The Revolving Door Between Monsanto, the FDA, and the EPA: Your Safety in Peril
Unethhical Practice? Absolutely!
One wouldn't expect a big corporate CEO to trade on Wall Street with inside information. Why, then, is America turning a blind eye to appointees holding office in the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency whose resume pose serious compromises with their promise to uphold honest and ethical standards to ensure the safety of all Americans?
For the past two decades Monsanto has been plotting it's world domination and it's been easy so far, thanks to our government. Monsanto, a multinational agricultural biotech corporation, started as a small business in 1901 in St. Louis, Missouri, but it has transformed into a monopolizing mega monster. It's been an easy takeover because ever since the first Bush Administration, our presidents have been appointing ex-Monsanto lawyers, consultants, directors, chairmen, and CEOs to highly important positions in the FDA and EPA. So, what's the problem, you ask?
The problem is that these agencies that are supposed to have the American people's best interest and safety in mind, are essentially working for a big corporation, not us. They don't have our best interest in mind, they have Monsanto's in mind. They don't care about our safety, they care about Monsanto's financial reports. Are you disgusted yet? Perhaps you underestimate the extent of this abuse.
Former Monsanto Appointees to the FDA, USDA, and EPA
Monsanto Position
| Individual
| Federal Position
|
|---|---|---|
Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs at G.D. Searle and Co. (merged with Monsanto)
| Michael A. Friedman
| Acting Commissioner of the FDA
|
Consultant to Searle's Public Relation Firm (merged with Monsanto)
| Arthur Hull Hayes
| Previously FDA Commissioner
|
Top Monsanto Scientist, oversaw approval of rBGH
| Margaret Miller
| Appointed Deputy Director of FDA, 1991
|
Worked on Monsanto-funded rBGH in connection with Cornell University
| Suzanne Sechen
| FDA Reviewer on Scientific Data
|
Attorney for Monsanto for 7 years, previous Head of Monsanto Washington D.C. Office
| Michael Taylor
| Former FDA Deputy Commision for Policy. In 2010 appointed Senior Advisor to FDA Commissioner
|
Former Monsanto Lawyer
| Clarence Thomas
| Appointed to U.S. Supreme Court in 1991
|
Served on Board of Directors at Calgene, a Monsanto Biotech Subsidiary
| Anne Veneman
| Appointed head of USDA in 2001
|
Retired Senior Vice President for Public Policy at Monsanto
| Dr. Virginia Weldon
| Previously, member of FDA's Metabolism and Endocrine Advisory Committee
|
Vice President, Public and Government Affairs
| Linda Fisher
| Deputy Administration EPA
|
Manager, New Technologies
| Linda Watrud
| USDA, EPA
|
Director, Monsanto Danforth Center
| Roger Beachy
| Director USDA, NIFA
|
It Doesn't Stop With the FDA or the EPA
If only it were just the FDA and the EPA we had to worry about, but Monsanto has infiltrated just about every single government agency and department. Hillary Clinton, for example, was an ex-Monsanto Lawyer. Where is she now? Donald Rumsfeld was a previous CEO at Searle. Look what that job got him. And Michael Kantor was a Monsanto lawyer. Do you see a connection yet?
If you know little or nothing about Monsanto, you might be wondering why this is such a big deal. Well, public safety is a big deal, and it should be a number one concern for these appointees, but when their loyalties lie with Monsanto, how can they be trusted, especially when deregulation, where it should be heavily enforced, like in meat packing companies, is currently running rampant among the FDA.
It's no secret that E.Coli, Salmonella, and Mad Cow Disease outbreaks have become increasingly more regular. Think this has anything to do with it?
How Monsanto Uses E. Coli
What's Really Important
You can see from the video that E.Coli is actually a very important means that Monsanto needs in order to make their "product," so, of course, they will do anything to protect that. This is just one example of how our safety is in jeopardy here. When a multi-billion dollar corporation has an agenda like this, and when this corporation has essentially transplanted their own people into the government, can we really feel safe?
It's blatantly obvious that this is unethical in every sense of the word. But most people don't know or don't care--or, they feel too helpless to do anything about it. We are essentially facing a monolithic enterprise. It's David and Goliath in the truest sense. What can one do?
There is Power in Numbers
It might not seem like a lot, but there is something everyone can do. We can speak out about this, and we can let our representatives know that this is unethical. At the end of this article is a link to Millions Against Monsanto for more information.
Other things we can do is educate ourselves. We have to be very aware of the food we eat--that our children eat. It's sad that it has to come to this, but this is the reality. Buying organic food when possible is an alternative. Some have better access to it than others. Growing your own food is even better, as long as you are sure that the seeds are not Monsanto seeds.
There are plenty of things a person can do, but if we all come together, we can make change. I've said this before on another hub about Monsanto, but once upon a time, the tobacco industry was the Goliath that we were up against, and that giant has fallen hard. The same can happen to Monsanto.
Important links and Articles
- What "Animal Rights" Really Means
Animals simply do not have rights, according to Carl Cohen. I will analyze and compare his essay to Mary Ann Warren's and defend his position on human's obligations towards animals. - Thanks to Monsanto, Eating Healthy has Taken on a Whole New Meaning
Most people in America don't know what a GMO is and sadly, they might not care because the alternative seems close to impossible. But this is a war and knowledge is power. - Organic Consumers Association: Millions Against Monsanto
Research and Action Center for the Organic, Buy local, and Fair trade movements.
More Information on Monsanto
Comment and Vote Up!!
Great hub, thanks for sharing!
I have just recently started looking into Monsanto and the political ties. It is quite scary and telling at the same time. This shady political game and geo-engineering and such is getting out of hand.
Good and enlightening hub. I will continue to research this as my family's health is worth it.
Is anything natural or untainted anymore, which we put into our bodies?
Don't forget Elena Kagan who was appointed by Obama to the Supreme Court. She also has ties to Monsanto.
- AUTHOR
As with all changes in government, you have to condemn it loudly before legislation will listen. It takes time, but it is the only way.
If voting doesn’t work how do we correct this?
It looks to me that the EPA, FDA, and Monsanto is one in the same. This article should come with a warning that reading this may cause vomiting.
- AUTHOR
Agreed. We have lost a sense of community, for sure. Individuals within society are becoming more isolated, physically, thanks to facebook and technology. I wonder how long before humanity reaches a breaking point?
Emma
I think it will get a lot worse over the next few years, unless people wake up. We live in a Corporate driven world where Capitalism is God. Spend spend spend, we have to have the latest car, phone or fashion and people are hooked into that and don't care about real issues. We are losing our sense of family and human values.
- AUTHOR
You're right English-mike. There is only so much one can do. People have to find out for themselves to really care about an issue. If it doesn't effect them, or if it's something that they don't care about, they just aren't going to care.
Emma
I found out about Monsanto earlier this year, I was led to it I guess by seeing two very interesting programmes on PSTV. One called sweet misery and the other called Fluoride deception. I feel with the corporations brainwashing the people via ALL media content, most people I talk to about it outside my family and friends are so hooked into the Agenda they are not interested. The corporations own the planet it has been like that for quite a while. Protect the ones we love and unless some one comes along and takes back the media, Stops the soulless crap we filter out, we won't change the herds of zombie type people in every affluent city.
- AUTHOR
Thanks, guys. I try.
Awesome Hub Emmaspeaks! It's always great to see people exposing the criminality of Monsanto.
Great Hub, Emmaspeaks. The revolving door between industry, government appointees, elected officials, and lobbyists is appalling and corrupt. They perpetuate their own lies and sell it to us as truth.
I came across this because I want to write a Hub about the revolving door that exists between Washington and big business in general. This is a stellar example of the dangerous relationships that occur between important government agencies, big business, lobbyists and think tanks. Check out my article on think tanks, and check out who is on the board of the Brookings Institute. I'm going to look further into Monsanto. Voted up!
Bravo, keep telling it like it is Emma!
- AUTHOR
It was mid to late May 2012.
what is the date that you wrote this?
I was assigned for a homescholling projest to make a report based on Monsanot's government ties. Thanks for the info! :D
- AUTHOR
Well I thank you for your comment. I'm not a sir, though, I'm a ma'am, but that's not important. As for my article being technical, I don't see where it is. I simply showed how ex Monsanto people are now currently in the government offices that are supposed to protect us. Yes, I agree that Monsanto is a huge chemical polluter. The president should definitely be more concerned about this.
Sir,
This article is very technical,technical people can understand and, Can you simplify this? I am retired blue collar worker , worked in Chemical companies in India,I know hazardous nature of of operation and processes. In India we had had catastrophe of Union Carbide in Bhopal,
I appreciate you and whistle blowing exercise to warn people.Now the major question.Is American citizen is more valued than other nationals?
No American President allowed case against Mr. Anderson of Union Carbide CEO to be done in Indian court.
If American citizens suffer, then it is a big story.
Monsanto is active in India,why? then can buy governments,groups in India are protesting against Monsanto regarding her GM seeds.
Thank you Sir.
- AUTHOR
No problem Gemini. I agree.
Great, great hub! Matt Taibbi/Rolling Stone wrote an article regarding Goldman Sachs - same thing. Ex-Goldmen are everywhere!
Money MUST be taken out of politics and the media for these things to change.
Thanks for the link to the Millions against Monsanto! Going there now!
- AUTHOR
Glad to help!!!
For a homeschooling project, I was told to write a report on Monsanto's government issues. This website helped a lot!!!!!!!:D :D thank you! :)
- AUTHOR
Definitely do, Kebennett1! I think you will find that their lies run deep, too. Thanks for the comment.
Very informative. Will have to read up some on Monsanto I knew I already didn't like the idea that they managed to take over other peoples crops because their seeds blew into the other farmers fields. That is so wrong. It looks like their domination and sick practices run deep!
- AUTHOR
I agree pagesvoice. It makes it very hard to make decisions concerning your health when you are being lied to. Most people don't even have a clue. They think, surely if I plant my own food that's a good thing, right? It's sickening that a company like Monsanto counts on the public's ignorance. Thanks for the comment.
Voted up, useful and interesting. You have written an excellent article on Monsanto and the corruption of politics, along with the poisoning of our food chain. What really troubles me is how many seed companies sell to an unsuspecting public vegetable seeds that have been genetically modified or genetically engineered GMO & GEO)and then the general public plant these in their home gardens thinking they are making good choices. These are definitely troubling times.
- AUTHOR
Like I said in my other hub, CMerritt, I call liars out whenever I can. Monsanto is the king of liars, but that shouldn't surprise you.
Emma, this is a very interesting hub.
The bottom line that I agree with is this, if you know something is bad...and don't agree with it, you quit supporting it.
I have been hearing horror stories regarding Monstanto for years now....and, my gut tells me that I need to avoid them whenever I can.
It is kind of hard to think there is any coinsidence involved with these prominent people landing jobs in high positions...
Intersting hub...and voted up.
- AUTHOR
Thanks for all your comments, guys! I have really just sat on this for a few years now because I was so overwhelmed by how useless one person can feel against all of this, but I finally just said, if everyone just sits and does nothing, we are all surely doomed. So I just want to spread the word out now. It's really not that much that one person can do, but like I say in my hub, there is power in numbers. If everyone passes it on, Monsanto will fall, and if we face every adversary like that, this new world order will surely fall, too. I think the best weapon is education, though. I can't emphasize that enough. Don't buy the BS on the news. Do your own research. Thanks!!
If you look at not only the revolving door that companies such as Monsanto has within our government, but also the revolving door of the military industrial complex and Wall Street, you'll really wake up and see how rigged the game is. Voted up Great article.
George Carlin summed it up very well:
"The table has tilted folks. The game is rigged and nobody seems to notice. Nobody seems to care. Good honest hard-working people . . . white collar, blue collar it doesn’t matter what color shirt you have on. Good honest hard-working people continue, these are people of modest means . . . continue to elect these rich cocksuckers who don’t give a f*** about you."
That's so true, Sooner28. Now multinational corporations like Monsanto are regarded as people before the courts in the U.S. Corporations don't die, so their rights are ageless. I think, emmaspeaks, that this is just business as usual, like Congressial chiefs of staff (who are often lawyers) becoming lobbyists or going to work for big corporations (as a payoff for passing legislation).
Great article, keep it up, we need more people like you.
EXACTLY WHAT C. WRIGHT MILLS ARGUED IN 1956. The rich enter the political arena so they can control it. It's no longer government of the people, by the people, and for the people, but instead government for corporations, bought by corporations, and slaves to the corporations bidding.
I'm wondering if people will wake up. Multinationals are one of the biggest threats to freedom out there, because they exist in multiple countries, and have deep pockets. They could conceivably hire their own armies to keep the people at bay.
I will definitely be sharing this.
36