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Dr. Mercola
September 27 2008
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Some Farmers Now Protected Against Monsanto Lawsuits

farmerFarmers with crops that become contaminated by patented genetically engineered (GE) seeds or pollen have been the target of harassing lawsuits brought by biotech patent holders, especially Monsanto.

But a landmark piece of legislation protecting California's farmers from crippling lawsuits has passed through both legislative houses.

AB 541 enacts protections against lawsuits brought against California farmers who have not been able to prevent the inevitable drift of GE pollen or seed onto their land. The bill also establishes a mandatory crop sampling protocol to prevent biotech companies investigating alleged violations from sampling crops without the explicit permission of the farmers who own the land.

Dr. Mercola Dr. Mercola's Comments:
Imagine being a farmer who is trying to grow organic, non-genetically modified crops. Then imagine those crops being contaminated by a neighbor’s GM crops, whose seeds or pollen have blown over onto your land. Then imagine Monsanto coming in and trying to SUE you for violating the patent they’ve placed on those seeds!

That is outrageous!

Only a desperately evil company like Monsanto would have the unbridled greed to pull something like that. What is most shocking, though, is that Monsanto’s practice of targeting farmers for patent infringement is common, and well planned out.

It is not only the farmers whose crops have been contaminated by Monsanto’s GM seeds that are being investigated, but also farmers accused of saving Monsanto’s patented seeds to use the next year. Never mind that this is the way farmers have operated for generations; saving seeds from one year to the next makes sense financially and environmentally.

Of course Monsanto saw it as a cut in their profits, so they began to patent their seeds.

Since the 1980s, Monsanto has become the world leader in genetic modification of seeds and has won 674 biotechnology patents, more than any other company.

But Monsanto is not only patenting their own GMO seeds. They have also succeeded in slapping patents on a huge number of crop seeds, patenting life forms for the first time -- without a vote of the people or Congress.

Farmers who buy Monsanto’s Roundup Ready seeds are required to sign an agreement promising not to save the seeds or sell them to other farmers (What if the farmer doesn’t sign one? Not to worry, Monsanto has actually admitted to forging farmers’ signatures on technology agreements if they didn’t have one on file).

The end result of the agreements? Farmers must buy new seeds every year, and they must buy them from Monsanto.

Monsanto’s Seed Police

How would Monsanto know if farmers were reusing their seeds? They’ve hired an army of private investigators and agents to do just that. It’s difficult to say exactly how extensive this army of “seed police” actually is today, but as of 2005 Monsanto had 75 employees and a $10 million budget solely to investigate and prosecute farmers for patent infringement.

Let’s just say, for argument’s sake, you were inclined to agree with Monsanto about their right to monitor their seeds. They have, after all, invested millions of dollars into these (typically toxic) genetically modified seeds, and they need to recover some of that money. Well, can anyone rationally say that a farmer is responsible for patent infringement if a seed blows onto his property?

Of course not. And this is where the bill AB 541 will protect California’s farmers from this type of harassment.

I don’t believe for one second, though, that Monsanto has any justification in any of these matters. They are slowly working to take control of the entire food supply, and this is not an exaggeration.

Monsanto is considering using what’s known as terminator technology on a wide-scale basis. These are seeds that have been genetically modified to “self-destruct.” In other words, the seeds (and the forthcoming crops) are sterile, which means farmers must buy them again each year.

This solves their problem of needing “seed police,” but they are obviously looking the other way when it comes to the implications that terminator seeds could have on the world’s food supply: the traits from genetically engineered crops can get passed on to other crops. Once the terminator seeds are released into a region, the trait of seed sterility could be passed to other non-genetically-engineered crops, making most or all of the seeds in the region sterile.

If allowed to continue, every farmer in the world could come to rely on Monsanto for their seed supply … and this is not a company that you want in control of your food supply.

Why GM Crops are a Threat to Your Health

There have been no safety studies conducted that prove GM foods are safe. To the contrary, dicing and splicing the components of your food supply into never-before-introduced combinations has been found to:

• Cause cancer 
• Contribute to food allergies
• Possibly cause damage to your immune system
• Create super-viruses

Why are these products still on the market (and in the United States, making up the vast majority -- 75 percent -- of processed foods)? Because there’s money to be made with them, and because it’s difficult to link health problems directly to them, in large part because many of the side effects happen over time.

This is not to say that no links have been made. It’s been proven, for instance, that bacteria in your gut can take up DNA from GM food, that GM peas caused lung damage in mice, and GM potatoes lead to cancer in rats.

Only time will reveal, as Jeffrey Smith, author of Seeds of Deception, points out in this excellent video, the extent of the unforeseen and surprising illnesses caused by GM foods.

How to Protect Your Health, and Support Organic Farmers

First, I urge you to get informed on the issue by watching The Future of Food. This in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind genetically modified foods is one of the best documentaries I have ever viewed. It will help you understand the very real threat that ALL future generations face as a result of genetic engineering.

Please do not be shy about forwarding this video to all of your friends and family, as it is something that everyone should see.

Next, support organic (and local) farmers who do not use Monsanto’s GM seeds by boycotting all GM foods. The GMO food guide is an excellent start to doing this, as you can print it out and take it with you to the store so you can avoid GM foods like the plague.
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Community Comments ( 40 )
 		Comment on this Article
  
  
HereIsSomething
 [ Joined on 11/07 ] [ Posted on September 5, 2008 ]
27 Points        
   
 
Novice User
Monsanto should be sued for contaminating the neighboring crops with the gmo pollen and seeds. Monsanto needs to be shut down and gmo should be made illegal. Monsanto is outright criminal.
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Marijah
 [ Joined on 02/07 ]  [ Posted on September 27, 2008]
4 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I would like to see farmers suing Monsanto for polluting their crops! What a switch. Has this ever happened?

I wonder how many crop farmers in this country presently use Monsanto seeds and how many chose not to from the very beginning and how many have quit using their seeds?

Anyone interested in this topic should definitely read F. William Engdahl's book SEEDS OF DESTRUCTION.

Mercola
  
Ogre
 [ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on September 28, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

LOL...  There are plants that are immune to "Roundup".  There are also lots of folks that know how to do site specific gene transplanting.  If I were a terrorist, thats where I would direct my efforts.  The soy problem has told us what they are using to effect their transplant efforts and anyone with a garage and the knowledge can do the same for "weeds".  We have been monitoring the CO2 effect for more than 30 years and found that "weeds" seem to derive the most benefit. A few more immune to "Roundup" won't hurt anyone who avoids Monsanto Soy anyway.
  
  
Evelyn Vincent
 [ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on September 6, 2008 ]
14 Points        
   
 
Novice User
You can get the DVD, The Future of Food, at http://www.thefutureoffood.com  and learn more about the battle farmer's are up against with Monsanto. 

Being a plant person, I have been extremely concerned about GM crops from the moment I heard about them. The most worrisome aspect is that the GM crops can, will, and do cross-pollinate with any plant within the same species. This worries me because when those GM genes spread to our wild plants of the same family/species.

The Irish potato famine happened because unlike in decades and centuries before the farmer's planted dozens of different varieties of potato. Each variety of potato has different qualities (resistance to certain pests, diseases, fungi, climatic changes/variances, etc.) The famine struck because farmer's began planting only a few different varieties. So when the Potato Blight swept across the countryside so went their main food crop leading to disease and starvation.

Today, our diet is primarily based on 4 food crops and those 4 make up 2/3 of our diet. Those 4 crops are: corn, soy, rice and wheat.

Our ancestors had a much more varied diet than we have, and I believe if our diets contained thousands of different natural foods per year it's probably unlikely that we'd have as many modern health issues that we do have.

Hybrid plants/seeds and GM crops/seeds is absolutely ruining the plant diversity that we need in our diets... not to mention the diversity that nature needs to sustain everything from the mycorrhizal fungi (beneficial soil organisms) to providing nutrition to beneficial insects (honey bee's and butterflies specifically). We, the human race, need all the species of the earth we can keep. 

I have many posts on my blog talking about environmental impacts of diversity loss, loss of species in general, etc. I too agree that Monsanto is criminal.
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Mercola Fan
 [ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on September 6, 2008 ]
8 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User
For those of you who are wondering about who/what Monsanto is and may also be new to the site, I will just mention that Dr M has a mountain of information available on the monster that is Monsanto. Just enter Monsanto into the search bar here on mercola.com and you will see what I mean.

Thanks Dr M!!
 [ Reply ]
  
  
BeeGirl
 [ Joined on 04/08 ] [ Posted on September 5, 2008 ]
8 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Since a very large percentage of produce comes from California, how many crops, including organic, do you suppose have been contaminated?
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Beccadog
 [ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on September 27, 2008]
3 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

I don't know how many crops have been contaminated, but every state, every country in the world, including Iraq (because Republican Paul Brimmer pushed genetically modified seeds into Iraq as part of the agreement under the Bush-Cheney administration.  

There is no place on earth, where food crops are not being genetically modified.  Even some organic crops have become genetically modified (by cross pollination) and the some laws regulating organic have been changed for big business outside the true organic community.

www.organicconsumers.org/sos.cfm

See also, 09/10/08 - Lawsuit Would Halt Treatment of Raw Almonds with Toxic Fumigant or Steam Heat

www.organicconsumers.org/.../article_14566.cfm

and http://tinyurl.com/4nmxwo
  
  
Jen47
 [ Joined on 05/07 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
4 Points        
   
 
Novice User

You say the Republicans are "bought off" but what makes you think the Dem's won't be/aren't already?

 They're just as greedy and certainly not immune to the tactics used by lobbyists.  

What now?
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Lakhana
 [ Joined on 09/08 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
3 Points        
   
 
Novice User

Monsanto is part of the giant multinational German chemical cartel of I. G. Farben. Read "The Crime and Punsihment of I. G. Farben" by Joseph Borkin if you can find a copy, "World Without Cancer" by G. Edward Griffin (Section 2) and Jim Marrs' latest book on the Fourth Reich. It is a very frightening scenario that needs to be made public. We are in a fascist state with companies like Monsanto destroying life on this planet. They should be indicted for weapons of mass destruction against humanity with how they have snubbed basic common sense about the delicate eco-balance Earth has.

One has to ask oneself, "Why would anyone create such a frankenfood seed?" It is much more than just curiosity and trying to gain control over the plant itself. I will not speculate on this as it should be obvious for anyone without a degree in rocket science.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Beccadog
 [ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on September 27, 2008]
       
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

Control the food and energy supply on plant based materials and you'll control the world.  In addition, you'll be guaranteed a market for Roundup, Monsanto's number one selling weed killer.  So what, if ingredients in Roundup have been implicated as causing cancer in humans and animals, that is not in their mindset.

It's all about GREED, be it Monsanto, the Bush Administration, or the Greedy Opportunistic Predators who control this country and want wars to control vested interests products around the world.

If you are opposed to this kind of thinking and want to purchase foods grown by the organic method, consider very carefully about your vote this November.  The deregulator may carry on with the same pathway as his predecessor because of the lobbyists and former Bush appointees, which are in his campaign.
Mercola
  
Beccadog
 [ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on September 27, 2008]
       
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

Control the food and energy supply on plant based materials and you'll control the world.  In addition, you'll be guaranteed a market for Roundup, Monsanto's number one selling weed killer.  So what, if ingredients in Roundup have been implicated as causing cancer in humans and animals, that is not in their mindset.

It's all about GREED, be it Monsanto, the Bush Administration, or the Greedy Opportunistic Predators who control this country and want wars to control vested interests products around the world.

If you are opposed to this kind of thinking and want to purchase foods grown by the organic method, consider very carefully about your vote this November.  This supporter of no/little regulation may carry on with the same pathway as his predecessor because of the lobbyists and former Bush appointees, which are in his campaign, and because of the conservative Republicans who McCain is courting during his campaign.
  
  
jbell
 [ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
2 Points        
   
 
Novice User

Monsanto truly is an exemplar of the "evil empire".  It is the worst of what Capitalism has to offer.  The only reason they have been able to get away with this is because they have a HUGE legal department, and can afford to simply overwhelm poor farmers who are just trying to defend their rights.  Further, Monsanto uses, (I should say abuses), their obscene profits to lobby various governments to rig the game for them.  They also work very hard to get stooges elected to mostly do their bidding.  Disgusting!  I'd love to see Monsanto executives being socked with criminal penalties for their reckless endangerment of all of our health.  Never happen, but it is a sweet dream.  

Want a real surge of outrage along these lines?  Google Percy Schmeiser, an organic canola seed farmer in Canada who got the "royal Monsanto treatment".  Somewhat surprisingly, the Canadian courts sides with Monsanto.  Mondo ugly!!  There ought to be a law...
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Beccadog
 [ Joined on 10/07 ]  [ Posted on September 27, 2008]
       
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

There ought to be a law, but in general we've got legislators and Congresspersons who are heavily lobbied to agro-business and are told lies to get their businessness conducted.

As far as I know, every Republican and myriad Democrats (including the Clinton's, Kerry, and Gore) support biotechnology. I've tried to talk to people on the local issue when they are walking door to door in their run for office, but as soon as they are elected, they ignore me and listen to the big clout.

Mercola
  
Russ G.
 [ Joined on 01/07 ]  [ Posted on September 27, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

jbell,

You've hit the nail on the head!  What it really comes down to in the end is lawyers and lobbyists.  And many lobbyists are also lawyers.  

So, not only do you have people who can cleverly manipulate the law for their own benefit (or the malevolent company they work for), but they also have access to the policy/law makers where they can continuously, over time, weasel their way into their confidences.  Once there (like a tick embedded in the skin), they heavily "lubricate" the relationship with under-the-table bribes, lavish gifts, wining and dining, etc.  Of course, the end result is LEVERAGE against that dishonest politician which leads to even more dishonesty in the form of votes and policy decisions bought and paid for by said company.

One of the greatest problems in this country, in my opinion, is the excessive number of laws on the books.  And the fact that most laws are  non-interpretable by the "common man".  So, in rush the lawyers, who can supposedly sort it all out.  But wait, isn't a general distrust of lawyers ubiquitous in this country?  Why, yes it is!  Why is that?  Because they have power (in the form of specialized knowledge) over the average Joe.  Can you say Catch 22?

And let's not forget that lawsuits won by big companies with deep pockets often become precedent for future lawsuits, making them easier to win.  And enough of those wins can eventually lead to new laws, essentially bought and paid for by big business.  And I don't excuse judges from the equation - they ARE lawyers, after all.  They are also human, subject to temptation and entirely fallible.  

If you haven't seen the movie "Zeitgeist" yet, I recommend you do.  It will very likely open your eyes to some things that the "ruling elite" most definitely don't want you to know. Watch it for free online at zeitgeistmovie.com.  You can also buy the DVD for a few bucks.  FYI: Part 1 debunks Christianity, part 2 exposes 9/11 and part 3 reveals who REALLY owns/runs the U.S.

  
  
bmc
 [ Joined on 02/07 ] [ Posted on September 5, 2008 ]
2 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Right BeegGirl, Just how many crops have been contaminated, and doesn't it seem like the law suits should be going the way around?
 [ Reply ]
  
  
HereIsSomething
 [ Joined on 11/07 ] [ Posted on September 6, 2008 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Novice User
See the Millions Against Monsanto Campaign

http://www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.cfm
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Bill Best
 [ Joined on 05/08 ] [ Posted on October 1, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

Helloooooooo!!  Am I the only person who is worried about what "terminator seeds" (they make crops that don't reproduce/have seeds) will eventually do to US humans, who eat them (or the animals who eat the infertile crops, etc)????  After all, "you are what you eat."  Perhaps, with most women on birth control for most of their fertile years these days, the very basic instinct of species survival via repopulation has been similarly "dumbed down."
 [ Reply ]
  
  
schmonko
 [ Joined on 07/07 ] [ Posted on September 28, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

I am so relieved to hear this. Monsanto is the most evil corporation that exists. They utterly disgust me.  
 [ Reply ]
  
  
DDS
 [ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on September 28, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

Just California's farmers are protected - are the rest of the states getting onboard too?
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Brazil123
 [ Joined on 04/08 ]  [ Posted on October 2, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

No, my congressman is in bed with Monsanto and the like. I have corresponded with him on organic and environmental isues a few times before. He heavily defends them. Bainbridge Island WA is fairly educated and a lot of people like organic stuff, have gardens, farmers markets etc... but our Congressman appears to be oblivious to it.
  
  
Lacewing
 [ Joined on 03/08 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

It's about time all this came to light. Please read the once futuristic novel "Seed Keepers of Crescentville" to learn exactly how terminator seed technology, pollen drift, and numerous other problems from genetically engineered crops can and are affecting farmers and communities in the U.S.
 [ Reply ]
  
  
stepka
 [ Joined on 12/07 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

Umm I almost hate to admit this, but I have a very intelligent, very republican, and very fundamentalist Christian nephew, who is planning to go back for his Master's degree, with the ultimate goal of working for Monsanto.  I am sick about it, but keep my mouth shut b/c I'm already in enough trouble with my in-laws, and they would just drive him closer to his goal.  I hate Monsanto with a bloody passion, and I don't understand how he can reconcile this with his faith.
 [ Reply ]
  
  
krupulfinch
 [ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

reated info: http://www.percyschmeiser.com/
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Plick
 [ Joined on 09/08 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

In Canada and, I think here in the US, Monsanto has been sending crop dusters to spay herbicides on the fields of 'infringing' farmers w/o notice. It really is a plot to seize control of the food supply, not only to make money, but to thin out the population.

Our patent laws grant the patent to whoever can show he developed the idea first. The European laws grant it to whoever files first. The greatest difference is that something that has been in use for years but was never patented can then be patented by writing up a patent description and filing it. The GM companies approached the scientist in India who was in charge of cataloging all of India's seed crop strains. These are very numerous & specialized, with many varieties, many localized. Most have been handed down father to son for generations.

He was bribed to give them samples of some 10,000 varieties of crop seeds which they have now sequenced and patented. Now all of India's food is these companies' 'intellectual property'. All UR fud are belong to us.
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Mad
 [ Joined on 06/07 ]  [ Posted on September 27, 2008]
-1 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Exactly, Plick. Monsanto isn't just about making money. There are easier ways to get rich than spending all that R&D developing frankenfoods. Getting rid of us "useless eaters" is a prime goal of the global elitist eugenicists. The infestation of GMOs will successfully destroy the world supply of real food if they are not stopped. Monsanto is truly one of the most evil entities on this planet.

P.S. Did you get your name from Plick et Plock, les farfadets français?
Mercola
  
Lacewing
 [ Joined on 03/08 ]  [ Posted on September 30, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Good points, Plick. It was a sorry day when the first patent was granted for a living thing, in my opinion.

  
  
Conjeanneal
 [ Joined on 03/07 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Apprentice User

First of all, as I have said re Monsanto before, THEY should be sued, sued, sued til they are shut down completely.  Any farmer whose crops have been compromised should band together with other farmers and perhaps in strength do a class action lawsuit!  This is a great move in California and a good start in that process!

That being said, my other suggestion would be to burn all the crops, both the Monsanto and the compromised crops....I'm sure this would be the only way to annihilate any remnants of GMO contamination.

We must all do our part in educating all our local farmers about this scourge and make sure that they all know that we don't want any "foods" contaminated with Monsanto's products.  I think that every citizen, especially those who live near farms, must do their part in shutting this evil monster down!  Every time I go to a farm stand, I ask whether they use Monsanto products, and if they do, I don't buy them and make sure they become aware of this company's tactics and products.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
5555
 [ Joined on 05/08 ]  [ Posted on September 27, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Burning all the crops would only accomplish bankrupting a lot of farmers.  Monsanto would probably thank you for this as the farmers would have to buy more seeds.
  
  
curious7
 [ Joined on 03/07 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Apprentice User

To get a good look at what Monsanto is really all about view the film "The world According To Monsanto."  We will not have this thought provoking documentary broadcast in America, our own unique form of censorship has stepped in to prevent it from being broadcast in America.
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Beccadog
 [ Joined on 10/07 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Apprentice User

Here is the legal complaint put forth by the Almond growers protesting the use of a dangerous fungicide or steam heat on almonds in California.

www.cornucopia.org/.../AlmondLegalComplaint.pdf
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Beccadog
 [ Joined on 10/07 ] [ Posted on September 27, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Apprentice User

It is my understanding (from a friend who is very active in educating others about genetically modified ingredients and the powers of evil in this industry) that this happened over 7 years ago in 2001.

He wrote to me that they "flew Rodney Nelson to Austin that fall of 2001 to speak to 250 people and also flew in the Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser.

California has just passed a state law banning Monsanto from such suits!"
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Lacewing
 [ Joined on 03/08 ]  [ Posted on September 30, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Yes. Rodney Nelson was sued in 2000. It has been going on for some time. I have met both Nelson and Percy Schmeiser, and their stories are so tragic they make you weep.

Read "Monsanto vs. U.S. Farmers", a report published in 2005 by the Center for Food Safety in Washington DC. It lists all similar lawsuits and amounts up to that time.

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