The Gaia Reports

by Theodora Filis A bill to introduce compulsory registration of all products containing genetically modified  components is in the final stages of adoption by the Russian parliament. Following an explosive French study suggesting a link between Monsanto’s (known now as Bayer)  controversial genetically engineered (GMO) corn and cancer, Russian authorities have suspended all imports and use of the US biotech GMO product until further safety testing can be performed.  Officials worldwide are also investigating the matter.  Researchers in France released the results of their two-year study, published in  The Food & Chemical Toxicology Journal . According to the scientists, both the genetically engineered corn and the herbicide Roundup were linked to early death, massive organ failure, tumor growth, and other serious health problems. US analysts and Monsanto have downplayed the significance of the Russian government’s decision, claiming t...

By Theodora Filis Monsanto, the multinational agricultural biotech giant, is also the world’s largest producer of genetically engineered seeds. Notorious for its aggressive and heavy-handed business tactics, and questionable ethics, Monsanto is deeply entrenched in our political system, having spent $2 million on lobbying in the first quarter of 2009. The policy Justice Thomas oversaw claimed that the agency was not aware of any information showing that GMO crops were no different in any meaningful or uniform way, and therefore didn’t need testing. However, 44,000 FDA internal documents made public from a lawsuit showed that this was a complete lie. The overwhelming consensus among the FDA’s own scientists was that GMO foods were quite different and could lead to unpredictable and hard-to-detect allergens, toxins, new diseases, and nutritional problems. They suggested long-term studies but were ignored. Last week, WikiLeaks released new diplomatic cables presenting more facts ...