Will Monsanto and other GMO companies be put on trial for their cancer causing seeds and chemicals? How many more people need to die of cancer, etc. from GMOs and Factory Farming all just to make extra profit?

Expert response from Chelsey Robinson

Former Global Preparedness Content Manager, Monsanto Company

Tuesday, 25/11/2014 13:05

It sounds to me like you have some serious concerns about the safety of GM seeds and agricultural chemicals. And I can understand that it can be really tough to wade through all of the information available online, and even more difficult to determine what information is credible and what is not. It is certainly true that there is a lot of conflicting information out there, and living in a Google-ready world can certainly make my life easier — but it can also provide information that may not be factual. 

What I can tell you in regard to GM seeds is that there is a broad consensus among credible scientists who have looked closely at GM crops, and they have determined that these seeds and crops are as safe as any other crop. Personally, I think it’s unfortunate that — despite a 20-year record of safety and almost 2,500 independent, global scientific reviews and approvals of GMO crops — there is still conflicting and confusing information about GMOs. 

For my part, I feel comfortable with GM seeds and crops, medicine and even other things like chymosin, which is the enzyme that makes my favorite food, cheese. For me, it’s easy to feel comfortable with these things, not only because I have used some of the tools of biotechnology myself in the lab, but also because I trust my fellow colleagues, as well as scientists at other companies and universities. I also trust the people at the regulatory agencies that review these products, and I know that at Monsanto, as well as at many other companies, we place the highest priority on the safety of our products and conduct rigorous and comprehensive testing on each. This also applies to our agricultural chemicals. Roundup, which is maybe the herbicide we are known best for, has an excellent safety track record. The fact that I find most compelling about the safety of Roundup is that many conservation groups use glyphosate because of its low toxicity to wildlife. 

For me, it’s not studies I’ve read on the Internet or articles I’ve found on Twitter that have helped me to understand and appreciate modern farming practices; it’s the men and women whom I have had the opportunity to meet since I have been working here. I have met corn and soy farmers, organic cotton farmers, dairy farmers and cattle ranchers. I even got to see a baby calf being born at one farm I visited!

It’s these people with whom I have been so blessed to spend time who have made the greatest impact on me and on my understanding of GM crops, agricultural chemicals and modern farming practices. In addition to the research and resources I have provided (at the bottom), I encourage you to take a trip to a local farm, come visit us here at Monsanto or even just reach out to one of the scientists or farmers on this website for a deeper conversation. 

As promised, here are some places where you can learn more:

GM Seeds and Crops

While a large body of documented scientific testing shows that the GM crops being grown and harvested are safe (Center for Environmental Risk Assessment), here are some particularly interesting videos, from the Center for Food Integrity and the International Food Information Council, that you might find useful. Monsanto.com also has a page about Food Safety if you would like to check it out. 

Third-Party Resources 

• GM Foods: Are They Dangerous?, Best Food Facts, Food for Thought Blog
• 20 Questions on Genetically Modified Foods, World Health Organization
• Statement by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Board of Directors on Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods, AAAS
• How Do I Know It’s Safe?... A Discussion on GMOs, National Corn Growers Association
• Impact of Genetically Engineered Crops on Farm Sustainability in the United States, National Research Council/US National Academy of Sciences Report (NAS) 
• Safety of Genetically Engineered Food, University of California
• Position Paper: The Safety of Genetically Modified Foods Produced Through Biotechnology, Society of Toxicology (SOT)
• Expert Report: Biotechnology and Foods, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)

Ag. Chemicals

In addition to general information, the Roundup/Glyphosate section of our website provides data and studies that answer the most common questions about Roundup herbicides and human health, the environment and wildlife. Here is also some information on other agricultural herbicides from Monsanto. 

Other Resources on Ag. Chemicals 

• Glyphosate Facts: Transparency on Safety Aspects and Use of Glyphosate-Containing Herbicides in Europe
• Review Report for the Active Substance Glyphosate, European Commission, January 2002
• Pesticides and Health: Myths vs. Realities, American Council on Science and Health, November 2011

Third-Party Reviews

• Review of Genotoxicity Studies of Glyphosate and Glyphosate-Based Formulations, Larry D. Kier and David J. Kirkland, April 2013
• Epidemiologic Studies of Glyphosate and Cancer: A Review, Pamela J. Mink, Jack S. Mandel, Bonnielin K. Sceurman, Jessica I. Lundin, August 2012
• Developmental and Reproductive Outcomes in Humans and Animals After Glyphosate Exposure: A Critical Analysis, Amy Lavin Williams, Rebecca E. Watson, John M. DeSesso, January 2012

Epidemiologic Studies of Glyphosate and Non-Cancer Health Outcomes: A Review