Chelsey Robinson
Former Global Preparedness Content Manager, Monsanto Company
Expert Bio
I am a food enthusiast, runner, and granddaughter of a cotton farmer. While my background is in Plant Molecular Biology, I am passionate about communicating all things science; particularly helping others understand the science that leads to innovation and improves our lives. In my time at Monsanto, I have gained a great appreciation for the farmers who are helping to feed our growing planet.
Studies, Articles and Answers
Showing 10 out of 21 results
Question
A: It’s clear you have a lot of concerns and questions, and we appreciate your taking the time to explore GMOAnswers.com to gain some clarity. It’s apparent that ag companies like Monsanto really must take the time to engage in conversation and work to earn your trust. Actually, that is one of the main reasons we are engaging in this initiative and taking the time to answer questions like yours. Oftentimes I think some of the confusion comes from the changes that Monsanto has undergone since its establishment. For more than 15 years, Monsanto has been 100 percent focused on [...]
GMO Basics Health & SafetyQuestion
A: I can tell you have a lot of concerns and questions, and I am glad you are looking for answers here at GMOAnswers.com. It is clearly important that ag companies like Monsanto better communicate about the work we do to improve agriculture in a sustainable manner. I would also like to invite you to visit discover.monsanto.com to learn more about us as a company. I have responded below in bullet format to answer each of your questions specifically, and also have included some additional resources you might find helpful. Farmer Assurance Provision: Regarding your question about a law [...]
GMO Basics Health & SafetyQuestion
A: Agricultural companies such as Monsanto, as well as public institutions and individuals, are able to patent seed trait technology because it is considered intellectual property. Intellectual property rights are protected in the United States and many other countries. It has been well documented that a robust intellectual property system helps drive investment and invention. For example, ASTA sponsored this study on the value of IP rights in the seed industry. In order for the system to work, however, inventors must be willing to enforce and defend their patents against those who are engaged i [...]
Business Practices GMOs & FarmersQuestion
A: 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 bro [...]
GMO Basics Health & SafetyQuestion
Q: what companies do monsonto owns
A: Many times this question comes up in regard to a misconception that Monsanto owns various food companies. This is actually a myth; Monsanto does not own any food companies. Monsanto has business sites and offices for seed production and other manufacturing facilities, as well as research and learning centers around the world that support our commitment to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. You can find information on Monsanto facilities around the world on our website. As a multinational company, we use subsidiaries to help organize and operate ou [...]
A: Many times this question comes up in regard to a misconception that Monsanto owns various food companies. This is actually a myth; Monsanto does not own any food companies. Monsanto has business sites and offices for seed production and other manufacturing facilities, as well as research and learning centers around the world that support our commitment to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. You can find information on Monsanto facilities around the world on our website. As a multinational company, we use subsidiaries to help organize and operate ou [...]
OtherQuestion
Q: what companies do monsonto owns
A: Many times this question comes up in regard to a misconception that Monsanto owns various food companies. This is actually a myth; Monsanto does not own any food companies. Monsanto has business sites and offices for seed production and other manufacturing facilities, as well as research and learning centers around the world that support our commitment to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. You can find information on Monsanto facilities around the world on our website. As a multinational company, we use subsidiaries to help organize and operate ou [...]
A: Many times this question comes up in regard to a misconception that Monsanto owns various food companies. This is actually a myth; Monsanto does not own any food companies. Monsanto has business sites and offices for seed production and other manufacturing facilities, as well as research and learning centers around the world that support our commitment to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. You can find information on Monsanto facilities around the world on our website. As a multinational company, we use subsidiaries to help organize and operate ou [...]
OtherQuestion
Q: People on the internet are claiming Monsanto patented glyphosate as an antibiotic, is this true?
A: Monsanto does have a patent that was issued in 2010 for glyphosate formulations’ antimicrobial activity; however, we do not have any plans for commercial applications of the technology. It is important to note that its antimicrobial properties are minor. Glyphosate does inhibit an enzymatic pathway in many bacteria and parasites, and a reasonable case can be made that glyphosate might be effective as an antimicrobial. (Technically, an antibiotic is naturally occurring, while antimicrobial covers a broader range of compounds, but most people use the terms interchangeably t [...]
Environment Health & SafetyQuestion
Q: Are companies like Monsanto banned outside the U.S.?
A: There is quite a bit of confusion regarding Monsanto or GMOs being “banned” outside of the United States. Monsanto is not banned in other countries. We collaborate with other businesses and farmers in locations and facilities in countries around the world. Our locations include various administrative and sales offices, manufacturing plants, seed production facilities, research centers and learning centers, all of which are part of our focus on agriculture and supporting farmers. Some of this confusion might come from the EU’s polarized public opinion surrounding GMOs and the [...]
Question
Q: Why is Monsanto suing Vermont over GMO labeling laws?
A: We believe a state-by-state patchwork of labeling laws will create confusion and uncertainty for consumers, and additionally would force consumers to pay more for the food they need. We support the food industry’s decision to challenge the legality of the labeling law in Vermont. Monsanto is not a plaintiff in the lawsuit, but we are a member of GMA. We also support the Coalition for Safe Affordable Foods’ (CFSAF) position that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should be America’s sole authority on food safety and labeling requirements. [...]
A: Moderator Note: Below is an excerpt from the article, “Vermont pro-GMO labeling groups play Monsanto ‘fear card’ in deceptive fund-raising effort” originally posted at Genetic Literacy Project. "You may have read recent posts on activist blogs about how 'Mighty Monsanto' is taking the 'tiny state of Vermont' to court over its labeling laws. 'Monsanto Sues Vermont,' screamed one headline. According to the Organic Consumers Association, 'Monsanto and the Grocery Manufacturers Association filed a lawsuit' to block the bill. "To recap, back in April, Vermont passed a law mandating all f [...]
A: We believe a state-by-state patchwork of labeling laws will create confusion and uncertainty for consumers, and additionally would force consumers to pay more for the food they need. We support the food industry’s decision to challenge the legality of the labeling law in Vermont. Monsanto is not a plaintiff in the lawsuit, but we are a member of GMA. We also support the Coalition for Safe Affordable Foods’ (CFSAF) position that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should be America’s sole authority on food safety and labeling requirements. [...]
A: Moderator Note: Below is an excerpt from the article, “Vermont pro-GMO labeling groups play Monsanto ‘fear card’ in deceptive fund-raising effort” originally posted at Genetic Literacy Project. "You may have read recent posts on activist blogs about how 'Mighty Monsanto' is taking the 'tiny state of Vermont' to court over its labeling laws. 'Monsanto Sues Vermont,' screamed one headline. According to the Organic Consumers Association, 'Monsanto and the Grocery Manufacturers Association filed a lawsuit' to block the bill. "To recap, back in April, Vermont passed a law mandating all f [...]
GMOs in Groceries Health & Safety LabelingQuestion
Q: Why is Monsanto suing Vermont over GMO labeling laws?
A: We believe a state-by-state patchwork of labeling laws will create confusion and uncertainty for consumers, and additionally would force consumers to pay more for the food they need. We support the food industry’s decision to challenge the legality of the labeling law in Vermont. Monsanto is not a plaintiff in the lawsuit, but we are a member of GMA. We also support the Coalition for Safe Affordable Foods’ (CFSAF) position that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should be America’s sole authority on food safety and labeling requirements. [...]
A: Moderator Note: Below is an excerpt from the article, “Vermont pro-GMO labeling groups play Monsanto ‘fear card’ in deceptive fund-raising effort” originally posted at Genetic Literacy Project. "You may have read recent posts on activist blogs about how 'Mighty Monsanto' is taking the 'tiny state of Vermont' to court over its labeling laws. 'Monsanto Sues Vermont,' screamed one headline. According to the Organic Consumers Association, 'Monsanto and the Grocery Manufacturers Association filed a lawsuit' to block the bill. "To recap, back in April, Vermont passed a law mandating all f [...]
A: We believe a state-by-state patchwork of labeling laws will create confusion and uncertainty for consumers, and additionally would force consumers to pay more for the food they need. We support the food industry’s decision to challenge the legality of the labeling law in Vermont. Monsanto is not a plaintiff in the lawsuit, but we are a member of GMA. We also support the Coalition for Safe Affordable Foods’ (CFSAF) position that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should be America’s sole authority on food safety and labeling requirements. [...]
A: Moderator Note: Below is an excerpt from the article, “Vermont pro-GMO labeling groups play Monsanto ‘fear card’ in deceptive fund-raising effort” originally posted at Genetic Literacy Project. "You may have read recent posts on activist blogs about how 'Mighty Monsanto' is taking the 'tiny state of Vermont' to court over its labeling laws. 'Monsanto Sues Vermont,' screamed one headline. According to the Organic Consumers Association, 'Monsanto and the Grocery Manufacturers Association filed a lawsuit' to block the bill. "To recap, back in April, Vermont passed a law mandating all f [...]
GMOs in Groceries Health & Safety Labeling