Articles about Transgenic Food and Agriculture with Annotations— A Partial Bibliography Assembled from March, 2010 to late Fall, 2011
This bibliography allows readers to quickly get a summary overview of a range of the available material. Additional searching is encouraged to find more—and to zero in more specifically on sub-topics. This is mostly a collection of journalistic articles posted on the Internet, but it does contain some other references, including video and academic articles. The collection enables readers to quickly know about a large amount of material not provided to those who get their news from the corporate, mainstream media. Adams, Mike, “Organic Consumers Association's Ronnie Cummings discusses corporate greed and organic milk,” Natural News, 28 November 2006 http://www.naturalnews.com/021186_organic_food_corporate_greed.html National Director of the Organic Consumers Association is interviewed on the practices of Horizon Organic. Adams, Mike, “Forensic evidence emerges that European e-coli superbug was bioengineered to produce human fatalities,” Natural News, 06 June 2011 http://www.naturalnews.com/032622_ecoli_bioengineering.html Speculation on how the antibiotic resistant e-coli could have been created by biotechnology. Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture Membership,” USDA, 2011 http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.usda.gov/documents/web--members.pdf A list of members on the 2011 AC21 with their career position and term. Agence France-Presse, “Illegal spread of GM rice alarms Chinese officials,” The Raw Story, 15 June 2011 http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/06/15/illegal-spread-of-gm-rice-alarms-chinese-officials/ Transgenic rice in China has been approved for experimental, but not commercial planting. Government investigation showed that rice crops were contaminated with transgenic rice. Aguilar, Rose, “How are Genetically engineered Crops Affecting Foods?” KALW Radio, 24 September, 2011 http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/how-are-genetically-engineered-crops-affecting-foods/#more-10814 55 minute audio interview of panel guests Eric Holt-Gimenez (Food First), Dr Ignacio Chapela (UC Berkeley), Mike Ludwig (Truthout), and Jim Gerritsen (OSGATA), PubPat lawsuit coverage begins at minute 44. Altieri, Miguel A. and Clara Ines Nicholls, “Applying Agroecological Concepts to the Development of Ecological Pest Management Strategies,” Agroecology in Action, 30 July 2000 http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/~agroeco3/applying_agroecological_concepts.html Description of agroecological concepts like increasing biodiversity and crop rotations which can be used to control pests. Amland, Brendan, “Protect Organic Seeds and Farmers From Monsanto,” ForceChange, 12 September 2011 http://forcechange.com/4662/protect-organic-seeds-and-farmers-from-monsanto/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=protect-organic-seeds-and-farmers-from-monsantoA petition to show support for the lawsuit. Ananda, Rady, “Scientists Warn Of Link Between Dangerous New Pathogen And Monsanto’s Roundup,” Seismologik, 20 February 2011 http://www.seismologik.com/journal/2011/2/20/scientists-warn-of-link-between-dangerous-new-pathogen-and-m.html A newly discovered pathogen believed to cause infertility in cattle and sudden death syndrome in transgenic soy causes alarm. Article includes summaries of studies on the negative impact of glyphosate on the environment and the full text of Dr. Don Huber’s letter to the USDA regarding the pathogen and urging them to end deregulation on transgenic alfalfa. Ananda, Rady, “Lawsuit seeks to invalidate Monsanto’s GMO patents,” Global Research, 2 April 2011 http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=24103A discussion of the PubPat suit includes the agreement that Monsanto should not have patent rights when contamination is a foreseeable. Antoniou, M., M.E.E. Mostafa. H.C. Vyvyan, HC. Jennings, C. Leifert Rubens, O. Nodari, C. Robinson, and J. Fagan., Summary “Review of Roundup Herbicide Health Effects….,” June 2011 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FpOjzD_5UoPM9-ozbY8IyxGAQQkBTM8LEFzx4KZijng/edit?hl%3Den_US%26pli%3D)%26pli%3D1%26pli%3D1%26pli%3D1%26pli%3D1%26pli%3D1%26pli%3D1%26pref%3D2%26pli%3D1 The full 52 page study, “Roundup and Birth Defects; Is the public being kept in the dark?” is found here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/57277946/RoundupandBirthDefectsv5 The summary is a list of potential health impacts as documented in greater detail in the full report. Aris, A. and S. Leblanc, “Maternal and fetal exposure to pesticides associated to genetically modified foods in Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada,” Reprod. Toxicol., 31 May 2011 (4):528-33 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21338670 A study showing the presence toxic pesticides associated with transgenic foods in the bloodstreams of pregnant and non-pregnant women. Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmZfzWytsg0 Organic farmer Stephen Marsh in Australia is suing his transgenicly-farming neighbor for lost income resulting from the loss of his organic certification. Australia Broadcasting Company, “Greenpeace sabotages CSIRO wheat trial,” News on ABC, 14 July 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n4jThMP_HE&NR=1 A transgenic wheat crop is destroyed by protesters in Canberra, Australia. Baden-Mayer, Alexis, “Coming Soon: Eight Months of Millions Against Monsanto,” Organic Consumer Association, 27 January 2011 http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_22452.cfm Organic Consumer Association highlights their plan to oppose Monsanto through lobbying and working with retailers to voluntarily label transgenic foods. Bailey, Britt, “RE: Docket No. 03-101-2,” 21 October 2004 http://environmentalcommons.org/bentgrass-letter.pdf Environmental Commons Director Bailey writes a letter to the APHIS about their EIS on transgenic bentgrass, asking for the consideration of large number of wild relatives transgenic crops could cross-pollinate. Barlett, Donald L., and James B. Steele, “Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear,” Vanity Fair, May 2008 http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/05/monsanto200805? A detailed narrative looking at Monsanto’s history of producing environmental toxins and their legal practices against small farmers. Barrie, FW, “A Band of 60 Davids Challenges Monsanto, the Goliath, in Federal Court,” Know Where Your Food Comes From, 27 May 2011 http://knowwhereyourfoodcomesfrom.com/2011/05/27/a-band-of-60-davids-challenges-monsanto-the-goliath-in-federal-court/ Article on the OSGATA v. Monsanto filing lists all the plaintiffs and describes the plaintiffs’ whose livelihoods have been affected by the threat of transgenic contamination. Bayer, Alicia, “What countries have banned GMO crops?” Examiner, 18 June 2011 http://www.examiner.com/green-culture-in-mankato/what-countries-have-banned-gmo-crops A list of countries with bans on transgenic crops and a description of the ban. Beecher, Cookson, “Biotech Alfalfa Puts Spotlight on Coexistence,” Food Safety News, 31 March 2011. http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/03/biotech-alfalfa-puts-spotlight-on-co-existence/ Farm manager, Don Cameron, is interviewed to exemplify “co-existence” as he grows transgenic, conventional, and organic crops on the same farm. The creation of a seed-potato isolation region helps prevent disease transmission. The PubPat lawsuit against Monsanto is described as a preemptive protection against the economic risk of contamination. Bell, Beverly, “Monsanto in Haiti,” CommonDreams.org, Hinche, Haiti, 28 June, 2011 http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/06/28-9 Excerpts from an investigative report on Monsanto’s donation of 505 tons of seeds to Haiti for “reconstruction.” Berry, Ian, “DuPont Expects To Increase Seed Market Share For Third Straight Year,” Fox Business, 27 May 2011 http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/05/27/dupont-expects-increase-seed-market-share-straight-year/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxbusiness%2Flatest+%28Internal+-+Latest+News+-+Text%29 Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont subsidiary, has gained increased market share for its corn and soybean seeds each year since 2009. Berry, Ian, “Monsanto Cooperating with SEC Herbicide Probe,” Market Watch, 29 June 2011 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/monsanto-cooperating-with-sec-herbicide-probe-2011-06-29 When asked about the SEC probe into Monsanto’s use of cash incentives for glyphosate customers and their decrease in herbicide sales, Chief Executive Hugh Grant names organics as a potential growth region. Bita, Natasha, “GM strain blows organic status away,” The Australian, December 23, 2010 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/industry-sectors/gm-strain-blows-organic-status-away/story-e6frg95o-1225975191363 West Australian Minister for Agriculture and Food and producer of transgenic Canola seed, Monsanto, respond organic crop contamination by calling on the organic industry to allow the presence of some quantity of transgenic material in organic products. Bloom, Jeremy, “End of Organics? Monsanto’s GMO Alfalfa Approved,” Red Green and Blue, 28 January 2011 http://redgreenandblue.org/2011/01/28/end-of-organics-monsantos-gmo-alfalfa-approved/comment-page-1/ Reaction to the deregulation of transgenic alfalfa, includes a summary of the effect alfalfa contamination would have on organic dairy and beef. Bonfiglio, Olga, “Some Southwest Michigan Farmers Choosing to Forego Organic Label, But Not the Process,” Kalamazoo Gazette 25 April 2011 http://www.mlive.com/living/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/04/some_southwest_michigan_farmer.html Small farmers are interviewed about their choice to opt out of organic certification and an alternative certifier Certified Naturally Grown (CNG). Brammer, Marc, Frank Dixon, and Beth Ambrose, “Monsanto & Genetic Engineering: Risks for Investors,” Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, Inc., April 2003 http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/executive-summary-monsanto.pdf Prepared for Greenpeace, this report for investors looks at the market, regulatory, and health risks associated with genetically engineered products. Brown, William Y., Hugh Lacey, David Hermanns, Margaret Mellon, “Questions About Gene-Modified Foods,” The New York Times, 24 August 2011 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/opinion/questions-about-gene-modified-foods.html?_r=1&ref=opinion Responses to Nina Fedoroff’s op-ed advocating for regulation and independent research. Bruinsma, M., G.A. Kowalchuk and J.A. van Veen, “Effects of genetically modified plants on microbial communities and processes in soil,” Biology and Fertility of Soils, v. 37.6 (329-337), 17 April 2003 http://www.springerlink.com/content/q5gl6p5n5vyjfvl4/ An overview of research on the effect of transgenic plants on microbial communities and processes in soil. Buczynski, Beth, “Anonymous Activists Shut Down Monsanto Website [Video],” Care2.com, 30 July 2011 http://www.care2.com/causes/anonymous-activists-shut-down-monsanto-website-video.html The hacking collective Anonymous posted videos about their release of Monsanto corporate data, including one to Monsanto and another to show how they accomplished the attack. Burchart, Travis, “Does a Little Bit of Pollen and a Little Bit of Seed Equal a Whole Lot of Infringement? Farmers Answer ‘No’ in Challenging Monsanto’s Transgenic Seed Patents,” LexisNexis Communities, 07 April 2011 http://www.lexisnexis.com/community/patentlaw/blogs/patentlawblog/archive/2011/04/07/does-little-bit-of-pollen-and-a-little-bit-of-seed-equal-a-whole-lot-of-infringement-farmers-answer-no-in-challenging-monsanto-s-transgenic-seed-patents.aspx Highlights from the complaint filed for OSGATA et al v. Monsanto include arguments against the validity of patents on transgenic seeds and assertions that Monsanto is attempting to achieve anticompetitive market power. Related prior cases are listed. Burggraf, Carrie, “GMOs and Peru: The Debate Comes to a Head,” Council on Hemispheric Affairs, 15 June 2011 http://www.truth-out.org/gmos-and-peru-debate-comes-head/1308491458 Regions of Peru, including Lima, have declared themselves “GMO-free” and a government decree to establish an agency to trade in transgenic products was repealed. Camberato, James, Shaun Casteel, Peter Goldsbrough, Bill Johnson, Kiersten Wise, and Charles Woloshuk, “Glyphosate’s Impact on Field Crop Production and Disease Development,” Purdue Extension: Weed Science, 24 February 2011 http://www.btny.purdue.edu/weedscience/2011/GlyphosatesImpact11.pdf The agricultural extension program of Purdue University issued this statement of glyphosate’s impact on plant disease in response to the controversy over the herbicide following the approval of Roundup Ready Alfalfa. The overall argument is that research suggesting that glyphosate increases disease in plants is limited and that there is no substantiated evidence that the effect is widespread or impacting yield. They recommend using glyphosate for weed control. This statement appeared to have been issued as a response to the publicized contentions of retired Purdue professor Don Huber about the impact of Glyphosate on plant diseases and the compromise of the immune health of plants. Capel, Paul, “Technical Announcement: Widely Used Herbicide Commonly Found in Rain and Streams in the Mississippi River Basin,” U.S. Geological Survey, 29 August 2011 http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2909 Two surveys show that glyphosate and its degradation product are consistently found in the Mississippi River watershed. Case, Holly, “Americans Wary of Genetically Engineered Foods,” Natural Food Network, Late Fall 2010 (November/December) http://www.naturalfoodnet.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&AudID=51E6700A094C4B86B050DBCEF699BED2&tier=4&id=1B907C8CEF4643AEA5D54116AD553D6F NPR-commissioned survey conducted by Thompson-Reuters on American public attitudes toward transgenic food.
Dumas, Robert Alexander, “New Study Finds Pesticides Associated with GMO Foods in Pregnant Women,” FireDogLake 17 June 2011 http://my.firedoglake.com/tucsonrobert1/2011/06/17/new-study-finds-pesticides-associated-with-gmo-foods-in-pregnant-women/ Discussion of the Aris findings of Bt toxin in pregnant women's bloodstreams includes a video of Jeffery Smith speculating that the Bt bacteria have migrated to the women's digestive tracts. Dunfield, Kari E. and James J. Germida, “Diversity of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere and root interior of field-grown genetically modified Brassica napus,” FMS Microbiology Ecology, Vol. 38.1 (1-9), December 2001 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2001.tb00876.x/full A 2-year field study of shows that the microbial community associated with a herbicide-tolerant transgenic variety of canola was different from conventional varieties, based on fatty acid composition and carbon substrate utilization. Eichenwald, Kurt, Gina Kolata, and Melody Petersen, “Biotechnology Food: From the Lab to a Debacle,” The New York Times, 25 January 2001 http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/25/business/25FOOD.html?pagewanted=print A historical look at the development of biotechnology industry, including the introduction of biotech goods such as bacteria produced bovine growth hormone, Monsanto’s political control over their industry’s regulation and deregulation, and upset across Europe. Engdahl, F. William, “Bill Gates talks about ‘vaccines to reduce population,’” Geopolitics-Geoeconomics, 04 March 2010 http://oilgeopolitics.net/Swine_Flu/Gates_Vaccines/gates_vaccines.html Article on a speech by Bill Gates at the TED2010 Conference that suggested vaccines could control population, includes a reference to biotech company Epicyte announcing that they are growing transgenic corn with genes to produce antibodies that attack sperm. English, Jean, “Organic Seed Alliance May Save Us From Ourselves,” Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, Winter 2008-2009 http://www.mofga.org/Publications/MaineOrganicFarmerGardener/Winter20082009/OrganicSeedAlliance/tabid/1022/Default.aspx Contemporary and historical wheat breeding are described in this article about seed breeding projects. ï¾’Environment, Organic Farming,” The Conference Board of Canada, October 2008 http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/details/environment/area-under-organic-farming.aspx Organic Ag production statistics from Canada, providing comparisons with other OECD nations. Data is from 2006 Environmental News Service, “USDA Approves Unregulated Planting of Transgenic Alfalfa,” Environmental News Service, Washington D.C., 28 January 2011 http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2011/2011-01-28-092.html USDA approves unregulated cultivation of transgenic alfalfa. Center for Food Safety Executive Director Andrew Kimbrell responds and says his organization will reactivate their lawsuit against the USDA. Estabrook, Barry, “Genetifically Modified Alfalfa Officially On The Way,” The Atlantic, 28 January 2011 http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2011/01/genetifically-modified-alfalfa-officially-on-the-way/70401/ Following the deregulation of transgenic alfalfa, cross-contamination is feared. The author predicts a difficult future for organic beef and dairy, with alfalfa being the main forage for cows and insect pollinated over a range of five miles. European Commission, “A decade of EU-funded GMO research (2001 - 2010),” 3 October 2011 http://ec.europa.eu/research/biosociety/pdf/a_decade_of_eu-funded_gmo_research.pdf EU publication summarizing the results of 50 research projects on the environmental impact, food safety, emerging technologies, and risk assessment. FDA, “Completed Consultations on Bioengineered Foods,” 31 August 2011 http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnNavigation.cfm?filter=&sortColumn=%2C3\9LOE)%2CC1%2C%20D%25@%2C%0A&rpt=bioListing&displayAll=true Partial list of biotech foods reviewed by the FDA. The 85 varieties on the list including cantaloupe, plum, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, rice, corn, soy, cotton, alfalfa, sugar beets, wheat, canola, creeping bentgrass, flax, radichio, and papaya. (Please copy and paste this link if it is not hot, it does work.) Federoff, Nina, “Science, GMOs, and Food Security,” US Embassy London, 26 March 2009 https://www.youtube.com/user/USEmbassyLondon#p/u/45/J2CdlaXr52k Federoff speaks on the wonders of transgenic crops under the imprimatur of the U.S. government with the flag present. Not even a headache has been caused by transgenic crops, she says. Fedoroff, Nina V., “Engineering Food for All,” New York Times, 18 August 2011 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/opinion/genetically-engineered-food-for-all.html?_r=2&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss An opinion piece criticizing the EPA for their costly reviews of transgenic crops; she believes transgenic crops are safe and have a capacity to decrease pesticide use and increase yield that traditionally breed crops do not. “Feed the Future,” 2011. http://www.feedthefuture.gov A website for the “U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security imitative” tracking what the Obama administration has been doing to promote GE food. Ferreira, Joao, “GMO policy favours corporations - not the public interest,” Public Service Europe, 21 September 2011 http://www.publicserviceeurope.com/article/884/gmo-policy-favours-corporations-not-the-public-interest The risk assessment for transgenic crops by the European Union may be unfairly favoring the biotechnology industry. Food and Water Watch, “Food and Agriculture Biotechnology Industry Spends More Than Half a Billion Dollars to Influence Congress,” Food and Water Watch, Washington, D.C., November 2010 http://documents.foodandwaterwatch.org/BiotechLobbying-web.pdf A listing of campaign contributions and lobbying expenditures from food and agricultural biotechnology firms. Fromartz, Samuel, “Modified Alfalfa Wars: A Response to James McWilliams,” The Atlantic, 23 February 2011 http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2011/02/modified-alfalfa-wars-a-response-to-james-mcwilliams/71600/ Examples of cross contamination of various non-transgenic crops with transgenic crops. “Gallery of Genetic Modifications,” PBS, undated http://www.pbs.org/wnet/dna/pop_genetic_gallery/index.html Transgenic tomatoes, Bt corn, Golden rice, and Roundup Ready Soybeans are described along with common criticisms. Gillam, Carey and Christopher Doering, “UPDATE 3-U.S. farmers get approval to plant GMO alfalfa,” Reuters, Kansas City, 27 January 2011. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2727513020110127 The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service determines that Roundup Ready Alfalfa is safe and can be cultivated without restrictions. Agricultural Secretary Vilsack defends this decision and says that the USDA will promote research on how to prevent and detect contamination.
Gurian-Sherman, Doug, “Failure to Yield: Evaluating the Performance of Genetically Engineered Crops,” Union of Concerned Scientists,April 2009 http://ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/science/failure-to-yield.html Analysis of corn and soybean yields since 1990 show that genetic engineering did not increase the intrinsic yield of either, only minimally increased operation yield, and that much greater increases in yield were made by traditional breeding. Gussin, Rachel, “The Advantages of GMO Food,” Livestrong.com, 17 June 2011 http://www.livestrong.com/article/472579-the-advantages-of-gmo-food/ Transgenic foods are described as being resistant to pests, cold, and disease without pesticides or other chemicals, having added health benefits, promoting healthier soil, being more dependable, and having a longer shelf life. Gustin, Georgina, “Monsanto renews its efforts with wheat,” St. Louis Today, 08 May 2011 http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/article_d4d02028-fb45-5bdd-9fbd-f8be8e0e4225.html?print=1 Monsanto purchased wheat seed company, WestBred, in 2009 as it renews attempts to genetically engineer wheat. Haase, Nina, “GMO risks for bees and beekeeping,” GM Watch, 10 March 2011 http://www.gmwatch.org/latest-listing/1-news-items/12955-gmo-risks-for-bees-and-beekeeping A letter from Swedish beekeepers to the Advocate General highlighting the issues of transgenic pollen and an article regarding an EU court case that would allow beekeepers to claim damages for transgenicly contaminated honey. Hart, Michael, “GM Crops: Farmer to Farmer,” GM Crops: Farmer to Farmer, undated, http://gmcropsfarmertofarmer.com/film.html A documentary showing a conventional farmer interviewing other farmers on their experience growing transgenic crops in the US, concluding that glyphosate-resistance weeds, co-existence, and cost are some of the difficulties faced. Hemphill, Peter, “GM canola trial go ahead,” Weekly Times, December 29, 2010. http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2010/12/29/276711_grain-and-hay.html Field trials are approved for a fifth line of transgenic canola in parts of Australia. Hensley, Scott, “Poll Shows That Americans Are Wary Of Genetically Engineered Foods,” National Public Radio, 12 November 2010. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/06/07/131270519/americans-are-wary-about-genetically-engineered-foods NPR/Thomas Reuters poll surveyed 3,000 Americans and found that only one quarter understood transgenic food. While nine out of ten surveyed thought transgenic food should be labeled, the article explains that the FDA does not recognize a need to do so unless there’s a material difference in the part of the food purchased by consumers. Hightower, Jim, “DuPont's Herbicide Goes Rogue,” Other Words, 12 September 2011 http://www.otherwords.org/articles/duponts_herbicide_goes_rogue A Dupont herbicide, Imprelis, killed trees in the vicinity of lawns where it was applied before being banned by the EPA. Hinkley, Bobbie, “Murray blasts Redman on GM contamination,” Farm Weekly, Australia, 23 December 2010. http://fw.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/general/murray-blasts-redman-on-gm-contamination/2031606.aspx?storypage=0 Criticism of Agriculture and Food Minister, Terry Redman, for his handling of transgenic crops in Western Australia. Includes interviews with organic farmer, Steve Marsh, the first Western Australia farmer to lose organic certification for transgenic contaminated crops, Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Mick Murray, and Greenpeace GMO campaigner, Laura Kelly. Ho, Mae-wan, “Death of Gene Patents?” Institute of Science in Society Report, 11 November 2010. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/deathOfGenePatents.php Recombinant DNA may be patented, but genomic DNA may not: A history and discussion of the case against Myriad, and the attempt to patent breast cancer genes. Ho, Mae-wan and Brett Cherry, “Glyphosate Tolerant Crops Bring Diseases and Death,” Institute of Science in Society Report, 26 May 2010. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/glyphosateTolerantCrops.php Biological mechanisms: How glyphosate, aka Roundup, weakens plants, lowers their immunity to diseases, and makes plant diseases more deadly. Ho, Mae-Wan, “Scientist Defends Claim of New Pathogen Linked to GM Crops,” Institute of Science in Society Report, 21 April 2011 http://www.i-sis.org.ukScientistDefendsHisClaimofNewPathogenLinkedtoGMCrops.php Huber’s January 2011 letter to the USDA regarding a pathogen potentially affected by glyphosate was criticized by Monsanto, but stood by his claims and provided a more detailed explanation to the EU. Holt-Giménez, Eric, “The Industrialization of African Agriculture: Answer to Hunger or Gateway to Violence?” Food First News and Views, Vol. 32.118, Fall 2010 http://www.foodfirst.org/sites/www.foodfirst.org/files/pdf/News_and_Views_Fall_2010_color.pdf The Gates Foundation purchased over $20 million in Monsanto stocks and then started a philanthropic project to increase soy production in African countries. This type of corporate agricultural project in Africa could have negative effects on the ecology and people. Holt-Giménez, Eric, “Food Security, Food Justice, or Food Sovereignty?” Food First Backgrounder, Vol 16.2, Winter 2010 http://www.foodfirst.org/sites/www.foodfirst.org/files/pdf/Food_Movements_Winter_2010_bckgrndr.pdf A look at government, industry, and activist solutions for global hunger. Holt-Giménez, Eric, “Perpetuating the Eternal Food Fight,” Food First News and Views, Vol. 32.119, Winter 2010 http://www.foodfirst.org/sites/www.foodfirst.org/files/pdf/News_and_Views_Winter_2010.pdf A criticism of the common food expert view that transgenic food will help overcome global hunger through higher yielding crops in difficult climates. The better management of agriculture within an ecosystem will increase yields. Holt-Giménez, Eric and Shattuck, Annie, “Food crises, food regimes and food movements: rumblings of reform or tides of transformation?” Journal of Peasant Studies, 38: 1, 109 — 144, 13 January 2011 http://www.foodfirst.org/en/node/3253 A study of trends in food movements and analysis of their ability to bring change to the food system. Holt-Giménez, Eric, “Not Monsanto's Fault! Ever,” Proyecto de Bioseguridad Puerto Rico, 2 March 2011 http://bioseguridad.blogspot.com/2011/03/not-monsantos-fault-ever-by-eric-holt.html A clause in The Monsanto Technology Stewardship Agreement for farmers puts the liability for the seeds on the farmer. Huber, Don, “Monsanto's Glyphosate: Impacts on Human Health and Plant Life. Scientist Warns of Dire Consequences with Widespread Use,” Global Research, 10 December 2010 http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=22354 Huber summarizes findings reported elsewhere on glyphosate risks, and on how Monsanto blocks independent research. Huff, Ethan A., “GMO canola contaminates majority of land on organic farm,” Natural News, December 10, 2010 http://www.naturalnews.com/030686_GMOs_canola.html Following the reversal of transgenic canola ban in Australia in March of 2010, organic farmer Steve Marsh had 540 acres of canola crop contaminated from a nearby transgenic canola field and was considering suing. Organic certifier, National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA), was conducting an official investigation. Huff, Ethan A., “Court rules organic farmers can sue conventional, GMO farmers whose pesticides 'trespass' and contaminate their fields,” Natural News, 03 August 2011 http://www.naturalnews.com/033216_GMO_contamination_lawsuits.html Organic farmers in Minnesota and California each won lawsuits for pesticide contamination by nearby farms using aerial spraying of toxic chemicals. “Information Systems for Biotechnology,” Virginia Tech, 2010 http://www.isb.vt.edu Documents and searchable databases for agricultural biotechnology including charts of transgenic test locations and sites by state. Jaeger, NJ, “Wikileaks: GMO conspiracy reaches highest levels of US Government,” Institute for Responsible Technology, 12 January 2011 http://www.responsibletechnology.org/news/616 Food Safety Czar, Michael Taylor, is the former Monsanto executive. Jaeger, NJ, “Alfalfa: Rouge Agency Chooses ‘Business As Usual’ Over Sound Science,” Institute for Responsible Technology Blog, 28 January 2011 http://www.responsibletechnology.org/news/1080 Center for Food Safety responds to the USDA’s deregulation of transgenic alfalfa by saying that they will continue their alfalfa litigation and citing points that were not properly addressed in the FEIS. Jaeger, NJ, “Dragging Monsanto to Justice,” Institute for Responsible Technology Blog, 31 January 2011 http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/1103 Report on Dan Ravicher’s talk at the EcoFarm Conference summarizing the legal arguments that The Public Patent Foundation would use in a lawsuit against Monsanto. Jaeger, NJ, “Senior GMO Scientist Gives Misleading Evidence in European Parliament,” Institute for Responsible Technology Blog, 3 February 2011 http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/1130 Prof. Martina Nevell-McGloughin stated that the United States’ transgenic risk assessment was thorough and reliable in a hearing in the European Parliament, despite the multitude of federal district court cases that found various organizations within the US regulatory system at fault for not conducting environmental impact statements. Jalonick, Mary Clare, “Genetically altered foods a major part of our diets,” MSNBC, Washington D.C. 25 February 2011 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41780186/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/ A brief look at the prevalence of transgenic foods and the potential introduction of transgenic salmon. Jebaraj, Priscilla, “Development of Bt brinjal (eggplant) a case of bio-piracy,” The Hindu, New Delhi, 10 August 2011 http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2341585.ece The National Biodiversity Authority investigated Monsanto on charges of genetically engineering nine varieties of eggplant they didn’t have permission to use, and recommended that further action be taken against Monsanto. Johnson, Paul, Steve R. Larson, Amy L. Anderton, Jason T. Patterson, Douglas J. Cattani, and Eric K. Nelson, “Pollen-Mediated Gene Flow from Kentucky Bluegrass under Cultivated Field Conditions,” Crop Science 46:1990–1997 http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/3486/1/IND43883494.pdf The gene flow of transgenic glyphosate-resistant Kentucky Bluegrass is measured.
Kenigsberg, Amos, “Score One for Monsanto,” Mother Jones, 4 April 2001 http://motherjones.com/politics/2001/04/score-one-monsanto Percy Schmeiser was sued by Monsanto for growing Roundup Ready Canola, which he said was from contamination, and a federal judge ruled that he must pay $15,000 Canadian for licensing of the patented crop. Kennedy, John, “Glyphosate Phaseout: Easier Said Than Done,” Corn and Soybean Digest, 15 February 2011 http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/crop-chemicals/glyphosate-phaseout-easier-said-done Discussion of a possible glyphosate ban in Argentina or parts of Argentina. Courts have banned its use around family farms and urban areas. Keteyian, Armen, “Agricultural Giant Battles Small Farmers,” CBS News, 4 January 2011 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/26/eveningnews/main4048288.shtml Story about Monsanto’s aggressive pursuit of contaminated farmers includes interviews with small farmers David and Dawn Runyon, and a seed-cleaner who were harassed and sued by Monsanto. Kilman, Scott, “Monsanto Corn Plant Losing Bug Resistance,” The Wall Street Journal, 29 August 2011 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904009304576532742267732046.html Western corn rootworms appear to have developed pesticide resistance to transgenic corn in Iowa. Knutson, Jonathon, “Organic agriculture group will hold its winter conference,” Agweek, 1 February 2011 http://www.agweek.com/event/article/id/17865 Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture director Karri Stroh discusses the present state of organic agriculture. Kremer, Robert J., “Glyphosate Interactions Beyond Weed Control: Current State of Knowledge,” USDA-ARS, 2011 http://www.agron.iastate.edu/news/events/2011staniforth_sm.pdf A PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Robert J Kremer, a soil microbiologist, reviewing research on glyphosate and microbial interactions and on the effects of glyphosate on the availability of micronutrients.
Lantham, Jonathon and Allison Wilson, “The Great DNA Data Deficit: Are Genes for Disease a Mirage?” Independent Science News, December 8, 2010 http://www.bioscienceresource.org/commentaries/article.php?id=46 Personal genome scans fail to find the genes for major diseases. Lappé, Anna, Lynette Evans, and Pamela Drew, “Engineering GM food for all - Nina Fedoroff,” GM Watch, 20 August 201 http://www.gmwatch.eu/latest-listing/1-news-items/13374-engineering-gm-food-for-all-nina-federoff Three articles responding to Fedoroff’s op-ed on the necessity of transgenic foods and a New York Times interview with Fedoroff, criticizing her personal profit from a transgenic patent, her ignoring the potential of sustainable agricultural, and the NYT for using propaganda. Lappé, Frances Moore, “The Food Movement: Its Power and Possibilities,” The Nation,14 September 2011 http://www.thenation.com/article/163403/food-movement-its-power-and-possibilities?page=0,1 Despite increased corporatization and hunger in the food system, the food movement has had successes and reasons to be optimistic. The anti-GMO success in European and developing nations is hailed. Laskawy, Tom, “Forbes writer: GMO labeling would violate corporate speech rights,” Grist, 25 February 2011 http://www.grist.org/article/2011-02-24-pro-business-writer-argues-gmo-labelin-violates-corporate-rights A response to a Forbes blog post by Glenn Lammi which asserted that mandated trangenic food-labeling would violate companies’ First Amendment rights. Includes a discussion of a legal cases surrounding the labeling of milk treated with artificial growth hormones. Laskawy, Tom, “Reversing roles, farmers sue Monsanto over GMO seeds,” Grist, 31 March 2011 http://www.grist.org/sustainable-food/2011-03-31-reversing-roles-organic-farmers-sue-monsanto-over-gmo-seeds The flaws of US Patent law and the practices of Monsanto are summarized in an article about the PUBPAT filing of OSGATA v. Monsanto. Laskawy, Tom, “A fight Over the Future of Farming: U.N. Ag Group vs. Big Ag,” Grist, 13 June 2011 http://www.grist.org/industrial-agriculture/2011-06-14-fight-over-future-of-farming-un-fao-vs-big-ag?ref=se Comparing the FAO prescription for the future of agriculture with the program proposed by agribusiness’s Global Harvest Initiative (with support of the The Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund, and Conservation International.) The UN urges agroecology, while GHI and their allies advocate biotechnology. Ledford, Heidi, “Organic farmers expand lawsuit against Monsanto,” Nature News Blog, 3 June 2011 http://blogs.nature.com/news/2011/06/organic_farmers_expand_lawsuit_1.html Based on an interview with Dan Ravicher on the aims and goals of the OSGATA v. Monsanto lawsuit. Lehrer, Jonah, “The Truth Wears Off,” The New Yorker, 13 December 2010 http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/12/13/101213fa_fact_lehrer Despite the standards scientific experimentation is held to, a number of biases impact commonly accepted research results. A bias to publish almost exclusively positive results is shown by journals and researchers. Leigh, Phillips, “EU bans GM-contaminated honey from general sale,” The Guardian, 07 September 2011 http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/sep/07/europe-honey-gm Scientists and environmental activists hold differing views on the EU court decision to consider honey with transgenic crop pollen “produce from GMOs” and subsequently unfit for sale without a safety review. The comments after this article reveal the lack of public consensus on the underlying issues. Levy, Alison Rose, “Organic Farm Groups Sue Monsanto,” Huffington Post, 31 March 2011 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alison-rose-levy/monsanto-lawsuit_b_842336.html?view=print Story on the PUBPAT filing includes statements from multiple plaintiffs on the need for protection against the threat of contamination from transgenic seeds. Lifsher, Marc, “Judge orders genetically modified sugar beets pulled,” Los Angeles Times, 1 December 2010 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/12/genetically-engineered-crops.html Preliminary injunction granted against transgenic sugar beets. Liles, Valerie, “GMO Soy Bean Facts,” Livestrong. Com, 5 February 2011 http://www.livestrong.com/article/374412-gmo-soy-bean-facts/ A description and warning about transgenic soybeans. Lloyd, Tim, “Monsanto’s new gambit: fruits and veggies,” Harvest Public Media, 8 April 2011 http://harvestpublicmedia.org/article/514/monsanto%E2%80%99s-new-gambit-fruits-and-veggies/5 Monsanto is developing fruits and vegetables with desirable traits for consumers like tearless onions. Lock, Sophie, “Spray contamination risk for some seed potato growers,” Farmers Guardian, 12 August 2011 http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/arable/arable-news/spray-contamination-risk-for-some-seed-potato-growers/40839.article Spray drift from neighboring farms using glyphosate damages seed potatoes and is not noticed until the seed potato is re-planted, typically by another farmer. Ludwig, Mike, “War Over Genetically Modified Crops Gets Ugly: Birth Defects, Superweeds and the Science of Intimidation,” 9 November 2010 http://www.garynull.com/home/war-over-genetically-modified-crops-gets-ugly-birth-defects.html Scientists violently attacked for conducting independent scientific research on the health risks associated with transgenic agriculture. Ludwig, Mike, “Why Monsanto Always Wins,” Truthout, 22 February 2011 http://www.truth-out.org/why-monsanto-always-wins67976 Emails showing USDA regulators use of Monsanto provided information in their initial environmental assessment on transgenic alfalfa. Ludwig, Mike, “Special Investigation: The Pesticides and Politics of America's Eco-War,” Truthout, 09 June 2011 http://www.truth-out.org/pesticides-and-politics-americas-eco-war/1307539754 Herbicides glyphosate and imazapyr are provided by Monsanto to eradicate “spartina” or cord grass in the Mudflats of Washington state. The dumping of chemicals has caused some oystermen to cease their work for fears of contamination.
Mokin, Julia, “In Debate About Food, a Monied New Player,” New York Times,27 September 2011 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/dining/in-debate-about-food-a-monied-new-player.html?_r=2 The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, an astroturf industry front group, launched with a half million dollars from both Monsanto and Dupont and the aim to make corporate agriculture appeal to the public.
Monsanto vs Schmeiser, 2009 http://www.percyschmeiser.com/ The website of Canadian farmer, Percy Schmeiser, who had his canola crop contaminated with Roundup Ready Canola and was sued in 1999 by Monsanto for patent infringement.
Monsanto Company, “PUBPAT Allegations Are False, Misleading and Deceptive,” Beyond the Rows: A blog by Monsanto, 29 March 2011 http://www.monsantoblog.com/2011/03/29/pubpat-allegations-are-false-misleading-and-deceptive/ Monsanto responds to PubPat suit by stating that they do not exercise patent rights against farmers for trace amounts of contamination and that biotech crops are beneficial to farmers.
“Monsanto Patent for a Pig,” 10 September 2008 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-ouf_gmA5o&feature=related Documentary film discussing the future plans of Monsanto to patent pig genes. The patent application is pending. This appears to be out of date in the sense that Monsanto sold the pig gene part of their business, and the new company has not, so far as is known, pursued the pig gene patent.
Miller, Henry I. and Gregory Conko, “Sack Vilsack,” Forbes, 5 January 2011 http://www.forbes.com/2011/01/05/usda-tom-vilsack-agriculture-opinions-contributors-henry-i-miller_print.html An opinion article criticizing US Agricultural Secretary, Tom Vilsack, for considering geographic restrictions and isolation distances for transgenic alfalfa. Argues that Environmental Impact Statements are unnecessary for individual transgenic crops and that unintentional contamination of organic crops should not be an issue.
Millions Against Monsanto by OrganicConsumers.org, Finland, Minnesota, 22 October 2011 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Millions-Against-Monsanto-by-OrganicConsumersorg/289934516904 The Facebook page of the Organic Consumer Association’s campaign to end GMO research and implement labeling of transgenic food. The campaign and Facebook users post relevant links to the page.
Muhlke, Christine, “The Evangelists for Heirloom Vegetables,” New York Times, August 11, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/magazine/15food-t-000.html Story about Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds owners, Jeremiath and Emilie Gettle and their variety of gardening related ventures.
Murphy, Dave, “Dr. Huber Explains Science Behind New Organism and Threat from Monsanto’s Roundup, GMOs to Disease and Infertility,” Food Democracy Now, undated, https://player.vimeo.com/video/22997532?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=1 Interview with Plant Pathologist Dr. Don Huber by Dave Murphy of Food Democracy Now.
Murray, Rich, “The Amazing Revolving Door – Monsanto, FDA & EPA,” Rense.com, 24 December 2002 http://www.rense.com/general33/fd.htm A listing of government officials with career involvement in the biotechnology industry.
Natural Resource Report, “DeFazio wants rules on genetically engineered alfalfa,” Natural Resource Report, 3 July 2010 http://naturalresourcereport.com/2010/07/defazio-wants-rules-on-genetically-engineered-alfalfa/ 56 members of congress responded to an USDA Draft Environmental Impact Statement on transgenic alfalfa, by asking Agricultural Secretary Vilsack to continue to regulate the alfalfa to prevent contamination of non-transgenic alfalfa crops. Includes the full text of the letter. Nestle, Marion, “USDA seeks method to compensate farmers for GM contamination,” Healthier Talk, 11 September 2011 http://www.healthiertalk.com/usda-seeks-method-compensate-farmers-gm-contamination-4652 Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack requested that the AC 21 Committee develop a plan for compensating organic farmers and others growing non-transgenic crops when their crops become contaminated by transgenic crops. Neuman, William and Andrew Pollack, “Farmers Cope With Roundup-Resistant Weeds,” New York Times, 3 May 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/business/energy-environment/04weed.html Overuse of the herbicide Roundup (glyphosate) has led to the emergence of ten resistance weed species. The impacts of the weeds include increased labor input and pesticide use, as well as decreased crop yield. Includes a brief history of Roundup and Roundup Ready crops and estimates of acres in the US affected by Roundup-resistance weeds. Noble, Chuck, “Grower Says RR Alfalfa Coexistence Isn’t Possible,” Hay and Forage Grower, 18 January 2011 http://hayandforage.com/news/grower-says-rr-alfalfa-coexistence-not-possible-0118/ South Dakota alfalfa seed and hay farmer’s letter to Agricultural Secretary Vilsack highlighting the reasons conventional and transgenic alfalfa crops cannot coexist. Noble, Chuck, “Groups file lawsuit challenging genetically engineered alfalfa,” The Farm Forum, 22 April 2011 http://www.aberdeennews.com/farmforum/news/crops/aan-ff.04-22-11.morealfalfa-20110422,0,3601883.story The Center for Food Safety and Earth Justice filed a lawsuit against the USDA to provide oversight for transgenic alfalfa and the PubPat lawsuit is also described. Noory, George, “Gulf Toxins & Illness,” Coast to Coast AM with George Noory, 16 June 2011 http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2011/06/16 Jeffrey Smith speaks on radio show to discuss research showing Bt in the bloodstream of women and fetuses, as well as an amendment in a House bill that would prohibit the FDA from approving genetically engineered salmon. Oakley, Marti, “GMO’s: Invasive Species Council and USDA ignore environmental infection and contamination,” The PPJ Gazette, 22 July 2011 http://ppjg.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/usda-gmo-contamination/ A vigorous assault on the dishonest insanity of transgenic agriculture. Organic Spies, “Why The Organic Trade Association and Corporate Organic Food Brands do NOT want Labeling of Genetically Engineered and Genetically Modified Foods,” YouTube, 31 May 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCK0MTS4mvI&feature=youtube_gdata_player Julia Sabin, the President of the Board of Directors at the Organic Trade Association and the VP of Smuckers, individually profits off of genetically engineered foods. Patel, Raj, “Raj Patel on T. J. Buthelezi and Monsanto’s Bt cotton project in S. Africa,” Institute for Responsible Technology, 26 November 2010 http://www.responsibletechnology.org/news/1511 Transgenic cotton was rapidly adopted in South America, but failed to produce an increased yield or any other benefits. Phalan, Ben, Malvika Onial, Andrew Balmford, Rhys E. Green, “Reconciling Food Production and Biodiversity Conservation: Land Sharing and Land Sparing Compared,” Science, 2 September 2011 http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6047/1289 In comparing the effect on the bird and tree species of two agricultural practices, this study found that high-yield farming with conservation in a separate area was less negatively impactful than integrated agricultural and conservation. Phalnikar, Sonia and Alexandra Scherle, “Book stirs debate on whether organic can feed the world,” Deutsche Welle, 16 September 2011 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15393108,00.html Felix Prinz zu Löwenstein of Germany wrote Food Crash – We will Subsist Organically or Not all on the need for organic methods in developing nations. Philpott, Tom, “White House pressured Vilsack to approve GMO alfalfa, media reports suggest,” Grist, 31 January 2010 http://www.grist.org/article/2011-01-31-media-reports-white-house-pressure-stomped-on-vilsack-over-gmo-a The story suggests the USDA decision to deregulate transgenic alfalfa without proposed geographic restrictions was caused by the Obama administration desire to appease the biotechnology industry. Philpott, Tom, “What we know—and don’t know—about the safety of eating GMOs,” Grist, 16 May 2011 http://www.grist.org/food-safety/2011-05-16-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-the-safety-of-eating-gmos The food safety of trangenic food is questioned with reference to regulation and a Quebec study showing high occurrences of Bt toxin in the bloodstreams of pregnant women. Philpott, Tom, “USDA Scientist: Monsanto's Roundup Herbicide Damages Soil,” Mother Jones, 19 August 2011 http://motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2011/08/monsantos-roundup-herbicide-soil-damage Article about the work of USDA scientist Dr. Kremer on the soil damage done by Glyphosate and the USDA’s down playing of the findings. Iowa State plant scientist Michael McNeill has made similar statements about glyphosate at agricultural conferences. Pollack, Andrew, “U.S. Approves Genetically Modified Alfalfa,” New York Times, 27 January 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/business/28alfalfa.html?src=twrhp Following criticism of a proposal to restrict transgenic alfalfa to prevent contamination of organic alfalfa crops, Agricultural Secretary Vilsack authorized unrestricted cultivation of transgenic alfalfa. Members of congress had argued that the economic impact of contamination was not applicable to the decision. Pollack, Andrew, “U.S.D.A. Ruling on Bluegrass Stirs Cries of Lax Regulation,” New York Times, 6 July 2011 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/07/business/energy-environment/cries-of-lax-regulation-after-usda-ruling-on-bluegrass.html USDA makes the decision not to regulate transgenic Roundup-ready bluegrass because no virus is used to introduce the genetic modification. The genes are introduced with a gun. Pollack, Candace, “Ohio bucks GMO trend across the Midwest,” North Texas e-News, December 17, 2010 http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_66634.shtml Ohio growers plant a greater percentage of non-transgenic corn acres than other Midwest states.
Pollan, Michael, “How Change Is Going to Come in the Food System,” The Nation, 14 September 2011 http://www.thenation.com/article/163399/how-change-going-come-food-system Pollan sees the food movement as having impacted popular consciousness, but not the political or economic systems and therefore thinks the focus on grassroots change is the most realistic. Porter, Michael E. and Mark R. Kramer, “Creating Shared Value,” Harvard Business Review, January 2011 http://hbr.org/2011/01/the-big-idea-creating-shared-value/ar/1 Harvard Business Prof. Michael Porter on the Importance of Shared Value Creation as a business strategy. Quigley, Delia, “Eight ways Monsanto is destroying our health,” Yahoo! Green, 31 March 2011 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ygreen/20110331/sc_ygreen/eightwaysmonsantoisdestroyingourhealth A description of the negative health and societal impacts of eight chemicals produced and marketed by Monsanto, including Agent Orange, Saccharin, and Terminator Seeds. Rampton, Sheldon and John Stauber, “Monsanto and Fox: Partners in Censorship,” PR Watch, Vol. 5.2, June 1998 http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/1998Q2/foxbgh.html Journalists Jane Akre and Steve Wilson were fired from a local Fox News station for their story on rBGH. This article explains of instances of censorship around rBGH. Rashid, Fahmida Y., “Anonymous Attacks Monsanto Network, Releases Employee Contact Data,” E Week, 15 July 2011 http://www.eweek.com/c/a/IT-Infrastructure/Anonymous-Attacks-Monsanto-Network-Releases-Employee-Contact-Data-177827/?kc=rss Hackers group gets Monsanto inside information and promises to post a Wiki. Rather, Dan, “Dan Rather on pesticides & bees,” Ground Truth, 22 September 2011 http://www.panna.org/blog/dan-rather-pesticides-bees Dan Rather reports on Colony Collapse Disorder updating a 2006 report. He questions the industry studies of pesticides that may be harming bees. Relyea, Rick A., “The Lethal Impact of Roundup on Aquatic and Terrestrial Amphibians,” Ecological Applications, Vol. 15.4: 1118–1124, August 2005 http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/04-1291 Glyphosate is found to be lethal to 96-100% of North American tadpoles and 68-86% of juvenile frogs. Relyea, Rick A., “A Response to Monsanto,” University of Pittsburgh, 2005 http://www.pitt.edu/~relyea/Site/Roundup.html Monsanto published concerns about Relyea’s 2005 study on the lethal effect of glyphosate on tadpoles and Relyea responds here. “Respect the Rotation,”Bayer CropScience, 2011 http://www.bayercropscience.us/our-commitment/respect-the-rotation Explanation of the effort to overcome glyphosate resistant weeds by selling a group of alternative herbicides and through crop rotation. Richardson, Jill, “Outrage in San Francisco: City Gives Residents ‘Organic’ Compost Containing Toxic Sewage Sludge,” AlterNet, March 4, 2010 http://www.alternet.org/story/145904/outrage_in_san_francisco%3A_city_gives_away_%27organic%27_compost_to_residents_containing_toxic_sewage_sludge?page=entire The city of San Francisco gave out free bags of compost, containing “Class A Biosolids” or concentrated human waste. Article summarizes the toxicity issues of biosolids and their agricultural application. The big issue was the use of the descriptive word “organic” to describe a product that was not certified organic. Richardson, Jim and Allen, “Did Obama Ever Promise to Label GMOs?” Gonzo Science, 6 May 2010 http://www.gonzoscience.com/?p=1998 Obama’s statements on transgenic food labeling are reviewed and no promise was found, but they failed to find a clear statement on the issue later documented and made publicly available on video by Food Democracy Now! Riley, Pete, Janet Cotter, Marco Contiero, and Meriel Watts, “Herbicide tolerance and GM crops; Why the world should be Ready to Round Up glyphosate,” GM Freeze and GreenPeace, June 2011 http://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.gmfreeze.org/site_media/uploads/publications/Herbicide_tolerance_and_GM_crops_lo_res.pdf Report on the environmental and health impacts of glyphosate use associated with Roundup Ready crops. Robinson, Claire, “Scientists under attack: Genetic engineering in the magnetic field of money,” GMWatch, 13 October 2010 http://www.gmwatch.org/latest-listing/1-news-items/12567-scientists-under-attack-film-review A review of Bertram Verhaag’s film “Scientists Under Attack.” The film is about the political climate of corporate control in which two scientists are harassed after printing separate findings on the negative health impacts of transgenic potatoes and on the cross contamination of non-transgenic corn. Roseboro, Ken, “Most “natural” cereals likely to contain GMOs,” The Organic & Non-GMO Report, 1 March 2011 http://www.non-gmoreport.com/articles/march2011/naturalcerealscontaingmos.php The Organic & Non-GMO Reportconducted a survey of natural cereal manufacturers and found that many companies did believe that transgenic corn, soy, and canola were present in their products. Roseboro, Ken, “Organic expert receives chilly reception at ‘coexistence’ conference,” Organic & Non-GMO Report, Vol. 11.6 (20), June 2011 http://www.non-gmoreport.com/ArchivesTwo/org&nongmo_june11.pdf A Farm resource manager at Organic Valley spoke at a Co-existence Conference at Iowa State and asked if the biotech industry could help the organic industry to ensure genetically clean seeds could be planted and was criticized. Rosenberg, Mica, “Mexico oks pilot field of genetically modified corn,” Reuters, 08 March 2011 http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/09/mexico-crops-idUSN0820236920110309 The Mexican government granted a permit for a small plot of transgenic corn to be planted by Monsanto. Ruen, Jim, “Glyphosate controversy requires research to resolve,” AG Professional, 15 April 2011 http://www.agprofessional.com/show_story.php?id=1318206 In response to Huber’s January 2011 USDA letter regarding a newly discovered pathogen potentially associated with glyphosate and transgenics; what is known about the pathogen and the effects of glyphosate are summarized and the need for more research is outlined. Shanthini, R., “Agriculture Biotechnology,” March 11 2010 http://www.docstoc.com/docs/68650080/Biotechnology-Antibiotic A slide show explaining the production and effects of transgenic crops. Siebert, Charles “Food Ark” National Geographic Magazine, July 2011 http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/print/2011/07/food-ark/siebert-text Seed saving and preservation of heirloom varieties is highlighted as an important part of food production and avoiding a food crisis. Singh, Vikram, “India vs. Monsanto: seeds of discord,” France24.com, 21 September 2011 http://www.france24.com/en/20110921-india-monsanto-gmo-brinjal-bio-piracy-biopiracy-steal-seeds-terminator-cotton-onion-melon-debt-suicide India is suing Monsanto of bio-piracy and Indian farmers are interviewed. Sirinathsinghji, Eva, “UK Supermarkets to label GM Soybean ‘Sustainable,’” Institute of Science in Society Report, 31 May 2011 http://www.i-sis.org.uk/UK_Supermarkets_to_label_GM_soybean_sustainable.php?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4de50b1ac164a7b9%2C0 British Supermarket chains greenwash transgenic soybeans by labeling them sustainable; consumers are not expected to accept this blatant attempt to deceive. Slow Food, “Organic Farmers v Monsanto,” The Slow Food USA Blog, 10 June 2011 http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/slow_food/blog_post/organic_farmers_v_monsanto Plaintiff Tom Willey is interviewed about the lawsuit against Monsanto and explains why he joined the lawsuit and encourages readers to engage in “public pressure.” Smith, Jeffery, “Genetically Modified Soy Linked to Sterility, Infant Mortality in Hamsters,” The Huffington Post, 20 April 2010 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-smith/genetically-modified-soy_b_544575.html A 2010 study showing transgenic soy-fed hamsters had lower fertility and a five-fold higher infant death rate over hamsters fed non-transgenic soy, similar to a 2005 study on rats. Smith, Jeffrey, “Genetically Modified Soy Diets Lead to Ovary and Uterus Changes in Rats.” Institute for Responsible Technology Blog, 22 September 2010, http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/235 Jeffrey Smith’s Report on Dr. Carrasco’s Research: Diet of transgenic Soy Associated with Endometrial Hyperplasia (Ovary and Uterus Changes) in Rats Smith, Jeffery, “Monsanto’s Roundup Triggers Over 40 Plant Diseases and Endangers Human and Animal Health,” Institute for Responsible Technology Blog, January 14, 2011, http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/664 Summary of Professor Don Huber’s work on the negative effects of the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup). Smith, Jeffery, “10 Reasons to Avoid GMOS,” Institute for Responsible Technology Blog, 25 August 2011, http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/1619 A list of ten reasons to avoid transgenic food include poor regulation, world hunger, and adding to a consumer rejection tipping point. Smith, Jeffery, “Everything You HAVE TO KNOW about Dangerous Genetically Modified Foods,” 14 September 2009, http://vimeo.com/6575475 Video of speech to the Weston A. Price Foundation Smith, Jeffery, “Wikileaks: US Should Retaliate Against EU for Genetically Modified Resistance,” Institute for Responsible Technology Blog, December 20, 2010, http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/507 2007 leaked cables from then US Ambassador to France, Craig Stapleton, urge US to publish a “retaliation list” against European countries for anti-GMO attitudes. Points of concern for Stapleton included a government ban on the cultivation of Monsanto’s Mon 810 corn seed and a biotech law placing the liability of genetically modified pollen on the farmer and seed company. Smith, Jeffrey, “Lyme/Autism Group Blasts Genetically Modified Foods as Dangerous,” The Huffington Post, August 25, 2009, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-smith/lymeautism-group-blasts-g_b_268580.html The patient advocacy group the Lyme Induced Autism Foundation published a position paper recommending that individuals with autism or Lyme disease avoid transgenic food. Compromised immune systems and digestive disorders may make individuals more vulnerable to the health effects of transgenic food shown in animal studies. Smith, Jeremy, “Order 81” The Ecologist, v.35, n.1, 1, Feb 2005, http://www.mindfully.org/GE/2005/Order-81-Iraq1feb05.htm Summarizes US agricultural initiatives in Iraq, primarily increasing the amount of wheat grown for export and the use of transgenic seed and related chemicals. Former Coalition Provisional Authority administrator Paul Bremer’s Order 81 redefined Iraq’s patent law to protect corporate developed seed varieties and require their use in Iraq under the presumed assumption agricultural progress was being mandated, but the mandate meant that Iraqi farmers would need to stop saving seeds as they had done for millennia and start buying new seeds every year from the biotech companies, including Monsanto and Syngenta. Smith, Jeffery, “In Praise of the Non-GMO Project,” Institute for Responsible Technology Blog, 25 February 2011, http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/1267? Jeffrey Smith’s defense of the Non-GMO Project and its pioneers. The Non-GMO Project verifies and certifies the claims of non-transgenic food products. Smith, Pam, “Weeds Gone Wild,” Farm Journal, 5 January 2011, http://www.agweb.com/farmjournal/article/weeds_gone_wild/ The emergence of glyphosate-resistant weeds in Illinois is discussed. New protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)–inhibiting class herbicides are recommended. Source Watch, “Monsanto, Genetic Pollution and Monopolism,” Source Watch, 28 January 2010, http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Monsanto,_Genetic_Pollution_and_Monopolism An explanation of Monsanto practices that could lead to contamination, such as planting experimental crops without telling nearby farmers and of anti-competition concerns. Stade, Kristen, “White House Pact with Industry to Push GE Plants,” Public Employees for Enivronmental Responsibilty, 21 July 2011, http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2011/07/21 The Obama Administration’s efforts to promote transgenic crops through a partnership with the biotechnology industry could include allowing GE crops to be grown on wildlife refuges.
Stiglitz, Joseph, “By the 1%, of the 1%, for the 1%,” Vanity Fair, May 2011, http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/05/top-one-percent-201105?printable=true¤tPage=1 How the U.S. political system and economy now work to perpetuate economic inequality. Stirling, Andy and Alister Scott, “Risky Advice,” Project Syndicate, 02 June 2011, http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/stirling1/English Looking at the way science is used and misused in the process of informing political decisions. Stuijit, Andriana, “Monsanto GM corn harvest fails massively in South Africa,” Digital Journal, 29 March 2009, http://www.responsibletechnology.org/news/1513 Three varieties of corn developed by Monsanto experienced large crop failures in 2009. Monsanto said the cause was insufficient fertilization. Srinivas, Nidhi Nath, “Promote liberalisation, but not price control: Hugh Grant, Chairman, Monsanto Company,” The Economic Times, 19 September 2011, http://m.economictimes.com/opinion/comments-analysis/promote-liberalisation-but-not-price-control-hugh-grant-chairman-monsanto-companypromote-liberalisation-but-not-price-control-hugh-grant-chairman-monsanto-company/articleshow/10035807.cms Interview on the future market prospects with Hugh Grant, shows Monsanto targets nations like Brazil and Mexico, with the focus on promoting the use of transgenic seeds. Synister Dane and the Kickapoo Disco Cosmonuts, “The Monsanto Rag,” 18 January 2011, http://www.cornucopia.org/2011/01/the-monsanto-rag/ A populist folk music song with lyrics about the negative effect of Monsanto on Farmer’s lives. Table 1: Family Farm Income for For Farmer with Gross Sales between $100,000-250,000, 2006-2009,” http://triplecrisis.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/table11.jpg USDA table showing Average Net Income Table for farmers with gross incomes between $100K and $250K; however, gross income does not tell the real story; that comes from looking at net income. Net farm income averaged between $40,000 and $32,000, declining steadily over the period by a total of 18.2% while farm expenses grew by 8.3%. “The European Court of Justice has decided: Bees or GMOs?”Bee Life, 07 September 2011, http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?260235-European-court-of-justice-rules-that-gm-contaminated-honey-cannot-be-sold-in-eu Following a court decision that honey contaminated with transgenic crop pollen must be labeled as transgenic produce, the implications for beekeeping and honey consumption in EU are discussed. The question of whether honey producers can stay in the market is in question. “Timeline of Personhood Rights and Powers,” People Against Chemical Trespass, undated, http://www.peopleagainstchemicaltrespass.org/corporations.html The timeline history of Court rulings on corporate personhood and the dissents by justices against the key rulings. Turkey, Paul, “Researcher: Roundup May Be Causing Miscarriages in Cattle, Humans,” Safe Lawns Blog, 16 February 2011, http://www.safelawns.org/blog/index.php/2011/02/researcher-roundup-may-be-causing-miscarriages-in-cattle-humans Soil scientist Don Huber believes a newly discovered pathogen so small that an electron microscope is needed to see it, has caused a recent increase in cattle infertility and human miscarriages. The pathogen is found in high concentration in Roundup Ready crops. Huber wrote to the USDA to ask them to delay the approval of transgenic alfalfa until more could be learned about this pathogen, but Secretary Vilsack released transgenic alfalfa anyway. Two years later in 2013, no more has been heard about the pathogen, but research on the matter is advancing. UPDATE: Family Farmers Amplify Complaint against Monsanto's GMOs, Reinforcing Their Arguments with Additional Plaintiffs,”LexisNexis Communities, 02 June 2011, http://www.lexisnexis.com/community/patentlaw/blogs/patentlawblog/archive/2011/06/02/update-family-farmers-amplify-complaint-against-monsanto-s-gmos-reinforcing-their-arguments-with-additional-plaintiffs.aspx The PubPat press release for the amended complaint with statements from the newly added plaintiffs. Monsanto had publicly stated that they would not sue farmers for inadvertent, trace contamination, but when asked to put that statement in a binding covenant, Monsanto refused. USDA, “Organic Production,” USDA: Economic Research Service, 14 September 2010, http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/Organic/ U.S. Organic Agriculture Statistics for 2008. USDA, “USDA Advisory Committee on Biotechnology & 21st Century Agriculture (AC21),” http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=AC21Main.xml&contentidonly=true The objective of AC21, as well as bylaws, meeting agenda, and presentations on coexistence. The source for all the details on the work of the committee, including its November, 2012 report and the response in 2013 from the government following up on the committee’s recommendations. USDA APHIS, “Glyphosate-Tolerant Alfalfa Events J101 and J163: Request for Non-regulated Status Final Environmental Impact Statement—December 2010” http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/downloads/alfalfa/gt_alfalfa%20_feis.pdf The FEIS includes 965 pages of public comment concerning the deregulation of transgenic alfalfa and reports on the effect of glyphosate-resistant alfalfa, increased glyphosate, and glyphosate-resistant weeds on wildlife, human health, and trade, among other things. USDA, “USDA Announces Final Environmental Impact Statement for Genetically Engineered Alfalfa,” USDA News Release No. 0667.10, Washington, D.C., 16 December 2010 http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/12/0667.xml The USDA news release announcing the availability of the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for Roundup Ready Alfalfa (RRA). USDA, “USDA Announces Decision to Fully Deregulate Roundup Ready Alfalfa,” 27 January 2011 http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2011%2F01%2F0039.xml A transcript of Agricultural Secretary Vilsack Press Conference (tele-conference) on the day of the transgenic alfalfa decision. USDA, “Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Appointments to the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture,” USDA Office of Communications News Release, Washington, D.C., 24 June 2011 http://usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2011/06/0278.xml The announcement of the USDA’s appointments to the reactivated Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture, or AC21. U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance List of Affiliates, 2011 https://usfraonline.org/about/affiliates/ The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Web site lists their affiliates and related news stories. “U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance,” Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Farmers-Ranchers-Alliance/103189669746931 The facebook page of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance features their links to news stories and facebook users discussing agriculture and current events.
Conclusion: The presence of COI in scientific research does not imply actual behavior of study authors. But it does present a risk that the study outcome may be improperly influenced. This study has focused on how commercial interests may interfere with outcomes of risk and nutrition analysis studies of products derived from GM plants. This is a choice justified by the high financial stakes involved in the development of such products and the increasing weight of private funding in research in recent years. Through statistical analysis of a selected population of studies in the described area, it could be shown that a combined analysis of COIs through professional affiliations or direct research funding are likely to influence the final outcome of such studies in the commercial interest of the involved industry. Our results partially confirm those observed in biomedical sciences, tobacco, alcohol and nutrition research. Various hypothesis could be identified that may explain the observed association between study outcome and presence of financial COI: publication restrictions imposed by industry funders; contractual agreements of authors with industry; industry bias favoring friendly research; and researchers that are sensitive to the financial interests of their industrial sponsors or employers. Apart from the observed relations, it was considered that types of funding other than industry, such as governments and NGOs may also condition investigation. Additionally, values held by scientists may influence research outcomes as well. Our data reinforce the need to that all affiliations whether financial or professional should be openly declared in scientific publications. In situations where health risk assessments or nutritional evaluation studies of GM products serve to inform decision-makers, procedures could be developed to minimize the risk of decisions being taken based on study outcomes that have been influenced by conflicts of interest. This may best be achieved by giving preference towards peer-reviewed studies where no COI can be observed. (The end of the conclusion)
Subject: Re: [FWD: GM Watch: Commercial Interests Shape Peer Reviewed Articles on GM] From: Jean English Date: Mon, May 16, 2011 9:31 am We did a couple of classes on the topic of problems with peer reviewed studies in my technical writing class at Unity this semester. I learned (again) how widespread this problem is -- as well as how rarely studies are replicated, and how, when they are, the results often diminish. There’s a very interesting article about this phenomenon of diminishing effects here: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/12/13/101213fa_fact_lehrer The bias that occurs due to the source of funding is important; and there’s also a bias to publish almost exclusively positive results. One prof at Unity told me that there’s now a journal that publishes negative results. That’s probably a step in the right direction. http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/glyphosate-drift-rice-problem-all-us President of the Mississippi Rice Council discusses the problem of Glyphosate drift on non-transgenic rice crops. http://www.grist.org/food-safety/2011-05-16-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-the-safety-of-eating-gmos This story by Tom Philpott leaves out important studies. It is not nearly a complete look at the food safety issue, but it is of some help nonetheless. http://www.gonzoscience.com/?p=1998 May 2010 article investigating Obama’s statements on transgenic food labeling. No promise was found, but a 2007 statement in Iowa was missed, and that is where the Obama commitment was made. Food Democracy Now has video of the statement being made at a campaign event. http://www.naturalnews.com/032441_pesticide_AIDS.html Article about Dr. Huber’s pathogen, but it is not as good as looking at the Food Democracy Now interview, for which the article provides a link. http://www.feedthefuture.gov Tracking what the Obama administration has been doing to promote GE food. This website tells it all if you read through the lines. See Hilary Clinton’s recent speech as well as the race for drought-resistant crops slated for Africa. http://www.facebook.com/notes/wood-prairie-farm/how-valid-are-research-studies-and-the-scientific-method/219003131462721 Short discussion on the Wood-Prairie Facebook Page about two articles on failures of scientific investigation on transgenic agriculture. http://gmwatch.eu/latest-listing/1-news-items/13151-commercial-interests-shape-peer-reviewed-articles-on-gm GM Watch summary with Abstract and Conclusions of the Diels, J., M. Cunha article in Food Policy Association of financial or professional conflict of interest to research outcomes on health risks or nutritional assessment studies of genetically modified products. Diels, J., M. Cunha, et al. (2011). Food Policy 36: 197–203 See link below: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306919210001302 http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/12/13/101213fa_fact_lehrer?currentPage=all Jonah Lehrer’s 2010 article about the slippreyness of empiricism as it has been practiced. The article is not very valuable because it is itself slippery in its own logical processes and exegesis. The ultimate distrust of science it offers is made to appear inevitable and inescapable, as if we should just give up. According to Russian biologist, Alexey Surov, “We have no right to use GMOs until we understand the possible adverse effects, not only to ourselves, but to future generations as well.” ï¾’The hope of the industry is that over time the market is so flooded [with GMOs] that there’s nothing you can do about it. You just sort of surrender.” Don Westfall, biotech industry consultant and vice-president of Promar International quoted in, “Starlink fallout could cost billions,” Toronto Star, 9 January 2001from: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Monsanto,_Genetic_Pollution_and_Monopolism According to Don Westfall, biotech industry consultant and vice-president of Promar International, in the Toronto Star, January 9 2001: “The hope of the industry is that over time the market is so flooded [with GMOs] that there’s nothing you can do about it. You just sort of surrender”. Gary Barton, Monsanto’s director of biotechnology communications, believes that choice to eat genetically engineered food or not will become untenable anyway, in five or 10 years. With genetically engineered corn, canola, soy and other foods coming on the market, ‘you’ll be backed into a corner with not a lot of food options’ if you try to avoid all genetically engineered foods” [18]. Jean-Michel Duhamel, Monsanto’s director for southern Europe while denying that GMOs will be forced on people, says that “within ten years GMOs will have reached the point of no return” [19]. The fact that many biotech scientists have signed on to a statement that says that GM contamination is inevitable, underpins the theory that many of the industry’s critics and analysts have felt for some time. They believe that the industry has deliberately set out to contaminate both non- GM and organic crops with the implicit or explicit intention of making contamination inevitable. All hope of another alternative agriculture system simply vanishes and once that vanishes, the anti-GM fight becomes hopeless. ‘I think the industry now recognize that hopelessness is their best hope’, adds Alan Simpson. ‘They have manifestly failed to convince the public of either the desirability or safety of GM products. Having failed to convince, having failed to co-opt or to buy the public support, they are left with coercion. Coercion comes in two forms. One is putting an arm lock over the farmers and the other is putting a choice lock on consumers.’ But it is not just the critics who argue that contamination is a deliberate policy. Dan McGuire, Program Director to the 2002 Annual Convention of the American Corn Growers Association: ‘I believe that the biotech companies that market GMO seed would like to see the grain marketing system totally taken over and “contaminated” by GMOs. I expect they would see that as ending their problem’” [20]. See also [21]. The real strategy is to introduce so much genetic pollution that meeting the consumer demand for GM-free food is seen as not possible. The idea, quite simply, is to pollute faster than countries can legislate - then change the laws to fit the contamination.... Backed by predatory intellectual property laws, agribusinesses are on their way to getting the global food supply so hopelessly cross pollinated, polluted and generally mixed up, that legislators may well be forced to throw up their hands. When we look back on this moment, munching our genetically modified health-style food, we may well remember it as the precise turning point when we lost our real food options.” -Naomi Klein When choice becomes just a memory 2001. Another word on what we are up against: Linda Fisher: Executive VP, Monsanto; Deputy Administer, EPA Clarence Thomas: Monsanto Lawyer for Regulatory Affairs; US Supreme Court Justice Micky Kantor: Board of Directors, Monsanto; Secretary of Commerce Lidia Watrud: Biotech Researcher, Monsanto; EPA Scientist Anne Veneman: Board of Directors, Calgene (purchased by Monsanto); Secretary of Agriculture Michael Friedman: Senior VP, GD Searle, div. of Monsanto; Acting Commissioner, FDA William Ruckelshaus: Monsanto Board of Directors; Chief Administrator, EPA Donald Rumsfeld: President of G.D. Searle, Division of Monsanto; Secretary of Defense
These positions are not necessarily all current, nor were they concurrent. This is to show the possible intentional migration of the Monsanto game-plan into the government. There are also many instances of lucrative Monsanto jobs being given to workers who have performed favorably while in the US government. Linda Fisher for one, has become re-employed by Monsanto after serving as our protector in the EPA. Posted On Feb 02, 2011 -------------------------------- There is an attempt by a subsidiary of Tyson to establish a chicken CAFO uphill from Tennessee’s oldest organic farm. Jeff Poppen, known as the Barefoot Farmer, has been running his CSA for thirty years and published a book, The Barefoot Farmer, consisting of pieces he wrote for his local newspaper in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee. The CAFO runoff will threaten his gravity-fed spring, his farm, and the water quality of Long Hungry Creek, which is considered one of the cleanest in the state. Plans are going ahead despite the fact that the CAFO is in violation of the laws of the city of Red Boiling Springs. We are currently fighting to get a public hearing with the state water quality control authority. Posted On Feb 06, 2011 ----------------------------------------------------- You left out Michael Taylor; former VP and lawyer for Monsanto, who is now in the Whitehouse as “food safety czar! Nope - no conspiracy here! According to Ronnie Cummins of OCA: ”To start with, one of the members of the Supreme Court -- the infamous Clarence Thomas who did not withdraw himself from a Supreme Court decision on genetically engineered alfalfa last year -- used to be the general counsel for Monsanto.
Tom Vilsack, the former governor of Iowa who is currently the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, was a long time supporter and confidante of Monsanto. He rode around on Monsanto’s corporate jet during some of his electoral campaigns in Iowa. Tom Vilsack was named “The Biotech Governor of the Year” in 2001 by the Biotechnology Industry Organization.
Others in the Obama administration include Michael Taylor, who was formerly the vice president of Monsanto. He is now the Food and Drug Administration Deputy Commissioner for Foods. Michael Taylor was in charge of FDA labeling practices in 1993 when the FDA first approved, against overwhelming opposition from the public.
Michael Taylor was instrumental in preventing bovine growth hormone and other genetically engineered foods from having to be labeled. He has gone in and out working for Monsanto and the FDA ever since.
Another member of the Obama Administration is Roger Beachy, the former director of the Monsanto funded Danforth Plant Science Center in Saint Louis. He is now the director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Other appointees: Islam Siddiqui was vice president of Monsanto and Dupont’s funded pesticide-promotion group CropLife. He is now the agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative. In other words, he is the enforcer for U.S. foreign policy that countries have to accept our genetically engineered exports.
Another appointee, Rajiv Shah, is the former Agricultural Development Director for the pro-biotech Gates Foundation, who are frequently partnering with Monsanto. He served as Obama’s USDA undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics.
Elena Kagan has served as President Obama’s Solicitor General. She took Monsanto’s side against organic farmers on the roundup ready alfalfa case (Geertson Seed v. Monsanto)
Ramona Romero, corporate counsel to Dupont, another biotech bully, has been nominated by President Obama to serve as general counsel for the USDA.
We must point that it’s not just the Obama Administration that has served as a revolving door for Monsanto. We saw the same situation under Bush Jr., Clinton and Bush Sr. We have a corporation Monsanto that is not only out of control, but that places its people in high positions; that donates large sums of money to members of congress; and that basically gets its way every time there is a policy decision made in Washington.”
http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/05/top-one-percent-201105?printable=true¤tPage=1 Stiglitz article about how the U.S. political system and economy now work. “By the 1%, of the 1%, for the 1%.” http://www.agron.iastate.edu/news/podcasts/media/staniforthfixed_sm.mp4 The lecture was presented by Dr. Robert J Kremer, a soil microbiologist at USDA-ARS and the University of Missouri, Columbia. His presentation, “Glyphosate Interactions Beyond Weed Control: Current State of Knowledge,” is available from the preceding link and in pdf through the item in the following cell: http://www.agron.iastate.edu/news/events/2011staniforth_sm.pdf On Mon, 30 May 2011 17:16:16 -0400, Beth Everett wrote: No, canola will not cross with regular mustard. Canola is same as rutabaga and rape and siberian kale which are the red kales and the scientific name is *brassica napus. * There are two kinds of mustard that I am aware of: *brassica juncea *which is Indian mustard and mustard greens....I am not sure what garden crops are connected to *brassica juncea*..... and *brassica rapa *which is the turnip, broccoli raab, chinese cabbage, and chinese mustard or all of the asian greens such as tat soi, pac choi komatzuna, mizuna etc. http://www.non-gmoreport.com/ArchivesTwo/org&nongmo_june11.pdf P. 20 Report on Co-existence Conference at Iowa State by Ken Roseboro http://harvestpublicmedia.org/article/514/monsanto%E2%80%99s-new-gambit-fruits-and-veggies/5 Monsanto’s agenda http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/05/27/dupont-expects-increase-seed-market-share-straight-year/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxbusiness%2Flatest+%28Internal+-+Latest+News+-+Text%29 DuPont/Pioneer increasing Market Share http://www.i-sis.org.uk/UK_Supermarkets_to_label_GM_soybean_sustainable.php?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4de50b1ac164a7b9%2C0 British Supermarket chains greenwash transgenic soybeans by labeling them sustainable; consumers are not expected to accept this blatant attempt to deceive http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21338670. Reprod Toxicol. 2011 May;31(4):528-33. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2011.02.004. Epub 2011 Feb 18. Maternal and fetal exposure to pesticides associated to genetically modified foods in Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada. Aris A, Leblanc S. Source Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Sherbrooke Hospital Centre, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. aziz.aris@usherbrooke.ca Abstract Pesticides associated to genetically modified foods (PAGMF), are engineered to tolerate herbicides such as glyphosate (GLYP) and gluphosinate (GLUF) or insecticides such as the bacterial toxin bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between maternal and fetal exposure, and to determine exposure levels of GLYP and its metabolite aminomethyl phosphoric acid (AMPA), GLUF and its metabolite 3-methylphosphinicopropionic acid (3-MPPA) and Cry1Ab protein (a Bt toxin) in Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada. Blood of thirty pregnant women (PW) and thirty-nine nonpregnant women (NPW) were studied. Serum GLYP and GLUF were detected in NPW and not detected in PW. Serum 3-MPPA and CryAb1 toxin were detected in PW, their fetuses and NPW. This is the first study to reveal the presence of circulating PAGMF in women with and without pregnancy, paving the way for a new field in reproductive toxicology including nutrition and utero-placental toxicities. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7367630n Seth Doane reporting on visit to Tony Azevedo and Ward Burroughs
http://gmcropsfarmertofarmer.com/film.html Hart Film Interviewing Rodney Nelson, Corky Jones, Roger Allison, and more about their experience with transgenic crops from The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post News Editors WASHINGTON -- Global agribusiness giant Monsanto is under federal investigation for using cash incentives to persuade distributors to use Roundup, the world’s top-selling weedkiller. Monsanto announced Wednesday the company would cooperate with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s probe of its “customer incentives” programs and a subpoena for documents pertaining to the sale of Monsanto’s glyphosate products in fiscal years 2009 and 2010. The US-based company has allegedly been offering distributors up to $20 per acre to use Roundup, as well as Roundup Ready seeds, which have been genetically modified to resist the glyphosate-based herbicide. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f731e18c-a252-11e0-bb06-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1QmlkNxbB More detail on the SEC investigation of Monsanto for “customer incentives.” http://www.examiner.com/green-culture-in-mankato/what-countries-have-banned-gmo-crops
