-Caveat Lector- >Subject: B-GE: Guardian (London) writes about Monsanto political clout > >Biotech food giant wields power in Washington > >John Vidal on the politics of the GM food industry > >Guardian (London)Thursday February 18, 1999 > >While European scientists, politicians, and pressure groups furiously >debate the merits of GM foods, there is barely any discussion in the US, >the home of the $50-billion-a-year bio-technelogy industry. > >The US government, which actively promotes the industry worldwide and >accepts millions of dollars a year from Monsanto and other companies, >maintains there is no health or environmental risk. > >But the foods have been introduced with very few people being aware of >them, and Monsanto, the leading food revolution company, is widely >regarded as one of the world's most innovative, successful and responsible >companies. > >It employs 25,000 people, including 1,900 scientists, gives freely to >charities and foundations, and pays for science theme parks. > >It is a hero on Wall Street where in the four years since its visionary >chief executive, Bob Shapiro, took over and started launchung its GM >products on the world market, it has seen its share price soar and its >market capitalisation grow to more than $26 billion. > >The science-friendly corporate image of environmental responsibility has >been built on its very close links to political parties, say Monsanto >critics. The company is one of three big funders of Clinton's >Welfare-to-Work programme, and there is a constant exchange of staff >between the government, the company and the regulatory bodies. > >Its access to power isbarely questioned. Scientists are widely trusted and >what is good for corporations is seen as good for everyone. A Monsanto >board member chaired Clinton's presidential campaign. > >Another senior executive mapped US pesticide policy, and a third was a top >Clinton aide. The company also donates heavily to both main political >parties and pays lobbyists to represent its interests at every point. > >Like other corporations it quite legally gives money to congressmen who >sit on food safety and regulatory committees. > >Betty Martini, of the consumer group, Mission Possible, which watches >Monsanto's activities in the US, said: 'The Food and Drug Administration, >which regulates the US food industry, is so closely linked to the biotech >industry now that it could be desribed as their Washington branch office.' > >Monsanto executives agree that they work closely with the government but >say that the regulatory system is based on sound science. 'It's tough to >get anything through', says a company spokesman. > >The company, with other biotech firms, paved the way for public acceptance >of GM technology up to 10 years ago by preparing 'educational' information >for schools and investing heavily in science museums. > >Meanwhile it and other companies were lobbying global organisations to >prohibit the worldwide labelling of GM foods. US embassies around the >world are known to lobby for the industry in most countries > >But the first stirrings of revolt are now being heard. US activists are >targeting company chiefs, and the powerful Union of Concerned Scientists >is calling for more caution. > >The health and environmental risks are under-appreciaed, says Dr Marion >Mellon of the UCS. 'Billions of dollars have been devoted to developing >the technology but few resources have been put into understanding its >effects.' > >Meanwhile unexpected environmental results in the US are worrying farmers, >and the rapidly growing healthfood and organic farming industry. This >month, 89,000 packets of organic tortilla chips had to be destroyed after >being found to contain GM organisms. It is believed that they were >'contaminated' by a nearby field of GM maize. > >The US requires that no GM foods be labelled, and allows biotech companies >to largely police themselves. After heavy lobbying, the biotech industry >has persuaded 14 states to pass laws to prevent the 'spreading of false >and damaging information about food'. > >The heavily subsidised US food industry is thought to be worth more than >$300 billion a year and its acceptance of the GM revolution is almost >complete. Fifty million acres of land was grown with GM crops, last year >in the US, much of it soyabean and maize. > >Acreage is expected to double within two years and grow exponentially for >at least five years. > > >** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material >is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest >in receiving the included information for research and educational >purposes. ** > >============================= > > > > >---- >For instructions on joining, leaving, or otherwise using the Ban-GEF list, >send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with HELP in the SUBJECT line. >---- DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
