Monsanto Protection Act? Separating the facts from the fury

GLP ^ | 4-1-2013 | Jon Entine

[Sir Napsalot]

The past week has seen a tsunami of stories about the so-called “Monsanto Protection Act,” more accurately known as Section 735 of HR 933. It’s a tiny provision attached to a massive agricultural spending bill signed into law by President Obama last week.

According to detractors, Section 735 is the “most dangerous food act ever” and a “terrifying piece of policy.” Why? Because, among other claims, it purportedly allows biotech companies to sell seeds that can cause serious consumer health problems. Here is how Gawker frames it:

"Section 735 effectively shields large biotech companies, like Monsanto, from the federal courts in case something is found to be harmful in their genetically-modified seeds. Because of Section 735, federal courts would be powerless to stop Monsanto from selling their product"

Just as shocking, activists claim, the provision was secretly written by Monsanto, stealthily inserted into the bill in the dead of night by its Congressional backroom lackeys and then placed on the desk of President Barack Obama, who is so in hock to biotech special interests that he sold out the public and signed the bill, rider intact, therefore undermining American democracy. No kidding. That’s the way even mainstream bloggers and news outlets discuss this legislation. “Monsanto teams up with Congress to shred the Constitution,” shrieked one Huffington Post headline. Hundreds of thousands of angry anti-GMO protestors have signed online petitions expressing their outrage.

Let’s separate the facts from the fury.

(Be sure to read the rest from the original article)

[Sir Napsalot]

I found "Genetic Literacy Project" and their contributors in the past had been offering sound analyses on GMO issues.

Let's have a more rational discussion on Section 735 of HR 933.

[mountainlion]

A cousin told me about monsanto pollen blowing into adjacent fields and monsanto claimed the adjacent field was monsanto’s and sued the adjacent farmer. He lost the farm because of monsanto patents.

[Sir Napsalot]

I knew of Monsanto “threatened” to sue for their proprietary intellectual property in the past, but didn't know they actually sued. They lost a HUGE PR battle back then.

Disclaimer: I never worked for Monsanto, and this is not a defense for Monsanto per se.

[buckalfa]

"Let's have a more rational discussion on Section 735 of HR 933.'

The problem is the progressive one world agenda. Those who control the food supply control the people. Various laws and regulation regarding food production may have individual merit, but collectively they add up to statist/corporate control of the food chain and thus the individual. Comply and bow down or you and your family do not eat!

[haffast]

Monsanto, DuPont strike $1.75 billion licensing deal, end lawsuits
By Carey Gillam Tue Mar 26, 2013 5:40pm EDT

DuPont Co will pay Monsanto Co at least $1.75 billion in a new licensing deal and both companies have agreed to dissolve their bitter legal battles over rights to technology for genetically modified seeds, the world's top seed companies said on Tuesday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/26/us-monsanto-dupont-gmo-idUSBRE92P0IK20130326

"Better Things for Better Living...Through Chemistry."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Living_Through_Chemistry

[mountainlion]

Corn and soy bean growers have major problems with monsanto.

[drunknsage]

http://www.percyschmeiser.com/conflict.htm

Is this the case? Screw Monsanto. Their actions say everything.

[RobO1125]

Just goes to show, some megapowers own both parties. Let’s not forget who got aspartame legalized in the US on Monsanto’s behalf.

[Sir Napsalot]

You are right.

Keep addressing ‘public safety’ is not going to satisfy the Greens, the Vegans, the Occupy, the One Worlders, etc etc., the "Anti's".

[mountainlion]

Is this the case? Screw Monsanto. Their actions say everything.

I had not heard about that one. I expect there are more.

[Sir Napsalot]

DD is now called “Miracles of Science” !!!

And they are not out to be funny. Trust me, these guys don’t have a single humorous bone in them.

[Islander2]

And just what do you have against aspartame?

Check out both TRUTH OR FICTION, and SNOPES.

[Mase]

He lost the farm because of monsanto patents.

If he truly lost the farm to Monsanto, then it happened because he was intentionally stealing Monsanto technology.

[haffast]

Crap! I'm not evolving fast enough to keep up. Thanks for the update.

[Mase]

Corn and soy bean growers have major problems with monsanto.

Uh huh. Is that why they continue purchasing Monsanto produced corn and soy seeds? I guess those increased yields that require less fertilizer, less tillage, less water, less herbicides and pesticides, and less soil erosion are really pissing farmers off.

[9YearLurker]

Some interesting background, but still no reason to give the Monsantos of the world (are they even plural?) special protection. Instead, better for farmers to learn to be more cautious in going the untested route—and to let those who take the risk, sometimes suffer the failure.

The rest of the world lives by court fiat, no reason to exempt some from it.

[Mase]

Let’s not forget who got aspartame legalized in the US on Monsanto’s behalf.

Do you even know what aspartame is?

Monsanto is a "megapower?" Occupy Monsanto?

[9YearLurker]

I would think a Freeper would know better than to settle on Snopes. Here’s some more aspartame info:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/02/18/aspartame-toxic-effects.aspx

[9YearLurker]

And do you know what aspartame is?

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/02/18/aspartame-toxic-effects.aspx

[9YearLurker]

I truly believe Monsanto is evil.