chemicals

A glaring omission from almost all biotech discussions of genetically engineered crops is the fact that not one, but a host of chemicals is required to grow them. Perhaps the word ‘required’ is overwrought with cynicism, but “over 75 percent of GMO crops are engineered to tolerate being sprayed with herbicide.” This means that if one were to honestly and accurately portray the safety of GM crops, they would also have to prove that the herbicides and pesticid

More than 34,000 pesticides derived from about 600 basic ingredients are currently registered for use in the United States by the EPA. Industrial agriculture (meaning about 75% of all land used in the U.S. to grow food or raise animals) relies on these chemicals to grow food. Where, exactly has this gotten us? [1]
Billions of pounds of pesticides and herbicides used has resulted in:

(Natural Society) Fluffy white clouds of toxic waste have invaded the streets of Bangalore. It looks like fresh snow, but it’s actually from the Bellandur Lake, which is horribly contaminated with chemical and sewage waste. When it rains, the lake rises and winds lift the foam into the sky and carry it to India’s technology capital.

A group of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IIS) has researched the commonly used herbicide, Roundup, and found that it damages the endocrine system and disrupts hormonal balance in rats.

Flint, Michigan residents who pour themselves a tall, cool glass of tap water run the risk of permanently lowering their IQ due to the high lead content.
Flint’s tap water has contained double the amount of lead since the city switched its water source from Detroit to the Flint River to save money. The high lead content is caused by the more corrosive water coming into contact with service lines and city pipes, requiring stricter treatment than Flint is providing. [1]

Monsanto is being sued again, this time by 2 separate agricultural workers who allege the agribusiness’ Roundup herbicide caused their cancers.
The farm worker and horticultural assistant also say Monsanto intentionally misled the public and regulators about the dangers of Roundup. [1]

Bayer CropScience is one of the Big Five agricultural companies responsible for pushing GMOs and their health-damaging chemicals on the world. The company has agreed to pay a $975,000 fine and spend $452,000 on a series of measures to improve chemical storage facilities across the United States over allegations of serious safety violations that helped cause a massive explosion.

An important precedence has been set by a recent ruling in French Court. Even after an appeals court heard a case which attested that a farmer was poisoned by accidentally inhaling the fumes of an herbicide, they still sided in favor of the farmer. Considering that the herbicide, though not its best seller, was made by Monsanto – this news is even more important.

The family of a boy who suffered severe brain damage after being exposed to fumigation chemicals in his home has filed a lawsuit against Terminix and a subcontractor named Sunland alleging slapdash practices.

In 2012, I told you about the court in southeast France that found Monsanto guilty of chemically-poisoning farmers. The court declared that Monsanto’s Lasso weedkiller was responsible for devastating neurological problems, including memory loss.