Monsanto donates $4.2 million to defeat California GMO labeling initiative

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Raw Story

Monsanto donates $4.2 million to defeat California GMO labeling initiative
By Eric W. Dolan
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 21:37 EDT

Agribusiness giant Monsanto Co. donated more than $4.2 million to No on 37, a coalition of groups opposed to a California ballot measure that would require labels letting consumers know if foods are genetically modified.

“The giant pesticide and food companies are afraid of the mothers and grandmothers who want the right to know what’s in our food,” said Stacy Malkan, media director of California Right to Know. “These companies will try to buy the election, but it won’t work. California moms and dads will prevail over Monsanto and Dupont.“

Campaign finance reports show that Nestle USA, Coca Cola, E. I. Dupont de Nemours, Dow Agrosciences and PepsiCo have also contributed to No on 37, along with other agricultural and food companies.

Opponents of Proposition 37 claim it would create a costly bureaucracy and lead to frivolous lawsuits. Total contributions to defeat the measure amount to $25 million.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/08/15/monsanto-donates-4-2-million-to-defeat-california-gmo-labeling-initiative/

[tomm2thumbs]

1. ahhh, so even if they win, your Genetically Modified food will cost more

they gotta pay the legal bills ya know!

[AndyTiedye]

2. Of Course they Want to Sell us FrankenFood

[DeSwiss]

3. Monsanto ''bribes'' with $4.2 million to defeat California GMO labeling initiative

- There, fixed.

K&R

''Science and technology serve the ambitions of humankind. And few in the sciences look beyond the narrow tasks handed to them by corporations or government. They employ their dark arts, often blind to the consequences, to cement into place systems of security and surveillance, as well as systems of environmental destruction, that will result in collective enslavement and mass extermination. As we veer toward environmental collapse we will have to pit ourselves against many of these experts, scientists and technicians whose loyalty is to institutions that profit from exploitation and death.'' ~Chris Hedges

''One cannot prove the existence of scientific ethics using the scientific method.''

~DeSwiss

[FlyinButter]

4. Yeah, bureaucracy, right.

[Le Taz Hot]

5. Re: Prop. 37 Right to Know FAQ

What is California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act?
The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act is simple: the initiative would simply require food sold in retail outlets such as grocery stores (restaurants are not included) in California to be labeled if it is produced with genetic engineering. In addition to this disclosure, genetically engineered foods are prohibited from being advertised as 'natural.'

Why should we label genetically engineered (GE) food?
Consumers have a right to know what's in the food we buy and eat and feed our children, just as we have the right to know how many calories are in the food we buy, or whether food comes from other countries like Mexico or China. The same goes for whether our meat, dairy, fruits, or vegetables are genetically engineered or contain GE ingredients. We should all be able to make informed choices, and have the freedom to choose whether to buy GE food or not.

Can genetically engineered foods cause health problems?
That's unclear. Unlike the strict safety evaluations required for the approval of new drugs, the FDA does not require health studies or safety testing on these GE foods for human consumption. However, independent studies do show that GE food can create new, unintended toxicants and increase allergies and other heath problems. In 2011, Canadian researchers reported that 93% of the pregnant women's blood and 80% of their fetal cord blood samples contained a toxin found in GE corn that produces its own pesticide (Bt corn). Experts around the world agree that by labeling GE food, we can help identify any adverse health reactions that these foods may cause.

Will there be a cost to consumers?
There is no added cost to consumers. We are talking about adding a tiny amount of ink to a label. Companies change their labels all the time.

According to a recent EMC Research poll, 91% of California voters agree that if food contains genetically-engineered ingredients, it should be labeled as such.

Almost fifty countries -- including all of the European Union countries, Japan, and even China -- which contain over 40% of the world's population label their genetically engineered foods.

WHAT DO THEY KNOW THAT WE DON'T?

www.carighttoknow.org

[Heather MC]

6. This is the one thing our President did the really pisses me off

putting a Monsanto shrill as Head if the FDA. This. is part of the change I was voting for but did not get. Monsanto needs to get out of our Government and the fuck outta our kitchens.

[SoapBox]

7. Another "people" just buying what they want....

disgusting.

[kas125]

8. I always say that of all the evil things in this world

Monsanto is the supreme evil. As my late friend, Joe used to say, Monsanto and republicans hate you and want you dead.

[Auggie]

9. I think this initiative will pass easily ...

it's sort of a no-brainer. Thing is, I think people will continue to buy crappy food however it's labeled. If Monsanto wants to waste their money let them. The can fuck themselves too.

[BlueToTheBone]

10. I'm guessing Monsanto will lose

It was defeated in Mendocino County about 8 years ago. Grassroots were outspent about 20 to 1 and it was soundly defeated. Of course there are those electronic voting machines in Riverside County that could twist a statewide initiative.