New reports reveal that ‘philanthropic’ organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as similar entities with over $360 billion in combined assets, are edging themselves into Africa’s food market by genetic engineering of African cultural food staples.
Biotech giant Monsanto reported multiple profit-plummets in 2015 relating to sales for both its genetically modified crop creations and its best-selling herbicide, Roundup. Once again, Monsanto has reported declining profits for the fiscal second-quarter earnings – by 25%.
Monsanto’s Kenya Ltd., a subsidiary of the larger company, is trying to push another genetically modified Bt cotton strain into Africa. Representatives have submitted an application to release GM cotton seed known as MON 15985, or Bollgard II. [1]
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is facing a lawsuit filed by nearly a dozen fishing and environmental groups that are trying to block the agency’s recent approval of genetically modified salmon.
Bayer, notorious for harming pollinating insects with its neonicotinoid pesticides, is registering a new GM canola that will be tolerant to two health-destroying chemicals, glufosinate and glyphosate. The new GM canola strain was developed to be tolerant to a double-dose of herbicides that have been documented to cause birth defects, neuro-degeneration, cancer, endocrine disruption, and autism-like symptoms.
First General Mills announced its plans to label GMOs, and now 2 more Big Food companies are following the company’s lead. Both Kellogg’s and Mars will now label many of their products with the words, “produced with genetic engineering” if they contain GMO ingredients, starting in mid-April.
Big Food Finally Bows to Consumer Pressure for GM Labeling
The idea of altering the genes of any biological thing is worrisome and hair-raising at the very least, but there’s just something especially freakish about the concept of genetically modified maggots. Aren’t they nasty enough without mankind tampering with their make-up?
Well, researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) believe GM maggots could play a vital role in the wound healing process and encouraging new cell growth.
The list seems to grow daily. The multinational ConAgra now joins General Mills, Mars, and Kellogg’s as a company which will label its products if they contain genetically modified ingredients. With Vermont’s mandatory GM labeling bill going into effect this summer, this is a decision more companies will have to make, and soon.
Canadian farmers are justifiably requesting that Lawrence MacAulay, the Canadian Agri-Minister, immediately act to halt the sale of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa seed by Forage Genetics International, a Monsanto licensee.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened the door for farmers to plant MON87419, a new strain of genetically modified (GM) corn created by Monsanto to tolerate the weed killers dicamba and glufosinate without government oversight. The move will likely increase spraying of the herbicides.
