Monsanto Declares GMO Science Debate ‘Settled’

(Christina Sarich) As long as there is public dialogue about genetically modified organisms, more information about their probable dangers seems to keep bubbling to the surface. Is this why Monsanto’s new campaign to silence GM naysayers is based on an indefatigable statement that the ‘debate’ is over?

Monsanto and their mouthpieces seem to think that there’s nothing left to talk about in regard to Bt toxins, environmental damage, soil corruption, altered DNA, cross-pollination and other issues surrounding their chemically-resistant seeds.

Andrew LaVigne, CEO of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), has said in an interview:

“We believe the science is settled.”

The ASTA is one of the oldest trade groups in the US. Its membership consists of over 700 companies involved in seed production and distribution,plant breeding, and related industries in North America. They have deep ties with biotech, specifically with:

These agencies alone represent a huge influence on the ‘science’ that is permitted to become public knowledge concerning GMOs – not to mention institutions of higher education, and labs throughout the US that are run with Monsanto, Bayer, and Dow Chemical monies.

Interestingly, countries not as swayed by biotech’s paradigm are doing theirown tests, and many of them at great cost. You would think that a $25 million dollar study leaves the GM issue WIDE open for debate.

The $25 million study of 6,000 rats to be fed a GMO corn diet is designed as an independent examination of the health impacts of GMO corn and the herbicide used on it. The research is to be done in Russia and western Europe over two to three years. (factorgmo.com/en/)

Furthermore, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) doesn’t think the debate is over either. They have urged regulators to revisit the ‘science’ on GMOs since all long-term safety studies conducted have largely been ignored. One obvious study concerning Bt crops hasn’t even been conducted – do Bt toxic genes transfer to other animals that ingest the corn or soy that contain them?

“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.” ~ Harry Truman

Bold resistance to the infiltrated US government, and biotech companies comes in the form of information – of discussion, continued research, and debate. Don’t allow yourself to be silenced. The debate rages on, and it is an act of will and defiance that the world needs to save its food.