Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumThe Twisted Politics of GMOs
June 29, 2015
Capture, Smear, Contaminate
The Twisted Politics of GMOs
by COLIN TODHUNTER
When rich companies with politically-connected lobbyists and seats on public bodies bend policies for their own ends, we are in serious trouble. It is then that public institutions become hijacked and our choices, freedoms and rights are destroyed. Corporate interests have too often used their dubious science, lobbyists, political connections and presence within the heart of governments to subvert institutions set up to supposedly protect the public interest for their own commercial benefit. Once their power has been established, anyone who questions them or who stands in their way can expect a very bumpy ride.
The revolving door between the private sector and government bodies has been well established. In the US, many senior figures from the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) industry, especially Monsanto, have moved with ease to take up positions with the Food and Drug Administration and Evironmental Protection Agency and within the government. Writer and researcher William F Engdahl writes about a similar influence in Europe, noting the links between the GMO sector within the European Food Safety Authority. He states that over half of the scientists involved in the GMO panel which positively reviewed the Monsantos study for GMO maize in 2009, leading to its EU-wide authorisation, had links with the biotech industry.
Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDAs job Phil Angell, Monsantos director of corporate communications. Playing God in the Garden New York Times Magazine,October 25, 1998.
Phil Angells statement begs the question: then who should vouchsafe for it, especially when the public bodies have been severely comprised? Monsanto has all angles covered.
When corporate interests are able to gain access to such positions of power, little wonder they have some heavy-duty tools at their disposal to try to fend off criticism by all means necessary.
More:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/06/29/the-politics-of-gmos/
djean111
(14,255 posts)Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDAs job Phil Angell, Monsantos director of corporate communications. Playing God in the Garden New York Times Magazine,October 25, 1998.
What. the. fuck.
Nihil
(13,508 posts)> Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food.
> Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible."
And boy do they use every tool in their box to do just that ...