Monsanto's Mommy Bloggers and Clandestine Spies

[womanofthehills]

From Mommy Bloggers to Clandestine Spies, Here's How Monsanto's PR Company Controls the GMO Debate
Big Ag public relations has an image problem of its own. - It's a longish article but worth the read. Some excerpts.

Sen. Bernie Sanders sent out an email to supporters Friday asking them to take action against a Senate bill that would overturn Vermont's recent legislation requiring companies to label products containing genetically modified organisms.

"The corporate interests are at it again," Sanders wrote. "Monsanto, agribusiness and the bio-tech industry have spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to overturn legislation passed by Vermont, Connecticut, Maine and Alaska that calls for the labeling of GMO food. In fact, they are moving aggressively now because Vermont's strong law goes into effect today."

For many, the most incredible aspect of Big Ag’s push for increased use of GMOs is the fervency with which these companies lobby against bills that would require labels for foods that contain GM ingredients. Industry executives argue that labels scare consumers away from purchasing genetically modified foods. As blogger Ana Picazo told Modern Farmer, “People deserve to know what’s in their foods. It’s called informed consent.”

One of the largest purveyors of pro-GMO literature is the Council for Biotechnology Information, a front group funded by the Big 6 pesticide and GMO corporations: Monsanto, BASF, Bayer, Dow, Dupont and Sygenta. The council hired the PR form Ketchum (which formerly worked on Brown & Williamson’s cigarette campaigns) to create the website GMOAnswers.com, a pro-GMO website that claims to “answer your questions about GMOs” using “independent experts.” As Reuters notes, the council is “committed to spending millions more annually for several more years on this campaign.

Andre Kimball, executive director of the Center for Food Safety, agrees, telling Huffington Post, “We are appalled that our elected officials would support keeping Americans in the dark about what is in our food and even more appalled that they would do it on behalf of Big Chemical and food corporations.”

http://www.alternet.org/food/mommy-bloggers-clandestine-spies-heres-how-monsantos-pr-company-controls-gmo-debate

[Scientific]

1. GMO corporate perversion of science has totally undermined public confidence

Used to be science was respected. But the perversion of truth by the GMO & chemical & tobacco corporations - etc. - has completely undermined public trust in science.

[Major Nikon]

4. Good point. Consider how many people are convinced homeopathy and chemtrails are nonsense.

[Person 2713]

2. Call your senators to voice your opinion Even if they voted against the DARK act last

time . This one is being brought up by a dem and they may change their vote

[Major Nikon]

3. Monsanto controls the GMO debate according to Big-Organic® paid puppets

U.S. Right to Know, a non-profit anti-GMO group that seeks mandatory labeling of all GM foods, targeted 40 U.S. researchers with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), demanding access to their emails in the attempts to expose corporate bribery and conflict of interests. Among those targeted were Kevin Folta, Bruce Chassy, Richard Goodman, Michelle McGuire, and Jon Entine. Mainstream scientists claim these acts by U.S. Right to Know are nothing more than an attempt to harass and intimidate scientists.[4]

In early February 2014, U.S. Right to Know targeted Folta with an FOIA. They released roughly 4,600 pages of emails that stretched over 13 years, that indicate a close relationship between Folta and the biotech industry (Monsanto). When the emails failed to reveal anything, the anti-GMO group started to smear Folta for providing content for an industry website, "GMO Answers", and accepting a $25,000 grant from Monsanto for a biotech communications project.[citation needed]

Folta said being compensated for travel and setting up a fund to help finance Talking Biotech hasn’t changed his position on the science. "If you compare how I answered questions before and after that funding, it’s identical," he said. "The facts didn’t change and my desire to communicate facts didn’t change." Bottom line, Folta said, is nobody has refuted his answers or his presentations. "Nobody has questioned anything I’ve ever said," Folta said. "Nobody has questioned my research. What they’ve done is gone after me because I do it."[5]

In response to the controversy of the $25,000 grant from Monsanto and personal threats against Folta, the University offered to return the donation, which Monsanto refused, so funds were redirected to a university food pantry. In October 2015, Nature Biotechnology wrote that scientists like Folta have been "targeted because they speak inconvenient truths about GM technology" and stated that the funds "were tied neither to [Folta] directly nor to his research. His conflict of interest disclosures were wholly compliant with his university's rules. He never used industry funds for personal gain."[6] The three past presidents of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Gretchen Goldman writing for the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) have all criticized the FOIA attacks by U.S. Right to Know, referring to their tactics as similar to Climategate.[7][8]

http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Kevin_Folta#Accusations_of_conflict_of_interest

[womanofthehills]

7. Kevin Folta - Roundup is his favorite drink

In what appears to be an exercise in damage limitation, an article in the journal Nature has disclosed that Kevin Folta, a plant scientist at the University of Florida, received a US$25,000 grant last year from Monsanto. Monsanto noted that the money “may be used at your discretion in support of your research and outreach projects”, according to the journal.

Folta is active on the GMO-promoting website GMO Answers. The website is “funded by the members of The Council for Biotechnology Information, which includes BASF, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont, Monsanto Company and Syngenta.” The site describes Folta as an “independent expert” and to date has not disclosed his Monsanto funding.

The Folta-Monsanto collaboration was revealed in an investigation by the food transparency campaign, US Right to Know. The investigation yielded 4,600 pages of e-mails and other records from Folta.

Defending Roundup

Kevin Folta tweetsAs well as GMOs, Folta is well known for his aggressive defence of another very lucrative Monsanto product: Roundup. On Twitter and in public talks, Folta has told audiences that he drinks Monsanto’s herbicide formulation, a registered poison. Not only does Roundup come with a warning that it is a poison and should not be taken internally, but it is the subject of ongoing research worldwide for its suspected and proven adverse effects on human and animal health. It’s also a “probable” carcinogen, according to the World Health Organization’s cancer agency IARC. Yet on Twitter, Folta has said that he has drunk it “to demonstrate harmlessness”. On another occasion he declared, “I'm going to tip a freshly-opened pint next week at ISU. No fear here. Trust science.”
http://gmwatch.org/news/latest-news/16340-kevin-folta-received-25-000-from-monsanto

[Major Nikon]

8. When your nonsense is debunked, just repeat it from a different source

[womanofthehills]

9. Here is $25,000 for whatever you want Kevin - Love, Monsanto

/

Here’s $25,000 to use for whatever you want

The letter is dated August 8, 2014 and confirm that Kevin Folta is receiving an “unrestricted grant” in the amount of $25,000, which “may be used at your discretion… in support of outreach projects.”

This means the money can be used for travel expenses, trips to Hawaii, luxury hotels or anything else Kevin Folta wants to use it on.

But it gets even better:

Two days earlier, Kevin Folta wrote Carolyn A. Daly of Monsanto ([e-mail]) with the subject line of “Re: Hotel for visit to St. Louis”, saying:

“I’m grateful for this opportunity and promise a solid return on investment.”

The “return on investment,” of course, refers to serving as Monsanto’s propaganda puppet in exchange for $25,000. This is the very definition of academic corruption. Payola. Bribery. Folta has been caught red-handed taking money from Monsanto and promising results in return!

After receiving this money from Monsanto, Kevin Folta went on to viciously smear clean food activists like the Food Babe by lying to media organizations like The Atlantic, loudly proclaiming he had no financial ties to Monsanto even after cashing their check for $25,000 and promising them a “return on investment.”

http://tapnewswire.com/2015/09/monsanto-money-letter-to-kevin-folta-emerges-discredited-univ-of-florida-professor-promised-a-solid-return-on-the-investment-just-two-days-before-receiving-25k-from-monsanto/

[Major Nikon]

10. How many times do you usually have to throw against the wall before it sticks?

Just curious.

[HuckleB]

18. They have to repeat fiction as often as possible in order to convince some that it's not fiction.

Last edited Wed Jul 6, 2016, 02:48 PM - Edit history (1)

Meanwhile, of course, Big Organic is spending plenty to spread those fictions.
http://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2013/07/anti-gmo-follow-money.html

[progressoid]

5. Wait. Don't Monsanto, BASF, Bayer, Dow, Dupont and Sygenta also sell Non-GMO products?

Oh, I get it. Its a super-evil double reverse marketing strategy.

They get people all worked up over GMOs so they'll pay more for "organic" (which they also sell). Win/win for them.

Dang, that's clever.

[PatSeg]

6. K&R

[womanofthehills]

11. 3 out of every 4 grocery stores now carry organic including Walmart

US Organic Foods Market Poised to Surpass USD 45 Billion in 2015 Says TechSci Research

According to recently published report by TechSci Research, "United States Organic Foods Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2020", the US organic food market is estimated to cross USD45 billion in 2015 on the back of rising per capita expenditure, increasing health consciousness, growing awareness about the benefits of chemical free organic food and rise in organic farming in the US. Strong distribution channels of manufacturers and their tie ups with retailers have added to the accessibility and visibility of various organic food products such as fruits and vegetables, organic dairy products and packaged food in the market.

Availability of organic products is no longer limited to traditional sources but is available in over 20,000 natural food stores and nearly 3 out of 4 grocery stores in the country. Manufacturers are also increasingly collaborating with a number of leading retailers like Walmart, Whole Food, etc. to widen their product distribution and market reach. Besides fruits and vegetables, the demand for organic dairy products has also increased with significant rise in online stores over the last five years. The market is dominated by a number of players including Amy's Kitchen, Hain Celestial Group and Mondelez.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-organic-foods-market-poised-to-surpass-usd-45-billion-in-2015-says-techsci-research-498598271.html

[PatSeg]

12. I am seeing more and more organic

foods everywhere I shop. The majority of what I buy is now organic.

As I get older it is no longer just about the idea of natural, wholesome foods, it is about survival. Diseases that were relatively rare when I was young, are becoming alarmingly commonplace. Food allergies, asthma, celiac disease (who ever heard of that one 20 or 30 years ago, even spellcheck doesn't recognize it), diabetes, and cancer are on the rise, a fact that cannot be ignored.

I know there are those who like coming on these threads and making fun of people who advocate for a safe environment and healthy food, but I wonder if they will be so snarky when they or a loved one ends up seriously ill because of the chemicals in their food and water. Calling irresponsible, avaricious capitalism "science" and genuinely concerned consumers "science deniers" is offensive, dishonest, and mean-spirited.

Thanks for the thread. I had K&R it so I could come back and comment.

[HuckleB]

19. No is making fun of anything. Some of us don't like fictions being passed as fact.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/12/think-organic-food-is-better-for-you-animals-and-the-planet-thin/

[PatSeg]

20. And some of us don't like corporate spin every time

we question what we are eating, drinking, and breathing.

I have repeatedly seen inexcusable mockery and derision on this board the past few years. It is the kind of button-pushing tactics that are meant to shut down any meaningful discussion about an issue that many people find very important. We hardly expect everyone to agree on the same things, but at a site like Democratic Underground, we do not expect to be ridiculed non-stop whenever we bring up issues like pesticides, herbicides, factory farming, GMOs, and companies like Monsanto. It is like being on a grade school playground all over again, except people on DU are well-read and well informed.

I usually do check out the few links that GMO apologists post and research their sources, but I can't say that they do the same with the links others post questioning companies like Monsanto and the products they develop and produce.

I want to know what is in the food I eat and I want to make the decisions about what I eat and don't eat. I don't think that is unreasonable. I am old to remember when food products did not have to list ingredients and corporations fought tooth and nail laws that would require such labeling. It sounded a lot like what we are hearing today.

[HuckleB]

21. Referring to a consensus of science as "corporate spin" doesn't make it so.

The anti-GMO propaganda that is spewed is the very definition of corporate spin, offering up fictions and fear mongering with the aim of increasing profits.
http://fafdl.org/blog/2015/05/19/anti-gmo-activists-are-the-ones-practicing-tobacco-science/

It's time to recognize that reality.

BTW, seed development processes are not in foods.

[Major Nikon]

75. Conspiracy theory nonsense doesn't inform anyone

There are people on this site posting nonsense that comes from AIDS denialists, anti-vax, anti-Fluoridation, and other assorted nutbaggery. Some of it comes from the far right wing and some of it is also anti-Semitic. There's a difference between genuine information and nutbaggery which deserves to be ridiculed.

[GoneOffShore]

13. I buy local and mostly organic, but certainly not for any health reasons

I buy to support local farmers.

Monsanto is not the Great Satan and GMO's are not going to kill you.

There is no conspiracy.

[Humanist_Activist]

14. Exactly, and many of those seeds the local farmers use your probably sourced from Monsanto itself...

being, you know, a seed company.

[GoneOffShore]

15. Yes indeed. I'm sure that a few of the locals, the ones who are into 'heirloom' vegetables

Seed bank and use smaller companies, but they all buy from somewhere.

Farming is not a charity, it's a business. Always has been.

And if you want to see business in action, deal with the Amish. It's all about the tubmans with them.

And one usually finds that the anti-Monsanto brigade also turn out to be anti-vaxxers and believers in other sorts of nonsense.

[Humanist_Activist]

16. There's a great set of videos by a chemist on youtube called Myles Power...

He has a quite a few from some "March Against Monsanto" events that he filmed around Britain and asked people questions about. Its the proverbial kitchen sink of conspiracy theories and pseudoscience.

https://www.youtube.com/user/powerm1985

He also debunks other things and has a few videos on the Food Babe as well. I find him entertaining.

[GoneOffShore]

17. Definitely will check him out.

Vain Hair aka Food Babe, along with some of the more strident mommy bloggers, is right up there with Mercola, David Wolfe and Mike Adams in the woo stakes.

Kevin Folta has done a lot to bring sense to the discussion despite the attacks on his credibility which only really stick if one has one's head completely surrounded by clouds of woo and tinfoil.

[Humanist_Activist]

24. Oh, the OP is a huge fan and follower of "The Food Babe". As if her credibility can't be...

questioned further.

[womanofthehills]

25. So taking antiobiotics and chemicals out of foods according to you is Woo

You find it necessary on a liberal site to put down a woman who is promoting healthier food and has been having phenomenal success in doing so. Partial list of Food Babe Successes - with other interest groups and activists.

Nestle Chocolate – (February 17, 2015) Announced that they will get rid of artificial colors and artificial flavors from their chocolate candies, including Butterfinger and Crunch bars, by the end of this year.

Hershey’s Chocolate – (February 24, 2015) On the heels of Nestle’s big announcement, Hershey’s said they are cleaning up their famous Milk Chocolate Bars and Hershey’s Kisses, by removing GMO sugar and GMO soy lecithin, polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), vanillin and artificial flavors, and will use milk from cows not treated with the growth hormone rBST.

McDonald’s – (March 4, 2015) Announced that over the next 2 years they will stop using chickens that were treated with antibiotics commonly used for humans after behind the scenes pressure from us and several consumer interest and activist groups:

General Mills – (February 6, 2015) In response to our petition asking them to dump the BHT just as they do overseas, General Mills said that they will be removing this controversial preservative from their cereals.

Campbell’s – (July 23, 2015) They’re getting rid of artificial flavors and artificial colors by 2018 in all of their brands – Campbell’s Soup, Pepperidge Farm, Swanson. They will also remove high fructose corn syrup from some products and offer more organic products.

General Mills Cereal – (June 22, 2015) Removing artificial colors and artificial flavors from all of their cereals, including Lucky Charms, Trix, and Reese’s Puffs. For instance, instead of using Red #40, Yellow #6 in Trix, they’re going to start coloring it naturally with turmeric and berry juices – which is huge news for parents that report that their children are sensitive to these artificial food dyes

Costco – (March 5, 2015) Just one day following McDonald’s, Costco reports to the media that they are in the process of eliminating chicken and meat that was raised on human-use antibiotics from their stores.

Kraft – (April 20, 2015) Kraft finally announced plans to drop the artificial colors (yellow #5 and yellow #6) from all of their Mac & Cheese products.

Chipotle – (April 28, 2015) Officially dumped all genetically modified (GMO) ingredients from their food (excluding animal products and drinks). This means that they are no longer using tortillas with GMO ingredients and won’t be cooking their beans in GMO soybean oil any longer.

Tyson – (April 28, 2015) As the largest U.S. poultry producer, Tyson announced huge plans to stop using human-use antibiotics in their chickens by September 2017, and is working on this for other meat as well. Tyson is also a major chicken supplier for McDonald’s, so this move was likely influenced by them.

Target – (May 19, 2015) Reportedly told big name brands like Kraft, General Mills, Campbell’s, and Kellogg’s that they were going to stop heavily promoting their products in their stores. Instead, Target will stock their shelves with more food from healthier organic brands.

Walmart – (May 22, 2015) Asked their suppliers to stop the use of growth-promoting antibiotics. They’re also asking them to follow “five principles of animal welfare”, ensuring the animals are “not starved, have sufficient space to move, and do not suffer mental distress”.

Unilever – (May 26, 2015) Announced they are coming out with a new non-GMO Hellmann’s Mayonnaise made with olive oil. Since most mayonnaise dressings are made with GMO soybean oil, and Hellman’s is an industry leader,

Subway – (June 4, 2015) Plans to remove all artificial flavors, colors and preservatives in the U.S. and Canada by 2017.

Papa John’s Pizza – (June 23, 2015) Announced they’re removing 14 ingredients by the end of 2016, including artificial colors, caramel color, the preservative sodium benzoate, and hidden MSG ingredients like autolyzed yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins.

McDonald’s – (August 31, 2015) Starts using real butter and ditches the trans-fat containing buttery spread that they previously used.

Schwan’s – (October 21, 2015) Working to remove partially hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and artificial colors by 2017 from their many brands such as Red Baron, Tony’s, Freschetta pizza, and Mrs. Smith’s.

Aldi Grocery Stores – (October 1, 2015) Removed artificial colors, partially hydrogenated oils (trans fat) and MSG from their store-brand products.

Kellogg’s – (August 5, 2015) Following General Mill’s lead, they will start removing artificial colors and flavors in their cereals, snack bars and Eggo products to be completed by end of 2018.

General Mills Fruit Snacks – (August 25, 2015) Fruit Rollups, Fruit By The Foot, and Fruit Gushers will be free of artificial colors and flavors by the end of 2017.

Abbott Laboratories – (May 25, 2015) The maker of Similac Advance baby formula came out with a non-GMO version that is sold in Target stores. They will also be launching a non-GMO Similac Sensitive formula, and if sales are strong they will offer more non-GMO varieties.

Pilgrim Pride – (April 20, 2015) Told reporters that they are working to stop the use of human-use antibiotics in their chickens within 18 months, and has further plans to eliminate all antibiotics from ¼ of their chickens by 2019. Pilgrim is one of the major suppliers of chicken to Chick-Fil-A, and as the 2nd largest poultry processor in the U.S.

Panera Bread – (May 4, 2015) Announced they are removing 150 artificial additives, including artificial colors, BHT, nitrates, high fructose corn syrup, hidden MSG, and partially hydrogenated oils. We called out Panera back in 2012 for using nitrates and hidden MSG ingredients like hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, autolyzed yeast extract and yeast extract. Now those ingredients will be history!

McCormick – (September 8, 2015) Introduced non-GMO vanilla extract (many brands contain GMO corn syrup) and said 80% of their gourmet herbs & spices will be organic and 70% of all of their herbs, spices, and extracts will be non-GMO by 2016.

Dunkin’ Donuts – (March 10, 2015) Removed the whitening agent titanium dioxide from their powdered sugar, following a campaign by the non-profit group As You Sow. They decided to remove it after As You Sow reportedly found titanium dioxide nanoparticles in their powdered donuts.

Papa Johns – (December 18, 2015) Joins the growing list of restaurants that will no longer serve chicken raised on antibiotics.

[Major Nikon]

27. "taking chemicals out of foods"

[Humanist_Activist]

29. The "Food Babe" philosophy is, "if I can't pronounce the ingredient its bad for you!"...

The second point is, "if the ingredient has a another function not related to food, its bad for you!"

[Major Nikon]

39. Also "Mercola said so"

Ergo spinning water in a blender makes it healthier.

Yeah, it says a lot when someone admits to being a fan of someone who actually makes you dumber each time you listen to her.

[womanofthehills]

53. So you have no problem with human antibiotics in your food?

[Humanist_Activist]

55. Depends on whether they survive to be ingested by me. n/t

[womanofthehills]

57. Actually, the "Food Babe" philosophy is I don't want antibiotics in my food

[HuckleB]

59. Well, then she can retire.

http://www.thefarmersdaughterusa.com/2015/09/there-are-no-antibiotics-in-your-meat-now-stop.html

And she is FOS on any number of topics.
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2015/02/12/the-food-babe-there-is-just-no-acceptable-level-of-any-chemical-to-ingest-ever/

[Major Nikon]

63. “There is just no acceptable level of any chemical to ingest, ever”

-- Food Babe

[Humanist_Activist]

28. Does any of that shit actually make the food healthier? No, it does not, all you have shown...

is that scaremongering works and people can profit off the gullibility of others.

[womanofthehills]

54. Actually, I really don't want human antibiotics in my food!!

[Major Nikon]

82. Unless you are eating humans, there are no "human antibiotics" in your food

[PatSeg]

30. I don't know how they get away

with some of the things they post. Most of them manage to just stay this side of the rules, though not always. We should be able to discuss issues that are important to us without the constant badgering and ridicule. They hijack almost every thread about health and food.

I come here because it is a liberal site, but sometimes it is hard to tell.

[Humanist_Activist]

38. What issues? That's the problem, when you make up shit on the fly to prop...

up some specific idea that has no bearing on reality, either come up with the evidence that relates it to reality, or don't. Just don't expect us to take those issues seriously until then.

[Major Nikon]

40. No personal attacks or flaming

Do not personally attack, insult, flame, threaten, bully, harass, stalk, negatively call-out, ascribe ugly ulterior motives to, or make baseless claims about any member of this community. Do not post in a manner that is hostile, abusive, or aggressive toward any member of this community.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=termsofservice

Please tell us again about managing to "just stay this side of the rules" while you make baseless claims and ascribe ugly ulterior motives to other DUers in just about every one of these threads.

If someone wants do discuss something, yet can't deal with opposing viewpoints, they probably shouldn't bring it up to begin with or stay out of those threads. Regardless of what you think anti-science is NOT a liberal trait.

[womanofthehills]

48. Definitely projection big time!

[Major Nikon]

60. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7841412

[HuckleB]

42. I do wonder how so much pseudoscience gets a pass here.

Why do you think that is?

[Humanist_Activist]

45. I think its because it skirts the conspiracy theory line, but not quite crosses it...

at least in a general sense. DU does treat certain issues like this correctly, such as truthers and birthers, but I think another reason is that this is largely apolitical, anti-GMO, alternative medicine crowd is bipartisan.

[HuckleB]

50. True enough.

I do wish DU would be a bit more select in the sources is allows people to utilize. The Internet is becoming more and more saturated with scam pages, and some rules need to be set, IMO.

[womanofthehills]

64. OMG! You are the one always sourcing Science-Based Medicine

Run by Gorski aka "Orac" aka "SoCalGal" - a dr. blogging as a girl

[Humanist_Activist]

66. Do you have any evidence for this accusation, and are you saying girls...

can't be doctors?

[womanofthehills]

78. I'm saying a male doctor pretending to be a mommy blogger

[HuckleB]

68. Oh, no! I source a science-based page that you can't debunk in any way!

[Major Nikon]

77. Kinda funny how you stopped claiming Keith Kloor is in bed with Monsanto

You posted an unsourced screen cap from a satire piece and tried to pass it off as genuine.

What's also rather funny is the ridiculous nonsense you will try and dig up about other's sources while continuously posting from no-shit full blown nutbags like Globalresearch and Mae-Wan Ho even after their unabashed nutbaggery has been revealed and you can't claim ignorance.

[womanofthehills]

79. Do you mean this one

[Major Nikon]

81. Very telling how you used screen shots rather than posting a link to the actual article

It leads one to believe you either don't get sarcasm, or you were just intentionally trying to mislead. I'm not sure which is worse.

[GoneOffShore]

84. Her efforts are blackmail and based solely on science-y terms.

I don't have time to refute this nonsense.

[womanofthehills]

22. Maybe they will not kill you but Monsanto is the Great Satan to the poor children in Argentina

Monsanto’s flagship pesticide linked to cancer and antibiotic resistance: PAN International calls for strong global response

Monsanto’s weed-killer glyphosate is wreaking havoc with THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES in Argentina,” said Javier Souza, chair of Pesticide Action Network International. “Thousands of people suffer from glyphosate-related illnesses, and the cancer rates are two to four times higher than the national average.”

Souza is from Argentina, which plants an estimated 24 million hectares of crops — mostly soybeans — that are genetically engineered (GE) to resist glyphosate. In 2014, 79 million gallons of glyphosate were applied on soybeans and other crops in Argentina. Brazil plants even more than Argentina, with 40 million hectares of GE crops, again mostly soybeans. Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia also grow millions of hectares of GE soy resistant to glyphosate.
“Glyphosate and other herbicides have also been linked to antibiotic resistance,” said Judy Hatcher, vice-chair of PAN International. “The combination of carcinogenicity and antibiotic resistance linked to Monsanto’s flagship pesticide are two loud wake-up calls for the global community. As a matter of highest priority, policymakers should keep the next wave of genetically engineered seeds – containing glyphosate and other old, hazardous chemicals – off the market,” she added.

Researchers in New Zealand found that formulations of herbicides containing glyphosate, 2,4-D, and dicamba can lead to development of antibiotic resistance in disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella.

“In Asia glyphosate is widely used and the link with carcinogenicity and antibiotic resistance is a matter of urgent concern for farmers and agricultural workers who are exposed,” said Sarojeni Rengam from PAN Asia Pacific.

http://pan-international.org/release/monsantos-flagship-pesticide-linked-to-cancer-and-antibiotic-resistance-pan-international-calls-for-strong-global-response/

[Humanist_Activist]

23. Do you have any evidence for the shit you post? n/t

[Major Nikon]

26. ...

[PatSeg]

31. That was unnecessarily rude

[Humanist_Activist]

37. I don't think so, its exasperation more than anything else...

this poster in particular seems to discard reality when convenient, at this point, they are either ideologically blind or disingenuous with what they post. Especially when propagating misinformation and half-truths from CT websites and personalities.

[womanofthehills]

47. So why do you think 38 countries have banned GMO's - will you say this is not true too?

GM Crops Now Banned in 38 Countries Worldwide – Sustainable Pulse Research
Posted on Oct 22 2015 - 6:44pm by Sustainable Pulse







Thirty eight (38) countries worldwide have officially banned the cultivation of GM crops and only 28 actually grow GM crops (most of which grow under 500 thousand hectares). The picture painted by the Biotech industry and the U.S. government that GM crops have been accepted by the majority of countries worldwide is therefore quite obviously wrong.

In fact many countries have recently started to put in place regulations to protect their population and environment from the environmental and health damage caused by GM crops.

Sustainable Pulse welcomes additions or edits to the list below from readers / experts from around the Globe – Please contact [e-mail] .

Official GM crop cultivation bans:

Africa (2)

The picture on GM cultivation bans across Africa is not clear due to the current pressure being put on many African governments by the Biotech industry and the Gates Foundation to lift long-standing bans on the import of unmilled GMO seeds or unmilled GMO food aid, however two countries do still have full legal bans on GM crop cultivation:

Algeria (since 2000)

Madagascar (since 2002)

Asia (4)

Turkey,

Kyrgyzstan

Bhutan

Saudi Arabia

Americas (4)

Belize

Peru

Ecuador

Venezuela

Europe (28)

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

Germany

France

The Netherlands

Malta

Cyprus

Greece

Bulgaria

Russia

Serbia

Croatia

Italy

Denmark

Hungary

Moldova

Latvia

Lithuania

Austria

Poland

Slovenia

Azerbaijan

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Luxembourg

Ukraine (although there is massive GM contamination in the country)

Norway

Switzerland

http://sustainablepulse.com/2015/10/22/gm-crops-now-banned-in-36-countries-worldwide-sustainable-pulse-research/#.V32MLI41R-J

[PatSeg]

52. Evidently

They've all been brainwashed by Food Babe and anti-science conspiracy sites! What on earth could they be thinking???

Have a good night!

[womanofthehills]

58. Thanks PatSeg

Nice to see posts from a rational person.

[PatSeg]

69. You're very welcome

I have done this many times. Most of the time I try to ignore some people though, as I know it won't be productive. On the upside, I often end up doing more research and increasing my knowledge about issues important to me and my family. Always learning!

To others, please note that saying "I try to ignore some people" does not violate any rules and is not rude or disrespectful.

[womanofthehills]

80. That is exactly what is happening with me - I love to research

It has definitely made me even more aware of the foods my family and I are eating. I thought I was eating well but when I read about the glyphosate on wheat pre harvest, it made me rethink everything.

Even in my bookclub, I'll research the life of every author we read. When our community was fighting a CO2 pipeline Kinder Morgan wanted to put through our land, a friend and I did all the research on CO2, pipeline accidents, KinderMorgan's history, etc. for the lawyer. I became a fracking, CO2 expert and suddenly was following the price of a barrel of oil each day. When the price dropped, KM decided their money would be better used in North Dakota.

[HuckleB]

85. "Research."

Research is not finding conspiracy silliness that supports your preconceived notions.

Oh, goodness.

http://molecularbiologistproblems.tumblr.com/post/95467059102/youve-done-your-research-thats-cute-tell-it

[PatSeg]

86. As much as I get frustrated at times

with those who argue just to provoke people, it does motivate me to explore and learn more. Fortunately we live in an age when so much information is readily available. I am often amazed at people who take a Facebook meme or assertion on Fox News as fact without verifying its authenticity.

That is so cool about your fight against the pipeline. It is always great to hear a success story these days.

When I was young, healthy food and the environment were more an idealistic concept, but as I get older, it is an absolute necessity. Staying alive becomes a very proactive endeavor.

[Humanist_Activist]

65. All it demonstrates is that politics isn't necessarily driven by evidence, no more, no less....

science isn't decided by popular vote, after all.

[Major Nikon]

83. Why do you think every regulatory and science advocacy organization on the planet supports GMO?

[Major Nikon]

41. Please don't talk of rudeness if you're going to ascribe ugly ulterior motives to DUers

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7983614

Not only is that rude, it's against the rules.

[womanofthehills]

51. Projection! Projection!

[Major Nikon]

61. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7841412

[PatSeg]

56. I spoke very generally

and made no specific references, unlike "Do you have any evidence for the shit you post?" That was intentionally provocative. Most of the people I know would never speak to another DUer like that.

[Major Nikon]

62. So at best you are staying just "this side of the rules"

So it seems just a bit hypocritical to call others out for the exact same behavior, no?

[PatSeg]

70. I've been here for 12 years

I do not break rules or even slightly bend them. Even in spirited debates, I stay respectful and considerate. I have never alerted anyone or put a single person on "ignore" (I can ignore people without a button). I do not talk down to people, ridicule them, or call them names - I am perfectly capable of disagreeing with someone without doing any of those.

Hypocritical? Not hardly. Have a good night.

[HuckleB]

71. Your actions above don't match your claims here.

Hmm.

[PatSeg]

72. Your opinion

Hmm

[HuckleB]

73. Nope.

I think you know that, too.

[PatSeg]

74. Ha, ha, ha

No, not really. If you absolutely MUST have the last word, go for it!!! I haven't played this game in a long time.

I'm really getting tired, sweet dreams.

[womanofthehills]

32. So you think children being exposed to pesticide spray is no problem

Last edited Wed Jul 6, 2016, 11:13 PM - Edit history (1)

On a hot, still day the buzz of a distant, small plane is just audible.
"They fumigate all around with airplanes", says Carlos Fria who is out shopping for fruit and vegetables in Avia Terai. This small rural community sits, slap bang in the middle of Chaco - the flat, sprawling, northern province that nudges the border with Paraguay.

Carlos lives near Avia Terai, and says agrochemicals are sprayed close to his home, contravening local laws.
"If the wind changes the agrochemicals come into the house. My uncle just died of cancer. My wife too passed away from cancer. Now many, many people are dying of cancer - it didn't used to be like that," he says.

Cancer is becoming more common everywhere. Could Carlos's experience just be part of life in the modern world? He doesn't think so.
"In my opinion, this has to do with the poison they put on the fields."

Chaco was once famous for its cotton. Beef cattle dotted the endless plains. Now soya dominates the landscape. Argentina has become one of the world's largest producers of GM soya, with some 20 million hectares under cultivation. It is the nation's leading export.


http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27373134

[womanofthehills]

33. Devastating Impacts of Glyphosate Use with GMO Seeds in Argentina

Birth defects and increasing cancer

After 18 years of systematic sprayings, health teams in fumigated towns detect a change in the pattern of diseases in their populations: respiratory problems are much more common and are linked to the application of agricultural poisons, as is chronic dermatitis. Similarly, during fumigation, epileptic patients convulse much more frequently, and depression, immune and endocrine disorders are more frequent.

High rates of miscarriages are recorded (up to 23 % of women of reproductive age had at least one abortion in the past 5 years) and consultations for infertility in men and women have significantly increased. Herds of goats belonging to farmers and indigenous people in some areas record up to 100 % of abortions or premature deaths due to malformations linked to pesticide exposure. Increased thyroid disorders and diabetes are also detected in local people.

More and more children are born with defects in these areas, especially if the first months of pregnancy coincide with the time of spraying. Down’s syndrome, spina bifida, myelomeningocele (neural tube defect), congenital heart disease, etc. are diagnosed more frequently in those areas; in some towns and during some years, at triple the normal rates, and directly linked to increased pesticide applications around the towns [3, 4] (see Figure 1). Neural tube defects are among the most common developmental birth defects observed, which is consistent with lab studies and farm observations see [5] A Roundup of Roundup® Reveals Converging Pattern of Toxicity from Farm to Clinic to Laboratory Studies, SiS 65].

Crop-sprayed towns also show a change in the causes of death. According to data from the civil records offices to which we had access, over 30 % of deaths are from cancer, while nationwide, the percentage is less than 20 %. Cancer death rates have clearly increased in those areas, and this is a new phenomenon detected by our colleagues since 2000 [3, 4, 6]. Significantly, the date coincides with the expansion in the use of glyphosate and other agrochemicals massively applied in those areas. In May 2014, the Ministry of Health of the Province of Córdoba published data from its cancer registry, confirming that in the most intensive agricultural areas, deaths due to cancer exceed by 100 % those in the city, and by 70 % the provincial average [7].

The toxic agrochemicals affect everyone, but it is the poor people, the labourers, their wives and children, who are the least likely to be protected and to recover their health. Also, in the North of Córdoba and Santa Fe, most of the new ventures into toxic agriculture are owned by corporations and agricultural conglomerates that use air fumigation, delivering much higher doses of poison due to the climatic and biological conditions in the region; and mainly indigenous peoples and peasants suffer the consequences.

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/Devastating_Impacts_of_Glyphosate_Argentina.php

[HuckleB]

35. Nice scam homeopathy pushing organization you found there.

http://www.dcscience.net/2006/07/19/institute-of-science-in-society/

That page is just full of bizarro woo. WOW!
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/SO_holhealth.php

[Major Nikon]

44. She's been busted many times pushing batshit crazy woo sources

Doesn't seem to care much whether they are batshit crazy or not. Very telling that.

[HuckleB]

46. And yet OPs like this get quite a number of likes.

[Major Nikon]

43. Water Remembers!

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/WaterRemembers.php

[Humanist_Activist]

36. Again, is there any evidence, or do you like pushing ideology rather than science?

[womanofthehills]

49. There is a problem when science harms children

[Humanist_Activist]

67. Evidence, evidence, evidence, that's what we need, otherwise you are just making shit up. n/t

[HuckleB]

34. Don't confuse her!