Outrageous: Agent Orange Maker Monsanto Seeks Return to Vietnam for GMO Crops
Vietnam here we come! At least that is what biotech giant Monsanto is saying. The multinational agricultural corporation most known for creating the hazardous chemical Agent Orange, which led to thousands of deaths and birth defects due to its widespread use within the country, is now attempting to begin providing Vietnam with their genetically modified foods.
During the Vietnam War, Monsanto’s Agent Orange was used as a part of the United States’ ‘herbicidal warfare program’. Having killed an estimated 400,000, deforming 500,00, and sickening 2 million, even 30 years after the war people are still suffering from the health effects induced by the chemical. Agent Orange has been shown to cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, and other major health problems. Although the damage is great, US courts have protected both Monsanto and Dow Chemical from liability and criminal prosecution. The US government has shielded Monsanto and Dow from the massive cost of medical treatment for victims and environmental remediation cleanup costs that would spell out bankruptcy for the corporations.
Despite enormous opposition, now Monsanto is making further attempts to profit from Vietnam by selling their genetically modified creations. It would be completely outrageous to see Vietnam accept Monsanto’s GMO’s, as they have already ruined hundreds of thousands of lives with their toxic Agent Orange. Given the well-known human and environmental destruction behind GMOs, Vietnam would only be inviting back tragic health complications.
The Thanh Nienn News in Ho Chi Minh City reports:
No biotech company has yet got the official green light for selling genetically modified organisms (GMOs), but it does not assuage the fears that Vietnam could end up with another tragic legacy from a company that once caused many deaths in the country, environmental activists say.
The alleged purpose of using Agent Orange was to deny the enemy cover in forested areas through defoliation. However, the US Army did contract studies in 1943 of the effects of 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D (the other ingredient of Agent Orange) on cereal grains, including rice, and developed the concept of using aerial herbicide spraying to destroy enemy crops to disrupt the food supply. It seems that poisoning the enemy, farmland and civilians was a chemical warfare strategy.
The Global Post reports:
Monsanto is, of course, highly aware of Agent Orange’s reputation and has fought numerous lawsuits filed by chemical’s victims both Vietnamese and American. The chemical, commissioned by the U.S. military, was dumped over jungles to kill vegetation and rout communist forces.
In Monsanto’s own primer on the Agent Orange era, it casts the chemical as patriotic — it was meant “to save the lives of U.S. and allied soldiers,” Monsanto says — and contends that the matter “should be resolved by the governments that were involved.”
We will see if Vietnam allows for Monsanto or any other biotech corporation to provide them with genetically modified foods, but the decision not to allow such measures seems clear as crystal to many.
 | Mike is the co-founder, editor, and researcher behind Natural Society. Studying the work of top natural health activists, and writing special reports for top 10 alternative health websites, Mike has written hundreds of articles and pages on how to obtain optimum wellness through natural health. |
I have no love for Monsanto, and would love to see them destroyed- however, the United States Government, along with the British Government INVENTED this shit, then Decided to use it after a request from the Vietnamese government. This was known as Operation Ranch Hand. Monsanto didn’t create this shit, neither did Dow. The brits had used it in the 50’s, well before Vietnam.
Spray that crap on themselves if it is so Patriotic. Too many of us Viet Vets are suffering because of their Patriotic poison.
The logic is there if you know how to read between the lines, understand nuance. That is, during the Vietnam War, Monsanto was the manufacturer of a lethal chemical that laid waste countryside and people alike. These days, Monstanto is the manufacturer of self-destructing seeds that contain dubious nutrition — and, fast forward — can, therefore, cause health issues. The point is that the company, Monsanto, continues its less-than-wholesome machinations, "invading" the fields of countries at home and abroad…ironically enough, the scene of its previously most high-profile dirty work, Vietnam.
What a lack of logic in this article… Monsanto was one of a number of companies that the US Government contracted to make Agent Orange. Monsanto didn't go over and bomb people with AO, the military did that. AO was a defoliant. Should we "round up" all companies that make defoliants, like round up, or weed killers and try them for war crimes too?
So, since they made a defoliant, they shouldn't be allowed to feed people now either? Wow the internet is full of cranks and whack jobs.
Before they go ahead with it, mandatory GMO labeling has to be enforced, then I am okay with it. Let the people decide.
I think that we have to remember, even though Monsanto and Dow created Agent Orange, it was the United States government that chose to purchase it and use it on the forest areas of Vietnam! So, I understand why the two corporations insist that it is an issue that needs to be addressed by the two countries, and not them! We have to understand that while we live in America as U.S. Citizens, we still have the responsibility to keep a watchful "eye" on the people whom we elect to make decisions in Congress on our behalf. And when they make "stupid" decisions and vote for tings that harm people, nature and the planet, we need to IMMEDIATELY GET RID OF THEM!
I am in Vietnam right now, and have read a short article in a Saigon based newspaper that confirms the VN governement is actually planning to buy genetically modified seeds from an American company very soon. The deal seems done. They're starting out with corn destined for cattle feed. Makes me sick.
We should keep in mind that the damages from Agent orange were largely due to Dioxin contamination fro rushed production, which the army encouraged.
I don't normally like to defend Monsanto, but so what!? American companies that used to make tanks and fighter planes during WW2 provided the world with automobiles and commercial airliners!
Monsanto made agent orange, now they make superweeds which are resistent to their roundup week killer. I don't particularly like their business practice of making kill seeds nor their legal practices against farmers who choose not to use GMO but natural wind dispersion and bird droppings get on their farmland and Monsanto sues. Monsanto is satans bread basket.
2 4 D has been used by farmers since the 60 for weed control in grain I never new that it was agent orange that I worked with off and on for years,WOW,some good information,I get from here.
I would share this article with people but there are grammatical errors.
Yes, very true, this article needed to be spell-checked.
This is a very important article nonetheless……..
I still believe that Monsanto is run by reptilians, thus explaining the reasons for pushing GMO's and willingly destroying human life.
trivial. the message is more than explanatory, if your friend are astute & inquisitive, they'll explore the concept, & not throw the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. Also, it's not like you wrote it yourself, perfectionist.
Monsanto made agent orange, therefore Vietnam should deny themselves access to modern agriculture. Nice non sequitur.
I was thinking that the Vietnamese government should invite all the top Monsanto honchos over for a meeting. At the "meeting", all these corporate types should be arrested and indefinitely detained for terrorism and crimes against humanity.
Someone needs to try to file a lawsuit against Monsanto and Dow Chemical right now.