Thanks for you post, @Valli. As I recall, the conversation was about GMOs and not about Monsanto. I do however need to do more research about the company in order to form an educated opinion. Bare in mind that even if they are found to be a malevolent scientific menace, all GMO practices cannot be judged solely on the actions of a single, albeit mammoth, company. PS I’m enjoying our little discourse. 
I don’t really understand why a tribunal set up by anti-GMA activitists and an organic food organization would say such terrible things about Monsanto. Weird. I wonder if Monsanto set up their own tribunal… what would be the result.
The problem is that there should be real discussion about the safety of our food supply. We need to hold these large companies accountable. Unfortunately, this type of circus is damaging to that cause. It is clearly not a neutral “court”. Did you even look to see who organized this?
Most people with scientific background literally cringe at the scientific “evidence” that is spewed by these anti-GMO zealots. Yes, you will convince many with no understanding of the scientific process and importance of it (most people), but those that you need to convince (actual researchers without a bone to grind) are immediately placed on the defensive (of GMO’s). If your argument contains 3 facts that are false and one that is true. The truth gets lost.
Valli, read BOTH sides carefully. Look at the actual evidence involved. Be mindful of your confirmation bias as you read (very diffifcult) as I know you have a personal investment in this anti-gmo narrative.
-Mike
My “Investment” is my health and asking for transparency and truth, fairness, protection of the pollinator populations, trust in companies to do the right thing for humanity and not their back pocket.
My “Investment” is a non monopolized growth in agriculture, health guarantees, ecological soundness, study into permaculture, companion planting water reclamation, soil enrichment, reliable food stocks for all.
To have a muli-billion US$ company hide behind a world superpower and call any inroads into truth as “Fake news”, malicious propaganda and shield them (this company) from any form of litigation as a matter of “legal” expediency, interference in due judicial process and preventing the EPA from actually doing it’s job, by pushing through chemicals that have NEVER been independently, thoroughly and truthfully tested so the damage that can be done without challenge.
Then yes I am Invested
Your emotional investment. I don’t think you understand what I’m saying to you. Your response is more of the same. Let me put this a different way. Lets say I believe that all GMO is safe and Monsanto is saving the world from hunger. Let’s also say that Monsanto sets up a tribunal of 5 international judges to judge itself and the tribunal finds that Monsanto is the savior of the world. I’m sure you get where I’m going here. So I try to convince an undecided person that Monsanto is awesome and I offer this tribunal as proof. Well with a few google keystroke they find that Monsanto set up the tribunal. Would you trust anything I said after that?
Look up the facts on your copy/paste. It doesn’t take much to see many glaring flaws. Those with some scientific background will see them even more clearly. It doesn’t mean that the premise is wrong, but it weakens your credibility.
I read your posts and believe you to be an intelligent person that likes to research. I think that you could probably make an effective argument if you could just step back emotionally from the topic.
[quote=“berrmich, post:25, topic:5896, full:true”]
Lets say I believe that all GMO is safe and Monsanto is saving the world from hunger. Let’s also say that Monsanto sets up a tribunal of 5 international judges to judge itself and the tribunal finds that Monsanto is the savior of the world.[/quote]
- Firstly if Monsanto “Products” were safe - we would no be having this conversation
- GMO’s may help the food crisis but the chemicals they use and methods they employ prohibits anyone from testing this properly and without hindrance, prejudice and transparency
- Monsanto are trying to “OWN” DNA they have “created” - NOBODY should be allowed to own the building blocks of nature - register a 20 or 25 year interest as with drugs patents but never ownership
- Why do the USA govt feel the need to prevent companies, individuals from suing if they have not caused damage?
- If these products are so safe why are people getting sick, dying, becoming obese, more cancerous and more prone to autism?
- Food security and safe science does not need to hide - especially if they are the world saviors - the fact that there is no transparency, no independent studies and to prove one way or the other
- A good scientist works with facts, and testing, studies, cross checking and peer review - this has not happened any studies to the contrary have been quashed, bad mouthed, shut down. No empiric or other evidence, has been forthcoming from Monsanto - why? because their studies showed problems and they were hidden as “patents” to prevent a proper analysis of the findings. There are skeletons in the closest - real ones
Asking for empiric evidence, transparent testing, peer reviews, controlled studies - none of this has been allowed to happen - which in my scientific all be it small knowledge, you cannot refute the need for this to happen - and any scientist would agree. Show me the proof, without proof all your arguments are just wind in the trees.
As a Bee Keeper - I want to protect the bees and help them thrive, I want to eat fresh safe clean fruits and vegetables, I want cows, sheep and other herds to graze on untainted grass and hay - is that really too much to ask for?
Your arguments are void - there is no proof chemicals used on GMO’s are safe.
As for the GMO’s obesity is caused by modified corn syrup - nature used to switch off the hunger impulse GMO foods have somehow tampered or dampened this response - HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) as the name says, is higher in Fructose where normal sugar is 50/50 HFCS has 55-45 fructose to glucose ratio in an unbound form.
This is just one GMO product.
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We must be doing something right:
My hives sit 20 yards from Round-Up ready soybeans, corn, wheat, and who knows what else yet they don’t die. Why are they thriving? Is it cumulative? Will they start dying in year 7 or 8? This field just got sprayed with Round-Up 2 weeks ago:
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Was just looking for Hawaii information and found this thread. I live on Kauai and am surely not an expert but am glad that others are informed at least on the issues on this island. I am also a new beekeeper. But I am an organic farmer, with that said. Here on Kauai it is my understanding the relationship is the modifications being made by these companies is to withstand the use of roundup on the corn seed being produced. It was a big fight and it came down to State Law superseeds county law and we lost the court battle. What you may want to research is some studies that have taken place measuring the amount of glycosphate ( I know I am not spelling it correctly) that is surfacing in our honey. I farm on the north side, the more organic side of the island and the levels I understand to be less than on the west side where those companies grow their corn. We are at ground zero and I sat in during some of discussion at county council level. What we witnessed was discussion then the poison company spokespeople stepped out during a break they must have spoken to their lawyers and the discussion changed. They are Big supporters of agriculture and have our farm bureau in their pocket. What I can say to those who eat it Enjoy it, suck it up, but no thank you says I. My customers will buy my product over yours with your stand next to mine even if you discount your product. Over and over and over. That is why our big box stores have huge organic product sections. Ok now back to looking for bee information because Kauai is surely a round peg in a square hole and a lot of bee stuff doesn’t even fit the bee mold. No mites , no bee import, no winter. 
But I have a Flow Hive No mentors
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