“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.” – Bertrand Russell
In a society so wrought with controversy, starvation and conflicting agendas, it becomes easy to take advantage of the people’s desperate need for a solution. Those claiming to have a cure-all will always arise, but in this uncertain world it is rarely that simple and deception is usually involved. Monsanto is a company that all should be aware of, if not already fear. They are patenting genetically modified organisms, (GMO’s) seeds designed to withstand chemical herbicides. Monsanto claims to be working for the farmers but by locking companies into licensing arrangements, and collecting royalties by claiming that the seed is now the “intellectual property” of Monsanto, they are raising the cost of seed which these farmers are now forced to buy. This is pushing the small farmers out of business. Open pollinated seeds are replaced by genetically altered seeds, and a renewable resource becomes a nonrenewable, patented commodity.
Monsanto has created a “Terminator” seed (which they claim is not in circulation despite the testimony of farmers) that has been genetically modified not to produce viable offspring seeds, or will produce viable seeds with specific genes switched off. This forces farmers to buy new seed each season. The long-term effects of producing a seed that discontinues the circle of life are immeasurable, not to mention that farmers world-wide are being forced and coerced into using this life ending, unnatural product. These GMO’s can cross-pollinate, effectively contaminating the gene pool of related crop within range and potentially threatening the health and food supply of future generations.
In their search for what they feel is the perfectly engineered seed, Monsanto has linked themselves to another corporate giant. Their “Round-up Ready” seeds are designed to withstand herbicides but GMOs are failing to control pests and weeds, and have instead led to the emergence of “superpests” and “superweeds”(Round-Up was recently named a cancer-causing chemical and is being banned by multiple nations).
“Between 1996 and 2008, US farmers sprayed an extra 383 million pounds of herbicide on GMOs. Overuse of Roundup results in “superweeds,” resistant to the herbicide. This is causing farmers to use even more toxic herbicides every year. Not only does this create environmental harm, GM foods contain higher residues of toxic herbicides. Roundup, for example, is linked with sterility, hormone disruption, birth defects, and cancer.” – The Institute for Responsible Technology
With the rise of a new American crop to defile, Monsanto is salivating at the prospect of creating a strain of “Round-Up Ready” medical marijuana and have already begun their preparations to take over the industry. This would mean the complete control of cannabis and hemp seed by Monsanto and their interests, the American Government. The single most important plant to the rescuing of this planet would be bastardized and manipulated into whatever they desired. This could mean lower THC content, lower cannabidiol to discard the medical properties and appease Big Pharma and seeds that do not reproduce. This is a plant, that used on a mass scale, could alleviate many world-wide issues. However, with Monsanto genetically altering the genes of the world’s very own miracle plant, the people could be witnessing the beginning of the end.
Many studies show the negative effects that GMO’s have on those that consume them, however every scientist who has discovered problems with GMO products has been attacked, gagged, fired, threatened, and denied funding. Arpad Pusztai, who is considered to be one of the world’s most respected and well-learned biochemists, was fired and his team of researchers dismissed within 24 hours of their discovery that GMO’s caused organ damage, reproductive failure, digestive dysfunction, impaired immunity, and cancer, among many other conditions. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine urges doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets for all patients. They cite animal studies showing organ damage, gastrointestinal and immune system disorders, accelerated aging, and infertility. As always, those making immense amounts of money from the desecration of the planet will do whatever is in their power to quiet the public voice.
In India there is an epidemic of farmer suicide related to Monsanto’s rising control of their cotton seed industry. By controlling the seed and how it can be used, Monsanto is putting these local farmers out of work on a massive scale and creating a suicide epidemic. Monsanto now controls 95% of India’s cotton seed industry.
“Control over seed is the first link in the food chain because seed is the source of life. When a corporation controls seed, it controls life, especially the life of farmers. As Monsanto’s profits grow, farmers’ debt grows. It is in this systemic sense that Monsanto’s seeds are seeds of suicide.” -Dr. Vandana Shiva, Center for Research on Globalization
It has become so easy for these major corporations to manipulate public information and keep the average person in the dark. It is a crime against humanity to purposefully and actively harm, not only the food source, but the livelihood of hard-working innocent people. This is not just an immoral act, which it most definitely is, but this crosses over into down right villainy. This is a diabolical abuse of the public’s trust in the government and who they support. Do not allow this to continue. The only action that is left to the average citizen is to let your voice be heard and your choices be vivid and seen by all. To protest with one’s consumer power is the only action to which the controlling powers respond. Stand up to these giants of industry by refusing to purchase their products; fight for the future of your children and their planet. The world will begin to see the effects of this gene manipulated food soon enough. Hope remains that it is not already too late.
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