Death has come to the beautiful island of Molokai, long considered an “old Hawaiian” paradise complete with waterfalls, lush rain forests and sprawling hills. It came in the form of a mightyTrojan Horse promising jobs and prosperity to the island’s small population of 7,500. Image credit: occupy-monsanto.com
The exquisite island has become a laboratory and the islanders are being treated like lab rats.
Monsanto has set up shop, shrouded by fences and no trespassing signs. Almost 2,000 acres of Molokai’s paradise has been taken over by the biotech titan’s Bt corn crops. These patented genes produce a substance that prevents and destroys pests. The Bt toxin is engineered into corn crops, allowing farmers to control pests without spraying as many pesticides.
When the pesticides are sprayed, workers wear head to toe protective gear, including respirators. Nearby residents are not provided with such equipment and have no option but to breathe in the toxic dust that comes from the fields.
The State Health Department has said that there is no proof this is dangerous to the people of Hawaii or any place where they’ve been tested.
The island’s residents disagree and tell a very different story, one similar to that of the people of India or the farmers of Argentina. Monsanto strikes again, invading and damaging people and the environment with its glyphosate toxicity.
The proof is in the people. The people of Molokai have become sicker and sicker, stricken with diseases like asthma, diabetes and cancer. These are all side effects of pesticide exposure. The dots are being connected.
However, the State Department sides with biotech executives and claim that there is no problem with the extreme pesticide use. Coincidentally, statistics for cancer, miscarriage, birth defects, respiratory problems and neurological issues on the island are not easily found.
“As the acute toxicity – reflected in the WHO classification of glyphosate is low, it has long been promoted as safe. However, recent evidence shows substantial adverse health and environmental effects, especially of the formulated products.
The marketed formulations of glyphosate, such as Roundup, contain adjuvants (accessory chemicals), usually 50-60 percent, added to enable the active ingredient to work more effectively. There is mounting evidence that the adjuvants are more toxic than glyphosate and/or potentiate its toxic effects. Publicly available information about the nature of these chemicals is incomplete because adjuvants are treated as proprietary secrets by the manufacturer. One major known agent used e.g. in Roundup is ‘POEA’.
Although glyphosate itself shows low acute toxicity, serious poising effects such as severe eye irritation and injury, skin and respiratory problems, and damage to lung tissue have been recorded with formulated products – probably due to the presence of POEA. Farm workers exposed to Roundup, e.g. by eye rubbing, has been reported to “have caused swelling of eye and lid, rapid heartbeat and elevated blood pressure. Other reported effects of POEA are: vomiting, diarrhea, hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), altered mental status, and pulmonary edema; ingestion can cause in addition pharyngitis, abdominal pain, liver and renal damage, and erosions of the esophagus, oropharynx, and stomach.
Recent experiences and studies show a wide range of long-term adverse health effects, again mostly related to formulated products, such as leukemia and other cancers, skin diseases, and birth defects, gastrointestinal problems, and alterations to the central nervous system. Other findings link glyphosate and especially formulations with affecting embryo development, damage cells and DNA, and interrupting the hormone system. In addition, POEA contains dioxin, which causes cancer and damage to the liver and kidneys in humans. A new study found adverse effects of four glyphosate-based herbicides on human embryonic, placental and umbilical cord cells at dilution levels far below agricultural recommendations, corresponding to low levels of residues in food or feed.”
This is not an experiment in some distant land. This is happening right now, on American soil. Today, an American has no choice but to breathe in air with a toxic particle that may go rogue when it enters the body, resulting in cancers, miscarriages, infertility, or some other illness. That particle is created or released intentionally by Monsanto. There is no way to contain things like pollen or chemical sprays. Those who live downwind of these fields are helpless to avoid the poison being released into the air and into the groundwater.
Americans are crying out for help, but the politicians refuse to listen. The desperate pleas go unheard because of insidious collusion – in the government, in the media, and in the biotech industry. No one wants to believe that in this day and age, someone wouldn’t stop Monsanto.
Monsanto writes its own laws as is evident with the passing of the Monsanto Protection Act. There is a revolving door between Monsanto, Washington D.C., the FDA and the USDA, not to mention connections with the Supreme Court. There is a blatant money trail between Monsanto and many of the lawmakers in D.C. Other countries’ governments have said no to Monsanto, but the US does not. The US government is in clear collusion with the biotech industry, and they don’t even try to hide it.
It’s not too late to stand up to biotech bullies. The government and safety agencies, such as the FDA, won’t protect its citizens so it’s up to us to be proactive and take a stand. Join the global March Against Monsanto happening May of next year. Boycott GMOs and glyphosate pesticides. Plant your own food or shop from a local farmer. Educate those you know and encourage them to do the same.
Many will read this and be incredulous, doubtful that such a thing could go on here in America. But it is happening. Today, it’s Hawaii. Tomorrow, it might be in the field near you and your children.
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