Arguments for and against the use of genetic modification techniques in the agricultural and healthcare/disease-prevention sectors typically focus on potential impacts to human health, and/or to wider ecosystems and natural services (a much more important area to watch, in my opinion than human health). My issue with genetic modification and the use of genetically modified
New research from the University of Arizona has shown us yet another example of the many ways in which GMO-crops (genetically modified organisms) fail to live up to the hype. In this case, the research found that the efficacy of pest control via GMO-use has been notably exaggerated — and that many assumptions about the
One of the major agricultural pests of the African continent — the Busseola fusca caterpillar — has now developed resistance to the Bt-toxin that GMO corn relies on for its productivity. While the relatively fast emergence of resistance in the caterpillars is notable in its own right, what’s most interesting is that the resistance is
Over 2 million people participated in Saturday’s March Against Monsanto protest, according to protest organizers — marking the protest as a great success. The organizers have reported that protests were held in over 52 countries, and 436 cities — a truly global protest, reflecting public sentiment about GMOs. The protest on May 25 2013, while
“Blink and you might have missed it.” Even though Food Democracy Now protesters took their fight straight to Obama, protesting in front of the White House against Section 735 of the bill, he signed anyway. Coming quickly to the forefront are disappointment and concerns for the population of the United States. Below are some more
Many of the assumptions that the use of GMO crops are based upon are not true, researchers at the University of Arizona have found. Specifically, the widely-used new strategy of planting GMO crops that produce two or more toxins to provide “redundant” killing of insect pests is based on assumptions that simply aren’t always true.
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
New research from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has found that genetically modified Bt cotton crops, which contain the Bt toxin poisonous to the primary enemies of cotton, have considerably weaker defenses against their secondary enemies, such as aphids, as a result. Many plant species when attacked by insects release poisons that protects them
University of Illinois professor emeritus of the department of food science and nutrition Bruce Chassy There is little doubt that genetically modified (GM) crops will play an increasingly crucial role in global agriculture in the coming decades — especially as the world grapples with the challenges of providing food, and food security, for an estimated
My previous Monsanto Claus cartoons: Monsanto Claus 2009: Ho Ho Oh No! (original title, eh?) Monsanto Claus 2010: A RoundUp-Resistant Christmas Joe’s cartoon archive, twitter ramblings and StumbleUpon page…
In another blow to multinational agribusiness companies such as Monsanto, Bayer, and Dow, Peru last week became the latest in a series of countries to ban GMO foods. Last week, a law took effect which bans the import, production, and use of genetically modified foods anywhere in Peru for the next ten years. Peru isn’t
If you’re in California and you aren’t familiar with Proposition 37 (aka Prop 37), you should really learn a few things about it before heading over to the voting booth. Here’s a great infographic on the proposition to help you do just that (larger version available at the source, Reuse This Bag):
Herbicide use in the agricultural production of three GMO herbicide-tolerant crops (cotton, soybeans and corn) has been significantly and rapidly increasing, according to new research from Washington State University. It may sound counterintuitive to some people, but there have been warnings of just such a result since the beginning of GMO use in agriculture.
[UPDATED – Oct. 15, 27, 2012; see below] The results of a controversial French study on the health effects of GM corn and Roundup-tainted drinking water on rats were released this past Wednesday, triggering a Euro-wide ‘media storm’ in the process. The news is barely making a ripple here in the U.S. The study tested
There are 3 quick steps you need to take today to STOP MONSANTO: Sign a petition to get the “Monsanto riders” out of the multi-billion dollar FY 2013 Agricultural Appropriations bill The rider would require — not allow, require — the Secretary of Agriculture to grant a temporary permit for the planting or cultivation
A new GMO corn that is immune to 2,4-D, one of the main ingredients in Agent Orange, is close to being approved for use in agriculture by the USDA. If Dow AgroSciences’ new GMO corn is approved, it will allow for widespread spraying of 2,4-D without damaging crops. “The scientific community has sounded alarms
For all those who would like to know if they’re eating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or not, or what like to avoid it, there’s some exciting news in Vermont. “Eleven state representatives in Vermont have submitted legislation to require labeling of genetically modified organisms,” Heather Carr of sister site Eat Drink Better reports. Here’s
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) recently published info on 10 ways Monsanto and Big Ag “try” to kill us and the planet. I wouldn’t presume they are “trying” to, just that they are more concerned with their profits than the effects they are having on people and the planet. Nonetheless, the list is great, I’m
The International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotic Applications has released data on genetically modified (GM) crops around the world. Here’s a visualization/map of the data, via the UK’s Guardian: I think we all know why Hungary isn’t on the map.
News: Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) or genetically engineered (GE) sweet corn has been approved for production and sale in the U.S. Not only that, it won’t be labeled. Food & Water Watch has a last-ditch campaign to stop the corn from invading our markets and dinner plates. It’s a campaign to get Walmart to reject
News: Via Eat Drink Better, this ‘fun fact’: “Genetically engineered food does not have to be labeled in the U.S., but 90% of Americans want labels on GMOs.” Why this is important: Basically, GMO companies and our policy makers are conducting a massive experiment on us. It’s not clear yet if GMOs are really
via Organic Consumers Association (on email), except for the image: What if Monsanto had to pay for its corporate crimes? It is inevitable that one day Monsanto will be held responsible for the enormous human health and environmental damages arising from the so-called “responsible” use of its toxic pesticides, chemicals, and mutant genetically engineered
In putting together this infographic (I have a larger version of the image if anyone wants it) it struck me that nearly all of the Monsanto endeavors I chose to highlight here rode the same wave of public opinion. In regards to nuclear weapons, DDT, PCBs, Agent Orange, and aspartame, the talking point was that each was beneficial to America/Americans. But time (life’s best teacher) taught us that these were all highly toxic and deadly endeavors with the same two outcomes —
people got sick/died and
Monsanto got rich.
I am confident that GMOs will (eventually) follow suit.
I just posted this over on one of our sister sites, Eat Drink Better, yesterday. Thought our readers here on Planetsave might be interested in it as well.
This is Greenpeace — they research potential environmental issues, they pick the few most important (i.e. global climate change, long-term nuclear risk, GMOs), they educate and politic for a better future, and — if needed — they chain themselves to things.
Know anyone like this?
The Center for Food Safety and Earthjustice have teamed up to file a lawsuit against the USDA for their approval of GM alfalfa.
Does “natural” mean non-GMO? Not likely. Many breakfast cereals labeled natural are likely to contain ingredients from genetically modified corn, soy, canola, and sugar beets. This was a key finding from a survey of natural cereal manufacturers conducted by The Organic & Non-GMO Report. Several natural cereal manufacturers admitted that their products may contain GM
Genetically modified (GM) food researchers still have a long way to go to show that GM foods are actually safe. In fact, the most recent news is that they cause miscarriages in animals. That’s what a scientist researching Monsanto’s Roundup Ready genetically modified crops has found. The miscarriages are linked to an organism that was
Some of the top climate change and environmental stories of the last day or so: Climate Science Graph of the Day: Greenland Ice Sheet Mass Changes Good info and graphs on the page above, but thought I’d share the 3 videos from the post here for you to check out just in case you don’t feel
(From our sister site, Red Green and Blue) The US Department of Agriculture continues its unprecedented give-away to big agriculture monster Monsanto and its Genetically Modified (GMO) seeds. On Friday, while the media was preoccupied with the Superbowl and Egypt’s rioting, the USDA quietly announced it was deregulating Monsanto’s GMO sugar beets – despite a court
Greenpeace recently found genetically engineered maize from Monsanto, MON810, illegally growing in Italy. Now, activists from Italy, Austria, Germany and Hungary are quarantining this GE maize. “Greenpeace has taken action today to prevent any further contamination from these hazardous and illegal GE crops,” said Federica Ferrario, Greenpeace Italy Agriculture campaigner. “For days these crops will
In a huge break for the United States’ anti-GMO movement, a federal judge ruled that the US Fish & Wildlife Service should not have allowed genetically modified crops to be planted within a Prime Hook, a national wildlife refuge in Delaware. [social_buttons] The suit, filed by the Center for Food Safety, Public Employees for Environmental
Any time you eat non-organic food, there is a 70 percent chance you are ingesting genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Modern genetic modification is different from historical alterations–such as plant breeding–because today, genes are transferred from one species to another. For instance, when you eat GM food, there is a good chance it has been injected with genes from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)—hence Bt Corn.
Are these GM foods a path to end world hunger and ensure a robust harvest in the face of possible harsh future climates? Or, is it a way for corporations to gain global control over agriculture for profit, releasing organisms that have unknown effects on the environment and human health?
According to the USDA, in 1996, less than 5 percent of soy products were genetically modified. Within 12 years, that amount increased to 90 percent. These have been in our foods for over a decade and as far as we can tell, nothing has really gone wrong. Is that why most Americans are not hearing about GMOs?
