She's talking about Monsanto, but it's not talking to her

// added August 04, 2008 // 18 comments //
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JanforGore

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Monsanto doesn't want anything to do with French investigative journalist Marie-Monique Robin.

The American biotechnology and herbicide-producing giant wouldn't co-operate with Robin in her three years researching her highly critical documentary The World According to Monsanto and her accompanying, French-language bestseller (with an English translation on the way).

Now that her film is being shown in more and more countries, and advocacy groups are featuring clips of the documentary on their websites, Monsanto still hasn't called Robin.

To many viewers, the company's "no comment" may appear to be damning in itself, given the litany of accusations made against Monsanto by farmers, scientists, watchdog groups, health and agriculture advocates.

Googling for seeds of truth

The documentary shows farmers alleging that Monsanto - a leader in developing genetically modified seed and herbicides - has pitted farmer against farmer, encouraging them to rat on anyone suspected of not buying new Monsanto seed each year. It shows agricultural experts alleging genetically modified corn has invaded indigenous Mexican corn, with monstrous varieties being found. And advocates in India alleging that cotton farmers sometimes commit suicide owing to their dependence on genetically modified crops and the risk of low harvests. The list of accusations goes on.

A spokeswoman from Monsanto Canada, however, did respond to calls for this article. "Any of the allegations that have been made in the movie have been responded to publicly on our website," spokeswoman Trish Jordan said. A segment on the company's website labelled For the Record, she explained, "basically responds to some of the common allegations that are dredged up by activists. And I think that would probably give you our position on most, if not everything, in her documentary."

The film does refer to the website, and the explanations used by Monsanto in response to various criticisms.

Still, Robin said she was astonished by what she found when making the film. "Yes, I was very surprised. It's very difficult to understand how they manage - what they called in the U.S. the revolving door," she said. By this, she means the way in which government officials and elected leaders have often worked for corporations such as Monsanto, only to later pass regulations while in office favouring their former employers.

It was also difficult to get people to talk. "It's very difficult," Robin said, whether officials within regulatory agencies, scientists or other journalists. She said that one regulatory insider told her they didn't want to have any problems with the company, since it's so powerful.

The World According to Monsanto is as disturbing as any Hollywood thriller. Robin's next documentaries will likely be just as heavy, with a film on the U.S. military's use of what many see as torture during interrogations and a documentary on environmental causes of cancer.

So what drives Robin to investigate such dire topics?

"I have three daughters at home," she said, "and I think when I'm doing this kind of documentary, it's for my daughters. ... With what's going on with GMOs [genetically modified organisms] and what it means, in 20 years, if we don't react, it's very worrisome."
Aug.1,2008
  1. groups:
    Tech,   Green,   Health
  2. tags:
    Green,  Tech,  Health,  Environment,  34 more

18 comments // She's talking about Monsanto, but it's not talking to her

  • jjmaster
    • 0
      jjmaster  

    • This is the kind of power that we are up against... From the 1997 State of the Union address:

      Tonight, I am pleased to announce that five major corporations -- Sprint, Monsanto, UPS, Burger King and United Airlines -- will be the first to join in a new national effort to marshall America's businesses, large and small, to create jobs so that people can move from welfare to work. (B. Clinton)

      Marshall America's businesses?

    • 1 year ago
  • frenchfly4
    • 0
      frenchfly4  

    • This link is already posted for the video, but there's an interesting / frightening post from the parent of a former employee of another related pesticide company who's experienced horrible health problems.

      "Since Agraquest, although denied by the company, does indeed modify microorganisms genetically, it is unknown just what is in my son, although 19 microorganisms were identified in either his blood, sputum cultures and IgG levels which show up to HIGH POSITIVE with reference to amount of exposure he had to these microorganisms. Each of these microorganisms can be traced back to Agraquest in either their patents, Agraquest scientist listed as “inventors” on other companies patents as well as Agraquest products themselves. "

    • 1 year ago
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  

    • Repeal NAFTA. Damn the administrations of Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and now this Bush for pushing this crap food on us WITHOUT OUR CONSENT, and now contaminating corn in Mexico. How could any of them ever push this as GOOD? It is because of NAFTA that these GM crops have now contaminated traditional corn crops in Mexico to the point that they will be forced to buy Monsanto's seeds, herbicides, and fertilizers because their seeds will be no good! How the hell can a corporation think they have the right to infiltrate another country's customs and ways they choose to live and feed themselves? To actually think they can PATENT LIFE ITSELF? This is blatantly fascist to me.

      This is nothing more than a global multinational coup against poor peoples of the world in order for elites to be able to control food supplies! Look at the countries they select as their victims.... Poor communities in South America, Asia, India, and now America that haven't got anywhere near the amount of money to fight them.

      I am writing as many people as I can in government to profess my outrage about this. Monsanto should be sued out of business for the lives they have ruined and for the toxification of this planet with Agent Orange, PCBs, and their Roundup poison.
      Goddamn them and I don't care what anyone thinks of that. They are poisoning people and getting away with it! And if it wasn't for this documentary many more people would be in the dark. So please pass the link for it on to as many people as you can since it is obvious it is never going to make it to any main stream television station in this country. Our food labels like Europe must be made to reflect whether or not we are eating Monsanto crap.

    • 1 year ago
  • jubal
    • 0
      jubal  
    • JanforGore:

      I agree, GOD DAM THEM to HELL.

      They are doing the most egregious things to people all over the world. They are our worst nightmare that runs 24 hours a day; its not just at night.

    • 1 year ago
  • victimofcoal
  • JanforGore
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  

    • Jubal, I agree. Takes guts and a moral center to stand up to these thugs. I'm looking forward to her next film. There is much truth that needs to be told. Thankfully her documentary is being shown in more countries.

    • 1 year ago
  • ihateyou
  • wholefreespirit
  • jubal
  • JanforGore
  • JanforGore
  • MeganMcKenzie
  • JanforGore
  • jjmaster
    • 0
      jjmaster  

    • JanforGore - like stopnoise... OMG, this is so out of control... messages encoded.... we are very late on these impeachments... but Monsanto and all agents, representatives, affiliates, congressmen and children of the corporates, must be approached, and questioned, and held accountable to the health and well being of our earthlings as put in jeopardy by them. Monsanto and groups affiliated... They are too many Jan... and so ahead of us... What will bring the fastest change for our continued lives...

    • 1 year ago
  • JanforGore
  • JanforGore
  • JanforGore

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