Monsanto Fire – GMO Facility Nearly Destroyed
Monsanto Fire A Monsanto research facility in western France caught fire in late October. France has a long history of non-GMO activism, increasing speculation that arson was to blame. The fire started in multiple locations, strongly suggesting a deliberate rather than accidental cause, but investigators were unable to find any electrical problems or other potential causes for an accidental blaze. They did report smelling gasoline at...
Rejected GMO Hay Exports
Alfalfa hay went for about $195 a ton in September 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This September, it went for $158, and there are multiple reasons. China also played a role in exporting woes, according to University of Idaho Extension Forage Specialist Glenn Shewmaker. The country has stringent restrictions on genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. An increasing number of U.S. farmers produce GMO hay, and...
California Testing for GMOs in Organic Food
California is a frontrunner in organic sales and acreage, and now they’re pioneering testing for GMOs in organic food. Yes, we have national regulations in place, to verify what’s organic, but actual testing for GMOs in organic food isn’t part of those regulations. For our state’s organic farmers who are used to the way we already test for pesticide residues, this pilot project will follow similar protocols, with the...
Fraley Defends Monsanto
Monsanto is one of the most controversial companies in the the world, and lately they’ve been in the news due to declining share prices and workforce layoffs. Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Robert Fraley tries to turn negatives into positives in a recent interview. The article begins by showcasing Fraley’s achievements, promoting his credibility, so readers “feel assured” of his...
GMOs and Biodiversity
Looking for clear answers regarding human health is a big part of the GMO controversy. But there’s more to think about than our bodies. What about the broader environmental impact of GMOs? “Safety,” in sum, has been narrowly defined as human nutritional health, excluding many important safety dimensions and ignoring impacts on the larger agricultural, social and ecological systems. Let’s look at weed-resistant crops, for...