The Gaia Reports

By Theodora Filis The House Agriculture Committee has passed its version of the 2012 Farm Bill that includes dangerous provisions for genetically engineered crops (GE).  According to Food & Water Watch, several "riders" were included in the House Farm Bill at the last minute that would allow for the rubber-stamp approval of genetically engineered crops if the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) doesn't finish its approval of the crops within a year. “These weaken the requirements of the USDA's environmental analysis, allowing the agency to do even less of an assessment of the potential harm posed by the crop, and they endanger the entire organic market, by sanctioning the contamination of non-genetically engineered crops”. One of the biggest concerns is a provision in the 2013 Agriculture Appropriation bill—Section 733 (also known as the Monsanto Rider) which would allow the planting of GM crops even if they were illegally approved. In spite of l...

By Theodora Filis Monsanto, whose executives have publicly said that they want Monsanto to become the only producer of genetically modified (GM) seeds in the world, is now joined by a smaller company, in California, that has the same hope. That company is Epicyte, whose president, Mitch Hein, announced at a press conference in 2001, “We have a hothouse filled with corn plants that make anti-sperm antibodies.” Epicyte's GM corn is financed, in part, by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Hein claims that it is a possible solution to world “overpopulation.” A concealed contraceptive embedded in corn meant for human consumption? In the US, GE-corn, GE-soy, GE-cotton seed oil, and GE-canola, are in most processed foods. Consumers have no idea they are there, and no means to distinguish them from other items. GM foods have never been tested for human safety consumption. Yet, studies in animals repeatedly show severe organ damage and infertility/sterility. Last May, Codex I...

By Theodora Filis For several years now much concern has been raised over the use of genetically modified crops in foods.  There has been little to no published research into the effects of genetically modified foods on human health, and the US government has not yet required labeling of products that contain genetically modified ingredients.  As a result, American consumers have no way to identify genetically modified content in their foods, even if they were aware they should be looking out for it. While 30 countries have significant restrictions or outright bans on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the US has approved their use.The reason for the FDA’s industry-friendly policy on GMOs is that the White House (under the first George Bush) ordered the agency to promote biotechnology. Also, the person in charge of developing the policy was the former attorney, Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, then of Monsanto, and later their vice preside...