The Truths And Lies About Gmo's, And The Co's That Make Them

[RPCVguy]

Geneticists issued a scathing report almost a year ago. It looks to authoritatively supply the precise info of the OP
As it was reported then:

GMO Myths and Truths

Genetically modified (GM) crops are promoted on the basis of a range of far-reaching claims from the GM crop industry and its supporters. They say that GM crops:

• Are an extension of natural breeding and do not pose different risks from naturally bred crops
• Are safe to eat and can be more nutritious than naturally bred crops
• Are strictly regulated for safety
• Increase crop yields
• Reduce pesticide use
• Benefit farmers and make their lives easier
• Bring economic benefits
• Benefit the environment
• Can help solve problems caused by climate change
• Reduce energy use
• Will help feed the world.

However, a large and growing body of scientific and other authoritative evidence shows that these claims are not true. On the contrary, evidence presented in this report indicates that GM crops:

• Are laboratory-made, using technology that is totally different from natural breeding methods, and pose different risks from non-GM crops
• Can be toxic, allergenic or less nutritious than their natural counterparts
• Are not adequately regulated to ensure safety
• Do not increase yield potential
• Do not reduce pesticide use but increase it
• Create serious problems for farmers, including herbicide-tolerant “superweeds”, compromised soil quality, and increased disease susceptibility in crops
• Have mixed economic effects
• Harm soil quality, disrupt ecosystems, and reduce biodiversity
• Do not offer effective solutions to climate change
• Are as energy-hungry as any other chemically-farmed crops
• Cannot solve the problem of world hunger but distract from its real causes – poverty, lack of access to food and, increasingly, lack of access to land to grow it on.

Based on the evidence presented in this report, there is no need to take risks with GM crops when effective, readily available, and sustainable solutions to the problems that GM technology is claimed to address already exist. Conventional plant breeding, in some cases helped by safe modern technologies like gene mapping and marker assisted selection, continues to outperform GM in producing high-yield, drought-tolerant, and pest- and disease-resistant crops that can meet our present and future food needs.

Download a PDF of the full report at http://earthopensource.org/fi

Oh and about the authors of the report:

• Michael Antoniou, PhD is reader in molecular genetics and head, Gene Expression and Therapy Group, King’s College London School of Medicine, London, UK. He has 28 years’ experience in the use of genetic engineering technology investigating gene organisation and control, with over 40 peer reviewed publications of original work, and holds inventor status on a number of gene expression biotechnology patents. Dr Antoniou has a large network of collaborators in industry and academia who are making use of his discoveries in gene control mechanisms for the production of research, diagnostic and therapeutic products and safe and efficacious human somatic gene therapy for inherited and acquired genetic disorders.
• Claire Robinson, MPhil, is research director at Earth Open Source. She has a background in investigative reporting and the communication of topics relating to public health, science and policy, and the environment. She is an editor at GMWatch (www.gmwatch.org), a public information service on issues relating to genetic modification, and was formerly managing editor at SpinProfiles (now Powerbase.org).
• John Fagan, PhD is a leading authority on sustainability in the food system, biosafety, and GMO testing. He is founder and chief scientific officer of one of the world’s first GMO testing and certification companies, through which he has pioneered the development of innovative tools to verify and advance food purity, safety and sustainability. He co-founded Earth Open Source, which uses open source collaboration to advance sustainable food production. Earlier, he conducted cancer research at the US National Institutes of Health. He h olds a PhD in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology from Cornell University.

[mo99]

If GMO is better than Hybrids or OP Organic, why are so many farmers in India going bankrupt?

Witnesses say that suicide is increasing exponetially amoung bankrupt farmers in India. Farmers feel they have no way to repay their debts or buy new seed and chemicals from Monsanto.

http://www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-foods/indian-farmers-committing-suicide-monsanto-gm-crops/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1082559/The-GM-genocide-Thousands-Indian-farmers-committing-suicide-using-genetically-modified-crops.html

[mo99]

Blackwater is now called Academi, aka Xe services LLC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academi

Regards.

They have changed their name every time they get the heat from the press! Monsanto might be legitimatly dening envolement with "Blackwater" while actually buying or doing business with the same people of the company once known as Blackwater. One source said that Monsanto recently traded a former shell company of Blackwater, so they might actually own it or a part of it. Either way, the cup and ball trick is not working here, both companies are up to no good!

[mo99]

Another victory against GM invasion for Europe?:

http://www.ir-d.dk/gmo-lose-europe-victory-for-environmental-organisations/

Found an informative review on the GMO approval process in many Eurpean countries:

http://www.netpublikationer.dk/FVM/978-87-7083-562-6/helepubl.htm

They mention addapting a breeding by mutation method instead of direct gene splicing as an alternative. This has been done typically by radiation(UV or X-ray of the pollen or seed) which promotes mutations (but not transgenic type mutations). To bad the US is not as thourough about their research, instead of simply going along with the corporate agenda.

[RPCVguy]

mo99
You've got 3 clear, concise and accurate statements that I was glad to see added to the info being posted here.

If GMO is better than Hybrids or OP Organic, why are so many farmers in India going bankrupt?

Witnesses say that suicide is increasing exponetially amoung bankrupt farmers in India. Farmers feel they have no way to repay their debts or buy new seed and chemicals from Monsanto.

http://www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-foods/indian-farmers-committing-suicide-monsanto-gm-crops/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1082559/The-GM-genocide-Thousands-Indian-farmers-committing-suicide-using-genetically-modified-crops.html

In this one comment is the reason India is reversing its foray into accepting the GMO promises. They've tried it, allowed the snake-oil (ahem ... GMO seed) salesmen to come in, make their promises and then watched as the reality settled in, crops failed - but with bigger debts leading to suicides as the means of canceling the debts. Now India has people seriously looking for alternatives - and finding shared knowledge of techniques allows farmers to escape GMO and the chemicals.
This is news to celebrate -

Miracle grow: Indian farmers smash crop yield records without GMOs

"SRI for rice involves starting with fewer, more widely spaced plants; using less water; actively aerating the soil; and applying lots of organic fertilizer. According to Uphoff’s SRI Institute website [PDF], the farmers who use synthetic fertilizer with the technique get lower yields than those who farm organically. How’s that for pleasant irony?
SRI appears to offer an acceptable alternative for a variety of crops, including rice, potatoes, wheat, corn, beans, eggplant, onions, carrots, sugar cane, and even tomatoes." FULL ARTICLE http://grist.org/food/miracle-grow-indian-farmers-smash-crop-yield-records-without-gmos/

Of teletiger's comment that Blackwater is now called Academi, aka Xe services LLC.
"They have changed their name every time they get the heat from the press! Monsanto might be legitimatly dening envolement with "Blackwater" while actually buying or doing business with the same people of the company once known as Blackwater. One source said that Monsanto recently traded a former shell company of Blackwater, so they might actually own it or a part of it. Either way, the cup and ball trick is not working here, both companies are up to no good!"

Good perspective to all the hiring of a mercenary black-ops group including many former CIA - yet a reasonable question is WHY? Most companies go about generating satisfied customers whose easy endorsements over time equate to repeat and loyal customers. Complaints are heard and modifications made. WHY does a corporation have so many millions of people hating them? What is the business plan where their expansion is via gaining control of the governmental agencies and expanding ownership of seeds via an expanding pollution of the gene pool tied to buying out smaller, often organic seed companies and then lowering the availability of those ancient heirloom seed varieties? How did they manage to get one of their former lawyers (Clarance Thomas) and a GMO favoring solicitor general (Elena Kagan) both onto the US Supreme Court?

Another victory against GM invasion for Europe?:

http://www.ir-d.dk/gmo-lose-europe-victory-for-environmental-organisations/

Found an informative review on the GMO approval process in many Eurpean countries:

http://www.netpublikationer.dk/FVM/978-87-7083-562-6/helepubl.htm

They mention addapting a breeding by mutation method instead of direct gene splicing as an alternative. This has been done typically by radiation (UV or X-ray of the pollen or seed) which promotes mutations (but not transgenic type mutations). To bad the US is not as thourough about their research, instead of simply going along with the corporate agenda.

The money and influence of Monsanto Corporation have bought enough of the legislators in Congress as to allow them to anonymously add and get passed a provision protects genetically modified seeds from litigation in the face of health risks and has thus been dubbed the “Monsanto Protection Act” by activists who oppose the biotech giant.
http://www.salon.com/2013/03/27/how_the_monsanto_protection_act_snuck_into_law/

It was just a first step. Get ready for Monsanto Protection Act 2.0
Many states are considering state level mandates to at least label food content as to GMO. "The biotech industry knows that it’s only a matter of time before Washington State, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut and other states pass GMO labeling laws," the group wrote. "Rather than fight this battle in every state, Monsanto is trying to manipulate Congress to pass a Farm Bill that will wipe out citizens’ rights to state laws intended to protect their health and safety.”
They've already succeeded in getting it passed as an amendment in the Farm Bill in the US House so the battle moves to the Senate.
http://www.ibtimes.com/monsanto-protection-act-20-would-ban-gmo-labeling-laws-state-level-1267629

There is nothing "peaceful" about the way these seeds are marketed. Monsanto started as a war product poisonous chemical giant, and its core philosophy remains such. Its actions speak a plan for total seed domination/ food domination - globally.

Edited May 31, 2013 by RPCVguy

[teletiger]

Here's a respondent to a pro GM magazine piece. A few simple truths and yet so damning. (in my eyes)

"Let’s pretend GMOs are good for us as the author suggests…

1) GMO companies would be advertising the benefits to the consumer & the farmer so that we would want to buy them.
2) GMO companies would publish studies on how their products have helped solve world hunger over the past 20 years (I encourage readers to check the GMO markets in Europe & Asia).
3) GMO companies would WANT their product to be labeled for containing GMOs so consumers can support the goodness
4) GMO companies would not need a government subsidy to survive, they would have the financial support from their very own Americans

Bottom-line: “Monsanto” would be a household name because they would be proud of producing a GMO product and would want every American knowing it."

Here's the piece.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/collideascape/?p=11333

Regards.

[teletiger]

It would seem people are fighting back.

"Japan would “refrain from buying western white and feed wheat effective today,” a Japanese farm ministry officialannounced on Thursday, adding that the ministry is pressing the USDA for details of its investigation. US wheat imports would be on hold until at least a test kit is available to identify GMO wheat, he said. South Korea, which bought about half of its wheat imports from the US last year, announced that it would suspend imports of US wheat. The EU’s consumer protection office announced that any shipments that tested positive for GMO could not be sold in the EU. Other countries were making similar announcements. And everyone is badgering Washington for more information."

http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/2013-06-01/lobbying-and-gmo-giant-monsanto-buckles-europe

Regards.

[Potosi]

A number of European countries banned GMO crops swiftly, Russia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France. There was an interesting episode coming to light thanks to Wikileaks, that of the American ambassador to France demanded 'retaliation' against France and the EU.

http://www.webcitation.org/5vfAf0JwR

"Craig Stapleton, former US ambassador to France at a Memorial Day service in Fere-en-Tardenois, France. Stapleton was concerned that a French decision to suspend cultivation of Monsanto's MON-810 corn could spread anti-biotech policy across the EU.

The former United States ambassador to France suggested "moving to retaliation" against France and the European Union (EU) in late 2007 to fight a French ban on Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) corn and changes in European policy toward biotech crops, according to a cable released by WikiLeaks on Sunday.

Former Ambassador Craig Stapleton was concerned about France's decision to suspend cultivation of Monsanto's MON-810 corn and warned that a new French environmental review standard could spread anti-biotech policy across the EU.

"Country team Paris recommends that we calibrate a target retaliation list that causes some pain across the EU since this is a collective responsibility, but that also focuses in part on the worst culprits," Stapleton wrote to diplomatic colleagues.

President George W. Bush appointed Stapleton as ambassador to France in 2005, and in 2009, Stapleton left the office and became an owner of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Bush and Stapleton co-owned the Texas Rangers during the 1990s.

Monsanto is based in St. Louis.

The EU's 1998 approval of MON-810 corn has since expired. In recent years, several European countries joined France in banning MON-810 and similar biotech crops while the products are reassessed in light of research showing they could harm the environment and human health."

This is the state of free market and free trade.

[teletiger]

I always worry when corn Id's are quoted. MON-810 corn. That is one of hundreds.....and the rest of them? This will be FORCED on us. You, me, our children. We need to kill it now, until such time as it passes OUR safety laws. These guys really need to learn to fear us.

Regards.

[RPCVguy]

BAD NEWS about GMOs is abundant and ongoing...
Pesticide use is skyrocketing across the Midwestern U.S. corn belt, as biotech companies like Syngenta and AMVAC Chemical watch their pesticide sales spike 50 to 100 percent over the past two years, NPR reported Tuesday.

...Environmental groups have long warned that Bt corn is a danger to non-'pest' insects. In a 2004 briefing, Greenpeace showed that the effects of non-targeted insect killings ripple throughout the ecosystem.

Critics charge that the modified corn—which is spread by big agribusiness, pushed to small farmers, and crossbred with non GMO strains—undermines food diversity and security and devastates small-scale, sustainable farmers and peasants.

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/07/09-6

[connda]

You people out there who eat soybeans and maize products are all nuts. Even if they are not GMO, and not sprayed with insecticides, and certified clean and green, soybeans, peanuts, maize products are not good for your health.

Therefore don't worry about the big companies with GMO products. Eat your vegetables or your neigbours. Pick your own apples and fruit. (not papayas).

Just try to avoid GMO products.

And yes I do use Roundup. A wonderful herbicide from Monsanto.

Eat sensibly.

"...maize products are not good for your health..."

Mexicans seem to be doing just fine and they protect their maize crops like they're gold. No GMO down there. Folk have been eating maize and multiplying just dandy since the Spanish came to town and started cross-cultural families with the indigenous natives. Doesn't look like maize is having much of a negative effect. Just an observation. But if you can source scientific research, I'm always willing to read.

Edited November 13, 2013 by connda

[KevWaters]

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You people out there who eat soybeans and maize products are all nuts. Even if they are not GMO, and not sprayed with insecticides, and certified clean and green, soybeans, peanuts, maize products are not good for your health.

Why do you think this?

[ClutchClark]

Illinois seizes bees resistant to Monsanto's Roundup; kills remaining queens.

Trembly,

Thank you so much for that video.

I don't really see a connection with monsanto but its a travesty none the less for that beekeeper.

[Issangeorge]

In Canada and the United States the Monarch Butterflies are disappearing. The monarch butterfly is becoming endangered, as genetically engineered crops like corn and soy have largely eliminated the monarchs sole food and breeding sourcethe milkweed read here for more info. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/03/04/monarch-butterfly.aspx

[Trembly]

Illinois seizes bees resistant to Monsanto's Roundup; kills remaining queens.

Trembly,

Thank you so much for that video.

I don't really see a connection with monsanto but its a travesty none the less for that beekeeper.

Have a look at this excellent article. Please do not be deterred by the rather frantic tone : the author makes some very good points and liberally provides references which are interesting reads in themselves.

[ClutchClark]

In Canada and the United States the Monarch Butterflies are disappearing. The monarch butterfly is becoming endangered, as genetically engineered crops like corn and soy have largely eliminated the monarchs sole food and breeding sourcethe milkweed read here for more info. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/03/04/monarch-butterfly.aspx

I thought the demise of the monarch was from a loss of breeding habitat on that football size mountainside where they all migrate each winter...an absolutely amazing journey. But could very well be what you suggest as well since its wreaking havoc on pollinating insects.

[Keesters]

Some interesting reading here but it does not seem to answer my question. I understand that GMO products in Thailand have to be labeled. But what do those labels look like? Is there anybody can supply typical GMO product labels?