The Bitter Seeds of Monsanto's Legacy: Debt, Death, and Global
Destruction
October 27 2012
Story at-a-glance
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Bitter Seeds looks at the beginning of the consumer goods’
supply chain – the raw materials – shedding much-needed
light on the crisis created by Monsanto’s genetically
engineered Bt cotton
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Buried in debt and struggling against the rising cost of GE
seeds and the chemicals required, combined with failing
yields and GE-created super weeds and resistant pests, one
Indian farmer now commits suicide every 30 minutes.
One-quarter million farmers have been driven to suicide by
Monsanto’s false promises and ruthless global monopolization
tactics
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Bitter Seeds raises critical questions about the human cost
of genetically modified agriculture and the future of how we
grow our food and other essential crops
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The film couldn’t be more timely, as California stands
poised to vote on Proposition 37, which would require
genetically engineered foods to be labeled, on November 6
By Dr. Mercola
Bitter Seeds is the last film in the Trilogy produced by
Teddy Bear Films. The first two, Store Wars: When Wal-Mart Comes
to Town, and China Blue were released in 2001 and 2005
respectively. So far, the films have won 20 international
awards, aired on over 30 television channels and screened in more
than 100 film festivals.
The aim of the trilogy is to generate debate about public policy
and consumer choices in the face of overpowering global economic
forces. Says the films' Director, Micha X. Peled:
"I believe Globalization has become the overarching theme
of our times. It clearly has many positive aspects that have
improved our lives. But mostly, the dynamics of Globalization
are working for the rich and powerful, for those who make the
rules, enabling multinational corporations to expand their reach
and governments to extend their control.
My Globalization Trilogy focuses on the current and
emerging economic superpowers: U.S., China and India. The
Trilogy begins with us here in the West, and then journeys back
down the production-consumption chain, each film peeling off
another layer."
Store Wars: When Wal-Mart Comes to Town focused on
consumerism in the U.S., while China Blue investigated the
sweatshop labor conditions in the manufacturing of the clothes we
all buy. Bitter Seeds looks at the beginning of the supply
chain – the raw materials – shedding much-needed light on the crisis
created by Monsanto's genetically engineered Bt cotton.
Buried in debt and struggling against the rising cost of GE seeds
and the chemicals required, combined with failing yields and
GE-created super weeds and resistant pests, Indian farmers have
taken to suicide at a frightening rate. Over the past 16 years, a
quarter-million of India's farmers have been driven to suicide by
Monsanto's false promises and ruthless global monopolization
tactics. It's estimated that one Indian farmer now commits suicide
every 30 minutes. Most end their lives by drinking pesticide...
Rounding out his "Globalization Trilogy" with another
affecting, character-driven portrait designed to indict
corporate opportunism, Micha X. Peled exposes the issues
underlying a rash of farmer suicides in "Bitter Seeds." –
Variety 9/5/11
A Timely Reminder: Educated Consumers Can Make a Big Difference, But
First We Must Be Allowed to Know the Truth!
Bitter Seeds raises critical questions about the human
cost of genetically modified agriculture and the future of how we
grow our food and other essential crops. The film couldn't be more
timely, as California stands poised to decide the fate of
Proposition 37, which would require genetically engineered foods to
be identified on the label, on November 6.
A major problem facing Americans is forced ignorance. Even though
many are undoubtedly concerned about the environment and the future
of their children, they can't opt to avoid GE foods even if they
want to, simply because the U.S. refuses to label them.
This must change.
And while GE food labels may seem unrelated to the plight of
India's GE cotton farmers, it's really not, because the U.S. is a
major consumer of all manner of GE crops, and Americans cannot alter
their consumer habits unless they're informed about what they're
buying. Many still don't even know that genetically engineered crops
exist, let alone that they're in the food supply, or that these
crops are decimating soils and destroying the livelihood of farmers
across the globe.
While labels for GE cotton in clothing may be a long way out, you
can ensure you're not buying GE cotton by making sure it's certified
organic cotton. Clothing manufacturers virtually never keep
certified organic a secret! While you will probably pay a bit more,
you're actively participating in a movement to support traditional,
sustainable farming that does not involve the death and destruction
of the environment and its inhabitants in the process.
"Here is a documentary that shows what is really
happening because of GMOs," VonBreck says. "When I saw it, I
knew this is such an important issue to raise awareness on. I
knew we were doing important work." – Boulder Weekly,
2/16/12
Similarly, without GE labeling, the only way to avoid GE foods is
to only buy certified organic foods. You cannot settle for
"all-natural." The "natural" label is worthless – many all-natural
brands are actually using GE ingredients, and are now donating
millions of dollars to the campaign to defeat Prop. 37, to
keep you in the dark about what's really in your favorite
all-natural brands!
We only have less than two short weeks left to really shift the
tide against genetically engineered foods in the U.S., and we need
your help. Monsanto and their minions have raised $40 million to
defeat Proposition 37, which has bought them a big swing in the
polls. The pro-labeling side has shrunk from 68 to 48 percent – a
testament to the power of well-crafted, misleading propaganda. But
48 percent is holding fast to the principle that we have the right
to know what's in the food we buy, and it only takes 51 percent to
win the vote.
We need your contributions now more than ever, so please, make a
donation today!
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