Section 735 of the Agricultural Appropriations Bill HR 933 protects genetically modified seed producers from legal issues if health risks are being investigated. Basically, it protects Monsanto and other GMO seed producers from a loss of profit due to lawsuits concerning health risks associated with their products. Which leads me to ask the question, is there something you aren't telling us? I know Monsanto is generally protective of their product, there are documentaries claiming they use legislation as their weapon, but I doubt any lawsuit would require the company to stop producing their product until proven guilty. This legal precaution seems like preparing for something to break, some defect or side effect that they want covered up, especially since it will only last six months. For better or worse, the precautionary principle doesn't hold any ground in the U.S. In fact this is almost the opposite of the precautionary principle.
Apparently "Food Democracy Now" got wind of it pretty early, and an online petition against it circled with 250,000 names. It's not like online petitions actually matter, but it's a good thought. The weirdest part is that it was submitted anonymously and most of congress didn't even know about it.
Here is the link to the article: http://www.salon.com/2013/03/27/how_the_monsanto_protection_act_snuck_into_law/
Ross Wells
I've heard about this also.. Monsanto is a shady company that seems to only care about their profits and keeping consumers hooked on their products. It's a shame that some people stoop low enough to endanger most of the population so that they can benefit from it. I also read that Hugh Grant (monsanto CEO) eats organic food, I don't know how often though. It makes me wonder if he's afraid to taste his own medicine?
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for monsanto GMO's, but are all GMO's really bad? I personally think that they are necessary to increase crop yields and crop strenth with our exponentially increasing population growth. Nature alone under her power would not be able to sustain us. Humans have to intervene and harness the power of agriculture, there is no harm in artificial selection.
ReplyDeleteI agree with with jared on the level that some GMOs are good. Like here at UNL alot is being done. Dr. Clemente, he is a biotechnologist here at UNL and his project involves fishmeal. The way we feed the fish we eat is with other smaller fish and the process is very unsustainable. So by him Genetically modifying this process he may be able to make it so we dont need to feed the fish smaller fish.
ReplyDeleteBut then with this bill basically protects monsanto....I dont agree at all. Its like they can do whatever they want with no implications = not good!
Wow I am surprised I haven't heard about this yet considering some of the people I talk to on a regular basis. This is really interesting and I am glad I can read material on this subject now!
ReplyDelete