Monsanto: The True Cost of Our Food

Summary

This video delves into Monsanto's controversial history, highlighting its role in supplying toxic chemicals like Agent Orange during the Vietnam War and its enduring impact on agriculture. The script discusses how Monsanto's herbicide glyphosate, marketed as Roundup, has led to environmental damage and health issues, including cancer. With lawsuits mounting against Bayer, which acquired Monsanto, the video explores alternative farming solutions, including activist Ron Finley's community-based gardening efforts. The narrative underscores the need for a more sustainable and ethical food system, moving away from corporate control and chemical dependence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Monsanto was ordered to pay $2 billion in damages to the Pilliard family after they were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, allegedly caused by Roundup herbicide.
• 🌍 Monsanto's historical use of toxic chemicals, such as Agent Orange and DDT, in military operations laid the foundation for its chemical dominance in agriculture.
• ⚠️ Glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, is classified as a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization, with long-term exposure increasing the risk of cancer by 41%.
• 💥 Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, has been sued by over 125,000 people for health damages linked to Roundup, yet still maintains that glyphosate is safe.
• 🐝 The widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides by Monsanto and Bayer is linked to the decline of honeybee populations due to colony collapse disorder.
• 🌾 Bayer controls a significant portion (31%) of the global seed market, contributing to a monopoly over genetically modified (GMO) seeds and agricultural practices.
• ⚖️ Monsanto's aggressive tactics include patenting GMO seeds and restricting farmers from reusing them, leading to dependency on the company's products year after year.
• 🇮🇳 In India, Monsanto's BT cotton seed has led to increased pesticide use, lower yields, and financial strain for farmers, with little improvement in crop performance.
• 🔬 Monsanto's monopoly over agriculture and chemical production has driven up the cost of seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers, making farming less sustainable and more expensive.
• 🌱 Activists like Ron Finley, known as the 'gangster gardener,' are promoting local, pesticide-free gardening and food systems as a healthier alternative to corporate-controlled agriculture.

Q & A

What was the nature of the lawsuit filed by Alva and Alberta Pilliod against Monsanto?

Alva and Alberta Pilliod sued Monsanto (which was later acquired by Bayer) claiming that the company's herbicide, Roundup, caused them to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The lawsuit resulted in a $2 billion damages award in 2019.

What were the main ingredients in Monsanto's herbicides that caused significant harm?

The primary ingredient in Monsanto's herbicides is glyphosate, which has been classified by the World Health Organization as a probable carcinogen, and long-term exposure increases the risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

What are some of the environmental and health impacts caused by glyphosate and Roundup?

Glyphosate has been shown to kill beneficial soil microorganisms, harm plants like milkweed (important for monarch butterflies), create superweeds, pollute surrounding towns and water sources, and increase the risk of cancer in humans.

How did Monsanto's historical involvement in the Vietnam War contribute to its later business practices?

Monsanto supplied the U.S. military with toxic chemicals like Agent Orange, used to deforest Vietnam and harm enemy troops. After the war, Monsanto shifted its focus to agriculture, repurposing its chemicals into herbicides and pesticides, introducing a militaristic approach to farming.

What is the controversy surrounding Monsanto's use of genetically modified (GM) seeds?

Monsanto patented genetically modified (GM) seeds, particularly Roundup-resistant varieties, and restricted their use by farmers. This led to legal issues, as farmers were prohibited from saving and replanting seeds, forcing them to purchase new seeds each year.

How did Monsanto gain control over the global seed market?

Monsanto and other companies in the industry gained control of the seed market by acquiring smaller seed companies and patenting genetically modified (GM) seeds, which led to a monopoly in the global seed market.

What impact did Monsanto’s BT cotton have on farmers in India?

Monsanto’s BT cotton, which was marketed as reducing pesticide use and increasing yields, led to increased pesticide use as pests became resistant, and it failed to improve cotton yields. Indian farmers faced rising costs and declining yields, creating a cycle of financial hardship.

What is the connection between neonics (neonicotinoids) and the decline in bee populations?

Neonicotinoids, a class of insecticides widely used by Monsanto and Bayer, have been linked to colony collapse disorder, which has contributed to the decline of pollinating honeybee populations, a key player in global food production.

What does the video suggest as an alternative to the industrialized and chemical-heavy agricultural model promoted by Monsanto and Bayer?

The video advocates for smaller, community-based farming systems, exemplified by activist gardener Ron Finley, that focus on biodiversity, care for the land, and produce food without the use of harmful pesticides and corporate-controlled seeds.

What role does Bayer play in continuing Monsanto's practices after its acquisition of the company?

After acquiring Monsanto in 2018, Bayer continued to sell Roundup and other harmful chemicals despite ongoing lawsuits and scientific evidence of their dangers. Bayer also maintains its use of genetically modified seeds and pesticides, prioritizing profit over environmental or health concerns.