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Monsanto, How Evil Are Thee? Let me Count The Ways… |
31 Comments |
| By Matt Mayer in Education, Organic | April 6, 2008 | ||
Vanity Fair has a great article on their site featuring one of our favorite corporate villains, Monsanto. It is truly astounding the amount of evil doing that this one company can engage in.
From a business standpoint Monsanto certainly has the right to patent their genetically modified seeds, and profit and protect their profits with litigation from their business developments. But they do not have the right to give us products that suck. Their products suck. They spread all over the countryside. They don’t stay contained. In short, they act like plants. (Amazing, I know)
Monsanto as a company lies, incredibly, about what they are doing. They bribe officials around the world and they seem to treat the world as their toilet. That’s not right for the rest of us.
When their seeds are let loose Monsanto does have the right to ensure that farmers are buying their seeds through proper channels. But they do not have the right to coerce, threaten or harass farmers. We have a legal system for a reason. They certainly do not have the right to chase after farmers who are just victims in their (Monsanto’s) inability to control the seeds. (like this poor farmer) If they can’t keep their seeds under control then they should not be allowed to produce them. So far our government has failed to protect us in this endeavor.
The easiest way to force them to stop this nonsense is to stop being involved with them. Buy only organic food. Don’t eat CAFO meat, which is stuffed with GM corn and soybeans. Don’t use ethanol, which is made from GM corn. (Same with biodiesel) Stop buying vegetable oils from GM seeds. Use organic cotton. Monsanto is trying to make inroads on GM sugar beets, and if they do start buying organic sugar. Even better, let the candy companies know that you don’t want GM sugar. They have the power to stop it.
You have the power to change this too. Just change your consumption patterns.
Picture courtesy of the Vanity Fair article.
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DR said,
Not much disagreement, but I would certainly question Monsanto’s “right” to patent seeds, or any other life form for that matter. The whole legal basis for patenting life forms is shaky at best (and can ultimately be shown to be absurd – where does it end, in patenting of whales or humans?). Patents on life forms have been refused in the past (witness the rejection by Canada’s Supreme Court of a patent on a genetically modified mouse some years back), essentially because of the absurdity inherent in trying to patent a living thing that evolves, grows and changes (including the possibility of producing mutants). It is only a matter of time, I think, before courts start recognizing how preposterous the whole idea of patenting life forms is, and begin to strike these down.
The Nourisher said,
Percy’s had a win this week against Monsanto. It appears the plants grew back a year later and Percy hit them up for the bill for removal. They said they’d pay if he signed a release gagging him from ever speaking about it. He refused. Three years later, they’ve paid up and Percy speaks to Universities all around the world.
http://editor.nourishedmagazine.com.au/articles/a-small-win-against-monsanto
Kory said,
I like the parting shot against steve milloy, Fauxnews’ on staff denier of all things unprofitable. Its no surprise that the same man who defends DDT would be getting payola from Monsanto.
Dud3man said,
Well, we could always hack their server, vandalizing the website, deleting files, and stealing all of the company email addresses so we can sign them up for spam and porn. It wouldn’t be too hard. >:-)
jk… a little bit at least…
Dud3man said,
But seriously, send a bunch of companies lots of emails telling them how you won’t buy their products if they use GMOs (AND of course follow through with that). It will work if enough people do it. Well, a LOT of people.
sharingcaring said,
Thanks for this post. There is a documentary film about this subject entitled, ‘The Future of Food’. You can view the complete film at this link:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food
Paul said,
It would be nice to think companies would CARE whether you’d buy their product or not – but the fact is – most all of them are liars, and many of them are in cahoots with Monshitto, directly or indirectly, and the majority of the rest are intimidated by Monshitto.
Mike said,
you people are ridiculous, I lived next to a Monsanto for 20 years, guess what never happened, any of the bull you claim, oh and I’d like to see you stop using products produced with Monsanto products, You’d better stop brushing your teeth, using matches shampoo and basically using anything produced by anyone, I hate listening to these environmental jackasses who don’t know anything about protecting the environment.
EnRage said,
Monsanto IS the #1 most evil corporate conglomerate in the world…hands down! First they were a chemical company that is the creator of agent orange, pesticides, herbicides, and many, many others. They polluted more land than any other company in the US. And did little to clean up their mess. Then the switched gears and went into biotechnology and are the first company ever in history to put a patent on life…their genetically modified seeds. If you ever do some research on these GMO’s it’s a pretty scary thing. They will be responsible for world hunger. The scary part is, hundreds of their former employees work in out trusty government. Donald Rumsfeld (the anti Christ) was a CEO, Clarence Thomas was one of their lawyers in the 70’s and wrote the majority opinion in the 2001 Supreme Court decision on the patent of these seeds. The US government has been in bed with Monsanto for many years. Obama is appointing many of their former employees into Big Government. Monsanto sues small farmers across the country every year because of the seeds that may have wandered over onto their land.. They attack farmers that refuse to use their growth hormones on farm animals. They have cornered the market on the beef industry. McDonalds anyone?
Personally I boycott any food company that uses Monsanto products. Kellogg is a big one. Basically I pass by everything on our grocery shelves nowadays. They are the ultimate evil and Big government is their best ally. Communism? Unless americans are educated on monsanto, and in may take nothing short of a revolution to get them out of power…life as we know it in america will never be the same. Most countries in the world prohibit their seeds …maybe I’ll move to one of those countries.
namaste'19 said,
I saw the movie the future of food and i was shocked that i never knew any of this before. The movie actually made me cry. Before i saw the movie, my boyfriend and i were already considering moving to join a csa and eventually learn to sastainably support ourselves. When we tell people about our plans they usually laugh us off and think we’re crazy. That’s what scares me the most, is that there are so many people in our country who dont know enough about this, and continue eating their mcdonalds and whatever. This is what’s contributing to our economy. People can’t remember a time when a man grew his own food, and that’s how they made a living. Now everyone is concerned about texting, and new iphone applications (apps) and we’re all becoming robots. im not sure i can have kids in this kind of environment. Hopefully in this country there is still power in numbers, and we can all come together to make this world a better place. although i’m sure the leaders have their own agenda and can take care of us earth-lovers and tree-huggers real fast.
namaste'19 said,
i just read that they now have approval to test their biotech corn in mexico. This is supposed to improve their living standards. what!?! I can’t believe this!
About Monsanto Company
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world’s natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: http://www.monsanto.com.
they will soon take over the planet..
Censorship said,
Don’t bother posting if you have an opinion other than the radical owners of this site…because they will remove it…no wonder is seems so biased in content.
You have learned well from your insane master in the WH…
NC said,
Keep fighting the good fight, GG.
@censorship. Projection much?
The MSM is full of folk who tow the corporate line and parrot the talking points (*cough* lies *cough*) coming out of Monsanto (GMOs ending world hunger, right?).
People can demand changes with their purchase choices. It was pressure from McDs to get the feed lots to change some of their feeding practices after it was revealed (via shows like Oprah) they were feeding ruminants to ruminants.
Really ignorant said,
Monsanto SUCKS. They commit crimes against nature like developing genetically altered plants that can resist boll worms(cotton destroying insects). Who are they to create plants which increase yields and decrease the needs for insecticide? I am infuriated that monsatan would develope such abominations. Seriously, who cares if food prices soar or if people on non-american continents die of starvation. The only thing that matters is my peace-of-mind.
Alisa said,
Dear Really Ignorant,
Yes there are pests that destroy crops. Have you ever heard of crop rotation? If you switch what is grown between seasons, it helps stop the spread of such pests, thus reducing the need for such insane amounts of pesticides that farmers have to purchase specially engineered soybeans just to withstand the chemicals. Monsanto can afford to come up with these patents and poisons but America cannot afford to lose our land and health to such solutions. Natural solutions are available, or, at the very least, less harmful ones.
Steveo said,
Really Ignorant is funny. The cotton plants have been turned into hazardous waste! Animals that eat them, as is the usual farming practice after the cotton has been picked, have died! So the usefulness of the plant has been erased, so for a higher seed cost, you now have to deal with hazardous waste…Monsanto increased the price in India fourfold as well, so much for helping the poor.
The real problem is that people who think they know something, don’t have a clue about GMO foods or seeds. They do not increase yields at all versus contemporary farming practices. They make it easier to control weeds by spraying with more herbicides, or reduce pesticide spraying, that is all. All of the yield improvements have been made with fertilizers and pesticides years ago, so the GMO science has nothing to offer. In fact, a closer look will find many problems. The GMO products are unsuitable as food any longer. They have spliced genes with a shotgun approach and no knowledge of the consequences. Until lately they thought Genetics was linear, now we know for a fact it is an exponential complex relationships. All Monsanto’s claims as to the safety and efficacy of the products have been complete lies. ALL animal feeding studies show it KILLS or STERILIZES the animals. The genetic sequence is passed from the seed to the plant and anything that consumes the plant or the animal that ate the plant. You now have gut bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics and produces insecticides, thanks to Monsanto and the US FDA. It is probably one of the worst tragedies in human history and will end up just like the tobacco cases as the states and countries will sue for TRILLIONS when it is all said and done.
Shame on a company like Monsanto and the people who enabled them to get this to market without minimal proper scientific testing. They are all culpable and should be hanged from the gallows.
The only thing we can do is inundate companies with questions about their product safety if they use GMO’s . Then they will take a look and find out the problems and banish them from their products. Europe has set a good standard here and does not allow any GMO’s in their union…I don’t always agree with socialist EU, but this is one case where they lead and we will have to follow. It is up to us, because our own government is in bed with Monsanto. See “Food, Inc”, “The world according to Monsanto”, etc.
Changing My Food Habits « a greener state of mind said,
[...] also mentions rGBH in milk (I’m a big milk drinker), Monsanto (dubbed one of groovygreen’s ‘favorite corporate villains’), and possibile connections to cancer. There’s [...]
Paul said,
Mike who posted in October, you’re a little paid pussy mouthpiece or you are a murderer yourself or the stupidest person on the planet.
Check out Monsanto’s corn is causing liver damage and organ damage. I spit on those criminal murdering fucks:
Mike, you think you’re smart. You’re one stupid loser.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/monsantos-gmo-corn-linked_n_420365.html
Right to Know: Pesticide Inert Ingredients « Wondercide Blog said,
[...] a consumer, I say “better late than never, and I won’t hold my breath”. Pesticide manufacturers should be held as responsible as other manufacturers in the packaging and distribution of their [...]
Jen said,
I’m scared! I’m 26 years old & my plan (like most people) is to settle down and have a couple of kids. NOW, I can’t even think of having children!! I live in Canada and all this info is new to me… What are we gonna do?
Midwestern said,
None of you people get it. You sit up in your urban homes and devise ways to get rid of Genetically Mdified crops. Monsanto has done shaky things before but you fail to recognise the good they have done. Monsanto products have alowed farmers to produce outstanding yeilds (amount of crop pe acre) while using less pesticides and fertilizer. They do not only increase farm efficiency they are also essential in a world with a rapidly growing population. Weather you like it or not GM food are here to stay. The current population of this planet could not be sustained by organic farming. Adnd organic crops green.Do you think runing tractors on deisel to plant a cornfeild just for a majority of it to be ate up by root worms green. No green is a product that kills worm on contat with the root. No pestisides, high yeilds, no problem. Monsanto oes not make all their money from shady buisness Monsanto makes money because they have the best product to sell and people are willing to pay.
rhonda said,
Hello all,
I have just become aware of the tactics of Montsanto and watched several good documentaries including “The World According to Montsanto.” Truly criminal activity. Everyone has been speculating about who the antichrist could be and hey! Montsanto makes the top three choices! Hehehe-but not really funny.
My goal is to educate people and find out how to force labeling of GE products. Any suggestions?
Chris said,
I’m amazed people out there actually support Monsanto……… Huge congolomerates are RARELY good! Even Walmart has finally seen the light and are trying to get away from chinese goods and crap. But in the end our country is all about profit, and every political figure in our country is out to get a piece of his own pie. Dem Rep doesn’t matter, so don’t give me any political crap or green guy, because I’ll be the first to tell you that global warming is crap science AT BEST! But to believe that we as a species cannot even feed ourselves without the glorious oh holy mansanto is BS and you all know it. We’ve been growing our own food for centuries with no problem, we have no scientific evidence of long term usage of GM crops so yea they may be good today but what happens 20 years down the line when the entire generation is falling ill to unknown diseases or antibiotic immunities and we have these superbugs that are basically being engineered, maybe indirectly but because of GM crops. We are killing ourselves, a little bit every single day.
The sad part is, IT IS IN ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!! You can’t read a label without seeing some form of corn, or MSG or something else to enhance the food because I guess real food just doesn’t taste that good??? We as a society have grown so complacent in regards to where our food comes from that we just flat out don’t care. As long as people have their iphones or blackberries or whatever new gadget (ipad anyone) it’s all CRAP. I’m a computer geek myself, so trust me I know technology and even I’M SCARED as to the level our technology is going.
I’m not saying big business is bad, because it can help in a lot of ways, but we CANNOT allow a company to patent the origins of life, that is just insane, do I hold the patents to my child when he or she is born?? I’ve seen court cases of children suing their parents for facebook libel! Yet we cannot even see that a company as big as Monsanto is killing every single one of us just to make a dollar. Until our entire consciousness as a nation changes as to what is really important in life, nothing will change. We will elect the same dumb politicians thinking we’re getting “Change” when all we get is more of the same with a new bow to make us all think it’s christmas. Bush was in bed with them, Clinton was in bed with them, Obama is in bed with them, it’s not limited to one party guys!!!! Everyone is in bed with them!! Get rid of this two party system and vote independent or green party or liberatarian do something other than the same crap you’ve all been doing.
Definition of insanity – Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result……
We are all being killed, if there is nothing else you remember from my post remember that there is NOT ONE SINGLE POLITICIAN in any facet of government who is looking out for you, and anyone who says they are only wants your vote so they can get in on the big money train that is government. USDA is crap, FDA is crap, DO NOT RELY on your government to tell you what’s good and what’s not. We’re a representative republic, it’s about damn time we all started acting like it!!
Bullhorn Journal said,
Monsanto is a reasoned, amoral corporation operating under the laws as they’ve been set forth. Okay, maybe that’s a little toooo forgiving. But really, we need to address the laws that allow these monstrous corporations to do this to the world. I just completed a short documentary for the local pbs station about the genetically modified pepper being developed in New Mexico. The film gives a broad overview of the entire GMO issue with details. Details like, there is no GE seed on the market for enhanced nutrition! http://bullhornjournal.com/blog1/genetic-chile-movie/
See full article from WalletPop: http://srph.it/dwbRBT
Please Listen said,
Monsanto Makes me sick! I am very against Power hungry, Money Greedy Businesses that care more about the green in their wallet than the life of a fellow American. I watched an amazing Movie in my Science Class today and It had quite a lengthy piece on Monsanto Soy Beans. This part of the movie opened my eyes to the corruption of this company. Before I did not realize that the Soy Beans I so readily ate at a cheep price had cost many a innocent grower their Job, Their Money, their Way of life, and ultimately Their Hearts.
There are so many Monsanto Soy Bean growers it is near impossible to avoid cross pollination. Cross pollination is a natural occurrence that man nor beast can stay. Is it realy necessary to ruin Innocent farmers life’s for a natural occurrence? It may be legal but is it morally Justified? No it is not. You can not Justify Wounding another’s life to better your own, Especially when your life is already rich as it is, doing so is down right PATHETIC. Monsanto’s Heart is Corrupted by Green, by Wealth.
This world would be a better place if not for this Mass obsession for Money and power. Monsanto is not the only one to blame for this problem, but they are a factor of it. If Monsanto where to change its way, and put others life’s before their own, “To be honest and Fair in the game of life.” It would help change the world. The change would not be eminent, But other powerful companies would see that, With Fairness and integrity profit can be made better than with deceit and Greed.
It only takes one step to for change to happen I challenge Monsanto take that step. I dare you to help make this world a better place before its to late. Put greed and power aside and do whats right, It will only bring more pain and suffering if you do not. Don’t tarnish your reputation any more than it is with lies, Buff it clean By helping the world.
Or you can choose to not listen to a 17 year old girl who does not want to have to life in a world full of hate pain, and lies. A 17 year old girl who does not ant her future children to be subjected to these negative factors. A 17 year old girl who does not want to see mothers loose their children due to the dishonesty of this world. A 17 year old girl who demands CHANGE.
The video we watched was ‘The Future of Food’. You can view the complete film at this link:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food
It is a Very inspirational Video that Everyone in the world should take time to watch. As consumers we don’t deserve to be left in the dark.
Sudha Sinha said,
I have to fight for my country, because the politicians are selling our Motherland. Farmers are committing suicide due to the “terminator seeds”. The innocent and unaware public is forced to take poisonous food infested by “Monsanto” . We have to fight out this evil and revive our own basic agriculture system with advanced tools.The agro-scientists of India are capable of increasing the productivity of the soil as well as the seeds. They are being ignored and even harassed whenever they voice their opinion, which goes against the evil designs of any politician.
I want to make a team of real well wishers of the country who can contribute in many ways; with ideas, with actions, with resources, with executive capacity and so on.
The US State Department, Monsanto, and the Genetically Modifieds…Jack’s Beanstalk Leads to Children of the Corn said,
[...] these are all relevant points, from a personal and community perspective, but certainly nothing that would invest the time [...]
Miller said,
Everything these people are saying is correct. I can’t be thankful enough to finally find some more people who understand the atrocities of what’s going on.
Definitely a boycott is needed, but we also need to find an alternate source of food. They do have an illegal monopoly after all.
KELLY WILSON said,
MONSANTO IS PURE EVIL. I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE U.S. IS IN BED WITH THIS COMPANY. AMERICA IS DOOMED IF US AMERICANS DO NOT STAND UP AGAINST THIS TYPE OF COMPANY. WE REALLY NEED TO GET RID OF COMPANIES LIKE THIS. WE SURVIVED JUST FINE B4 THEY EVEN EXISTED. I FEEL REALLY BAD FOR FARMERS LOSING THE CROPS, THEIR LIVELIHOOD, THEIR HOMES. HOW CAN ANY COMPANY MAKE THOSE CLAIMS AND GET AWAY WITH IT. UNF#$%^IN BELIEVABLE. SHAME ON YOU PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THIS COMPANY. YOU CAN COUNT ON ME GETTING WORD OUT ABOUT THIS. THE GOOD WILL SURVIVE. LETS ALL GET TOGETHER AND GO TO WASHINGTON AND STOP THIS COMPANY AND THIS ADMINISTRATION. WE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK. IMPEACH OBAMA
fearlesslycultivated.com » Consumerism Gone… Right? said,
[...] http://www.groovygreen.com/groove/?p=2921 [...]
Heintze60@hotmail.com said,
Add Monsanto to the top of the expanding list of evil corporate empires. So much for our “free market system” and the Sherman anti-trust act!….BP, Enron, Haliburton, etc. have nothing on these guys! Living near their headquarters, Mike (10/16/08) post, will tell you NOTHING about whats happening inside the negotiating comglomerate. It’s incredulous that there are so many far right “brown heads” like you (someone with their head up their ass), who remain in denail, by exhonerating big business in all of its endeavors (just because they provide jobs–when they don’t feel like downsizing)! Both big government AND big business (who are often in collusion with one another, run this country). They are BOTH the bad guys (in this insatiable power grab for global economic control). WE’RE the good guys! Merely generating wealth for your company isn’t enough–its what you do with it! Also, Kelly, we can’t impeach every president, just because the minority non-electorate disagrees with their policies. Our presidents are little more than figureheaded puppets. Monopolies like monsanto have been gaining traction for so long that president Howard Taft was committed to “breaking them up” 100 years ago!