Monsanto Makes Its Move

Lobbying and strong-arming prove more effective for the bottom line than manufacturing for Monsanto. Vying for control of food, water, labor, and fuel supplies -- and world governments -- Monsanto proves a powerful global lobbying organization.

The US Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee signed into law the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA) during their caucus September 27, 2007 (the 110th Congress), according to Senator Jack Reed (D) of RI. This law improved the safety and transparency of the FDA's food and drug approval process by establishing a number of important safeguards, including an early warning and surveillance system to identify adulterated food and disease outbreaks associated with their consumption, claims Reed, a member of the Committee.

In the fall of 2010 the HELP Committee reconvened, approving the heavily Monsanto lobbied S. 510 bill. This bill is pending consideration by the full Senate. The House of Representatives also passed a companion measure, H.R. 2749, on July 30, 2009. The bill potentially limits backyard gardening and redefines the term "organic" to include the use of fertilizers. Allowing for "independent inspectors" for imports and laboratory accreditation, the bill leaves a gaping hole for special interest group pay-offs to subvert its intended protective measures and allows for genetic alteration of foodstuffs. Its Permissible Hazard clause sets no standard for the allowable degree of pesticide left on - or in - produce. (Significant because pesticide, like Roundup, bonds with the DNA of the plant, and can not be rinsed or soaked off. It is ingested by the beast and stored in its liver and kidney). http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/monsantos-gmo-corn-linked_n_420365.html Reporting of known illness or deaths resulting from use or consumption of these chemicals is voluntary. See the current of the bill, courtesy of Senator Reed, here: CRS Food ...pdf Download(864.6 KB)

Lucy Sharratt, coordinator of the Canadian Biotechnical Action Network says Monsanto skirts as "GE" (Genetically Engineered) and "GM" (Genetically Modified) and swallows smaller companies in a single gulp. Strong-arming and DNA warping of sugar cane lend GM a threat to global food staples, says Sharratt.

"Major Lantic customers like Cadbury (Chocolate)should be really uneasy about using GM sugar," Sharratt adds. Monsanto also attempted to switch all crop production to their sugar beet, tolerant to GM herbicide Roundup. Root vegetables, like beets, collect more toxin and pesticide than above-ground crops.

"Our data strongly suggests GM maize varieties induce a state of hepatorenal toxicity," (liver and kidney failure) asserts the January 2010 edition of The International Journal of Biological Sciences. GM corn varietals bond and store the pesticide Roundup in their kernel's DNA in an effort to curb fungus and insect loss. Because the pesticide can't be purged even with cleansing, ingestion of the corn caused organ failure mice. Some heart, adrenal, fertility, spleen and blood cell differences were also noted. This corn bears no specialized label when sold for animal or human consumption in the United States or other countries. See also: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/monsantos-gmo-corn-linked_n_420365.html

GM's Enviropig - The biggest fannies on the GMO farm aren't squealing just for chocolates. A splice between an e-coli bacterium (yup. You read that right) and a mouse gene, these animals got their start in a petri dish. Placing yet another spin on fast food, GE then inserted their concoction into a Yorkshire Pig embryo and implanted that into a surrogate mother. All spiffed up in a yuppie name- Enviropig - and a piggy suit - this beast may poop less phosphorus and bouquets of cash for its developers- but will YOU buy it when Monsanto tries to squeak-n-squeal it across your dinner plate? That chance may happen sooner than you think, according to Cecil W. Forsberg, Professor, Department of Microbiology, The University of Gulph - Ontario, Canada, the developers of the project. He says consumers will buy his product based upon price point, and perhaps out of concern for the environment. 40. http://www.uoguelph.ca/news/alumnus/backissues/Spring00/9.html pg77. Is Monsanto's New Pig a Mouse or a Meal? (Or Worse)? Only consumers can decide.

Opponents to GM's Enviropig say DNA alteration is unnecessary, suggesting changes in conditions of keeping when problems arise. They say Enviropig consume food resources otherwise available to the poor.

GMs AquAdvantage features a growth hormone taken from Chinook salmon and DNA harvested from Ocean Pout -- an eel-like creature. Growing to market two times faster than other salmon, the fish consumes five times the wild anchovies and sardines of other farmed fish. These resources are usually reserved for humans. GM claims they only create sterile female fish, but admits five percent of their AquAdvantage remain fertile; several have slipped their hatcheries. US Department of Environmental Management in cooperation with US FDA officials are concerned over the impact the fish will have upon an already endangered Atlantic Salmon and a delicate marine ecosystem.

The creator of saccharine, Monsanto also invented plastics, polystyrenes and synthetic fibers. Other major products have included the herbicides 2,4,5-T, DDT, PCBs and Agent Orange (Vietnam War defoliant and carcinogenic). Also, Monsanto operated the Dayton Project, and later Mound Laboratories in Miamisburg, Ohio, for the Manhattan Project, the development of the first nuclear weapons and, after 1947, the Atomic Energy Commission. Monsanto scientists first began to genetically modify plant cells in 1982 and the company produced DNA altered crops five years later. They now control ninety percent of the world's seed production. Monsanto first introduced caffeine and vanilla (two products upon which they've cornered the market) to Coca-Cola, and is the primary lobbyist behind the now controversial bill S 5.10 currently before the United States Senate. Seeking to sterilize all seed offered for commercial sale, the bill, if passed, will regulate gardening, allow third party assessors for imports and laboratories (allowing an open door for specialized interests), and includes a "Permissible Hazard" clause with no standard for pesticide residue on - or in - product to market. Reporting of resultant known illness and death is voluntary. Voting record on bill: http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=32913&can_id=26847

US President Barack Obama appointed these former high-ranking Monsanto officials, among others, into his Cabinet: Michael Taylor: Food Safety Czar (1988 FDA, representing Monsanto, returning to FDA as D C for Policy, approving Monsanto's DNA growth hormone in dairy cows. Taylor's questionable role in these decisions led to an investigation. Eventually exonerated). Tom Vilsack: Secretary of Agriculture(Ardent supporter of corn and soy-based bio-fuel products during stint as Iowa Governor. These fuels consume much more fossil energy than they generate and drive up world food prices, literally starving the poor). Monsanto lobbyist Islam Siddigui: US AG Trade Representative (oversaw the development of the first national "organic labeling standards," allowing sewage sludge-fertilized, genetically modified, and irradiated food to be labeled as "organic"). Elena Kagan: US Supreme Court Judge (defender of Monsanto's right to contaminate surrounding fields with feral sterile alpha seed).

Monsanto rarely responds to criticism or individual consumer questions, preferring, instead to refer questioners to a prepared webpage. Questions concerning lobbing efforts, market distribution, or environmental impact studies are not addressed unless the corporation initiates the topic. Headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri in the US, Monsanto is centered in Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada. Find them also at 325 Vassar Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA -- (617) 349-7000.

Reach any member of the US Senate or House by calling 202-224-3121. They now review the controversial bill S.510 and HR2749 -- well lobbied by Monsanto. It seeks to sterilize seed, allow many GMO foodstuffs not currently for sale, and include fertilizers and waste products in "organic" processing.