Activist Post
As readers likely know all too well, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), also known as genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified (GM) crops raise countless agricultural and health concerns.
Most pressing is the fact that GMOs have been linked to necrosis, significant mutations in fetal and embryonic tissues, and birth defects.
Furthermore, the big industry players like Monsanto wield massive political influence – even over the White House – and essentially act as if laws do not apply to them.
Once again, this power has surfaced in Washington, this time in the rejection of an amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill in the Senate which would have given states the right to demand that foods containing genetically modified ingredients be labeled as such.
You read that right, the amendment would not require states to have products labeled, rather, it would simply allow them to demand that the products be properly labeled.
At this point, you are probably wondering what the argument against giving people the right to know what is in their food might actually be.
Well, one argument came from the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee Debbie Stabenow. Stabenow claimed that it could somehow interfere with the development of drought-resistant crops.
Personally, I found this to be completely nonsensical and devoid of any and all reason.
Giving states the right to demand the labeling of genetically modified foods forhuman consumption has absolutely nothing to do with the research and development of drought-resistant crops.
The only shred of logic I can find in this claim is that decreased consumer demand of GMO foods would hurt the profits of the companies that develop the genetically engineered drought-resistant crops.
Sorry, Stabenow, but that’s just the way the cookie crumbles in a truly free market, not corporatist, system.If consumers don’t want it, and a business continues to attempt to shove it down their throats, the business will fail. Simple as that.
Unfortunately, we live under a government that thinks it knows better than the people who actually have to eat the stuff. and thus will actually prevent people from getting their states to demand proper labeling of foods.
“Consumers certainly need to have available information. We need to make sure it’s accurate according to the FDA after they determine that,” Stabenow also said.
If we’re expecting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide information, we’re a lot worse off than I thought.
After all, the FDA has been sued for allegedly going after whistleblowers simply for actually doing their job and reporting dangerous medical products being approved by the FDA.
Furthermore, the FDA allowed seafood contaminated with oil to make it to the tables of American families and refuses to ban BPA in food packing despite the well documented risks. Relying on the FDA at this point is an absolute joke.
Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, the man who introduced the amendment, pointed out:
This is the very first time a bill on labeling genetically engineered food has been brought before the Senate ... It was opposed by virtually every major food corporation in the country ... While we wish we could have gotten more votes, this is a good step forward and something we are going to continue to work on. The people of Vermont and the people of America have a right to know what’s in the food that they eat.Sanders was likely especially interested in the topic since Monsanto actually threatened to sue the entire state of Vermont over their insistence on knowing what is in their food.
I agree with Sanders in saying that this is a classic issue of states’ rights, which have been trampled on repeatedly in recent years.
“This is a very conservative amendment,” he said.“It says that the American people should have the right to know what is in the foodthat they and their children are eating and if that food contains genetically engineered products,” Sanders added.
“This amendment grants states to authority to label genetically engineered foods it is not a mandate,” he said, according to Vermont Public Radio.
In making this point, Sanders is essentially pointing out that there is absolutely no legitimate reason for the Senate to block this amendment.
However, it is a good sign that 26 of our so-called representatives did vote for the amendment while a crushing 73 voted against it.
Hopefully, the people of the United States of America never cease demanding the right to know what we put into our bodies, even if the industries who would like to sell us potentially dangerous products so thoroughly dominate the legislature.
Did I forget anything or miss any errors? Would you like to make me aware of a story or subject to cover? Or perhaps you want to bring your writing to a wider audience? Feel free to contact me at admin@EndtheLie.com with your concerns, tips, questions, original writings, insults or just about anything that may strike your fancy.
This article first appeared at End the Lie.
Madison Ruppert is the Editor and Owner-Operator of the alternative news and analysis database End The Lie and has no affiliation with any NGO, political party, economic school, or other organization/cause. He is available for podcast and radio interviews. Madison also now has his own radio show on Orion Talk Radio from 8 pm -- 10 pm Pacific, which you can find HERE. If you have questions, comments, or corrections feel free to contact him at admin@EndtheLie.com
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11 comments:
Yeah how about a list of the ones who voted for it so we can get rid of them? Besides that why do we need an amendment anyway? The Constitution guarantees the states rights not specifically afforded to the federal govt. The states need to grow some balls.Problem is the revolving door from Monsanto to govt; starting with Vilsak & Taylor.
Exactly. The states already have the right to pass a law requiring the labeling of GMO products.
Why would they need the Federal Government to pass a law allowing the states to do something they already have the power to do?
Now a federal law or mandate from the FDA requiring GMO labeling would be much more effective.
Not holding my breath....
Mitt Romney is a huge investor in Monsanto, this should be something we watch very carefully. Monsanto has way too much power in our Government, I have to wonder why, do half their profits go to the USA? what is it?
The damn crook's in Washington didn't want their under the table $$$ to be cut off. They are nothing more than the Bologna string you sometimes see sticking out of a Dog Turd.
I guess the word that starts with a T and ends with a D with U and R in between is not allowed to be used when talking about the Senate.
Considering how our education system has been lowering its expectations of our youth, it is no surprise that kids eat the crap that they do. And a lot of the fast food industry depends heavily on genetically modified crops-- especially corn.
Several years ago, a German scientist found a link between GMO's and Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder. The genetic mods made to certain crops were being ingested by the bees through the crop pollen. Whenever genetic modifications are made, certain enzymes are employed in the laboratory to break apart the gene structure of the plant in order to "insert" the desired genetic trait borrowed from something else. These bonds are never quite as strong as the original (natural) gene structure.
As it happens, the bacteria in the digestive system of the bees(that help break down the pollen and turn it into nutrients absorbed by the insects) use similar enzymes to deconstruct the pollen for absorption. And this will specifically break out the modified gene insert and the bacteria are then able to incorporate the genetic modification into their own genes through a process called homologation.
Then-- (suddenly) the same mod that protected the crop from certain insect pests is being produced by the bacteria in the bee's gut. The now-modified bacteria have become pathogenic (deadly) to the bees. And since bees regurgitate and share food between themselves, this modified bacteria infects the whole colony within a few days. Next thing you know- the queen bee dies and the whole colony disintegrates. They all die.
The important thing to remember here-- is that this same homologation process can happen in humans. Digestive disorders- like Crohn's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ulcers and many other digestive disorders are on a dramatic rise. I feel certain there is a direct correlation to higher intake of GMO's in our food.
Here in California, we are working hard to get an initiative on the November ballot forcing food manufacturers to label GMO-laden foods. We might just accomplish that. I would encourage all of you to network with similarly-minded folks and do the same. Raise awareness. Take a stand.
See this link for those that voted Nay against the subject amendment:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=2&vote=00161#state
This site continually shills for Ron Paul and Rand Paul.
Sooooooo, not one word on Rand Paul voting with Monsanto and pals on this one??????????
The FDA is a scummy outfit for sure. But your heavy reporting on them while IGNORING the Paul vote seems like an old corporate media trick of selective outrage.
It's nice to know that there are certain things that we can always count on like death, taxes and the utter corruption of our selected officials.
Gluten intolerance on the rise, also. Wheat has been modified, along w/ the corn.
And the veggies and fruit in the grocery stores are teeming with pesticides and herbicides.
Food, food, all around, an not a bite to eat.
These are the only ones who voted FOR GMO labeling. Everyone else voted against it:
YEAs ---26
Akaka (D-HI)
Begich (D-AK)
Bennet (D-CO)
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Boxer (D-CA)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kerry (D-MA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Manchin (D-WV)
Merkley (D-OR)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Murray (D-WA)
Reed (D-RI)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-NM)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)
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