Monsanto Protection Act Signed By Obama, GMO Bill Written By Monsanto Itself Signed Into Law

The Monsanto Protection Act, essentially both written by and benefitting Monsanto Corporation, has been signed into law by United States President Barack Obama. The infamous Monsanto Corporation will benefit greatly and directly from the bill, as it essentially gives companies that deal with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically engineered (GE) seeds immunity to the federal courts, among other things. The bill states that even if future research shows that GMOs or GE seeds cause significant health problems, cancer, etc, anything, that the federal courts no longer have any power to stop their spread, use, or sales.

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There are of course arguments to be made that not enough research has been done yet to accurately determine the effects that GMOs have on human and animal health (though the research already done should make you stop and think). This bill sidesteps that completely though, and simply states that even if there are problems, that the federal courts can no longer do anything about it. And this bill is now law, thanks to President Obama and the U.S. Congress.

Some other interesting things to keep in mind:

– The bill was apparently written by freshman Sen. Roy Blunt in collusion with Monsanto, with them helping to craft the exact language of the document.

– “The Center for Responsive Politics notes that Sen. Blunt received $64,250 from Monsanto to go towards his campaign committee between 2008 and 2012. The Money Monocle website adds that Blunt has been the largest Republican Party recipient of Monsanto funding as of late.”

– Many members of Congress were apparently unaware that the “Monsanto Protection Act” was a part of the spending bill that they were voting on.

– Obama had no problem signing it into law (not really a surprise, he’s been rather soft on GMO policy).

– The bill will only remain in effect for a limited time, but it’s a bad sign. With the ease that this bill passed, it’ll be interesting to see what future bills look like.


As the Daily News asks, “Who’s more powerful, the world’s largest producer of genetically modified crops or the U.S. government?”

“On Tuesday, Pres. Obama inked his name to H.R. 933, a continuing resolution spending bill approved in Congress days earlier. Buried 78 pages within the bill exists a provision that grossly protects biotech corporations such as the Missouri-based Monsanto Company from litigation.”

“In light of approval from the House and Senate, more than 250,000 people signed a petition asking the president to veto the spending bill over the biotech rider tacked on, an item that has since been widely referred to as the ‘Monsanto Protection Act.'”

“But Obama ignored [the petition],” as the IB Times notes, “instead choosing to sign a bill that effectively bars federal courts from being able to halt the sale or planting of GMO or GE crops and seeds, no matter what health consequences from the consumption of these products may come to light in the future.”

GMOs, while they may cause problems for human health, are primarily a problem for other reasons, mostly to do with crop/genetic diversity and overly complex industrial systems. And also the fact that they often don’t even work the way that they are “supposed” to.

When taken in context though, GMOs are really just another in a long line of environmentally damaging practices that people have done for short term gain/profit. From the large-scale deforestation of the world’s old-growth forests, to sustenance farming, to modern imported-fertilizer/pesticide/herbicide/fossil-fuel dependent industrial agricultural, the trend has been consistent, GMOs are just another in that line of attempts to temporarily maintain/raise crop yields. Regardless of the type of agriculture or the location, there are limits to how long any land can remain productive, applying imported fertilizers, or utilizing GMOs, only provides, at best, a temporary halt to the land’s transition to non-productive “wasteland”, and to desertification.

Image Credits: The White House

80 thoughts on “Monsanto Protection Act Signed By Obama, GMO Bill Written By Monsanto Itself Signed Into Law”

  1. Oh, bombing a marathon is lifetime imprisonment, but Monstersanto can kill as it pleases. Thank you, Monsterbama for destroying the democraty.

  2. Oh, bombing a marathon is lifetime imprisonment, but Monstersanto can kill as it pleases. Thank you, Monsterbama for destroying the democraty.

  3. You missed that the rider was signed,while few noticed due too mouth foaming and hand wringing on -same sex marriage debate,as hearings were ongoing in supreme court on that matter.This is a copy of a gambit that has being used twice by two canadian goverments,to try to get the ban on terminator crops lifted with no one noticing-which worked -twice.Last month this distraction was used by british gov to suspend the magna carter and reinstate procedure star chambre.It worked that time too.Thus The the sum total of human stupidity is increased like credit card intrest-again.

  4. You missed that the rider was signed,while few noticed due too mouth foaming and hand wringing on -same sex marriage debate,as hearings were ongoing in supreme court on that matter.This is a copy of a gambit that has being used twice by two canadian goverments,to try to get the ban on terminator crops lifted with no one noticing-which worked -twice.Last month this distraction was used by british gov to suspend the magna carter and reinstate procedure star chambre.It worked that time too.Thus The the sum total of human stupidity is increased like credit card intrest-again.

  5. Furthermore, this is not an easy task. It means eating out less, cooking at home, shopping in specified stores, considering farmers market and buying locally- it is a big task, a big deal. Im naturally lazy when it comes to meals… but I/we have a responsibility to DO SOMETHING about the state of our food now. WE have to say NO to this, and that means taking a stand and doing our part. IT is definately NOT a convenient choice to be organic though you will be saving life.

    1. It means really eating out less because you cannot control what is in the food. Welcome to our world (vegetarian and vegans) nice to meet ya!!

  6. Furthermore, this is not an easy task. It means eating out less, cooking at home, shopping in specified stores, considering farmers market and buying locally- it is a big task, a big deal. Im naturally lazy when it comes to meals… but I/we have a responsibility to DO SOMETHING about the state of our food now. WE have to say NO to this, and that means taking a stand and doing our part. IT is definately NOT a convenient choice to be organic though you will be saving life.

    1. It means really eating out less because you cannot control what is in the food. Welcome to our world (vegetarian and vegans) nice to meet ya!!

  7. Anne Wilson: Consider the INVESTMENT. If our life, body and community means something to us, then it is worth the investment to support natural food… to support life, It really comes down to that. I truly understand that we have to live within our means however, cut back on other spending and eat food that will keep us healthy…keep the world healthy. In the long run, it IS worth it, not just for you and me, but for generations to come. IF the big corporations dont have a market to sell to, or at the very least, they have less of a market, starting with you and me, then they have to consider what their product is. Monsanto is a disaster.

  8. Anne Wilson: Consider the INVESTMENT. If our life, body and community means something to us, then it is worth the investment to support natural food… to support life, It really comes down to that. I truly understand that we have to live within our means however, cut back on other spending and eat food that will keep us healthy…keep the world healthy. In the long run, it IS worth it, not just for you and me, but for generations to come. IF the big corporations dont have a market to sell to, or at the very least, they have less of a market, starting with you and me, then they have to consider what their product is. Monsanto is a disaster.

  9. When it’s not clear what GMO’s do to our bodies, why do we sign it into law that it’s O.K.? And then find out five years down the road that it creates people with three eyes? When it comes to food, don’t you think we should exercise serious caution before leaping into the realm of mad-science-craziness?

    1. Think of all the tiny babies inside their moms right now getting nourished with this weird crap. It is just not fair. government created crack babiesl

  10. When it’s not clear what GMO’s do to our bodies, why do we sign it into law that it’s O.K.? And then find out five years down the road that it creates people with three eyes? When it comes to food, don’t you think we should exercise serious caution before leaping into the realm of mad-science-craziness?

    1. Think of all the tiny babies inside their moms right now getting nourished with this weird crap. It is just not fair. government created crack babiesl

  11. Obviously our government officials did not even read this bill either before they voted on it since they supposedly did not know what was in it.. Another Pilosi nightmare..

  12. Obviously our government officials did not even read this bill before they voted on it since they supposedly did not know what was in it..

  13. Natures food has life within it and is what nurishes the life form called-human being. It is common sense that natural food-vs- a seed or an animal that is genetically motified (i.e. NOT natural) natural food IS WHAT SUSTAINS LIFE! We human beings that care about life itself must get billigerant about monsanto and shut it down. I’ve been a huge obama supporter and this is outrageous.

    1. I too am/was a huge Obama supporter and the only thing I am hanging on to right now it the fact that he only signed this law for one year I believe. I do not know what is going on in his head or how his healthy wife feels about this but the poorest in the usa are going to suffer from this first. if the crops really do cross pollinate then eventually we will all suffer. I will not be supporting him any more but who really cares about me and my support? Maybe everyone was right and he is a wolf in sheeps clothing and fooled us all.
      hanging on by my fingernails…

  14. Natures food has life within it and is what nurishes the life form called-human being. It is common sense that natural food-vs- a seed or an animal that is genetically motified (i.e. NOT natural) natural food IS WHAT SUSTAINS LIFE! We human beings that care about life itself must get billigerant about monsanto and shut it down. I’ve been a huge obama supporter and this is outrageous.

    1. I too am/was a huge Obama supporter and the only thing I am hanging on to right now it the fact that he only signed this law for one year I believe. I do not know what is going on in his head or how his healthy wife feels about this but the poorest in the usa are going to suffer from this first. if the crops really do cross pollinate then eventually we will all suffer. I will not be supporting him any more but who really cares about me and my support? Maybe everyone was right and he is a wolf in sheeps clothing and fooled us all.
      hanging on by my fingernails…

  15. “Many members of Congress were apparently unaware that the “Monsanto
    Protection Act” was a part of the spending bill that they were voting
    on.”

    So, I guess you’re saying that members of Congress don’t read the bills they sign into law?

  16. “Many members of Congress were apparently unaware that the “Monsanto
    Protection Act” was a part of the spending bill that they were voting
    on.”

    So, I guess you’re saying that members of Congress don’t read the bills they sign into law?

  17. I agree 100% D. Manstomn! If we DON’T do it, we could all live shorter sickly lives!!
    there’s NO GOOD to come of GMO’s. And watch the Baby Foods by Mansanto!

  18. I agree 100% D. Manstomn! If we DON’T do it, we could all live shorter sickly lives!!
    there’s NO GOOD to come of GMO’s. And watch the Baby Foods by Mansanto!

  19. When it comes to the food we eat, it is more than just GMO to be worried about. The whole ethics of food growing need to be examined. Treatment of the land as much as treatment of the animals. Food inc. gave some pretty horrifying pictures in this regard. When you consider that you can catch animal related diseases from green vegetables you know something is crazy. Then consider China were adding a poisonous substance to milk to increase its protein levels led to multiple deaths. What else are food companies doing? Corporations have no off button in their profit seeking nor any morals.

    1. Everything is about money and nobody seems to care about what they are doing to get the money. I am not going to say that no one is ethical but how do these people live with themselves?

  20. When it comes to the food we eat, it is more than just GMO to worried about. The whole ethics of food growing need to be examined. Treatment of the land as much as treatment of the animals. Food inc. gave some pretty horrifying pictures in this regard. When you consider that you can catch animal related diseases

    1. Everything is about money and nobody seems to care about what they are doing to get the money. I am not going to say that no one is ethical but how do these people live with themselves?

  21. Lastly88833ForIn

    “There were some reported findings some considered strange, however.
    Rats that ate the higher percentages of genetically modified corn did
    not get as sick as those who were eating the lower percentages.

    Critics
    also have taken issue with the study’s methodology. Specifically the
    researchers’ choice of rats are known for their propensity to develop
    mammary tumors if their diet is not controlled. Also, the control group
    of just 20 mice is rather small and makes it hard to draw conclusions
    from comparisons.”

    All the Monsanto-rat tumour quoters always somehow miss this part. Every. Single. Time. It’s why you need to read before you decide anything.

    Right here on CBS news, not hidden, didn’t have to dig for it, right there for anyone to see (that wants to see, that is).
    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57517377-10391704/study-says-genetically-modified-corn-causes-tumors-but-other-scientists-skeptical-about-research/

    1. I (not a scientist) found it very strange that they are saying that the altered genes in a gmo consumed food “stay” in your digestive system and cause problems later like leaky gut. After you digest something doesn’t it just come out like all other food? I am trying to sort out fact from fiction here.

  22. Lastly88833ForIn

    “There were some reported findings some considered strange, however.
    Rats that ate the higher percentages of genetically modified corn did
    not get as sick as those who were eating the lower percentages.

    Critics
    also have taken issue with the study’s methodology. Specifically the
    researchers’ choice of rats are known for their propensity to develop
    mammary tumors if their diet is not controlled. Also, the control group
    of just 20 mice is rather small and makes it hard to draw conclusions
    from comparisons.”

    All the Monsanto-rat tumour quoters always somehow miss this part. Every. Single. Time. It’s why you need to read before you decide anything.

    Right here on CBS news, not hidden, didn’t have to dig for it, right there for anyone to see (that wants to see, that is).
    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57517377-10391704/study-says-genetically-modified-corn-causes-tumors-but-other-scientists-skeptical-about-research/

    1. I (not a scientist) found it very strange that they are saying that the altered genes in a gmo consumed food “stay” in your digestive system and cause problems later like leaky gut. After you digest something doesn’t it just come out like all other food? I am trying to sort out fact from fiction here.

  23. The Seralini GM corn study (in Europe) from 2012 has been (is is being still) subjected to critical peer and government agency evaluation/review for statistical errors (SEE LAST COMMENT ON THIS PAGE)

  24. The Seralini GM corn study (in Europe) from 2012 has been (is is being still) subjected to critical peer and government agency evaluation/review for statistical errors (SEE LAST COMMENT ON THIS PAGE)

  25. DopeHippie, YOU are the problem.
    DH aside, just vote with your dollars, people. Grow some balls and be strong instead of caving to your favorite foods and addictive lifestyles. Inform yourselves and don’t buy GMO products. Let your grocers know what you’re NOT buying. Be assured, if you let GMOs win, you will most certainly lose. That’s as simple as it gets.

    1. I bought a box of crackers yesterday from a company that never uses any GMOs. $6 a box. The jar of GMO free peanut butter? $5: and it’s tiny. Nature’s Path cereal? let’s just say I eat it in small quantities. But, I am voting with my ever shrinking wallet.

      1. Not sure why your referencing packaged food like it’s a necessity? I eat over 10,000 calories a day of mostly meats, fish, cheese, pasta, potatoes. And none of it is GMO, and all of it I get rather cheap by buying it in bulk. Even all of the fancy beef steaks that are normally expensive are cheap when you buy in bulk, even the ones that are only fed GMO-free. Packaged foods will always be unnecessarily expensive, unless their selling garbage, or using very poor people as labor.

        1. I would like to know where you shop! My son is coming to live with me he is 27 and eats like a full grown male loin. I am veg but not him. Where do you get non gmo bulk meat?

  26. DopeHippie, YOU are the problem.
    DH aside, just vote with your dollars, people. Grow some balls and be strong instead of caving to your favorite foods and addictive lifestyles. Inform yourselves and don’t buy GMO products. Let your grocers know what you’re NOT buying. Be assured, if you let GMOs win, you will most certainly lose. That’s as simple as it gets.

    1. I bought a box of crackers yesterday from a company that never uses any GMOs. $6 a box. The jar of GMO free peanut butter? $5: and it’s tiny. Nature’s Path cereal? let’s just say I eat it in small quantities. But, I am voting with my ever shrinking wallet.

      1. Not sure why your referencing packaged food like it’s a necessity? I eat over 10,000 calories a day of mostly meats, fish, cheese, pasta, potatoes. And none of it is GMO, and all of it I get rather cheap by buying it in bulk. Even all of the fancy beef steaks that are normally expensive are cheap when you buy in bulk, even the ones that are only fed GMO-free. Packaged foods will always be unnecessarily expensive, unless their selling garbage, or using very poor people as labor.

        1. I would like to know where you shop! My son is coming to live with me he is 27 and eats like a full grown male loin. I am veg but not him. Where do you get non gmo bulk meat?

  27. For me this is just another BS group that spend their time pushing their opinion. There is not any scientific data that there’s even a problem Why protest something that may never be a problem. Because people spend a lot of time kicking up dust to keep you from seeing the real issues.

  28. For me this is just another BS group that spend their time pushing their opinion. There is not any scientific data that there’s even a problem Why protest something that may never be a problem. Because people spend a lot of time kicking up dust to keep you from seeing the real issues.

  29. It will come back to haunt them! Disgraceful, studies show tumors have grown in rats from GMO foods, and the government allows this,… why? I guess they are getting a lot richer and their hands are being buttered by the big businesses. Who in the administration cares for the people and the health of our children. To think of the audacity, even as Michelle Obama goes around jumping children about to get them healthy, lose weight by trying to put carrot sticks on the menu? Gmo’s cause obesity it is well thought. If these people in our Govt. and congress really cared and not about their pocketbooks or power, this would not be allowed until further testing was done on these crops that are injected with round up. But oh no they don’t have to worry they are richer now and eat only organics! Go figure! HYPOCRISY to its fullest! England’s asthma rate went up 50% with the introduction of GMO crops, now they do not want GMOs either. England and other European countries have items labeled so at least people can choose for themselves what they eat. But not in the good old USA no, no labeling just in case the stuff is really bad for you! The funny think is Obama rallied for labeling in 2007 now he is bowing to Monsanto, I guess money Talks and BS walks. Everyone has a price tag? What happened to our moral compass? Well what goes around comes around as the saying goes.

    1. another secret method to slowly poison us. people are stupid cuz they don’t read food product labels. another key agenda other then agenda 21 to terminate humans from the planet…population control…see georgia guidestone website. you’ll see the global plan by the 1 percent elite who will squeeze the last breath outa you.

    2. Half the story

      here’s something you left out in your over-emotional post about the tumours and rats:

      “There were some reported findings some considered strange, however.
      Rats that ate the higher percentages of genetically modified corn did
      not get as sick as those who were eating the lower percentages.

      Critics also have taken issue with the study’s methodology. Specifically the researchers’ choice of rats are known for their propensity to develop
      mammary tumors if their diet is not controlled. Also, the control group
      of just 20 mice is rather small and makes it hard to draw conclusions
      from comparisons.”

      Nothing is cut and dried, and are you doing a service telling half the story and omitting certain parts like the above? Are you no better than the government by lying and deceiving people? It’s up for debate.

      Before you attack me, I’m all for non GMO food – but when you act and argue poorly, you aren’t helping. Tell the full story and let people decide with the FULL STORY. Not the part that benefits your argument.

  30. It will come back to haunt them! Disgraceful, studies show tumors have grown in rats from GMO foods, and the government allows this,… why? I guess they are getting a lot richer and their hands are being buttered by the big businesses. Who in the administration cares for the people and the health of our children. To think of the audacity, even as Michelle Obama goes around jumping children about to get them healthy, lose weight by trying to put carrot sticks on the menu? Gmo’s cause obesity it is well thought. If these people in our Govt. and congress really cared and not about their pocketbooks or power, this would not be allowed until further testing was done on these crops that are injected with round up. But oh no they don’t have to worry they are richer now and eat only organics! Go figure! HYPOCRISY to its fullest! England’s asthma rate went up 50% with the introduction of GMO crops, now they do not want GMOs either. England and other European countries have items labeled so at least people can choose for themselves what they eat. But not in the good old USA no, no labeling just in case the stuff is really bad for you! The funny think is Obama rallied for labeling in 2007 now he is bowing to Monsanto, I guess money Talks and BS walks. Everyone has a price tag? What happened to our moral compass? Well what goes around comes around as the saying goes.

    1. another secret method to slowly poison us. people are stupid cuz they don’t read food product labels. another key agenda other then agenda 21 to terminate humans from the planet…population control…see georgia guidestone website. you’ll see the global plan by the 1 percent elite who will squeeze the last breath outa you.

    2. Half the story

      here’s something you left out in your over-emotional post about the tumours and rats:

      “There were some reported findings some considered strange, however.
      Rats that ate the higher percentages of genetically modified corn did
      not get as sick as those who were eating the lower percentages.

      Critics also have taken issue with the study’s methodology. Specifically the researchers’ choice of rats are known for their propensity to develop
      mammary tumors if their diet is not controlled. Also, the control group
      of just 20 mice is rather small and makes it hard to draw conclusions
      from comparisons.”

      Nothing is cut and dried, and are you doing a service telling half the story and omitting certain parts like the above? Are you no better than the government by lying and deceiving people? It’s up for debate.

      Before you attack me, I’m all for non GMO food – but when you act and argue poorly, you aren’t helping. Tell the full story and let people decide with the FULL STORY. Not the part that benefits your argument.

    1. I want half the story only OK

      Oh you mean the crappy little study of 20 mice that the entire argument is based on? The study that is increasingly looking more and more wrong every day? http://www.nature.com/news/hyped-gm-maize-study-faces-growing-scrutiny-1.11566

      http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/six-french-science-academies-dismiss-study-finding-gm-corn-harmed-rats/

      The Japanese Department of Environmental Health and Toxicology released a 52-week feeding study of GM soybeans
      in 2007, finding “no apparent adverse effect in rats.”

      Earlier this
      year, a team of scientists at the University of Nottingham School of
      Biosciences released a review
      of 12 long-term studies (up to two years) and 12 multi-generational
      studies (up to 5 generations) of GM foods, concluding there is no
      evidence of health hazards.

      I can keep going, but I think you get the idea. Remember when there were all sorts of over-emotional reactions to vaccinations causing autism, then the study claiming to “prove” this was badly handled, and disproved by the entire scientific community?

      How one bad study caused the entire movement? Ya you remember, don’t you.

    1. I want half the story only OK

      Oh you mean the crappy little study of 20 mice that the entire argument is based on? The study that is increasingly looking more and more wrong every day? http://www.nature.com/news/hyped-gm-maize-study-faces-growing-scrutiny-1.11566

      http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/six-french-science-academies-dismiss-study-finding-gm-corn-harmed-rats/

      The Japanese Department of Environmental Health and Toxicology released a 52-week feeding study of GM soybeans
      in 2007, finding “no apparent adverse effect in rats.”

      Earlier this
      year, a team of scientists at the University of Nottingham School of
      Biosciences released a review
      of 12 long-term studies (up to two years) and 12 multi-generational
      studies (up to 5 generations) of GM foods, concluding there is no
      evidence of health hazards.

      I can keep going, but I think you get the idea. Remember when there were all sorts of over-emotional reactions to vaccinations causing autism, then the study claiming to “prove” this was badly handled, and disproved by the entire scientific community?

      How one bad study caused the entire movement? Ya you remember, don’t you.

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