The Bully

In accordance with my essay topic of the negative health effects associated with Genetically Modified Organisms, I can think of no better investigative subject than the start of it all- Monsanto. The following video explains the conception, progression, current state, and forecasted outcome of the world's most influential and controlling company associated with food production.

Many people tend to blame the production of Genetically Modified Organisms on the farmers. The farmers are not the culprits. After viewing the aforementioned video, it is clear to see that farmers and food producers are bullied into purchasing Monsanto seeds. The consequences of abstaining from Monsanto's business could result in a dramatic loss of production, which would cause the loss of government subsidies. Without subsidies, many of America's most productive corn, soybean, and wheat growers would not be able to support themselves.

 Monsanto repurchases the yield grown by the farmers to process it and sell it to factories for mass processed food production. Many times, the farmers are required to sell their yield back to Monsanto for dimes on the dollar due to obligations written into contractual agreements at the sale of the seed. Additionally, farmers cannot share, sell, or reuse seeds bought from Monsanto. This is to ensure that Monsanto's revenue stays consistent from season to season. This very concept defeats the entire purpose of good stewardship and sustainability. If a crop's seed is not permitted to be used, the environmental cycle is undercut and cannot be supported long-term.

Monsanto's production of chemical-resistant GMO's has caused the growth of stronger, more harmful species which hinder future growth of crops. Additionally, Monsanto's encouraged year-round production of the exact same crop in the same soil has caused monocultures, which deplete the soil of its nutrients. This causes a need for costly fertilizer additives and soil enhancement blends which are sold by none other than Monsanto. You get the idea.

It almost seems as if Monsanto has stolen the natural environmental cycle of crop production and replaced it with their own industrialized, factory-formulated style which is unsustainable. While this is a problem, that was their goal in the first place. They wanted to cause a problem to which they were the only solution, therefore guaranteeing the American food production's reliance on their business. It is appalling and maddening that this company could take a naturally occurring, sustainable, healthy cycle and replace it with a less efficient, large scale business model all for the sake of profit at the loss of well-being.

As also stated in the video, GMO's in and of themselves are not necessarily the issue. It is the unfair and uncalled-for use of these GMO's and the chemicals needed to support them which have caused our society to grow unhealthy and reliant on this monopoly.

Even if farmers were not held to these obligations, many of them would be required to use Monsanto's products in order to expect a satisfactory yield due to the now more harmful pests and weeds which have been caused by the use of pesticides and herbicides in the past. The only hope for America's sustainable production of crops is to go back to smaller, crop-rotated and animal-dependant farming. When animals and crops work together, the whole system is returned back to its original, most productive and efficient state. Animals and crops rely on eachother for proper nutrients and when allowed to take their natural course, they are the most productive. Unfortunately, big business like Monsanto has taken it upon themselves to rewrite the role of nature. If there's one thing which we have learned over the years, it is that nature will always take its course.

As always, Good fortune and Godspeed.
-Mike Knipp