Genetic engineering (GE) involves the stimulation of basic life processes at the cellular and molecular level. It has the potential to affect the food-water-soil chain on a global scale. Like human vices in Pandora's Box, once released into the global ecosystem there is no putting back a new gene sequence. For better or worse, future generations will live with what has been created.
In the U.S., genetically modified crops have spread like wildfire. In 1995 there were no commercially grown GE crops. Last year more than 50 million U.S. acres were planted with GE crops. Over 3,000 varieties of genetically engineered plants, animals and bacteria have been developed and field-tested in the United States.
Presently 51.3 million acres of US farm land are planted in genetically engineered crops, including 45% of all cotton crops, 32% of soybeans, 25% of corn and 3.5% of potatoes. Additionally 700,000 dairy cows are being injected every two weeks with Monsanto's rBGH, a genetically altered hormone that increases milk production. Most livestock and commercial seafood are being fed genetically modified feed. Commercial pork has been genetically altered with DNA from human beings. There are approximately 30,000 products in American grocery stores that contain genetically modified organisms.
Most non-organic processed food in the US now contains at least trace levels of genetically engineered ingredients. If a food company labels their product as having no GE ingredients they can be sued under 'veggie libel' laws for implying superiority to GE products. The best way to insure that you are not consuming genetically engineered food is to buy only 'Certified Organic' products.
How did this major change occur so quickly, right under our noses, without public awareness? The answer is pure, stupid, blind trust that our government has our health and best interests at heart.
The sad truth is that Monsanto Corporation has bought favors with significant contributions to both Republicans and Democrats. They began in 1986 with Ronald Reagan, successfully lobbying his administration to insure that no new legislation was required to regulate research and production of GE foods. From Reagan to Bush to Clinton, across party lines, our government has allowed the "life sciences industry" to use us as guinea pigs.
Well, what about the FDA, USDA and the EPA? Isn't their mission to protect the health and welfare of the citizens who pay their salaries? Sorry, folks. When the FDA was drawing up guidelines to decide whether GE foods should be labeled, one of their key decision-makers was Monsanto lawyer Michael Taylor. James Maryansky, FDA biotechnology coordinator, stated that, "The FDA would not require things to be on the label just because a consumer might want to know them." The FDA ruled that risk-assessment data can be withheld as "confidential business information."
The herbicide Bromoxynil has been recognized by the EPA as a possible carcinogen and as a teratogen (it causes birth defects). Monsanto has a strain of cotton called BXN Cotton that has been modified to withstand direct spraying of Bromoxynil. Cotton seed oil is widely used as a human food and cooking additive. In licensing Bromoxynil for use on Monsanto's genetically modified BXN Cotton, the EPA conducted a risk assessment that assumed that Bromoxynil had no way to enter the human food chain.
Monsanto is positioning itself to be in control of the world's staple crops through the genetic engineering of soy, corn, potato and cotton. By the year 2000, 99% of the US soybean crop (60 million acres) will be genetically modified. Globally, Monsanto is selling two varieties of genetically modified seeds: Roundup Ready seeds that have been modified to withstand a heavy soaking of the Monsanto herbicide, and seeds implanted with a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene that causes the Bt toxin to be present in the resulting plants' cells, killing the insects that feed on them.
In the year 2000 Monsanto's patent on Roundup will expire. In a shrewd business move, any farmer who uses Roundup Ready seeds must agree to buy only Monsanto's Roundup. Next year,when 99% of the U.S. soybeans are grown from Roundup ready seed, Monsanto will have achieved a monopoly on a staple American food crop. They will gain this same control over any nation who uses their genetically engineered seed.
The Clinton Administration has been not only a cheerleader, but a full offensive line for Monsanto and the entire genetically modified food industry. Using the power of NAFTA, GATT and the World Trade Organization, it has effectively bullied American genetically engineered products into the world market.
When the French government was reluctant to allow Monsanto's seeds into the country, Secretary of State Madeline Albright and US Trade Representative Charlene Barshevshy intervened on Monsanto's behalf. When the French still refused, Clinton personally took up the matter and spoke to the French Prime Minister. He then passed the pom-poms to Al Gore who finished off the Prime Minister with a final phone call. The French finally gave in.
Clinton has imposed tariffs exceeding 100% on goods from nations that have refused our modified agricultural products, the latest being hormone fed beef which the European Union (EU) is refusing to buy.
An international anti-GE movement is rapidly growing and developing into a serious threat to the biotechnology industry and Monsanto in particular. Here is a sampling of anti-GE sentiment from around the world:
¨Greenpeace dumped four tons of US GE soybeans on the front steps of #10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Tony Blair's residence, on February 18. The banner on the truck stated, "Tony, Don't Swallow Bill's Seed".
¨The Union of Concerned Scientists' Gene Exchange (Fall/Winter 1998 issue) warns of research showing that genetically engineered Bt crops are building up Bt toxins in the soil, thereby damaging the soil food web and harming beneficial insects.
¨In April, 1998, Health Canada (Canadian equivalent to FDA) researchers issued a report stating that between 20 and 30 percent of rats fed milk from rBGH cows were developing distinct immunological reactions. On Jan 14, 1999, Canada rejected Monsanto Corporation's request for approval of rBGH.
¨The European Union has already banned rBGH. The EU plans to buy the largest shipment of canola (rapeseed) ever exported from Australia, because Australia is the only country to guarantee non-genetically modified canola.
¨In Ireland, Great Britain, France and India, farmer-led uprisings have burned and destroyed Monsanto's test plots. In India, Monsanto is growing genetically modified plants in green houses constructed of bulletproof plastic.
¨On February 5, Carrefour, France's largest supermarket chain, announced that they were taking all genetically engineered foods off their shelves. Eight days later, British supermarket chain Asda announced that it was going to remove genetically engineered ingredients from goods marketed under its own label.
¨On February 23, three of Britain's fast-food giantsÑMcDonald's, Burger King and Kentucky Fried ChickenÑeliminated GE soy and corn ingredients from their menus. In January, the British Agriculture Minister announced that UK restaurants would soon be required to start labeling meals which contain genetically modified foods.
Forty representatives of activist groups met in Cuernavaca, Mexico on February 7 to plan a Global Grassroots Campaign against Monsanto Corporation and genetically engineered foods. They have called for Global Days of Action from April 15 to 30, to educate, build local and national activist networks, and further strengthen international solidarity.
Massive grass roots campaigns against Monsanto and GE foods have kept the "life sciences" industry from invading Europe and India's food supply. Activists in the US have a tough row to hoe in their struggle against Monsanto and its ilk. Education, organization and mobilization are needed. We need to join the global movement to have any chance fighting these corporate giants.
Get involved, plan an action, make some noise, carry a sign, write letters, let people know what they are eating. Let's get a grip on Monsanto because their grip is tightening around us all.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1999
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited