Pay Monsanto, or Starve
GMOs — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor January 3, 2009
Many have yet to comprehend the implications of this continuing business trend to grow, merge, centralise and consolidate. I hope the following will help. If these companies are to continue their takeovers, and rule our planet – then shouldn’t we consider what it will be like in their servitude? Depending on what part of the world we live, many of us get to vote our governments into office. The choices offered might not be ideal, but at least there’s a semblance of democracy. But, certain enormous corporations are gaining the power of governments – even over governments – and I haven’t seen the ballot slip.
Woody Harrelson Waxes Poetic on the Life that Shouldn’t Be
Consumerism, Economics, Food Shortages, GMOs, Global Warming/Climate Change, Health & Disease, Musical Interlude, Population, Society, Soil Erosion & Contamination, Water Contaminaton & Loss — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor December 15, 2008
Philanthropy Gates Style
Economics, GMOs, Society — by Dr. Mae-Wan Ho November 23, 2008
by Dr. Mae-Wan Ho: Geneticist, Biophysicist and Director of the not-for-profit Institute of Science in Society.
The world’s biggest philanthropic foundation is reaping huge profits investing in companies responsible for causing the problems it tries to solve; its grant-giving is also doing more harm than good in undermining health and agricultural systems, distorting national and global priorities, and preventing the necessary paradigm change that could help secure the future of the planet.
Dark clouds over good works
 Bill & Melinda Gates, with Warren Buffet |
The Gates Foundation, the world’s largest, richest philanthropic organisation founded by Bill and Melinda Gates in 2000, and doubled in size by Warren Bufflett in 2006, is “dedicated to bringing innovations in health and learning to the global community” in order to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty. It is indeed famous for giving hundreds of millions to good causes.
But an investigative report published in the LA Times at the beginning of 2007 found that the Gates Foundation “reaps vast financial gains every year from investments that contravene its good works”. These investments go to companies responsible for causing the problems the Foundation tries to solve.
Comments (1)The Food Crisis: “A Perfect Storm” – and How to Turn the Tide
Biodiversity, Consumerism, Economics, Food Shortages, GMOs, Global Warming/Climate Change, Health & Disease, Population, Society, Soil Erosion & Contamination, Water Contaminaton & Loss — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor November 14, 2008
A recently released study, the largest of its kind, examines the root causes of, and solutions for, a food crisis that will likely get much worse before it gets better — and that will never get better if we continue with business as usual
I’m hungry.
No, not because I don’t have enough food to eat, but because I’m too busy typing and too lazy to walk to the refrigerator. How I wish it were this simple for the people I keep reading about.
Comments (3)The Failures of Genetically Modified Crops Continue
GMOs, Health & Disease — by GM Watch October 28, 2008
The GM industry has been ailing at least as far back as 2005, but kept alive by an aggressive campaign of disinformation. GM Watch brings you the latest GM failures 2007-2008
GM cotton debacle in India
GM cotton has been failing in India and elsewhere for years [1] (Broken Promises, SiS 22), escalating the epidemic of farmers’ suicides [2] (Stem Farmers’ Suicides with Organic Farming, SiS 32). Unfortunately, the Indian government has allowed the commercial planting to continue with drastic consequences.
BT cotton failed in Vidarbha
A study on the introduction of Bt cotton in India’s cotton-growing belt of Vidarbha revealed that it failed in the region. Suman Sahai, director of Gene Campaign, which conducted the study, said that despite knowing that Bt cotton would not work in rainfed areas, the state government introduced it. The high input costs of Bt cotton increased indebtedness, and the study showed that 70 per cent of small farmers lost their landholdings as collateral for loans that they could never repay.
Comments (1)75 Percent of Food Diversity Lost in Last Century
Biodiversity, GMOs — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor September 23, 2008
The average person, roaming supermarket aisles with their trolley, is under the impression that our modern globalised food production system, despite being damaging in every other respect, brings one major benefit to consumers — that being more food choices.
Wrong.
Comments (0)The World According to Monsanto
GMOs — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor September 18, 2008
The following documentary is a thorough, in-depth look at the history of one of the world’s most dangerous and despised corporations and the serious issues swirling around genetically modified crops — from the implications for biodiversity and personal health, to the corporate control of our food, and more. Don’t miss it! (particularly U.S. residents who will likely never otherwise get to see this material on their screens…).
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6262083407501596844
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Calling Five Percent of US Residents to Action on GMOs
GMOs, Health & Disease — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor August 22, 2008
Pinky, who is fast becoming my favourite cat, has conducted the following excellent interview with Jeffrey Smith, founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology and author of Seeds of Deception.
The 43 minute interview covers a lot of ground, including the latest incarnation of life patenting — the patenting of human genes. Did you know that many of the genes in your body are owned by corporations? Absurd, but true. This has worrying implications.
As well as all the depressing reasons why genetic tinkering is not a good thing, Smith concludes the interview with a message of hope — that you as a consumer have the power to topple the multi-billion dollar industry that’s threatening our health and our planet. Using the historical example of how consumer demands in Europe incentivised supermarkets to stop stocking GM products, Jeffrey Smith believes if only five percent of the U.S. population were to determine not to purchase GM products, supermarkets would be motivated to source GM-free stock for their shelves, and we would see a domino effect that could bring an end to this industry.
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