David vs Monsanto | Trailer | Available now

Summary

The video script discusses the controversy surrounding Monsanto's genetically modified canola and its resistance to the pesticide Roundup. Percy Schmeiser, a farmer, faced legal battles after his fields were contaminated by Monsanto's seeds. Monsanto claimed ownership of his contaminated crops, and a judge ruled against him, stating he couldn't use his seeds or plants again and had to forfeit profits from his 1998 canola crop to Monsanto. The script highlights the struggle of farmers against corporate control over nature and life.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Monsanto's genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have led to a loss of control over nature and life, particularly in agriculture.
• 🚫 Monsanto's GMOs have resulted in farmers losing ownership of their seeds and plants if contaminated against their will.
• 🏛️ The court ruled against farmers, stating they could no longer use their seeds or plants if contaminated by Monsanto's GMOs.
• 💸 Monsanto claimed ownership over contaminated seeds and plants, and also demanded profits from the farmers' crops.
• 🌾 Monsanto's pesticide Roundup is the most widely sold spray globally, and they made canola resistant to it.
• 🌿 Monsanto's Roundup-resistant canola kills all other plants, leaving only Monsanto's GMO canola alive.
• 🌪️ The introduction of Monsanto's GMO canola was rushed without sufficient testing.
• 🌎 In 1996, Monsanto introduced its Roundup-resistant canola in Canada, impacting local farmers.
• 🌀 A heavy storm caused Monsanto's GMO canola to drift into Percy Schmeiser's fields, contaminating his crop.
• 📉 Percy Schmeiser, a farmer, lost 50 years of breeding work due to contamination by Monsanto's seeds.
• 📉 Monsanto turned Percy Schmeiser, the victim of contamination, into a legal culprit.

Q & A

Who is Monsanto and what is their claim to fame?

Monsanto is a multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation known for producing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the widely sold pesticide Roundup.

What is the issue with Monsanto's GMOs as described in the script?

The script describes an issue where Monsanto's GMOs can contaminate non-GMO crops, leading to a loss of ownership of the seeds and plants by the farmers, as Monsanto claims ownership due to contamination.

What was the ruling regarding Monsanto's GMOs and farmers' rights?

The ruling stated that if farmers' crops were contaminated by Monsanto's GMOs against their wishes, they would no longer own their seeds or plants, which would become the property of Monsanto.

How did Monsanto's Roundup Ready Canola affect Percy Schmeiser's farm?

Percy Schmeiser's farm was affected when Monsanto's Roundup Ready Canola, which is resistant to the pesticide Roundup, drifted into his fields during a heavy storm. This contamination destroyed his fifty years of breeding work.

What was the outcome of the legal battle between Percy Schmeiser and Monsanto?

The court ruled against Percy Schmeiser, stating that he was not allowed to use his seeds or plants again and that all profits from his 1998 canola crop went to Monsanto.

What is the significance of Monsanto's Roundup pesticide?

Roundup is the most widely sold herbicide in the world, and Monsanto made its canola resistant to it, meaning that Roundup kills every plant except Monsanto's genetically modified canola.

How was Monsanto's Roundup Ready Canola introduced to the market?

Monsanto introduced its Roundup Ready Canola into Canada in 1996, and it was introduced with claims of increased yields, less chemical use, and more nutritious crops.

What was the government's role in the introduction of Monsanto's GMO canola?

The government allowed the introduction of Monsanto's GMO canola without much testing, seemingly believing the corporation's claims about its benefits.

What was the impact of Monsanto's GMO canola on the farmers who agreed to plant it?

The impact was significant as it led to contamination of non-GMO fields, loss of seed ownership, and legal battles with Monsanto, as seen in the case of Percy Schmeiser.

What is the broader implication of Monsanto's ownership claim on contaminated crops?

The broader implication is that farmers may lose the right to use their own seeds and plants if they are contaminated by Monsanto's GMOs, which could have a significant impact on farming practices and independence.

What does the script suggest about the testing and regulation of GMOs?

The script suggests that there may have been insufficient testing and regulation of GMOs, leading to unintended consequences such as contamination and loss of property rights for farmers.