Monsanto and the Dark History of Herbicides

The story of Monsanto, a large agricultural company, is one of controversy and deceit. It begins with the murder of an Arkansas farmer, Mike Wallace, in 2016, over a herbicide that was owned by a company with a farmland monopoly. This company, Monsanto, had a history of colluding with corrupted EPA officials and twisting scientific evidence to gain a monopoly over the seed and herbicide market.

The Early Days of Monsanto

Monsanto’s history dates back to 1942, when a chemist named Franklin D. Jones experimented with hormones to kill poison ivy. He discovered a synthetic hormone, 24D, that was incredibly potent and could encourage or kill plant growth. This led to the development of selective herbicides, which targeted specific plants like poison ivy and broadleaf weeds, while leaving others, such as grass, barely affected.

The Rise of Monsanto

After the Allies’ victory, patent secrecy restrictions on herbicides were lifted, revealing that other scientists in the US and UK had independently discovered similar herbicides. This led to the development of modern weed killers like 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, which revolutionized weed control in fields, railroads, and lawns. Monsanto’s herbicide factory in Nitro, West Virginia, produced 245T, which was used in the Vietnam War as part of Operation Ranchhand.

The Dangers of Dioxin

The production of 245T involved a contaminant called dioxin, which was found to cause severe health issues, including skin lesions and cancer. Despite knowing about the dangers of dioxin, Monsanto failed to warn the US government and the public, prioritizing industry interests over public safety. The use of Agent Orange, which contained dioxin, caused irreparable damage, resulting in skin diseases, cancer, and birth defects for up to 3 million people.

The Discovery of Glyphosate

In the 1970s, a scientist discovered a highly effective herbicide called glyphosate, which worked by disrupting the shikimate pathway, a chemical process essential for plant survival. Monsanto developed a new herbicide, Roundup, which contained glyphosate, and was introduced in 1974. Roundup was marketed as safe and biodegradable, but it was later found to be linked to cancer and other health issues.

Monsanto’s Monopoly

Monsanto gained control of the seed market with its “Roundup ready” products, and its salesmen pressured farmers to sign deals by threatening that they would go out of business if they didn’t comply. The company’s patent on glyphosate ensured their exclusivity in selling it until 2000. Monsanto aimed to create crops resistant to Roundup by editing the plant’s DNA to produce more EPSPS enzyme, allowing the plant to survive despite the herbicide’s presence.

The Consequences of Monsanto’s Actions

Monsanto’s actions led to a culture of fear and paranoia among farmers, with some farmers being labeled “Monsatan” for using Roundup. The company’s herbicide system caused herbicide drift, which damaged neighboring fields and led to violent conflicts between farmers. An independent science panel classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen in 2015, contradicting other big health organizations like the US Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization.

The Monsanto Papers

Monsanto’s internal documents, known as the Monsanto Papers, reveal the company’s manipulation and collusion with corrupt EPA officials to influence media and science reports. The papers show that Monsanto ghostwrote review articles, disputed the classification of glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, and created an army to deploy comments and create confusion around glyphosate.

The Aftermath

Today, Bayer, the company that acquired Monsanto, faces thousands of lawsuits from plaintiffs claiming their cancer was caused by Roundup. The company has settled over 100,000 cancer lawsuits related to its Roundup product, with settlements totaling over $10 billion. Despite denying any wrongdoing, Bayer has removed glyphosate from some commercial products due to public backlash and lawsuits.

Conclusion

The story of Monsanto is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked corporate power and the importance of protecting public health and the environment. It highlights the need for rules and regulations to ensure independence and disconnection from corporate interests. The influence of large companies like Monsanto on academia is a problem, and it is crucial to protect sensitive individuals from the potential harm caused by their products.

• Key points:
  • Monsanto’s history of controversy and deceit
  • The dangers of dioxin and glyphosate
  • Monsanto’s monopoly over the seed and herbicide market
  • The consequences of Monsanto’s actions, including herbicide drift and violent conflicts between farmers
  • The Monsanto Papers and the company’s manipulation of science and media reports

1. Timeline of events:
   1. 1942: Franklin D. Jones experiments with hormones to kill poison ivy
   2. 1974: Monsanto introduces Roundup, a herbicide containing glyphosate
   3. 2015: An independent science panel classifies glyphosate as a probable carcinogen
   4. 2018: Bayer acquires Monsanto and faces thousands of lawsuits related to Roundup

Key Vocabulary

Watch The Video

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a chemical substance that is added to something in small amounts and can cause problems or damage’?

A) Hormone
B) Herbicide
C) Contaminant
D) Carcinogen

2. What is the name of the herbicide that was introduced by Monsanto in 1974 and contains glyphosate?

A) Agent Orange
B) Roundup Ready
C) 2,4-D
D) Roundup

3. Which term refers to ‘a substance that can cause cancer’?

A) Dioxin
B) Glyphosate
C) Carcinogen
D) Hormone

4. What is the name of the documents that reveal Monsanto’s manipulation and collusion with corrupt EPA officials?

A) The Monsanto Papers
B) The Glyphosate Files
C) The Dioxin Documents
D) The Roundup Reports

5. Which company acquired Monsanto in 2018 and faces thousands of lawsuits related to Roundup?

A) Dow Chemical
B) Bayer
C) Syngenta
D) DuPont

Answer Key:

1. C
2. D
3. C
4. A
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Passive Voice

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses to complete each sentence.

1. The herbicide 24D ____________________ (discover) by Franklin D. Jones in 1942.

• a) was discovered
• b) discover
• c) is discovering
• d) discovered

2. The dangers of dioxin ____________________ (know) by Monsanto, but the company failed to warn the public.

• a) were known
• b) know
• c) is known
• d) are knowing

3. The seed market ____________________ (control) by Monsanto with its “Roundup ready” products.

• a) is controlled
• b) control
• c) was controlled
• d) were controlling

4. Glyphosate ____________________ (find) to be linked to cancer and other health issues.

• a) was found
• b) find
• c) is finding
• d) are found

5. Thousands of lawsuits ____________________ (face) by Bayer, the company that acquired Monsanto.

• a) were faced
• b) face
• c) is facing
• d) are facing

Answer Key:

1. a) was discovered

2. a) were known

3. c) was controlled

4. a) was found

5. a) were faced