Who are they ?
If we carefully interpret the words of Monsanto’s
website, we learn that it’s only an independent agricultural company which
wanted to produce and conserve more and to improve lives, helping farmers to
achieve big increases in yield and productivity. They call that “sustainable
agriculture”.
But what ‘s going on today? Is it really
ensuring solutions to farmers all around the world as it claims ? What happens is
in fact something completely different. What is really behind this
international supplier of agricultural products and services ?
On October 12th 2013, a demonstration of citizens took
place for the second time this year against Monsanto, GMO’s and their
associated pesticides. The first brought together more than 2 million people,
in 52 different countries on May 25th 2013. All they wanted was farmers’
friendly agriculture and healthier farming methods, ensuring the health of
people.
This enterprise is far more damaging than one can
think. In fact, different studies have shown that Monsanto’s genetically
modified foods could generate health problems such as cancerous tumors,
sterility or deformity on newborns. Besides, Monsanto’s GMO seeds are harmful
for the environment. They also led to the Colony
Collapse disorder around the world.
Who is hiding behind
these seeds ?
We can answer for example the manufacturer of 9
substances such as:
- Saccharin : Monsanto Chemical Works
(created in 1901 by J.F. Queeny) produced sugar substitutes for Coca-Cola.
However, studies in the 70’s revealed it could cause cancers on rats and other
mammals.
- PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) :
Monsanto began to produce PCB in the 20’s for cooling elements for power
transformers, capacitors and electric motors. But the problem is that it also
caused cancers on animals and humans, liver disease, neurological disease and
autism too (according to the Environmental Protection Agency).
- Polystyrene : Monsanto uses it
for food package. But it generates the most hazardous waste.
- DDT (dichloro diphenyl
trichloroethane) : Monsanto was one of the first manufacturers of this
insecticide to fight against the mosquitoes which spread malaria.
Unfortunately, it caused infertility, cancers and failures in embryo
developments.
- Doixina : Monsanto promoted the use
of chemical pesticides in agriculture and the manufacture of herbicide. It
generated reproductive and development problems and affected immune systems.
- Agent Orange : Monsanto was one of
the manufacturers of this substance which was used as a defoliant in the
Vietnam War. Lots of people died, suffered from health problems, and 500,000
children were born with congenital deformities.
- Oil « Fertilizer » : after the
buy-out of a refinery, Monsanto used these fertilizers composed of chemicals
that came from petroleum products. It is used to increase crop yields but they
are quite energy-intensive to make and can damage the soil quality over time :
it sterilizes the ground and kills the microorganisms.
- Aspartame : after the buy-out of a
multinational chemical company, Monsanto commercialized this sweetener, which has
carcinogenic effects on rats.
- Bovine growth hormone : Monsanto
injected this genetically modified hormone in dairy cows in order to increase
their milk production. But it causes breast, colon and prostate cancers.
No objections ?
The problem is that Monsanto is a subsidy and
political patronage recipient. There have never been real convictions. Monsanto
continues to forge its monopoly by supplying the entire world.
The Farmer Assurance Provision, passed by the US
Senate, granted Monsanto legal immunity and prohibited courts from condemning
it to withdraw its genetically modified seeds on the pretext that they would
harm others and the environment.
Besides, 71 US Senators voted against consumers’
opinion who wanted labels on food containing genetically engineered ingredients
(between 75 and 93% according to the polls) and also against the 10th Amendment
which granted the right to protect the health, safety and welfare of its
citizens.
It is a disgrace, isn’t ?
It is quite normal that consumers wanted to know
what's in their food. The vast majority of the public wants to have the
opportunity to make decisions on their own if they want to avoid GMOs in their
food.
The path to victory ?
Thanks to a powerful form of activism through
campaigns against the corporate monopoly and a large public outrage over the
support of Monsanto and its GMOs, the path to victory is at hand.
The public is waking up, and Monsanto’s
time is limited.
Salomé G.
The topic of your article is really interesting and troubling in the same time. Now, people are aware of what they eat and what food-processing industry is doing but taking actions is complicated as you explained it. The US government refuses to ban GMOs or to create laws to protect people's health. What strikes me the most is that they gave immunity to Monsanto and they refused to implement labels on Genetically Modified food. If the authorities themselves don't take the necessary actions to protect us who will? In my opinion, this issue will get bigger and bigger and it will be our duty to fight for our health.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reading Samantha. I agree with you : today more and more people are interesting in healthy eating (the new fashioned values of organic and fair trade for example) and consumers are not comfortable with what they discover in their food, as for instance GMOs. In the case of Monsanto, we learnt that it has the monopoly. And the trap is that as you said the US government hedges it. There's no way to fight against it, even though it's really important for us and for our health. So, I don't know if there's really a solution but we cannot sit idly.
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