If you’ve never see pictures showing the damage done by Agent Orange, you have had the pleasure of not ever having these visions haunt you. (Please don’t look them up. That is why I did not post one on this blog.) During the Vietnam War, the American military used a chemical concoction produced by Monsanto and named Agent Orange to defoliate trees and destroy rice fields for military purposes. This chemical concoction contains dioxin, one of the most dangerous chemicals known to man. (Side note: dioxin is also found in disposable diapers, tampons, etc.) It is recognized by the World Health Organization as a carcinogen (causes cancer) and by the American Academy of Medicine as a teratogen (causes birth defects).
The animals living in these Vietnamese forests were subsequently extinct. The forests and jungles may never grow back and if they do, they will take 50 to 200 years to regenerate.
But worst of all, Vietnamese people and subsequent generations have been and continue to be afflicted by this chemical with horrible deformations; extremely high rates of cancer, infertility and miscarriages (often accompanied by severe hemorrhaging); liver and heart diseases, and more. Birth defects were extremely common and continue to be as residues of this chemical remain.
I grew up with a girl who was born with only one arm. In the spot where her left arm should have been, there were two undeveloped finger-like appendages hanging out of her shoulder. Although she was never anywhere near Vietnam, her dad served in the military during the Vietnam War and during the use of Agent Orange before she was conceived. Because of similar stories told by fellow soldiers, her parents are convinced that her birth defect was a result of her dad’s chemical exposure.
Testimonies from those affected in Vietnam at a trial report seeing babies born without arms, legs, a brain chamber, or even a face. One woman reported a case of another woman giving birth to a “ball” with no human form. Side effects of this chemical continue to carry on to each generation. As reports of 3rd generation war relatives continue to be born with severe birth defects, Vietnamese people are wondering how long the tainted genes will continue through their family line.
The U.S. government and these chemical companies involved, one being Monsanto of course, were found guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ecocide during the illegal U.S. war of aggression in Vietnam. Lawsuits were filed and victorious over Monsanto but the few victims that received recompense each received measly amounts that do not come close to covering the damages inflicted on them and their families.
RBST/rBGH
Do you know that little tiny disclaimer on certain dairy products that say, “Milk from cows not treated with rBGH has not been proven to show significant differences”? That information was based on a study that was sponsored by, yep, you guessed it--Monsanto. And the FDA has made this labeling a requirement based solely on the Monsanto-sponsored study.
Also known as rBGH, this synthetic hormone created by Monsanto is injected into cows to increase milk production. Cows given this synthetic version of a natural hormone are often afflicted with mastitis (infections in the mammary glands), which then also requires the regular use of antibiotics. Injected with the hormone every 14 days, these cows have an average lifespan of about 5 years or less, compared to the lifespan of 20-25 years in normal cows.
The use of this synthetic hormone is banned in many European countries, Australia, and New Zealand. All for the sake of profit, this biologically active hormone is increasing in use in America. Its use is associated with increased rates of breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancers.
Aspartame
Most of us are familiar with the term aspartame by now, but some may also know it as NutraSweet. It was accidentally discovered in a lab and while its use was somewhat small at first, it became a large part of the market after Monsanto took over and promoted its “zero-calorie” pitch. The company that first produced this “zero-calorie” sweetener was purchased by Monsanto in 1984, sold for 16 years under their company, and subsequently sold it in 2000 after patents expired and the market become too difficult to monopolize.
This product is linked to an increase in conditions such as Lupus, Alzheimer’s, seizures, brain tumors, and of course, cancer. It is found in more than just diet sodas today. Many products labeled as “sugar-free,” such as powder drink mixes, also contain aspartame.
PCB’s
This chemical was created and sold by Monsanto for use in various things during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Once the dangerous side effects of this chemical was discovered, its use was banned and it was eventually phased out. Unfortunately, deposits of this chemical from both dumping sites and leaching of old products containing it continue to cause problems.
For instance, towns where residues of this chemical is found in high amounts are areas that also have abnormally high rates of cancer. In fact, Monsanto has been sued many times for illegal dumping.
GMO’s
GMO’s, or Genetically Modified Organisms, are something you may be familiar with by now if you’ve been following me on face book. Essentially, Monsanto has created plant seeds that are injected with a biochemical protein to help the plant reject herbicides. This allows farmers to treat their fields with an herbicide designed to kill every living thing but because of its molecular alteration, it does not kill the plant.
As of 2007, approximately 91 percent of soy found in food is genetically modified . In 1996, it was only 2 percent. If you consider that almost every chip, cracker, and crunchy thing is deep-fried in soybean oil, you can begin to see how much of the food Monsanto has chemically altered. With this staggering increase in genetically modified production, you will also see a staggering increase in food allergies, especially from soy.
73 percent of corn (think of all the high-fructose corn syrup) crops are genetically modified, and 87 percent of cotton (think of your clothing) is from genetically modified crops. These beautiful plants that look natural from the outside are no longer natural. They are altered on a molecular level and have now become Franken-food that almost every single American consumes.
Of course, anytime you alter the way things are naturally meant to be, there are consequences. One study analyzing the effects of genetically modified foods showed evidence of damage to the immune system and vital organs, and a potentially pre-cancerous condition. When the scientist tried to alert the public about these alarming discoveries, he lost his job and was silenced with threats of a lawsuit.
Two other studies also showed evidence of a potentially pre-cancerous condition. In an unpublished study, laboratory rats fed a GM crop developed stomach lesions and seven of the forty died within two weeks. The crop was approved without further tests.
The World Health Organization, the British and American Medical Associations, and several other groups have expressed concern that if the "antibiotic resistant marker genes" used in GM foods got transferred to bacteria, it could create super-diseases that are immune to antibiotics.
GM foods are also to blame for the marked increase in food allergies. Soy allergies skyrocketed by 50% in the UK, coinciding with the introduction of GM soy imports from the U.S. The number one food marketed to parents and purchased for a baby’s first food (rice cereal) contains soybean oil from genetically-modified soy!
According to a March 2001 report, the Center for Disease Control says that food is responsible for twice the number of illnesses in the U.S. compared to estimates just seven years earlier.
Roundup
Finally, we get to the Roundup. This is the product many people, companies, and local governments use to keep their lawns, driveways, sidewalks, and parks weed-free. Interestingly, this product is 70% Agent Orange! Need I say more?! The company who produced the illegal warfare chemicals in Vietnam War is the same company from which we are buying products to keep our homes “beautiful.” Should we really trust the company who has been sued time and time again for toxic exposure and who has been declared the fifth most toxic company with the health of our children?
Many people wonder, “If it’s so dangerous, why would our government allow the sale of lawn chemicals and other horrible products?” Profit. Gain. The Bible says “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) That is why I have gone in-depth here to describe to you the many products produced by Monsanto and allowed by our government.
During the Agent Orange operation, American soldiers were repeatedly told that this product was not dangerous to work with, despite the studies that showed otherwise. This is the same government that we trust to decide what we should use on our lawns, what we should feed our family, and what we should take for medicine? Not when the words “profit” and “gain” are the first priority.
So now you can see how all of this fits into our recent Healthy Lawns topic on Facebook. We need to get these chemicals as far away from our homes as possible! As one organization writes, “Our lush, beautiful green lawns are costing us our children! Too many children are being diagnosed with cancers that are directly linked to lawn chemical exposure. It’s just not worth it.”
Watch my Facebook health page for tips, links, and resources on keeping your lawn beautiful the safe and natural way! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Healthy-Families-for-God/123685951004535
For more information, check out the following resources:
Millions Against Monsanto
This website contains a wealth of information and ways to stay up-to-date on the latest Monsanto news, as well as ways to get involved in the fight against this malevolent company.
http://organicconsumers.org/monsanto/index.cfm
The book Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M. Smith
Agent Orange & Vietnam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJxb7CY13uc
If you watch one video, it should be this one. Set aside the time you would normally watch a futile sitcom and check it out! This half-hour long video is a great 60 Minutes type of show that details the use of Agent Orange in Vietnam and the legal battle to obtain remuneration from the American government for the effects of this chemical on the Vietnamese people.
You will notice a striking resemblance between the physical effects of this chemical from Agent Orange and many physical problems/birth defects seen in America for which we are being told have unknown causes. An excellent video; I highly recommend watching it.
The World According to Monsanto, a free documentary detailing in-depth the actions and pursuits of Monsanto and what it all means for Americans. Watch it for free online here: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-world-according-to-monsanto/
Watch the trailer for the movie about a small town who dared to fight against the billion-dollar industry of lawn chemicals because of a dermatologist’s infant patient suffering from tragedy as a result of these chemicals.
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