October 23, 2015
Monsanto Recruited Scientists to Write about Benefits of GMOs
Published: October 22, 2015
Agricultural biotechnology giant Monsanto has paid academic experts, many of whom worked for public institutions, to write positive accounts of genetically modified crops.
Monsanto recruited at least nine prominent researchers at universities—chosen “because of their influence on public policy, GM crop regulation, and consumer acceptance”—to craft “short policy briefs on important topics in the agricultural biotechnology arena,” according to Mother Jones.
Among the nine was Kevin Folta, chairman of the horticultural sciences department at the University of Florida, who was recruited to travel around the country to defend genetically modified foods. Folta became a group of industry consultants who worked to block state efforts to mandate GMO labeling, according to The New York Times. The group also pushed Congress to pass legislation that would preempt states from taking such a step.
For his efforts, Folta received a $25,000 grant from Monsanto to fund his travel and “outreach.” But once news of the grant became publicized, the University of Florida donated the $25,000 to charity.
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