Monsanto to Police Itself?

Monsanto may soon be allowed to conduct its own environmental studies. Currently, the USDA is responsible for assessing environmental impacts of new GMO crops, but the agency plans to at least temporarily hand over environmental impact reporting responsibilities to the biotech companies behind GMO crops.

If this isn't the classic example of the fox guarding the henhouse I don't know what is.

You might think that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) don't affect you. But in fact, up to 90 percent of all major U.S. grown crops are grown with genetically engineered seed, and can be used in human and animal foods without any safety testing or labeling. This includes GM corn, soybeans, canola, and sugar beets, which have made their way into approximately 80 percent of current U.S. grocery store items.

The USDA won't actually admit that it's bad at performing its duties -- instead, the agency claims that the move will make the environmental reporting process more timely, efficient, and cost-effective.

Scientific testing has not been done on what effects GMOs may have on humans. What has been shown is that GMO foods contain excessive amounts of certain toxins, the effects of which have not been determined. Genetically modified foods also negatively impact the environment by creating more toxins and potentially leading to the creation of mutated soil bacteria, which may lead to more harm regarding the future of food production.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

dfssfs

Anonymous said...

Ah, yes... More of the corporate state for you. Who could think this is a good idea?

Bob said...

I agree with you T/s that it's like letting the fox guard the hen house. Two things. The first is that it should be up to the individual states to determine the safety of GMO's sold in their respective states. The federal government is over stepping it's authority....BUT....it's easy to see that this is an attempt to reduce costs by the federal government. They may be preparing to downsize. They should. Either way you can't trust them to tell you their products are not safe. Thats foolish.

Local Leader said...

This is why I have my own personal emergency non GMO seed collection to plant 3 acres of delicious food.

Anonymous said...

ahhh.....heirloom seeds

Liberal Elite said...

"The USDA won't actually admit that it's bad at performing its duties -- ..."

Hold on here. It seems that the USDA is just taking the playbook from the FDA. When a company wants to get a new drug approved, it does all the research trials and then submits that research to the FDA for review. The government has limited ability (and no obligation) to carry out these studies.

Imagine it the other way. A company wants to market a new drug, and then the government needs to go out and test it??? That's nuts. Why should taxpayers pay for that?

Anonymous said...

LE.....agreed. Now we finally agree on something.