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Monday morning quarterbacking the defeat of Proposition 37
A little over a month ago, the California bill requiring mandatory labeling of GMOs looked like it was going to pass. How did it end up defeated? Many people see 46 million reasons.
Fri, Nov 09 2012 at 1:16 PM
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Earlier this week, I asked if the movement to label foods with GMOs (genetically modified ingredients, died along with the defeat of California’s Proposition 37. It hasn’t died. Supporters of mandatory labeling are regrouping and figuring out what to do next. There’s also a lot of discussion on why the bill was defeated, considering that it seemed sure to pass earlier this fall. Everyone who has something to say about the subject mentions the amount of money spent by opponents, a reported $46 million, as a real issue. Here’s what’s being said.

 
 
  • Over on Huffington Post, the founders of Occupy Big Food say the failure of Prop 37 shows that we can’t count on policy to change our food system because the money just isn’t there. They aren’t giving up, though. “We can't outspend Big Food and we can't out campaign them -- but we can outsmart them.”
  • Southern California Public Radio has an interview with Mark Bittman on why he thinks Prop 37 was defeated. You can listen to the interview online, and they also have some of the highlights from the interview printed on the website.
  • The campaign to label GMOs is now being taken to other states. Sacramento Bee reports that proponents of labeling are “looking north to Washington and Oregon and east to Connecticut and Vermont.” Those states may possibly have GMO labeling bills to consider soon.
  • Marion Nestle sees the take-home lesson of the defeat of Prop 37 as one of the power of money. On her Food Politics blog she points out that “Polling results started to shift only after the October 1 start of the “No on 37″ television ad campaign.” $46 million was spent by opponents of the bill to defeat it.

 

 

The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.

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anonymous
Rev. Richard Skaff Dec 19 2012 at 11:17 AM
Why Prop 37 was defeated in California? UCLA professor co-opted by Monsanto to defeat Proposition 37! By Rev. Richard Skaff Bob Goldberg joins debate on 89.3 KPCC Southern California Public Radio: "Part I: Fight over Prop 37 and genetically modified food heats up" "This is an assault on a perfectly safe and important science," says Bob Goldberg, a molecular biologist at UCLA. Goldberg researches how genes make up a plant seed, and is a member of
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the National Academy of Sciences." [3] Bob Goldberg quoted in OC Register article, "Money pouring in to defeat Prop. 37. Opponents say genetically modified foods have no evidence of being harmful; proponents want labels" "I'm motivated to go against Prop. 37 because it's anti-scientific," said UCLA plant biologist Bob Goldberg. "It's no different to me than people not getting a vaccine because they think it might be responsible for causing autism. Am I for consumers' right to know? Absolutely. But labeling has to have a purpose. We use labeling, like with cigarettes, for things that might be potentially harmful." [3] Bob Goldberg quoted in LA Times article, "Study Points to Health Problems with Genetically Modified Foods" "Bob Goldberg, a plant molecular biologist at UCLA, said the study didn't offer any credible explanation for why the engineered corn would cause tumors. The changes made to plants to help them resist Roundup involve a protein that is naturally present in all plants people eat every day, he said." [3] Bob Goldberg quoted in San Fransisco Chronicle article, "Biotech Food Measure Prop. 37 on Ballot" "Bioengineered crops are the safest crops in the world," said Bob Goldberg, a molecular biologist, professor at UCLA and member of the National Academy of Sciences. "We've been testing them for 40 years. They're like the Model T Ford. There is not one credible scientist working on this that would call it unsafe." [3] A Collection of Soybean Seed Transcription Factor Gene Knock-Out Lines Has Been Generated Sixty-three soybean seed transcription factor gene RNAi knock-out lines were generated in collaboration with Dr. David Somers at Monsanto. Transcription factor genes chosen for study were identified in our NSF-funded project "What Are the Genes Required to Make a Soybean Seed," using laser capture microdissection (LCM) and Affymetrix GeneChip technologies. All of the RNAi lines are available to the soybean community from Monsanto through a standard MTA process. To initiate this process, please contact either Bob Goldberg (bobg@ucla.edu) or David Somers directly at Monsanto (david.a.somers@monsanto.com). [3] Professor Robert Goldberg a UCLA professor of Botany was instrumental in the defeat of Prop 37. It appears that his enthusiasm and hard work to defeat that measure did not stem-out of his passion for GMO, but out of his loyalty to his masters at Monsanto who employ him and fund his research in UCLA. This professor’s GMO ideology turns out to be based on money and co-optation by global corporations that own most of congress, politicians, scientists and researchers in the United States, as well as international leaders and political figures, and anyone who will advance their control over the food supplies in the world. Control the food and you control the people! Professor Goldberg is a little pawn in this scheme. Unfortunately, he has used his position as public employee in a public University (UCLA) to advance a political agenda and a product/technology that was sponsored by a private company. That is a clear conflict of interest. Professor Goldberg a simultaneous employee of Monsanto and of UCLA has used and abused his position under the guise of science. He used the University as a vehicle to push a political agenda induced by his Masters in Monsanto. He blatantly and arrogantly bragged about his connection to Monsanto and his work on their GMO soy seed, as well as his victory over prop 37. He proclaimed himself a hero for defeating this measure and for knowing what is best for humanity. Meanwhile, he continues to misrepresent the proposition and calls “the right to know” as an “ideology.” Apparently, the university’s leadership is oblivious to ethical violations and was not bothered with this professor’s conduct, which gives the observer the sense that this practice is common and welcomed in UCLA, in order to help the university obtain grants and receive publicity through the publishing of any bogus study that might generate funding. Has UCLA become a cradle for pseudo-science and selective ethics, or is this a common practice in all universities? We all have to be wary of Megalomania that can plague any humanoid who acquires some type of power, and immune ourselves with reality to keep us grounded and ethical. Unfortunately, global corporations (like Monsanto) have once again succeeded in robbing local, national and international farmers from their right to individual sovereignty, and have forced them to become less self-reliant and dependent on the Monsanto GMO seeds. The anti- prop 37 campaign was plagued with lies, fear mongering, and misinformation. Per example, the No on 37 campaign falsely attributed a direct quote to FDA in the campaign mailer. The quoted attribution, which appears below, is entirely false and fabricated. FDA did not make this statement and does not take a position on Prop 37. [1] "The US Food and Drug Administration says a labeling policy like Prop 37 would be inherently misleading." US Food and Drug Administration In addition, Professor Goldberg the self-proclaimed hero, the well-paid public employee the Monsanto loyal servant, and the opponent of prop 37 did not win this battle on his own. In reality, the companies listed below have contributed millions of dollars to confuse and scare the public, in order to deter Californians from practicing their constitutional right to know what they are consuming. This is a list of some of the contributors to the “No on 37” campaign [2], including: • MONSANTO COMPANY $4,208,000.00 • E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO. $4,025,200.00 • PEPSICO, INC. $1,716,300.00 • BAYER CROPSCIENCE $1,618,400.00 • DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC $1,184,800.00 • NESTLE USA, INC. $1,169,400.00 • COCA-COLA NORTH AMERICA $1,164,400.00 Conclusion: It is amazing that a simple label has created so much heat and controversy. It makes you wonder that if Professor Goldberg and his Masters at Monsanto are so certain that genetically engineered food is the way of the future, then, why did they fight so hard and so dirty against prop 37? A tiny GMO label would be no different than the existing label that allows the public to know where their grapes or peaches come from. It is unfortunate that the herds will continue to empower the elite to do the thinking for them, because of the mental paralysis they experience when faced with independent thinking, inquiring, and making a decision on their own. They dwell in their web of fears that disable them from doubting authority and taking responsibility for their actions. Instead, they will always choose the lazy path over dissonance and critical thinking. References: 1. www.carighttoknow.org/possiblefraud. Press release, posted on October 18, 2012. California Right to Know Calls for Criminal Investigation of No on 37 For Possible Fraud for Misuse of FDA Seal and Fabricated FDA Quote 2. www.brandchannel.com/.../Prop.-37-Puts-Labeling-of-Genetically-M...Posted on August 20, 2012. Prop. 37 Puts GMO Labeling To California Voters 3. www.mcdb.ucla.edu/Research/Goldberg/news_index.htm
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anonymous
observer1 Nov 11 2012 at 12:18 PM
I'm kind of new to this GMO thing so hear me out. I have read quite a bit about it, I hate Monsanto for their ethics, but....but, I have yet been able to find a legitimate source of REAL data that says we are in danger. Mark above says "there is science to support skepticism toward GE food as some of its effects on our diet have been seen". Where? Science to support skepticism? What is that supposed to mean? If it is dangerous the FDA would stop it. But it's not! You talk of "deep pockets" spending
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millions to defeat you. So if I spend $10 on TV ads and they spend $50 I automatically lose? What does that say about the intelligence of people? Bottom line is show me the proof. I watch Agday every weekend and know a little about farming. Yes, Monsanto and the others are not nice. But in reality, 1-the GMO crops we eat every day! 2-if it was bad we wouldn't. 3-Read what GMO really is. If the Native Americans hadn't played around we would be eating Maize that is about 2 inches long. And if the people in the Middle east didn't mess with wheat, we would need a few more acres to get the yields we enjoy today. I think all you whiners should read up on the big picture, while I take a big bite of my GMO, grilled in the husk corn on the cob, with butter (not sure if that is GMO or not, but who cares). Maybe the salt is contaminated.
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anonymous
Tifani Nov 10 2012 at 3:09 AM

For some reason it did not print my entire reply,,,hmmm...

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tarrant's picture
Tarrant Nov 10 2012 at 2:51 PM

Did you click the more at the end of your reply? Our system only shows part of longer replies with a "more" to click to read the remaining reply. Let me know if that isn't the case.

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anonymous
Tifani Nov 10 2012 at 1:03 AM
It has NOT been defeated I called the California Secretary of State Office and they said they will not know until December. There are still over 3 million votes not counted!! How anyone predicted defeat is still a mystery. Probably has something to do with Monsanto's DEEP pockets. Go to the website to see press release www.sos.ca.gov and then go to news and resources. This is the news release to click on DB12:110...Please adjust your article accordingly...hopefully this is not a case of voter fraud...
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there needs to be close scrutiny paid to this issue as they have already done things like http://www.carighttoknow.org/deptofjustice...It is hard to believe stuff like this is allowed to happen!!!:(
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anonymous
Kevin Folta Nov 09 2012 at 7:40 PM
The whole thing is a travesty. It started with money and a scientifically bankrupt idea. Fear was a main motivator. Next, Big Ag and Big Food spend tons to defend themselves and science, again using fear. Can we ever just use science and reason? Those promoting this nonsense legislation are discrediting themselves and all of the other really good ideas these folks traditionally stand for. They now are fighting science and scientists. Welcome to the world of the anti-climate change science deniers.
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anonymous
Tifani Nov 10 2012 at 3:05 AM
Are you joking Kevin the NO campaign was nothing but FRAUD and lies!!! Please feel free to check it yourself, http://www.carighttoknow.org/deptofjustice. As it sits now, it is quite possible they are trying to implement voter FRAUD too in my opinion! Did you know Kevin, that a Russian scientist study confirmed that 55% of rats born to animals fed GMO soy while pregnant died?http://www.rense.com/general68/rats.htm - Did you know that Monsanto’s Roundup Ready GMO soy, which is 90% of the soy consumed
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in the USA, is toxic to humans?http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Safety/gmo/useless_corn_0218120832.htmlhttp://www.naturalnews.com/035093_GMO_genetic_traits_toxicity.html - Did you know that GMO corn has been marketed that contains 2,4-D, a major component of Agent Orange? Exposure to 2,4-D causes cancer, reproductive problems, neurotoxicity, and immunosuppression. It contains dioxin, one of the “dirty dozen” group of extremely toxic chemicals that are resistant to environmental degradation. Does anyone want their children to eat crops sprayed with a chemical component of Agent Orange? Does anyone want it in their groundwater?http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/12/dow-agrosc... -Did you know that the Bt corn (maize) was developed by transferring cry1Ab from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into corn. It is to be found in the most common GM corn - Monsanto's Bt MON810 (marketed with the trade name YieldGard) - a corn genetically engineered to resist corn borers by producing its own insecticide, the Cry1Ab toxin. Global production of Bt corn takes place on many millions of hectares worldwide and many different types of foods contain Bt corn. In the European Union, seven countries - Austria, Hungary, Greece, France, Luxembourg, Germany and Bulgaria have banned Mon810. -Did you know that this Bt toxin was found in the blood stream of 93% of the pregnant women tested and 80 percent of their fetuses in Canada? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388888/GM-food-toxins-blood-9... It is suppose to essentially poke holes and explode the stomachs of the insects that eat the corn. Is this something you want in your body or your baby? - Did you know that Michael R. Taylor, a former Monsanto lobbyist, is a senior adviser to the FDA on food safety? In 1996, he was responsible for the inclusion of a loophole in a food protection law called the Delaney Clause. The Delaney Clause does not allow processed food to contain “any chemical additive found to induce cancer in man or animals”. Taylor amended the Delaney Clause to allow the inclusion of pesticides in GMOs.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food_controversies -Did you know that Aspartame is a GMO invented by Monsanto http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/database/e-numbers/102.aspartame.html I bet you did not know that and it has been linked to MANY health issues but again many of the studies have been discredited, plus it does not hurt that a former Monsanto employee is our Food Safety czar! Kevin please explain why chronic disease rose astronomically in the US since GMO's were introduced into our diet??? The U.S. has the highest rate of cancer of any other country on the planet — 1 out of 2 men, and 1 out of 3 women are expected to get cancer in their lifetime. 1 out of 8 women has breast cancer, but only 1 in 10 of those breast cancers are genetic, which means 9 out of 10 incidences of breast cancers are environmentally triggered.The United States’ national healthcare costs are likewise far higher than any other developed nation: 16% of our GDP goes towards managing disease. So why is that, why does everyone and their dog have allergies? I mean literally and figuratively "dog"...Vets are seeing animals with severe allergic reactions as well. Oh, it is no big deal, it is just an allergy, well tell that to the mother that loses her child to anaphylactic shock. The studies that show how safe GMO's are were all done by Monsanto and they were 90 day studies...do you think you can tell in 90 days if there is a health risk for the entire worlds population...or do you think there should be further testing? Now add that the infant mortality rate use to be the lowest but now it is the highest and infertility has also skyrocketed....This is our individual health and the HEALTH of our Nation that we are talking about. The fact that some people do not grasp this is mind boggling! The other caveat to this debate (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=do-seed-companies-contr...) is that Monsanto owns the Intellectual Property patent rights for the GMO's and stops many Scientists from one performing tests and two publishing them...to date we have NEVER had a long term study done on animals or humans in the US by Monsanto. There was a recent study in France discussed on the Dr. Oz show that has since been dubbed as "junk science" because it found cancer, organ to fail, tumors, infertility, infant death, shortened life span. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/sep/28/study-gm-maize-cancer To quote: “Here are the criticisms in a nutshell and Séralini’s responses: 1. The French researchers were accused of using the Sprague Dawley rat strain which is said to be prone to developing cancers. In response Séralini and his team say these are the same rats as used by Monsanto in the 90-day trials which it used to get authourization for its maize. This strain of rat has been used in most animal feeding trials to evaluate the safety of GM foods, and their results have long been used by the biotech industry to secure approval to market GM products. 2. The sample size of rats was said to be too small. Séralini responded that six is the OECD recommended protocol for GM food safety toxicology studies and he had based his study on the toxicity part of OECD protocol no. 453. This states that for a cancer trial you need a minimum of 50 animals of each sex per test group but for a toxicity trial a minimum of 10 per sex suffices. Monsanto used 20 rats of each sex per group in its feeding trials but only analyzed 10, the same number as Séralini. 3. No data was given about the rats’ food intake. Seralini says the rats were allowed to eat as much food as they liked. 4. Séralini has not released the raw data from the trial. In response he says he won’t release it until the data underpinning Monsanto’s authorization of NK603 in Europe is also made public. 5. His funding was provided by an anti-biotechnology organization whose scientific board Séralini heads. But he counters that almost all GM research is funded by corporate or by pro-biotech institutions. This just again points out that the GM industry in the US controls the publication of nearly every article concerning the testing of GM products and refutes those that try. We are all just human guinea pigs suffering because large corporations were allowed to take over and OWN our food supply in the US!!! WE HAVE A RIGHT TO NOW WHAT IS IN OUR FOOD!!! 50 countries with over 40% of the world’s population already label genetically engineered foods, including the entire European Union. Even China labels genetically engineered foods.There will be no Cost to Consumers or Food Producers if prop 37 passes.The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act will have no cost impact on consumers or food producers. It simply would add a label to genetically engineered food. Companies change their labeling all the time. Once people KNOW what is in their food, they can then make the informed choice to avoid the potential health risks of GMOs until more research on their long-term effects can be done...THAT SIMPLE!!
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anonymous
Mark Nov 10 2012 at 11:25 AM

I think Kevin is actually of the same opinion as you, Tifani. His argument is that there is science to support skepticism toward GE food as some of its effects on our diet have been seen and that the big AG and food companies are fighting against that science.

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