Hillary Clinton Goes to Bat for GMOs at Biotech Conference

[Purveyor]

The potential presidential candidate's old industry ties resurface

Published on Thursday, July 3, 2014
- Max Ocean, editorial intern

Speaking at a conference in San Diego last week for the world's largest trade organization of biotechnology firms, potential presidential candidate Hillary Clinton backed GMOs and Big Ag, further displaying her allegiance to the industry in the eyes of sustainable food and organic advocates.

While trumpeting her endorsement of GMO seeds when she served as Secretary of State, Clinton told the crowd that the term "'genetically modified' sounds Frankensteinish," and thus turns people off to GMOs. "Drought resistant sounds really like something you'd want," she said, encouraging the industry to improve their semantics. “There’s a big gap between the facts and what the perceptions are.”

Clinton's certainty concerning the safety of GMO foods stands in stark contrast to public opinion. A Consumer Reports poll in June found that 92 percent of Americans favor labeling the foods. U.S. campaigners rejecting the industry's push for genetically-modified crops have been pushing hard to get states to pass labeling laws.

"Hillary Clinton's views on GMOs are disappointing, but not surprising," said Katherine Paul, associate director of the Organic Consumers Union, in an email to Common Dreams. Unfortunately, Paul continued, Clinton's positions are "no different than those of previous administrations, including the Bush, Clinton and Reagan administrations, and they are taken straight from the biotech industry's talking points."


Read more: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/07/03-4

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Wow, every day I find another compelling reason to vote for her.

[billhicks76]

53. She Makes Me Sick

Walk away Hillary. You are not entitled. You don't represent us. We want someone that does.

[djean111]

2. I think politicians should be covered in sponsorship stickers and logos, like NASCAR drivers.

I would have been astonished if Hillary was against GMOs.
If she is the candidate I presume it will be enough to grudgingly "vote for the D", and I won't have to cheer on GMOs and the TPP and such, right? Because I cannot.

[bananas]

42. That's a great idea! Air Force One, too!

Wouldn't it be great to see Air Force One flying into countries with corporate logos painted on it?

[Cha]

3. OH NO! that's a fucking dealbreaker. Wake the fuck up, Hillary.. GMOs and their Roundup Poisons

are killing our Island. Mexico and Europe are smart enough to ban them.. why the hell aren't you? Fuck. Damn.

[RoccoR5955]

6. Oh, so you are going to vote for the teabagger instead?

I know that this is awfully bad, but it's not like there's a better choice of someone getting elected.
It's either corporate Hillary, or bought and paid for Jeb.
I'll hold my nose and vote for Hil, hoping that she can do some things right.

[Scuba]

8. No, it's not either Hillary or the Republican. We have primaries, you know.

[a kennedy]

20. D*mn right there's primaries.......just hope someone comes through for us.....

We need you Elizabeth...... Your country needs you too.

[NV Whino]

10. Oh just stop it.

There are more Democrats than Hillary. Take a look back at the last presidential convention. We were overrun with good people up on that platform.

[aquart]

36. Ask every one of them their GMO position.

[delrem]

48. Very few have a $200K+ position, like HRC does.

A $200K+ position is kinda different. y'know?

[aquart]

87. Not really. The point is to make it an issue every candidate has to answer.

But if bashing Hillary is your sole goal, naturally you would only ask her.

Personally, I'm glad Bill made a fortune talking. He LOVES to talk.Not many of us get paid gazillions for doing what we love.

[NV Whino]

49. Absolutely

Every one of them need to answer a lot of questions. But the point is, there are more viable candidates than Hillary.

[VanillaRhapsody]

55. there are more candidates that part of what you said is true...

[Cha]

12. LOL.. There will be a Democratic Primary, Rocco. She thought she was inevitable last

time. I've tried to like Hillary this time but like I said.. GMO pusher.. Deal Breaker.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

46. Hillary should just declare herself a Republican and get it over with.

[Cha]

52. LIke I said she's good on some issues but she needs to educate herself on GMOs.

[delrem]

72. But she doesn't have to educate herself on war, she being a neo-con hawk on that front.

[RoccoR5955]

76. Yeah, there will be a primary, BUT

the media will make a other candidates look bad, just as they did to Dennis Kucinich. Had people got to know his policies on everything, he would have won, hands down.
The powers that be are in charge, no matter what you believe. Elections are not run by WE THE PEOPLE any more, they are done on very hackable computers. These can be used to manipulate any voting outcome.
Not to mention there is a move on to suppress voter turnout, thereby preventing any candidate that working folks would want to vote for from winning.
So get over the opinion that you have a choice. Worst comes to worst, the Supremes Court will sing "Stop! In The Name Of Love" again and prevent all of the votes from being counted, thereby letting whatever candidate they want to win.
It already happened once, it will happen again.

[Ed Suspicious]

41. I'm no particular fan of Cha, but one thing is for sure, her commitment to her

Last edited Fri Jul 4, 2014, 12:28 AM - Edit history (1)

party is unquestionable. I find it super irritating that she that poster isn't immune from that bullshit line of reasoning - If you dont vote Hillary, you will be voting bagger. Come on. Face facts. Sometimes politicians need to have their feet held to the fire, especially when they get a bit too complacent and hold to the idea that they need not answer to their constituents. Sometimes they put donors before real people. That isnt acceptable.

[Cha]

51. What? My "commitment" is to what I believe is the best for the Planet.. and it's "her".. as long as

you're discussing me.

"I find it super irritating that even that poster isn't immune from that bullshit line of reasoning -?If you dont vote Hillary, you will be voting bagger." What the hell are you talking about?

[Ed Suspicious]

60. I face that "who will you vote for if not Hillary, a teabagger?" bullshit all the time.

I have come to expect it at me and those dissidents like me because I often have issues with the democratic party. I will admit that I sway socialist. I was in a state of stunned disbelief when the same idiotic idea was pointed at you. You seem to be one of the staunchest party line democrats around. If the party is pushing Hillary, and you express concerns, perhaps Mrs. Clinton needs to be primaried to reset her focus where it ought to be. I would expect you to be a natural supporter in much the same way you support the president. That you have found a deal breaker should be a sharp wakeup call to her and those who would like to vote for her. She needs to get her head out of the corporate tush.

I'm probably unclear once again. Sorry if I am. Also, sorry for the misplaced pronoun, ma'am. No disrespect intended.

[Cha]

64. I agree with you about Hillary.. there will be a Dem Primary and Hillary is not making any

Environmental Friends by pushing the corporate toxic GMO line. I wish she were smarter on that.

There's still two years and Gov O'Malley of Maryland could be a force to reckon with.. since Elizabeth says she's not running.

And, yes I do proudly support President Obama.. you got that right.

[RoccoR5955]

77. In case you have not been paying attention.

They do not pay attention to their constituents any more. They pay more attention to their corporate donors.
Many of us did what we could to hold Obama's feet to the fire on universal healthcare, for instance, and what happened to that? Obama and company decided to "compromise" with the corporations, and give the insurance industry a great big handout.
And how many bankers are in jail, after the financial debacle? Better yet, how many bankers were rewarded with cabinet, and other high ranking positions after the banking debacle?
Follow the money, and you will see that candidates only give lip service to their constituents, and give actions to their corporate donors.

[jeff47]

17. GMO means more than RoundUp.

RoundUp immunity is some GMO plants, but not all of them.

For example, virtually every ear of sweet corn sold in your local supermarket are GMOs. Almost none of them are "RoundUp Ready".

[Cha]

21. Yes, GMO is about way more shit infested junk than just Roundup. But, the Roundup being used on

our Island, which is my immediate concern, is making people sick.

http://grist.org/business-technology/gmo-companies-are-dousing-hawaiian-island-with-toxic-pesticides/

[NRaleighLiberal]

26. They are hybrids, not necesarily GMOs. Big difference.

[arikara]

38. Bt corn

genetically altered to express one or more proteins from the Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria, which is meant to kill the bugs when they eat it.

People and animals also get sick from eating it, and from inhaling the pollen.

[pa28]

4. Her comment about government backstopping biotech companies from risk.

"We should have an intensive discussion," Clinton said. “Maybe there’s a way of getting a representative group of actors at the table” so that the federal government can help biotechs with “insurance against risk.”

Wow, lovely. At the same time she seems to be promising additional subsidies to these companies that barely pay any tax in the first place.

"During the hour that Clinton addressed the conference she also addressed fears that current subsidies and tax breaks aren't enough, or won't continue to be there in the future. “I don’t want to see biotech companies or pharma companies moving out of our country simply because of some perceived tax disadvantage and potential tax advantage somewhere else,” she assured the crowd, receiving vigorous applause in response."

Another Eisenhower Republican.

[Scuba]

9. In other words, indemnify them so after we're all poisoned, they won't lose their profits.

Taxpayers - well, just payroll taxes - can pick up the tab.

[pa28]

19. That was the way I read it and her audience seems to have inferred the same.

When Democrats on the left complain our own leaders are running the government for the benefit of corporations instead of the public this is what we mean.

[Crowquette]

5. But GMOs are not drought resistant

The GMO corps keep claiming that, and they keep failing. And they keep using more and more and more chemicals. The GMO corporate lies are Legion.

Hillary is just pimping a mess of perverted propaganda.

[jeff47]

15. Some are, some aren't

It depends what they are modifying.

[aquart]

37. Tell her.

[NV Whino]

7. And yet one more reason not to support Hillary

[840high]

14. ....

[Scuba]

11. Yet some here still try to claim that she's a progressive. She's not, she's a neo-con corpo-Dem.

[Cha]

22. Hillary's good on some issues.. but, this GMO crisis is killing our Planet slowly.. and I'm

Not supporting that.

[delrem]

71. How about if I give you $200K+ per hour, to buy your support?

[Cha]

85. I'd tell you to fuck off.

[delrem]

86. Good! Of course, we're talking imaginary money, imaginary offers.

They're the easy kind to reject.

Nothing like the kind of offers that HRC gets, and accepts.

I'm unsure what my tipping point would be. Not one offer of $225K, but scores of offers and promises of more to come? I simply can't say, my experience being so radically different than HRC's.

[conservaphobe]

13. Good to know the candidate I plan on supporting in 2016 is not anti-science.

Thanks for sharing!

[mindem]

18. Oh boy, science stuff again

Yeah for being pro science, DDT and thalidomide were wonderful science at one time. It's just great that we are about the only country on the face of the planet that gets GMO crap shoved down our throats because of corporatists like Hillary. Give me a break.

[Cha]

24. Yay "science"! It could kill me.. but hey.. it's fucking

"science "

[closeupready]

70. Why do you hate America?!?

[Phlem]

27. you know it's not the science.

It's the fucks that do something with it after the science = $$$$$$$$

Have you seen what a child gets to choose from and eats during lunch, that costs me $$$$$$$ ?

Greed, plain and simple.

It's not about the science, it's about what greedy people do with it.

Hillary, I knew she was a no go for me as soon as it was uttered.

Sometimes it takes time for the rest of us to catch up, that for me is the most frustrating thing.

Cause whilst that's happening, I'm being crucified, called names, and generally shat upon.

I tell my child everyday the smartest one in the room is the one that doesn't talk.

How can one absorb knowledge while talking at the same time?



glad thing are coming around.

-p

[Uncle Joe]

31. "DDT was so safe you could eat it," on second video.

[Phlem]

35. So science was wrong or co opted by government,

should we ignore the information coming from scientists now?

Why don't we get rid of them all, right now.

[Uncle Joe]

45. There are other problems with GMOs aside from the science.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMO_food

There is broad scientific consensus that food on the market derived from GM crops poses no greater risk to human health than conventional food.[4][5][6][7][8][9] However, opponents have objected to GM foods on several grounds, including safety issues, environmental concerns, and economic concerns raised by the fact that GM seeds (and potentially animals) that are food sources are subject to intellectual property rights owned by multinational corporations.

Furthermore not all scientists are ready to jump on the GMO bandwagon and the Union of Concerned Scientists believe government to some degree has co-opted science.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_of_Concerned_Scientists

The Union of Concerned Scientists has accused the US government of dozens of instances of political interference in science[16] and supports whistleblower protection, monetary incentives, and free speech rights for federal scientists. Its scientific integrity program has produced surveys of federal scientists at multiple agencies[17] and a statement signed by more than 11,000 scientists condemning political interference in science.[18]

The UCS supports the reduction of antibiotic use on livestock to prevent medical antibiotic resistance in humans who consume treated animals. It also opposes cloning animals for food, as well as forms of genetic engineering.

[Phlem]

62. Sorry I felt a broad brush when it came to science.

I know Gmo's are not safe. When golden rice came to the Philippines and the framers turned it down, it because of an understanding. We've eaten rice for centuries w/o a problem but now we're going to make it better? Yeah, I want no part of "better" rice. The rice I've been eating all this time has been just fine thank you.

[Uncle Joe]

66. I have high regard for science, otherwise I wouldn't believe global warming was a real and

growing threat.

[cali]

67. I just bought a bunch of early 1950's Better Homes and Gardens and in one issue

they talk about how 1/2 hour before you have a barbeque you should bomb with DDT!

[Uncle Joe]

68. Those may be worth some money, Eva.

I love watching Antiques Roadshow on PBS.

[davidpdx]

82. They still spray a form of that shit here in Korea

They did it in my complex the other day using what looked kind of like a snow blower on their back. Other times I've seen it done someone is on in a truck like the video above. I seal the house up if I'm home because of our cats.

[Cha]

23. Brawaaaa

[Maedhros]

30. I spun the wheel on a half-dozen of your posts to see what kind of poster you are.

Unfortunately, the wheel came up "corporate shill".

/ignore.

[conservaphobe]

34. "I have here in my hand a list"

I'm just an unemployed, 26-year-old college student who has another year to go before I get my first degree. Wasted too much time after high school, completely lost about which direction to take.

If you think I'm more than that, do what you need to do but I'll keep reading what you have to say. Maybe I'll even learn something.

[arikara]

40. Its not "science"

its the almighty dollar.

[conservaphobe]

44. Vaccinations save lives.

Climate change was caused by us.

And GMOs are not only perfectly safe, but a necessity to feed a growing population.

[WCLinolVir]

57. No they are not necessary. You can paint any picture you want, but that is just pure bs.

The biggest problem we have to address is how we grow. From the pesticides to the practice of single crops. GMOs are proprietary. You tell me how a poor community is going to come up the money to buy expensive seed year after year, or fight a company that accuses them of infringement through no fault of their own. What a bunch of hooey. I would tell you what I what I really think, but why bother. I doubt that you have so much as managed a garden.

[fleabiscuit]

58. You are concluding with an opinion that is not based on science.

GMO's 'may' be one way to alleviate problems with drought and feed a growing population, but it is not certain. Your premise certainly isn't the reason GMO's are being developed, profit and controlling a market is the reason. Nor are GMO's the only solution available within scientific discussions. What has Hillary said about any other solutions?

[arikara]

84. $$$$

That's all there is to it.

[closeupready]

69. B.. Bu... But .. butu but SCIENCE!!!11!

[nationalize the fed]

16. k+r

[BlancheSplanchnik]

25. no, not GMO's!! no no NO!

You can selectively breed for drought hardiness. Still creates a monculture, bad for diversity, but that's nothing compared to gene-splicing....

Ugh!! Goddammit!

[littlemissmartypants]

28. Infiltrating?

[raindaddy]

29. She should do the honest thing...

and run as a Republican!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

47. lol, my thought exactly!

[DJ13]

32. She spends too much time appeasing any industry that will listen to her

Im not sure thats a good sign.

[YOHABLO]

39. Big Agra has big money. She's getting all her ducks in a row. $$$

"I'm undecided on whether I'll run" Is she going to stay home and be a grandma and knit booties? I don't think so.

[LittleBlue]

33. Whether you're for or against GMOs, why would you object to labeling?

I'm currently neutral on GMOs as I've seen persuasive arguments on both sides.

But why, WHY would you be against telling people? You can choose to eat GMOs all you want, at least give everyone the choice. I will oppose those who want to deprive others of having the knowledge to make that choice.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

43. No, no, no Hillary!

No GMOs - you should do your homework.

People should know what they are eating and exercise their choice! If they are going to play around with genes there should be a large label saying GM.

The problem also is whether the food is imported from other countries that genetically modify.

[KauaiK]

50. I am living at ground zero for GMO's on Kauai

The money being thrown a politicians by Monsanto, BSAF, Syngenta, Pioneer, DOW is enormous thanks to SCOTUS and Citizens United. The single issue of GMOs is HUGE to me and those who live on this island.

What I cannot do, however, is split the vote (ala Nader) to allow an even worse Republican in the White House. If Hillary is inevitable, so be it, but I will continue to fight the chemical companies.

[Cha]

54. Of course.. the repub would be worse. but, in the Dem Primary this is the deal breaker

for me.

[Heather MC]

59. Agreed, I will support another Dem horse in the Primaries

I hope she gets set out to pasture in a gmo corn field

[Heather MC]

56. I don't like Hillary, I hope she doesn't run

[WCLinolVir]

61. The worst thing she could say. Why doesn't she talk to some farmers?

I know she isn't that effing naive.

[MohRokTah]

63. I'm a Hillary supporter.

This makes me hope for a realistic alternative.

[Tommy2Tone]

65. Sorry, Hobby Lobby trumps GMO

I don't give a rats arse if she supports GMO.

I do care that we can't have another president that will give us Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, Alito or Kennedy.

I will vote for Hillary of a Yellow Dog to ensure we don't have another one of these on the SCOTUS.

Sorry but Hobby Lobby trumps GMO

[roody]

73. Not for me.

[burrowowl]

74. Obama, Clinton are Corporate shills

supported by corps because the Tea Party would do them harm.

They make me

I wish Warren and Sanders could run. The situation in the USA scares the shit out of me.

[RoccoR5955]

78. Clinton was the best Republican ever elected! n/t

[Scuba]

75. Hillary is shedding the last remnants of her progressive credentials, going full corpo-Dem.

She must actually believe she's inevitable!

[WatermelonRat]

79. I don't really have a problem with GMOs themselves

It's the sleazy corporate policies and patent abuse that I hate.

[fredamae]

80. At least with HRC

we know Before we vote.

[davidpdx]

81. Yikes

Here in South Korea the government has banned the importation of anything that has GMO in it. Granted stuff is still getting in no matter what, but they have been making an attempt to prevent GMO food from hitting the shelves.

[marble falls]

83. Just one more reason I'll becampaigning for Warren.