Aimee Hood
Regulatory Science Communications Lead, Bayer Crop Science
Expert Bio
Aimee Hood earned a degree in Biochemical Engineering and has held a variety of roles in technology, manufacturing, quality assurance and regulatory since joining Monsanto in 1995.
Studies, Articles and Answers
Showing 10 out of 13 results
Question
A: All of us at Monsanto are very active and proud in supporting the communities where we operate and where our farmer customers live. In 2012, Monsanto Company and Monsanto Fund―our philanthropic arm―collectively provided more than $32.2 million across the globe. Additionally, more than 4,600 employees logged more than 54,000 volunteer hours in the Americas alone.Following are a few additional details and examples of our efforts: Monsanto Fund is focused on one goal: strengthening farming communities and the communities where our employees live and work. In 2012, Monsanto Fund distributed [...]
A: Corporate Citizenship is critical to how Dow interprets and responds to external sustainability and responsibility expectations. Dow AgroSciences, the Dow Chemical Company and the Dow Chemical Company Foundation provide charitable gifts to eligible non-profit organizations in the communities where Dow operates that contribute to community success, support sustainability, foster science in society and stimulate innovation. Established in 1979, the Dow Chemical Foundation contributes to a more sustainable world by supporting charitable initiatives focused on community success, science education [...]
A: At DuPont Pioneer, we are proud to give back to our communities. It's important to us to invest in the many neighborhoods around the globe where our customers and employees live and work. Among other commitments, we provide volunteer resources and financial contributions to help improve farmer safety, young-farmer opportunities, food quality and access, and education at all levels. For example, we contributed important sorghum research in Africa to increase the amount and stability of pro-vitamin A, iron and zinc, and also to improve protein digestibility. This is important, considering nearl [...]
A: At Syngenta, our focus is on helping feed the growing world population by helping farmers around the globe grow more from less—less land, water, fossil fuel, carbon release and other impacts to the environment and people. Check it out here. Many of our 27,000 employees volunteer, and the company funds mainly conservation, agricultural education and related efforts around the world. Also, the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture works in developing countries and emerging markets to help small farmers both feed their families and contribute to global food security. We [...]
Business Practices GMOs & FarmersQuestion
A: Let me start by saying that I am proud to work for Monsanto and am glad to address each of the issues in your question. Labeling—First of all, we are supportive of any voluntary labeling mechanism (e.g., organic or GMO-free) that is desired by consumers. Any company is free to make claims—if truthful and not misleading—that its products are free of GMOs.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policy is that labeling is required if there is a meaningful difference between a GM food and its conventional counterpart. We oppose mandatory labeling of food and ingredients developed from [...]
A: We've posted a few responses regarding labeling, available here: Regardless as to whether or not you believe GMOs are good or bad-- what is the harm in labeling them so that consumers can make their own decisions? It is the number one thing you mention on the first welcome page of your website..that you "respect people around the world and their right to choose"If you are truly interested in opening the discussion, agree to full disclosure of any genetically modified ingredients in foods, or seeds. Why not? With regard to farmer lawsuits, please see related answers available here: & [...]
GMOs in Groceries Health & Safety LabelingQuestion
A: I have worked for Monsanto for 20 years and my father worked for the company for 35 years as well. I am proud to work for Monsanto and I know my colleagues and I are aligned on achieving the mission of our company. We just started a new fiscal year and as I was writing my goals for this year, they centered around ensuring that we meet our overall mission: producing more, conserving more and improving lives. Not only do I believe in this, but I get to live it every day. Thanks for asking. [...]
Business Practices GMOs & FarmersQuestion
A: Monsanto owns very little farmland (less than 0.005% of the total U.S. acres) and most of that is used for seed production or field trials. While I can’t say offhand how many of our research or seed production fields are located next to an organic field, I would assume it is very few. Regardless, our stewardship requirements for regulated field trials and seed production include appropriate buffers based on the regulated status of the field trial or the seed quality requirements of seed production. At the same time, the National Organic Program (NOP) obligates growers wishing to ob [...]
Business Practices GMOs & FarmersQuestion
A: I have seen some quotes on the Internet that state, “In more than 60 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs.” The fact is that the number of countries that “ban” cultivation of GMOs is small. And many of those countries with limitations on GM planting still import significant amounts of food or feed that was produced from GM crops. (Check out the graphic on the “PUBLIC REVIEW” tab of this site to review detailed information on the status of [...]
Health & Safety How GMOs Are MadeQuestion
A: I have worked for Monsanto for 20 years, and my father worked for the company for 35 years as well. I am proud to work for Monsanto, and I can comfortably say that my colleagues at Monsanto are as well. In fact, Monsanto continues to be recognizedas a great place to work. Employees are aware that others have a negative perception of our company and we understand that we need to be better at communicating the good things that we are doing. Here are some recent examples of recognitions that we have received: #12 on the Top 25 World's Best Multinational Workplaces (G [...]
Business Practices GMOs & FarmersQuestion
A: It is interesting that this myth about the lack of independent studies continues to get traction, since independent academic researchers are always doing research on biotech products and evaluating published studies through review articles. For instance, from 2001 to 2010, more than 50 studies were conducted in Europe alone, funded by the European Commission (at a cost of >200 million euros) and performed by more than 400 independent research groups. These studies are summarized in “A Decade of EU-Funded GMO Research.” This report concluded that “biotechnology, and in particular GMO [...]
OtherQuestion
A: Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte is one of my favorite fall drinks. I can’t wait until about mid-August each year, when it shows up in their stores as a seasonal choice. This year, I knew it was in stores because I had read that Vani Hari (aka the Food Babe) was making claims that this coffee treat contains numerous toxins and that Starbucks was hiding the drink’s ingredient list. One of those claims was that the latte was “made with Monsanto milk” — a term she created to describe milk from cows fed GM crops (corn, soy and cottonseed) or soy milk that contains carrageenan stabilizer [...]
GMO Basics Health & SafetyQuestion
Q: Whya are you guys putting GMOS into our food can you plz stop that
A: First, I’d like to clarify that biotech companies don’t “put GMOs into food.” We make seeds that are then grown into crops. Some of these seeds are created using modern biotechnology and are called genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization predicts that by 2050, we will need to increase food production by 100 percent to have enough to feed the world. Agriculture also needs to adapt to the impacts of climate change. I think that we can all agree that providing tools that are a [...]
LabelingQuestion
A: In March 2015, IARC concluded that glyphosate belongs in a 2A category as probably carcinogenic to humans, a category that includes professions such as barbers and fry cooks. IARC’s conclusion conflicts with the overwhelming consensus by regulatory bodies and science organizations around the world like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which concluded that there is evidence of non-carcinogenicity. IARC did not specify a level of exposure needed to be carcinogenic; their assessments do not take that into consideration. The American Cancer Society has written: [...]
A: In March 2015, IARC concluded that glyphosate belongs in a 2A category as probably carcinogenic to humans, a category that includes professions such as barbers and fry cooks. IARC’s conclusion conflicts with the overwhelming consensus by regulatory bodies and science organizations around the world like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which concluded that there is evidence of non-carcinogenicity. IARC did not specify a level of exposure needed to be carcinogenic; their assessments do not take that into consideration. The American Cancer Society has written: [...]
Health & Safety