Monsanto, the world’s largest genetically engineered seed corporation, does not just want to dominate America’s food chain, but the world’s as well. The U.S. federal government has been pursuing Monsanto’s agenda by pressing Europe to support genetically modified (GM) foods.

In efforts to weaken the EU’s ban on GM crops, the Atlantic reported that Monsanto requested “renewed U.S. government support of Spain’s science-based agricultural biotechnology position through high-level U.S. government intervention.” Spain has always been a pro-GM member of the EU. Thus, with its increased support, Spain may be able to influence Europe’s steadfast opposition to GM foods. A  cable from the U.S. embassy in Madrid stated, “If Spain falls, the rest of Europe will follow.”

According to Natural Society, the United States will go against any nation who opposes the GM crops produced by Monsanto. Several nations, including France, that have decided to ban one of Monsanto’s GM corn varieties were said to have been penalized by the United States for their opposition.

This allegation can also by confirmed by the Guardian, which stated that Craig Stapleton, a business partner of former U.S. president George Bush, requested that Washington penalize, not just the EU, but all the countries which did not approve of GM crops consumption.

A Senior Farm Policy Analyst at The Cornucopia Institute, Mark A. Kastel, stated, “President Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack just sent a clear message to the American public that they do not care about our concerns with genetically engineered food and their questionable safety, adverse environmental impacts, and detrimental effects on farmers, especially organic farmers.”

Fox News reported that, Monsanto is selling “posilac”, a growth hormone, to farmers in order to make them inject it into their cows, with the perception that their cows would be able to produce more milk. However, when the cows did not respond to the posilac as the corporation hoped, Monsanto supplied farmers with antibiotics in order to save the sick cows from dying.

Currently, the U.S. is the only country where posilac is being used, despite knowing that 27 nations have banned its usage due to potential health hazards, such as accelerated puberty in children and increased cancer risks. Recently, a new study was released that shows how GM foods might be linked to organ damage in lab animals.

Monsanto spends millions of dollars each year in lobbying political figures and has spent around $200,000 on political donations in 2007 and 2008. The corporation is focused on expanding and strengthening its GM seed business, without acknowledging the health risks many are taking.

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About the author

Yasmin Pascual Khalil
Being an Egyptian/Filipino, Yasmin was born in Oman and raised in Saudi Arabia, with a open mindset in appreciation of diversity. She loves exploring languages and interacting with people from all walks of life. Yasmin has covered stories in the following categories: Local + World News, Entertainment News, Offbeat News, and Lifestyle. She can be contacted at yasmin.khalil@toonarimedia.com.