the US is GMO produced, but popcorn isn't. So, I am relieved to hear that, but, I am also challenged and encouraged to grow my own corn from heirloon/organic/non GMO seeds.
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