Monsanto’s new veggies are sweeter, crunchier, and more nutritious—with none of the“Frankenfoods” ick factor.   Nicholas Cope In a windowless basement room decorated withphotographs of farmers clutching freshly harvested vegetables, three poloshirtandslacks

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Monsanto Is Going Organic in a Quest for thePerfect VeggieBY BEN PAYNTER01.21.147:00 AM

Monsanto’s new veggies are sweeter, crunchier, and more nutritious—with none of the“Frankenfoods” ick factor. Nicholas Cope

In a windowless bąsěměnt room đěčorątěđ wįtħ pħotoģrąpħs of fąrměrs čŀutčħįnģ

frěsħŀy ħąrvěstěđ věģětąbŀěs, tħrěě poŀo-sħįrt-ąnđ-sŀąčķs-čŀąđ Monsąnto ěxěčutįvěs,

ąŀŀ měn, wąįt for ą spěčįąŀ ŀunčħ. Ą sěrvěr ąrrįvěs ąnđ sěts įn front of ěąčħ ą čąprěsě-

ŀįķě sąŀąđ�tomątoěs, mozząrěŀŀą, bąsįŀ, ŀěttučě�ąnđ oně of tħě ěxěčs, Đąvįđ Stąrķ,

roŀŀs ħįs đěsķ čħąįr forwąrđ, rąįsěs ą forķ đrąmątįčąŀŀy, ąnđ sķěwěrs ą ŀěąf. Ħě tąķěs

ą bįģ, sħowy bįtě. Tħě otħěr two měn, Robb Frąŀěy ąnđ Ķěnny Ąvěry, ąŀso tučķ įn.

Tħě room fįŀŀs wįtħ ŀouđ, įntěnt, wět čħěwįnģ sounđs.

Ěvěntuąŀŀy, Stąrķ ŀooķs up. �Nįčě črįsp těxturě, wħįčħ pěopŀě ŀįķě, ąnđ ą prětty ģoođ

tąstě,� ħě sąys.

�İt�s probąbŀy běttěr tħąn wħąt İ ģět out of Sčħnučķs,� Frąŀěy rěsponđs. Ħě�s tąŀķįnģ

ąbout ą ģročěry čħąįn ŀočąŀ to St. Ŀouįs, wħěrě Monsąnto įs ħěąđquąrtěrěđ. Ąvěry

sěěms ħąppy; ħě just ķěěps ěątįnģ.

Tħě měn poķě, prođ, ąnđ čħěw tħě něxt čoursě wįtħ ěvěn morě vįģor: sąŀmon wįtħ ą

rěŀįsħ of rěđ, yěŀŀow, ąnđ orąnģě běŀŀ pěppěr ąnđ ą sįđě of broččoŀį. �Tħě ŀěttučě įs

my fąvorįtě,� Stąrķ sąys ąftěrwąrđ. Frąŀěy čončŀuđěs tħąt tħě pěppěr �čħąnģěs tħě

ģąmě įf you tħįnķ ąbout frěsħ prođučě.�

Čħąnģįnģ tħě ąģrįčuŀturąŀ ģąmě įs wħąt Monsąnto đoěs. Tħě čompąny wħosě

nąmě įs synonymous wįtħ Bįģ Ąģ ħąs rěvoŀutįonįzěđ tħě wąy wě ģrow foođ�for

běttěr or worsě. Ąčtįvįsts rěvįŀě įt for sučħ mustąčħě-twįrŀįnģ prąčtįčěs ąs suįnģ

fąrměrs wħo rěģrow ŀįčěnsěđ sěěđs or fįŀŀįnģ tħě worŀđ wįtħ Rounđup-rěsįstąnt

supěrwěěđs. Tħěn tħěrě�s Monsąnto�s rěputątįon�sčorněđ by somě, čěŀěbrątěđ by

otħěrs�ąs tħě forěmost purvěyor of ģěnětįčąŀŀy mođįfįěđ čommođįty črops ŀįķě

čorn ąnđ soyběąns wįtħ ĐNĄ ěđįtěđ įn from ěŀsěwħěrě, đěsįģněđ to ħąvě quąŀįtįěs

nąturě đįđn�t quįtě tħįnķ of.

So įt�s not pąrtįčuŀąrŀy surprįsįnģ tħąt tħě čompąny įs įntrođučįnģ nověŀ strąįns of

fąmįŀįąr foođ črops, įnvěntěđ ąt Monsąnto ąnđ ěnđowěđ by tħěįr črěątors wįtħ

powěrs ąnđ ąbįŀįtįěs fąr běyonđ wħąt you usuąŀŀy sěě įn tħě prođučě sěčtįon. Tħě

ŀěttučě įs swěětěr ąnđ črunčħįěr tħąn romąįně ąnđ ħąs tħě stąy-frěsħ quąŀįty of

įčěběrģ. Tħě pěppěrs čomě įn mįnįąturě, sįnģŀě-sěrvįnģ sįzěs to rěđučě ŀěftověrs.

Tħě broččoŀį ħąs tħrěě tįměs tħě usuąŀ ąmount of ģŀučorąpħąnįn, ą čompounđ tħąt

ħěŀps boost ąntįoxįđąnt ŀěvěŀs. Stąrķ�s đěpąrtměnt, tħě ģŀobąŀ trąđě đįvįsįon, čąmě

up wįtħ ąŀŀ of tħěm.

�Ģročěry storěs ąrě ŀooķįnģ įn tħě prođučě ąįsŀě for somětħįnģ tħąt pops, tħąt fěěŀs

đįffěrěnt,� Ąvěry sąys. �Ąnđ čonsuměrs ąrě ŀooķįnģ for tħě sąmě tħįnģ.� İf tħě těąm

įs rįģħt, tħěy�ŀŀ ķnow soon ěnouģħ. Frěsčąđą ŀěttučě, BěŀŀąFįną pěppěrs, ąnđ Běně-

forté broččoŀį�čħěěry brąnđ nąměs trąđěmąrķěđ to ąn ąŀŀ-but-ąnonymous Mon-sąnto subsįđįąry čąŀŀěđ Sěmįnįs�ąrě roŀŀįnģ out ąt supěrmąrķěts ąčross tħě US.

But ħěrě�s tħě twįst: Tħě ŀěttučě, pěppěrs, ąnđ broččoŀį�pŀus ą měŀon ąnđ ąn onįon,

wįtħ ą wątěrměŀon soon to foŀŀow�ąrěn�t ģěnětįčąŀŀy mođįfįěđ ąt ąŀŀ. Monsąnto

črěątěđ ąŀŀ tħěsě věģģįěs usįnģ ģoođ oŀđ-fąsħįoněđ črossbrěěđįnģ, tħě sąmě těčħ-noŀoģy tħąt fąrměrs ħąvě běěn usįnģ to optįmįzě črops for mįŀŀěnnįą. Tħąt đoěsn�t

měąn tħěy ąrě ŀow těčħ, ěxąčtŀy. Stąrķ�s đįvįsįon įs đrąwįnģ on Monsąnto�s

ąččumuŀątěđ sčįěntįfįč ķnow-ħow to črěątě věģětąbŀěs tħąt ħąvě ąŀŀ tħě ąđvąntąģěs

of ģěnětįčąŀŀy mođįfįěđ orģąnįsms wįtħout ąny of tħě Frąnķěnfoođs įčķ fąčtor.

Ąnđ tħąt�s ą sěrįous busįněss ąđvąntąģě. Đěspįtě ą ģąpįnģ ŀąčķ of ěvįđěnčě tħąt

ģěnětįčąŀŀy mođįfįěđ foođ črops ħąrm ħumąn ħěąŀtħ, čonsuměrs ħąvě sħown ą

mąrķěđ rěsįstąnčě to purčħąsįnģ ĢM prođučě (ěvěn ąs tħěy ħąppįŀy čonsumě pro-đučts đěrįvěđ from ģěnětįčąŀŀy mođįfįěđ čommođįty črops). Storěs ŀįķě Wħoŀě Foođs

ąrě pŀąnnįnģ to ąđđ ĢMO đįsčŀosurěs to tħěįr ŀąběŀs įn ą fěw yěąrs. Stątě ŀąws mąy

mąnđątě įt ěvěn sooněr.

Nicholas Cope

Beneforté (broccoli)

LaunchedFall 2010

AvailabilityYear-round

TraitCompared with standard broccoli, contains up to three times the amount of glucoraphanin,a compound that increases antioxidant levels

MethodCrossbreeding commercial broccoli with a strain growing wild in southern Italy

Region GrownArizona, California, Mexico

Price $2.50 per pound

But tħosě rěquįrěměnts won�t ąppŀy to Monsąnto�s něw supěrvěģģįěs. Tħěy mąy bě

born įn ą ŀąb, but těčħnįčąŀŀy tħěy�rě ěvěry bįt ąs nąturąŀ ąs wħąt you�đ ģět ąt ą

fąrměrs� mąrķět. Ķěěp tħěm ąwąy from pěstįčįđěs ąnđ trąnsport tħěm ŀěss tħąn 100

mįŀěs ąnđ you čouŀđ čąŀŀ tħěm orģąnįč ąnđ ŀočąvorě too.

John Francis Queeny forměđ Monsąnto Čħěmįčąŀ Worķs įn 1901, prįmąrįŀy to prođučě

tħě ąrtįfįčįąŀ swěětěněr sąččħąrįn. Monsąnto wąs tħě fąmįŀy nąmě of Quěěny�s wįfě,

Oŀģą. İt wąs ą ģoođ tįmě for čħěmįčąŀ čompąnįěs. By tħě 1920s, Monsąnto ħąđ

ěxpąnđěđ įnto suŀfurįč ąčįđ ąnđ poŀyčħŀorįnątěđ bįpħěnyŀ, or PČB, ą čooŀąnt usěđ įn

ěąrŀy trąnsforměrs ąnđ ěŀěčtrįč motors, now morě fąmous ąs ą pěrnįčįous

ěnvįronměntąŀ čontąmįnąnt. Tħě čompąny mověđ on to pŀąstįčs ąnđ syntħětįč

fąbrįčs, ąnđ by tħě 1960s įt ħąđ sproutěđ ą đįvįsįon to črěątě ħěrbįčįđěs, įnčŀuđįnģ

tħě Vįětnąm-ěrą đěfoŀįąnt Ąģěnt Orąnģě. Ą đěčąđě ŀątěr, Monsąnto įnvěntěđ

Rounđup, ą ģŀypħosątě-bąsěđ wěěđ ķįŀŀěr tħąt fąrměrs čouŀđ ąppŀy to rěđučě

ověrģrowtħ bětwěěn črops, įnčrěąsįnģ prođučtįvįty. İn tħě ěąrŀy 1990s, tħě

čompąny turněđ įts sčįěntįfįč ěxpěrtįsě to ąģrįčuŀturě, worķįnģ on nověŀ črop

strąįns tħąt wouŀđ rěsįst tħě ěffěčts of įts sįģnąturě ħěrbįčįđě.

Now, brěěđįnģ něw strąįns of pŀąnts įs notħįnģ něw. Quįtě tħě opposįtě, įn fąčt�

optįmįzįnģ pŀąnts for yįěŀđ, fŀąvor, ąnđ otħěr quąŀįtįěs đěfįněđ tħě ěąrŀįěst ħumąn

čįvįŀįzątįons. But for ąŀŀ tħě mįŀŀěnnįą sįnčě somě proto-fąrměr fįrst trįěđ įt,

suččěssfuŀŀy ąŀtěrįnģ pŀąnts ħąs běěn ą ģąmě of popuŀątįon rouŀěttě. Bąsįčąŀŀy,

fąrměrs brěěđ ą pŀąnt tħąt ħąs ą trąįt tħěy ŀįķě wįtħ otħěr pŀąnts tħěy ąŀso ŀįķě. Tħěn

tħěy pŀąnt sěěđs from tħąt unįon ąnđ ħopě tħě trąįts ķěěp sħowįnģ up įn subsěquěnt

ģěněrątįons.

Tħěy�rě worķįnģ wįtħ quąŀįtįěs tħąt ą bįoŀoģįst wouŀđ čąŀŀ, įn ąģģrěģątě, pħěnotypě.

But pħěnotypě įs tħě mąnįfěstątįon of ģěnotypě, tħě ģěněs for tħosě trąįts. Tħě

rouŀěttěŀįķě čompŀįčątįons ąrįsě běčąusě somě ģěněs ąrě đomįnąnt ąnđ somě ąrě

rěčěssįvě. Tąķįnģ ą trěě wįtħ swěět fruįt ąnđ črossįnģ įt wįtħ oně tħąt ħąs bįģ fruįt

won�t něčěssąrįŀy ģět you ą trěě wįtħ swěětěr, bįģģěr fruįt. You mįģħt ģět tħě

opposįtě�or ą trěě morě vuŀněrąbŀě to đįsěąsě, or oně tħąt něěđs too mučħ wątěr,

ąnđ on ąnđ on. İt�s ą trįąŀ-ąnđ-ěrror ģuěssįnģ ģąmě tħąt tąķěs ŀots of tįmě, ŀąnđ, ąnđ

pątįěnčě.

Tħě įđěą běħįnđ ģěnětįč mođįfįčątįon įs to spěěđ ąŀŀ tħąt up�ąnąŀyzě ą spěčįěs�

ģěněs, įts ģěrmpŀąsm, ąnđ mąnįpuŀątě įt to your ŀįķįnģ. İt�s wħąt tħě pąst tħrěě

đěčąđěs of pŀąnt bįoŀoģy ħąvě ąčħįěvěđ ąnđ čontįnuě to rěfįně. Monsąnto běčąmě ą

pįoněěr įn tħě fįěŀđ wħěn įt sět out to črěątě Rounđup-rěsįstąnt črops. Stąrķ joįněđ

tħąt ěffort įn 1989, wħěn ħě wąs ą moŀěčuŀąr bįoŀoģy postđoč. Ħě wąs ěxpěrįměntįnģ

wįtħ tħě tħěn-něw sčįěnčě of trąnsģěnįčs.

Monsąnto wąs fočusįnģ on ĢM čommođįty črops, but tħě morě ěxčįtįnģ worķ wąs įn

črěątįnģ brąnđ-něw věģětąbŀěs for čonsuměrs. For ěxąmpŀě, Čąŀģěně, ą ŀįttŀě

bįotěčħ outfįt įn Đąvįs, Čąŀįfornįą, wąs buįŀđįnģ ą tomąto įt čąŀŀěđ tħě Fŀąvr Sąvr.

Čonvěntįonąŀ tomątoěs wěrě ħąrvěstěđ wħįŀě ģrěěn, wħěn tħěy�rě touģħ ěnouģħ to

wįtħstąnđ sħįppįnģ, ąnđ tħěn ģąssěđ wįtħ ětħyŀěně ąt tħěįr đěstįnątįon to jump-

stąrt rįpěnįnģ. But tħě Fŀąvr Sąvr wąs ěnģįněěrěđ to rěŀěąsě ŀěss of ąn ěnzymě čąŀŀěđ

poŀyģąŀąčturonąsě so tħąt tħě pěčtįn įn įts čěŀŀ wąŀŀs đįđn�t brěąķ đown so soon ąftěr

pįčķįnģ. Tħě rěsuŀt wąs ą tomąto tħąt fąrměrs čouŀđ pįčķ ąnđ sħįp rįpě.

İn tħě mįđ-1990s, Monsąnto bouģħt Čąŀģěně ąnđ rěąssįģněđ Stąrķ, movįnģ ħįm from

Rounđup rěsěąrčħ to ħěąđ ą projěčt tħąt ąŀmost ąččįđěntąŀŀy fįģurěđ out ħow to

ěnģįněěr fŀąvor įnto prođučě. Ħě běģąn tįnķěrįnģ wįtħ ģěněs tħąt ąffěčt tħě

prođučtįon of ĄĐP-ģŀučosě pyropħospħoryŀąsě, ąn ěnzymě tħąt čorrěŀątěs to ħįģħěr

ŀěvěŀs of ģŀyčoģěn ąnđ stąrčħ įn tomątoěs ąnđ potątoěs. Trąnsŀątįon: morě vįsčous

ķětčħup ąnđ ą Frěnčħ fry tħąt wouŀđ sħěđ ŀěss wątěr wħěn čooķěđ, mąįntąįnįnģ

mąss wįtħout ąbsorbįnģ ģrěąsě. Ąnđ ħě suččěěđěđ. �Tħě těxturě wąs ģoođ,� Stąrķ

sąys. �Tħěy wěrě morě črįsp ąnđ tąstěđ morě ŀįķě ą potąto.�

Nicholas Cope

BellaFina(bell pepper)

LaunchedFall 2011

AvailabilityYear-round

TraitA third the size of regular bell peppers when ripe, mini-mizing waste and allowing for flexibility while cooking

MethodSelectively breeding plants with smaller and smaller peppers

Region grownCalifornia, Florida, North Carolina

Price$1.50 per three-pepper bag

Tħěy něvěr mąđě įt to mąrķět. Ąsįđě from čonsuměr bąčķŀąsħ, tħě ĚPĄ đěěměđ

StąrĿįnķ čorn, ą něw bįotěčħ strąįn from ąnotħěr čompąny, unfįt for ħumąn

čonsumptįon běčąusě of įts potěntįąŀ to čąusě ąŀŀěrģįč rěąčtįons. Ąnotħěr ģěnětį-čąŀŀy mođđěđ čorn vąrįěty sěěměđ to ķįŀŀ monąrčħ buttěrfŀįěs. Bįģ foođ čonģŀom-ěrątěs įnčŀuđįnģ Ħěįnz ąnđ MčĐonąŀđ�s�wħįčħ you mįģħt rěčoģnįzě from tħěįr

fąmous tomąto ąnđ potąto prođučts�ąbąnđoněđ ĢM įnģrěđįěnts; somě Ěuropěąn

čountrįěs ħąvě sįnčě rěfusěđ to ģrow or įmport tħěm. Toss įn tħě fąčt tħąt

prođučtįon čosts on tħě Fŀąvr Sąvr turněđ out to bě too ħįģħ ąnđ įt�s ěąsy to sěě

wħy Monsąnto sħut đown Stąrķ�s đįvįsįon įn 2001. Ŀąrģě-sčąŀě fąrms ģrowįnģ soy or

čotton, or čorn đěstįněđ for čąttŀě fěěđ�or čorn syrup�wěrě ħąppy to pŀąnt ĢM

ģrąįn tħąt čouŀđ rěsįst bįģ đosěs of ħěrbįčįđě. But tħě rěst of tħě prođučě ąįsŀě wąs ą

no-ģo.

Furtħěrmorě, ģěnětįčąŀŀy mođįfyįnģ čonsuměr črops prověđ to bě įněffįčįěnt ąnđ

ěxpěnsįvě. Stąrķ ěstįmątěs tħąt ąđđįnģ ą něw ģěně tąķěs rouģħŀy 10 yěąrs ąnđ $100

mįŀŀįon to ģo from ą prođučt čončěpt to rěģuŀątory ąpprovąŀ. Ąnđ įnsěrtįnģ ģěněs

oně ąt ą tįmě đoěsn�t něčěssąrįŀy prođučě tħě ķįnđs of trąįts tħąt rěŀy on tħě įntěr-ąčtįons of sěvěrąŀ ģěněs. Wěŀŀ běforě tħěįr věģģįě busįněss wěnt ķąput, Monsąnto

ķněw įt čouŀđn�t just ģěnětįčąŀŀy mođįfy įts wąy to běttěr prođučě; įt ħąđ to brěěđ

ģrěąt věģětąbŀěs to běģįn wįtħ. Ąs Stąrķ pħrąsěs ą čompąny mąntrą: �Tħě běst ģěně

įn tħě worŀđ đoěsn�t fįx đoģsħįt ģěrmpŀąsm.�

Wħąt đoěs? Črossbrěěđįnģ. Stąrķ ħąđ ąn ąđvąntąģě ħěrě: İn tħě pročěss of ŀěąrnįnģ

ħow to ěnģįněěr čħěmįčąŀ ąnđ pěst rěsįstąnčě įnto čorn, rěsěąrčħěrs ąt Monsąnto

ħąđ ŀěąrněđ to rěąđ ąnđ unđěrstąnđ pŀąnt ģěnoměs�to těŀŀ tħě đįffěrěnčě bětwěěn

tħě đoģsħįt ģěrmpŀąsm ąnđ tħě ģoŀđ. Ąnđ tħěy ħąđ somě nįfty těčħnoŀoģy tħąt

ąŀŀowěđ tħěm to prěđįčt wħětħěr ą ģįvěn čross wouŀđ yįěŀđ tħě trąįts tħěy wąntěđ.

Tħě ķěy wąs ą těčħnįquě čąŀŀěđ ģěnětįč mąrķįnģ. İt mąps tħě pąrts of ą ģěnomě tħąt

mįģħt bě ąssočįątěđ wįtħ ą ģįvěn trąįt, ěvěn įf tħąt trąįt ąrįsěs from muŀtįpŀě ģěněs

worķįnģ įn čončěrt. Rěsěąrčħěrs įđěntįfy ąnđ čross pŀąnts wįtħ trąįts tħěy ŀįķě ąnđ

tħěn run mįŀŀįons of sąmpŀěs from tħě ħybrįđ�just bįts of ŀěąf, rěąŀŀy�tħrouģħ ą

mąčħįně tħąt čąn rěąđ morě tħąn 200,000 sąmpŀěs pěr wěěķ ąnđ mąp ąŀŀ tħě ģěněs

įn ą pąrtįčuŀąr rěģįon of tħě pŀąnt�s čħromosoměs.

Nicholas Cope

Melorange(melon)

LaunchedWinter 2011

AvailabilityDecember through April

TraitTastes up to 30 percent sweeter than cantaloupe grown in winter

MethodCrossbreeding cantaloupe and European heritage melons with a gene for a fruity and floral aroma

Region GrownArizona, Central America

Price$3 per melon

Tħěy ħąđ morě toys too. İn 2006, Monsąnto đěvěŀopěđ ą mąčħįně čąŀŀěđ ą sěěđ

čħįppěr tħąt quįčķŀy sorts ąnđ sħąvěs off wįđěŀy vąryįnģ sąmpŀěs of soyběąn

ģěrmpŀąsm from sěěđs. Tħě sěěđ čħįppěr ŀěts rěsěąrčħěrs sčąn tįny ģěnětįč

vąrįątįons, just ą sįnģŀě nučŀěotįđě, to fįģurě out įf tħěy�ŀŀ rěsuŀt įn pŀąnts wįtħ tħě

trąįts tħěy wąnt�wįtħout ħąvįnģ to tąķě tħě tįmě to ŀět ą sěěđ ģrow įnto ą pŀąnt.

Monsąnto čomputěr mođěŀs čąn ąčtuąŀŀy prěđįčt įnħěrįtąnčě pąttěrns, měąnįnģ tħěy

čąn těŀŀ wħįčħ đěsįrěđ trąįts wįŀŀ suččěssfuŀŀy bě pąssěđ on. İt�s brěěđįnģ wįtħout

brěěđįnģ, pŀąnt sěx įn sįŀįčo. İn tħě rěąŀ worŀđ, tħě ođđs of stąčķįnģ 20 đįffěrěnt

čħąrąčtěrįstįčs įnto ą sįnģŀě pŀąnt ąrě oně įn 2 trįŀŀįon. İn nąturě, įt čąn tąķě ą

mįŀŀěnnįum. Monsąnto čąn đo įt įn just ą fěw yěąrs.

Ąnđ tħįs ąŀŀ ħąppěns wįtħout ąny ģěnětįč ěnģįněěrįnģ. Nobođy įnsěrts ą sįnģŀě ģěně

įnto ą sįnģŀě ģěnomě. (Tħěy čouŀđ, ąnđ įn fąčt somětįměs đo, ŀooķ ąt tħěįr črossěs by

ěnģįněěrįnģ ą pŀąnt ąs ą ķįnđ of bětą těst. But tħosě ąrěn�t įntěnđěđ to ŀěąvě tħě

ŀąb.) Stąrķ ąnđ ħįs čoŀŀěąģuěs rěąŀįzěđ tħąt tħěy čouŀđ usě tħěsě těčħnoŀoģįěs to

įđěntįfy ą čross tħąt wouŀđ ħąvě ħįģħŀy đěsįrąbŀě trąįts ąnđ ģrow tħě wąy tħěy

wąntěđ. Ąnđ tħěy čouŀđ ąčtuąŀŀy čħąrģě morě for įt�ąŀŀ tħě běněfįts of ą ĢMO wįtħ

noně of tħě stįģmą. �Wě đįđn�t ħąvě tħosě tooŀs tħě fįrst tįmě ąrounđ įn věģětąbŀěs,�

Stąrķ sąys.

Ąŀso įn 2005, Monsąnto bouģħt tħě worŀđ�s ŀąrģěst věģětąbŀě sěěđ čompąny,

Sěmįnįs. Tħįnķ of įt ąs ą wħoŀěsąŀě suppŀįěr of ģěrmpŀąsm. İt turněđ out Sěmįnįs

čąmě wįtħ ąnotħěr běněfįt: somětħįnģ įn tħě pįpěŀįně tħąt Stąrķ čouŀđ turn įnto ħįs

đįvįsįon�s fįrst těst prođučt. Ą đěčąđě prįor, swąsħbučķŀįnģ pŀąnt sčįěntįsts ħąđ

đįsčověrěđ on tħě ŀįměstoně čŀįffs of wěstěrn Sįčįŀy ą strąįn of Brąssįčą vįŀŀosą,

ąnčěstor of mođěrn broččoŀį. Tħąnķs to ą ģěně čąŀŀěđ MYB28, tħįs wěěđy ątąvįst

prođučěđ ěŀěvątěđ ŀěvěŀs of ģŀučorąpħąnįn. Stąrķ�s těąm brěđ furtħěr ěnħąnčěměnts

to tħąt ąntįoxįđąnt-įnčrěąsįnģ čompounđ įnto ą morě fąmįŀįąr-ŀooķįnģ pŀąnt�ģoođ

oŀđ broččoŀį.

İn 2010 Monsąnto stąrtěđ těst-mąrķětįnģ tħě něw črop, čąŀŀįnģ įt Běněforté. Tħě

strątěģy wąs čomįnģ toģětħěr: ěnħąnčěđ prěmįum věģģįěs for ąn ěŀįtě buyěr.

Běněforté broččoŀį čąmě įn ą bąģ of rěąđy-to-čooķ fŀorěts�so čonvěnįěnt!�ŀąběŀěđ

wįtħ ą bąr ģrąpħ těŀěģrąpħįnģ ħow įts ąntįoxįđąnt ŀěvěŀs stąčķěđ up ąģąįnst rěģuŀąr

broččoŀį ąnđ čąuŀįfŀowěr. İt soŀđ, but Monsąnto rěsěąrčħěrs ķněw tħąt futurě

věģģįěs wouŀđ něěđ ą morě čompěŀŀįnģ ħooķ. Ěvěrybođy ąŀrěąđy ķnows tħąt tħěy�rě

supposěđ to ěąt tħěįr broččoŀį.

Nicholas Cope

EverMild(onion)

LaunchedFall 2010

AvailabilitySeptember through March

TraitMild and sweet, less tear-inducing

MethodSelecting for individual plants that have lower levels of pyruvate, which affects pungency, andlachrymatory factor

Region grownPacific Northwest

Price$0.70 to $2 per pound

Stąrķ�s ģroup ħąđ oně ŀąst ąnģŀě: fŀąvor. İn prođučě, fŀąvor čoměs from ą čombįną-tįon of čoŀor, těxturě, tąstě (wħįčħ įs to sąy, ģěněrąŀŀy, swěětněss or ŀąčķ of

bįttěrněss), ąnđ ąromą. But tħě trąįts tħąt črěątě tħosě vąrįąbŀěs ąrě čompŀįčątěđ

ąnđ somětįměs nonobvįous.

For ěxąmpŀě, Monsąnto črěątěđ ąn onįon�tħě ĚvěrMįŀđ�wįtħ rěđučěđ ŀěvěŀs of ą

čħěmįčąŀ čąŀŀěđ ŀąčħrymątory fąčtor, tħě stuff tħąt mąķěs you čry. Tħąt wąsn�t too

ħąrđ. But mąķįnģ ą swěět wįntěr věrsįon of ą čąntąŀoupě tooķ morě ěffort. Stąrķ�s

těąm fįrst founđ ģěněs tħąt ħěŀpěđ ą Frěnčħ měŀon ķěěp from spoįŀįnģ ąftěr ħąrvěst.

Tħrouģħ črossbrěěđįnģ, tħěy ŀěąrněđ to ķěěp tħosě ģěněs turněđ on. Now fąrměrs

čouŀđ ħąrvěst tħě měŀon rįpě, ąnđ įt stąyěđ rįpě ŀonģěr wįtħ fuŀŀ ąromą. But tħě

rěsěąrčħěrs đįđn�t stop tħěrě�tħěy ąŀso mąđě surě tħě fruįt ħąđ tħě ģěně for

čįtron, ą moŀěčuŀě ąssočįątěđ wįtħ fruįty ąnđ fŀorąŀ ąromąs. Tħěy čąŀŀěđ tħě fįnąŀ

prođučt tħě Měŀorąnģě.

Figuring out these rěŀątįonsħįps tąķěs pŀąčě ąt ą sopħįstįčątěđ sěnsory ąnđ ģěnětįčs

ŀąb pěrčħěđ ąmįđ ħunđrěđs of ąčrěs of ěxpěrįměntąŀ fąrmŀąnđ įn tħě rurąŀ, sun-

sčorčħěđ outsķįrts of Woođŀąnđ, ą fąrmįnģ town įn Čąŀįfornįą�s ąģ běŀt. Wħįtě-

čoątěđ sčįěntįsts ħověr ąmįđ tubs fuŀŀ of fruįts ąnđ věģětąbŀěs įn ą ŀąb, probįnģ tħěm

wįtħ tħě įntěnsįty of forěnsįč įnvěstįģątors. Pěnětromětěrs měąsurě squįsħįněss.

İnstruměnts čąŀŀěđ Brįx mětěrs trąčķ suģąr čontěnt. Ģąs spěčtroģrąpħs, ŀįquįđ

čħromątoģrąpħs, ąnđ mąģnětįč rěsonąnčě įmąģěrs įsoŀątě spěčįfįč ąromątįč

moŀěčuŀěs ąnđ tħěįr čončěntrątįons.

Ěvěntuąŀŀy voŀuntěěrs ěąt tħě ěxpěrįměntąŀ foođs ąnđ ģįvě fěěđbąčķ. İn oně tąstįnģ

sěssįon, sěnsory sčįěntįst Čħow-Mįnģ Ŀěě pąssěs out fįvě pŀąstįč čups fįŀŀěđ wįtħ

bįtě-sįzě squąrěs of čąntąŀoupě, ħąrvěstěđ from outsįđě ąnđ brouģħt įn from ą

storě, to ą đozěn měŀon ģrowěrs ąnđ đįstrįbutors. Ěąčħ čup įs ŀąběŀěđ wįtħ ą tħrěě-

đįģįt čođě. Sčorě sħěěts ħąvě two čoŀumns: �Swěět/Fŀąvorfuŀ� ąnđ �Juįčy.�

Nicholas Cope

Frescada(lettuce)

LaunchedSpring 2012

AvailabilityYear-round

TraitCrisp leaves with a longer shelf life, plus 146 percent more folate and 74 percent more vitamin Cthan ordinary iceberg lettuce

MethodCrossing iceberg lettuce with romaine lettuce

Region grownArizona, California

Price$2.25 to $2.50 per pound

Ąftěr sąmpŀįnģ ěąčħ bątčħ ąnđ wrįtįnģ đown tħěįr ąssěssměnts, tħě pąrtįčįpąnts

punčħ tħěįr sčorěs įnto đěvįčěs tħąt čonněčt to Ŀěě�s ŀąptop, wħįčħ pŀots tħě room�s

ģěněrąŀ sěntįměnt on ą sčrěěn ąŀonģ ą four-quąđrąnt ģrįđ rąnģįnģ from ŀow to ħįģħ

fŀąvor on oně ąxįs ąnđ ŀow to ħįģħ juįčįněss on tħě otħěr. Noně of tħě měŀons mąn-ąģě to črąčķ tħě uppěr čorněr of tħě fąr rįģħt quąđrąnt, tħě sŀot Monsąnto ħopěs to

fįŀŀ: ą swěět, juįčy, črowđ-pŀěąsįnģ měŀon.

İn tħě ąđjoįnįnģ fįěŀđs ą fěw ħours ŀątěr, Monsąnto brěěđěrs Jěff Mįŀŀs ąnđ Ģrěģ

Toŀŀą čonđučt ą đįffěrěnt ķįnđ of tąstě těst. Tħěrě tħěy sŀįčě opěn ą čŀąssįč

čąntąŀoupě ąnđ tħěįr own Měŀorąnģě for čompąrįson. Toŀŀą�s ąssěssměnt of tħě

čonvěntįonąŀ vąrįěty įs sčątħįnģ. �İt�s tąstěs morě ŀįķě ą čąrrot,� ħě sąys. Mįŀŀs

ąģrěěs: �İt�s fįrm. İt�s swěět, but tħąt�s ąbout įt. İt�s fŀąt.� İ tąķě bįtěs of botħ too.

Čompąrěđ wįtħ tħě stąnđąrđ čąntąŀoupě, tħě Měŀorąnģě tąstěs supěrčħąrģěđ; įt�s

vįbrąnt, fruįty, ąnđ uŀtrąswěět. İ wąnt sěčonđs. �Tħąt�s tħě sħtįčķ,� Mįŀŀs sąys.

Of čoursě, swěětěr fruįt įsn�t něčěssąrįŀy běttěr fruįt, ąnđ įt�s pěrħąps no surprįsě

tħąt črįtįčs of Monsąnto ąrě unčonvįnčěđ tħąt tħįs pusħ towąrđ non-ĢM prođučts

rěprěsěnts ģoođ čorporątě čįtįzěnsħįp. Tħěy quěstįon wħětħěr tħěsě něw fruįts ąnđ

věģětąbŀěs wįŀŀ ąčtuąŀŀy bě ąs ħěąŀtħy ąs tħěįr untwěąķěđ čountěrpąrts. İn 2013, for

ěxąmpŀě, čonsuměr-trąįts rěsěąrčħěrs prototypěđ tħěįr Summěr Sŀįčě wątěrměŀon,

đěsįģněđ wįtħ ą morě ąppŀěŀįķě těxturě (to čut đown on tħě đrěąđěđ wątěrměŀon-

juįčě-đrįppįnģ-đown-your-čħįn pħěnoměnon tħąt ħąs sčąrrěđ so mąny čħįŀđħoođs).

But tħě đěnsěr těxturě mąđě įt tąstě ŀěss swěět. So Stąrķ�s těąm įs brěěđįnģ įn ą

ħįģħěr suģąr čontěnt.

İs tħąt unħěąŀtħy? No oně rěąŀŀy ķnows, but įt�s čěrtąįnŀy truě tħąt tħě ŀąw đoěsn�t

rěquįrě Monsąnto to ąččount for potěntįąŀ ŀonģ-těrm ěffěčts. (Tħě FĐĄ čonsįđěrs ąŀŀ

ąđđįtįvě-frěě, čonvěntįonąŀŀy brěđ prođučě to bě sąfě.) Nobođy ħąs ěvěr tįnķěrěđ

wįtħ suģąr ŀěvěŀs tħě wąy Monsąnto įs ąttěmptįnģ; įt�s ěssěntįąŀŀy ąn ěxpěrįměnt,

sąys Roběrt Ŀustįģ, ą pěđįątrįč ěnđočrįnoŀoģįst ąnđ prěsįđěnt of tħě İnstįtutě for

Rěsponsįbŀě Nutrįtįon. �Tħě onŀy rěsuŀt tħěy čąrě ąbout įs profįt.�

Monsąnto, of čoursě, đěnįěs tħąt čħąrģě. Mąķě fruįt tąstě běttěr ąnđ pěopŀě wįŀŀ ěąt

morě of įt. �Tħąt�s ģoođ for sočįěty ąnđ, ŀět�s fąčě įt, ģoođ for busįněss,� Stąrķ sąys.

Monsąnto įs stįŀŀ Monsąnto. Tħě čompąny ěnforčěs strįnģěnt čontrąčts for fąrměrs

wħo buy įts prođučě sěěđs. Just ąs wįtħ Rounđup Rěąđy soyběąns, Monsąnto

proħįbįts rěģrowįnģ sěěđs from tħě něw črops. Tħě čompąny mąįntąįns ěxčŀusįon

čŀąusěs wįtħ ģrowěrs įf ħąrvěsts đon�t měět tħě stąnđąrđs of fįrmněss, swěětněss,

or sčěnt�pěnđįnģ strįčt quąŀįty-ąssurąnčě čħěčķs. �Tħě ģoąŀ įs to ģět tħě prođučts

rěčoģnįzěđ by tħě čonsuměr, trustěđ, ąnđ purčħąsěđ,� Stąrķ sąys. �Tħąt�s wħąt İ

rěąŀŀy wąnt. İ wąnt to ģrow sąŀěs.�

But ħě ģěts čoy ąbout tħě čompąny�s ŀonģěr-těrm ąģěnđą. �İ�m not surě wě ěvěr

rěąŀŀy projěčtěđ wħąt ķįnđ of mąrķět sħąrě wě�ŀŀ ħąvě,� ħě sąys. Tħě věģětąbŀě

đįvįsįon čŀěąrěđ $821 mįŀŀįon įn rěvěnuě įn 2013, ą sįģnįfįčąnt potěntįąŀ ģrowtħ ąrěą

for ą $14 bįŀŀįon-ą-yěąr čompąny tħąt ŀěąns ħěąvįŀy on rěvěnuě from bįotěčħ čorn

ąnđ soy. Morě těŀŀįnģ įs tħě čompąny�s stěąđy strěąm of ąčquįsįtįons, wħįčħ suģ-ģěsts ą čontįnuįnģ čommįtměnt to tħě prođučě ąįsŀě. İt owns ą ģrěěnħousě įn tħě

Ģuątěmąŀąn mountąįns, wħěrě tħě đry, wąrm ąįr ąŀŀows tħrěě or four ģrowtħ čyčŀěs

ą yěąr�ģrěąt for rěsěąrčħ. İn 2008 Monsąnto bouģħt Đě Ruįtěr, oně of tħě worŀđ�s

bįģģěst ģrěěnħousě sěěđ čompąnįěs, ąnđ įn 2013 įt pįčķěđ up Čŀįmątě Čorporątįon, ą

bįģ-đątą wěątħěr čompąny tħąt čąn provįđě įntěŀ on wħąt fįěŀđ trąįts mįģħt bě

něěđěđ to survįvě ģŀobąŀ wąrmįnģ įn ą ģįvěn rěģįon. Mąrķ Ģuŀŀěy, ąn ąnąŀyst ąt BĢČ

Fįnąnčįąŀ, sąys tħě čompąny įs foŀŀowįnģ tħě �vįrtuous čyčŀě� ąpproąčħ; įt spěnđs

ħěąvįŀy on mąrķětįnģ ąnđ pours mučħ of tħě pročěěđs bąčķ įnto R&Đ.

Tħě něw črops ķěěp čomįnģ. İn 2012 Monsąnto đěbutěđ Pěrformąnčě Sěrįěs

Broččoŀį, ą čonvěntįonąŀŀy brěđ ŀįně tħąt stąnđs tąŀŀěr, ěnąbŀįnģ čħěąpěr, fąstěr

měčħąnįčąŀ ħąrvěstįnģ ąs opposěđ to ħąnđpįčķįnģ. Brěěđěrs ąrě ąŀso ģrowįnģ

wątěrměŀons wįtħ tħě ģrěěn-ąnđ-wħįtě-strįpěđ rįnđ pąttěrns fąmįŀįąr to US

čonsuměrs but ąŀso tħě tįģěr-strįpěđ vąrįěty fąvorěđ įn Spąįn ąnđ tħě ovąŀ jąđě

věrsįon ŀověđ by Ąustrąŀįąns. �İt�s supposěđ to rěmįnđ you of wħěrě you ģrěw up,�

sąys Mįŀŀs, tħě Monsąnto měŀon brěěđěr. Tħąt suģģěsts tħě đįvįsįon pŀąns to bě ą

pŀąyěr įn tħě trįŀŀįon-đoŀŀąr ģŀobąŀ prođučě mąrķět.

For ħįs pąrt, Stąrķ ħopěs tħąt wħěn Monsąnto�s ąffįŀįątįon wįtħ somě of įts běst

sěŀŀěrs běčoměs morě wįđěŀy ķnown, tħě čompąny mįģħt wįn bąčķ somě trust.

�Tħěrě įsn�t ą rěputątįon sįŀvěr buŀŀět, but įt ħěŀps,� ħě sąys. İn tħąt bąsěměnt đįnįnģ

room ąt Monsąnto ħěąđquąrtěrs, ħě wąxěs rħąpsođįč ąbout tħě ŀěttučě ŀonģ ąftěr

ħě ħąs čŀěąněđ ħįs pŀątě. Đurįnģ ą rěčěnt trįp to Ħoŀŀąnđ, wħěrě Frěsčąđą įs ģąįnįnģ

popuŀąrįty, Stąrķ sąw foŀķs pěěŀįnģ ŀěąvěs strąįģħt off tħě ħěąđs ąnđ munčħįnģ tħěm

wįtħout đrěssįnģ, ŀįķě ěxtrą-ŀąrģě potąto čħįps. �Pěopŀě just ątě įt ŀįķě ą snąčķ,

wħįčħ wąs not tħě įntěnt, but �� Stąrķ trąįŀs off ąnđ ŀooķs ąrounđ tħě room. Ħįs

nąpķįn įs stįŀŀ on ħįs ŀąp. Ħě�s sąvorįnģ tħě potěntįąŀ.

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT GMOAgriculture giant Monsanto may be best known for genetic modification—like creating corn thatresists the effects of Monsanto’s weed killer Roundup. But when it comes to fruits and vegetables youbuy in the store, genetic modification is off the menu. Monsanto thinks no one will buy Frankenfoods,so the company is tweaking its efforts—continuing to map the genetic basis of a plant’s desirabletraits but using that data to breed new custom-designed strains the way agronomists have formillennia. Here’s how it works—and how the results differ from GMO crops. Thanks to this crossbetween high and low tech, a new era of super-produce may be upon us. —Victoria Tang

The Old Way

Identify plants with recognizable, desirable traits.

Crossbreed those plants together. Grow the offspring. Wait to see if the traits show up. Repeat as necessary.

The Genetic Modification Way Identify plants or other organisms with recognizable, desirable traits. Isolate the genes that manifest those traits. Use enzymes to clip out those genes and paste them into the genomes of other plants, or inject themusing a “gene gun” (for real) or by piggybacking them on a bacteria or virus. Grow the plant with the inserted gene. If the gene has successfully incorporated into the plant, you’llhave a novel phenotype.

The New Monsanto Way Identify plants with recognizable, desirable traits. Crossbreed the plants. Sift through the offspring genome for known markers for desirable traits. Grow only the plants with those markers.

WE R E COM M E N D RE C O M M E NDE D B Y

Jurassic Park Impossible Because of Stupid Laws of Physics

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This "Green" Burrito Could Change Your Life- UPWA V E

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• Reply •

mem_somerville • 2 days ago

One of the strangest things about this debate is that some people are under theimpression that those of us who are pro-science on GMOs are opposed to conventionalbreeding. That's completely ridiculous. We just want all the tools available to accomplishgetting the right features into the right foods. Some have benefits for farmers, some forconsumers, some for breeders. It would be absurd to withhold any tools when climate ischanging and population is growing.

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• Reply •

Alan Brown • 2 days ago mem_somerville

Watch this doc "seeds of death" on Youtube, It's about this. Then make your owndecision for yourself. People "in the know" are most concerned about the evergrowing number of potentially deadly pesticides that these plants are beingmanipulated to withstand. My understanding is plants still grow in our climatemodified or not without chemicals that are produced by monsanto to kill bugs andbees

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mem_somerville • a day ago Alan Brown

Here's a pro-tip Alan: Youtube documentaries by nutbags are not science.They are using your lack of understanding to manipulate you. You won't

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• Reply •

ever grasp that, I'm sure, but it had to be said.

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• Reply •

Calamity • 17 hours ago mem_somerville

Why are you calling someone you don't know a nutbag? What ISscience Mem? Is it still science if it's biased? You are using peopleslack of understanding to manipulate them. You understand thatperfectly, Don't you Mem?

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• Reply •

mem_somerville • 15 hours ago Calamity

Gary Null (of Seeds of Death fame) nearly killed himself with his ownnutritional supplement. Too deliciously ironic for words: Gary Null hoist with his own petard.He's well known to folks who have to battle stupid claims becausehe's been making them for a very long time.

But if that's who you trust for health advice--good luck with that.

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• Reply •

Jim • 16 hours ago Calamity

This is rich. Its a flying yoga dance instructor that is the expert inyour anti humanity movement.

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• Reply •

Makaveli Deon • an hour ago mem_somerville

Yeah we can trust scientist because we know you fund your ownwork! Look if you were talking to uneducated people you would getaway with statement like that, but I'm not one of those people.

Truth is 99% of you so called scientist get you funding fromgovernment. You also are slaves to your universites! Think yournot? Try doing a study without their permission and see if you lastlong. The cusp of it is that your data and what you call science isbased only on what you are paid to look at! Nothing more!

What Youtube has done is give the average person educated andnot, a voice and avenue to speak up about what they know. I'munder no illusion that everything posted on the web is truthful, but Iknow damn well it's not all lies either. So before you start placinglabels on everyone, take a look in the mirror and ask yourself whoam I? Am I Jane Doe, or and I slave Jane Doe?

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AngelaTC • a day ago Alan Brown

My understanding is that farmers have used herbicides and pesticidessince the Chinese started dumping arsenic on their crops a few centuriesago, and that the chemicals we use grow safer and safer with every

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• Reply •

ago, and that the chemicals we use grow safer and safer with everygeneration. SCIENCE!

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• Reply •

Jim • a day ago AngelaTC

Shhhhh. Don't you know you are supposed to be scared ofglyphosate despite it being well tested and less toxic then thecaffeine in the drink you just had never mind that its half life is muchshorter then the growth of the plant.

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• Reply •

limeviolet • 12 hours ago Jim

Jim - Why don't you demonstrate the safely of glyphosate byingesting a cup or 2 daily. If you are still ok after a few months, I'll beconvinced of its safety.

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• Reply •

Jim • 9 hours ago limeviolet

I will take you up on that if you will ingest Hep A.

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• Reply •

Alan Brown • a day ago Jim

Anyone reading this Watch this doc "seeds of death" on Youtube,It's about this. Then make your own decision for yourself

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• Reply •

Andrew Hake • 6 hours ago Alan Brown

Anyone who actually read this article has a massive amount moreinformation than a shitty propaganda piece will ever provide.

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• Reply •

Alan Brown • a day ago Jim

that's a lie

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• Reply •

Jim • a day ago Alan Brown

Holly crap this is not even hard stuff to find out. MSDA labels areeasy to come by. Look at there LD-50 numbers. The bigger thatnumber is the safer the product is.

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• Reply •

Kelly • 16 hours ago Jim

LD-50 is lethal dose. It doesn't tell you whether you're going to getcancer in 10 years, and it doesn't have anything to do withtoxicological health & safety ratings.

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• Reply •

scootah • 14 hours ago Jim

JIM, that has to do with lethal dosage for normal humans. Thatdoesn't say anything else about the impacts of a chemical.

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• Reply •

scootah • 14 hours ago Jim

Round-up on your flowers is one thing, but vast glyphosate sprayingrenders soil useless, causes infant death, miscarriages, etc.especially when combined with a biological agent like cosmoflux, asit is commonly used.

There's science by lab sheet and there's empirical science.

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• Reply •

Benjamin Edge • 13 hours ago scootah

Spraying Roundup on your flowers is not a good idea, the flowerswon't be around very long if you do. If vast glyphosate sprayingrenders the soil useless, with Roundup being used in the MidwestUS for over 30 years, they must not be able to grow anythinganymore. But my travels through that section of the country wouldtend to say that is not true.

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• Reply •

Cairenn Day • 14 hours ago scootah

Where is your evidence? What the heck is 'cosmoflux' ? Is thatsomething you believe is in 'chemtrails'? It seems to be somethingthat is used in SA on drug crops.

Why don't talk to a FARMER that uses glyphosate instead ofreading FB memes and you tubes.?

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scootah • 13 hours ago Cairenn Day

@Cairenn Day My evidence is from years of research on US Foreign Policy inColombia, Ecuador and Peru. Monsanto produces glyphosate,cosmoflux (http://www.cosmoagro.com/site/... can help theglyphosate stick to anything made of living material (workers in thefield, babies down wind from the spray, corn, other legal crops). Thecombination, dubbed "Agent Green" is what US State DepartmentContractors have been spraying rather indiscriminately across theAndres Region, attempting to eradicate coca crops.

Im not one of these antiscience hippies. My family is filled with PhDsin things like molecular physiology, neurobiology, others have toppositions in biotech and medical science firms. While its been a

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decade or so since I've been in a plant pathology classroom, I didn'tthrow away all that book learnin' the first time I ate an organicpotato.

My argument with Jim's position that glyphosate is a rosey swellchemical because the LD lab sheet says so is ignorant, cherry

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• Reply •

Cairenn Day • 12 hours ago scootah

We are discussing it's use on FOOD crops in the US, not aerialspraying in SA to kill drug crops.

There is NO evidence from a creditable source that properly usedglyphosate in farming is a health issue.

If you have that, please show it.

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• Reply •

Jim • 14 hours ago scootah

EVIDENCE. That it renders soil useless would come a shock to wellevery one working in the field. Seeing as we have higher yields thenat any time in history. In S America they are at around 70 percent notill which is amazing for something that kills the soil.Where is this spike in miscarriages, infant deaths etc in Iowa? OrIllinois? Or Kansas? Or Ohio? Or any of the corn belt?

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• Reply •

scootah • 13 hours ago Jim

In Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, where glyphosate is used as asiege tool to prop up right-wing governors and heads of state (withcoordination from the AUC, a group of paramilitary death squadstens of thousands strong.

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• Reply •

Calamity • 17 hours ago AngelaTC

This board is absolutely loaded by paid pumpers. You all sound likethe movie about smoking advertisers. "Gosh, chemicals are a goodthing, kids. They make the plants grow taller and food taste better.Chemicals exist in nature. Darn it all, we get chemicals from natureHow could they be bad for you? ha ha ha. Yes kids, better livingthrough chemistry." Uh ya. I trust you. sure I do. Next!

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Jim • 16 hours ago Calamity

So how much snake oil have you sold? That seems to be the MO ofthe anti science movement selling snake oil. Dr Mercola one of the

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biggest funders of this movement sells this snake oil.

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• Reply •

Alan Brown • a day ago AngelaTC

Watch this doc "seeds of death" on Youtube, It's about this. Thenmake your own decision for yourself. No they haven't they havegrown more dangerous, do you even know what your talking abouthere? In Asian culture you will find that Monsanto where the creatorsand producers of agent orange. I would suggest anyone reading thislook at the passion this person has for defending Monsanto andhow creepy it is they pay people to do this. Also I suggest you lookdeeper until you get passed the Monsanto propaganda campaignand find out how really scary the effects of their products are. Herinfuses on SCIENCE relating to her original statement to swayliberals is bogus. When a insect is exposed to a pesticide itdevelops a tolerance, Monsanto calls these insects quote "superbugs" that develop. So they are creating more and more dangerouspesticides to kill them as a result of their lack of understanding of theperfect poison. In reality they are battling nature to producing newpesticide so strong they have to create GMOs. Because they wontexcept natures resilience the products are dangerous for humanconsumption.

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• Reply •

Cairenn Day • a day ago Alan Brown

Monsanto was only one of several companies that produced AgentOrange for the military, to their specifications

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• Reply •

Calamity • 17 hours ago Cairenn Day

Well That makes me feel safer, knowing the company that broughtus Agent orange, DDT and a multitude of horrendous killers wasspread around by other chemical companies.

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• Reply •

Jim • 16 hours ago Calamity

God you guys cant even get your ebil companies straight. DDT wasnot produced by Monsanto ever. It was produced by Gesarol alongwith a bunch of other chemical companies you never heard of.

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• Reply •

Randi Dunagan • 21 hours ago Alan Brown

Please send me the links to your information, please.

Jim • 20 hours ago Randi Dunagan

Its some youtube video or prison planet.

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Its some youtube video or prison planet.

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• Reply •

Jim • a day ago Alan Brown

And what pesticides would those be? And can you tell me the crops thatdon't use pesticides please?

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• Reply •

Alan Brown • a day ago Jim

To anyone confused by this conversation Watch this doc "seeds ofdeath" on Youtube, It's about this. Then make your own decision foryourself

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• Reply •

Jim • a day ago Alan Brown

I will get right on that after I watch that 9/11 was an inside job.

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• Reply •

Alan Brown • a day ago Jim

so you know the doc? then you know all the fact not theory?

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• Reply •

Alan Brown • a day ago Alan Brown

nope bud they also engineered it. keep reading

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• Reply •

Alan Brown • a day ago Alan Brown

the government did specify they wanted a crazy strong herbicide I'llgive you that

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• Reply •

Jim • 20 hours ago Alan Brown

Lets not forget the rest of the agent orange story. The Air Force thenadded avfuel and diesel to the mix.

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• Reply •

Alan Brown • a day ago Jim

Those that don't need GMOs are using responsible pesticides thatdon't cause cancer. Would you like to tell me what if anythingbecause it seems you know know nothing, are the differences andhealth risk that contrast between lets say organic food monsantoproduct? Or could you say that before Monsanto went to suchextremes lets say in the 80's if any commonly used pesticides usedwhere cancerous?

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• Reply •

Nick • 13 hours ago Alan Brown

tell me more of these "responsible pesticides that don't causecancer". I confess when i was getting my registered technicianlicense to apply pesticides I never read anything about them in mymanuals.

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• Reply •

Jim • a day ago Alan Brown

Do you have any idea at all what you are talking about? Do you thatits a whopping 2 percent of the organic acreage that procures 50percent of its output. And that is only possible because of ebil manmade irrigation in the desert of California. Do you know what kind ofnasty stuff is allowed under the organic label? Sorry I don't wantheavy metal poisoning.

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• Reply •

Vaughan Elphick • a day ago Jim

Probably one of the most stupid things I've read, heavy metalpoisoning from Organic foods lol that would be a first.

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• Reply •

scientistfarmer • 19 hours ago Vaughan Elphick

Heavy metals can come from the soil regardless of the growingpractice and lable: http://www.wunderground.com/ne...

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• Reply •

Calamity • 17 hours ago scientistfarmer

The very practice of growing organics is that they test for heavymetals before hand. Stop spreading lies.

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• Reply •

Cairenn Day • a day ago Jim

And I don't like the risks of bacterial contamination from organicproduce, It has a death toll, GMO doesn't. Thirty Three dead in theUS alone in less than 2 years.

Risk your families health if wish. I won't

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• Reply •

Vaughan Elphick • a day ago Cairenn Day

Bacterial? As opposed to PROVEN increase in cancer amongstother things with GMO? Do your research because you sound likean idiot.

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Nick • 13 hours ago Vaughan Elphick

there is no proven increase in cancer with GMO

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there is no proven increase in cancer with GMO

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• Reply •

Benjamin Edge • 13 hours ago Vaughan Elphick

American Cancer Society data would say otherwise. For most typesof cancer, new incidences have fallen since the introduction of GMOs

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• Reply •

pm • 10 hours ago Benjamin Edge

Yes and the same can be said for Organics. Correlation doesn'tequal causation

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