Monsanto public relations activities
This article catalogues public relations operations conducted by or on behalf of the Monsanto Corporation. These are generally attempts to undermine criticism of the company and some of its controversial products including Agent Orange and Roundup.
1980s[edit]
Monsanto paid cancer researcher Richard Doll an undisclosed consulting fee of $1,500 per day, for over 20 years, according to papers released after Doll's death. While working for Monsanto, Doll wrote letters denying that Agent Orange causes cancer; he also testified on behalf of an affiliated company.[1][2][3]
1990s[edit]
During the 1990s, Monsanto went through a period of rapid expansion and acquisition, in the process of consolidating control over the seed market in order to profit from its genetically modified products. During this time CEO Robert B. Shapiro enthusiastically delivered the message that Monsanto would use biotechnology to create miraculous agricultural innovations for humanity. However, European markets rebuffed the company, prompting its leaders to acknowledge a public relations defeat.[4][5]
2000s[edit]
In 2001, when Ignacio Chapela and David Quist published research on contamination of Mexican maize by transgenic varieties, Monsanto embarked on a smear campaign using internet sockpuppets to discredit them. Fictional people posting to a listserv called AgBioWorld posted messages saying the researchers were activists spreading lies. These accounts were later traced to The Bivings Group, a public relations firm working for Monsanto, and to the Monsanto company directly.[6][7]
2010s[edit]
Amidst criticism and such protest activities as the March Against Monsanto, the company has announced intensified public relations activities in recent years. These include campaigns against ballot questions which would require labeling of genetically engineered food.[8]
GMO Answers[edit]
In 2013, with other biotechnology companies, Monsanto co-launched GMO Answers, with the help of Ketchum Inc., a public relations firm owned by the Omnicom Group. GMO Answers, according to a Ketchum executive, is "a new way to build trust, dialogue and support for biotech in agriculture that will help explain in an independent voice what GMOs are."[9]
Kevin Folta[edit]
The New York Times reported in 2015 that Monsanto had paid Kevin Folta and other university professors to conduct "biotechnology outreach," a euphemism for promoting genetically engineering. Folta also contributes to GMO Answers. Monsanto executive Lohuis described this strategy in an email as "a great 3rd-party approach to developing the advocacy that we're looking to develop."[9] Folta had previously denied having any financial connection with Monsanto.[10] Following a backlash after this information came out, the university announced that remaining funds would be donated to a new food pantry.[10]
The emails reveal a similar relationship with Bruce M. Chassy, a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois.[9]
References[edit]
- ↑ Sarah Boseley, "Renowned cancer scientist was paid by chemical firm for 20 years"; The Guardian, 8 December 2006.
- ↑ "Industry ‘paid top cancer expert'", BBC, 8 December 2006.
- ↑ Geoffrey Tweedale, "Hero or Villain?—Sir Richard Doll and Occupational Cancer"; International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 13, 2007.
- ↑ Robin (2010), pp. 187–200.
- ↑ John Vidal, "We forgot to listen, says Monsanto", The Guardian, 6 October 1999.
- ↑ Robin (2010), pp. 248–251.
- ↑ George Monbiot, "The fake persuaders: Corporations are inventing people to rubbish their opponents on the internet"; The Guardian, 14 May 2002.
"The covert biotech war", The Guardian, 18 November 2002. - ↑ Jenny Hopkinson, "Monsanto's makeover", Politico, 29 November 2013.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Eric Lipton, "Food Industry Enlisted Academics in G.M.O. Lobbying War, Emails Show", New York Times, 9 September 2015.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 David Kroll, "What The New York Times Missed on Kevin Folta and Monsanto's Cultivation of Academic Scientists", Forbes, 10 September 2015.
Sources[edit]
- Rampton, Sheldon, & John Stauber. Trust Us, We're Experts: How Industry Manipulates Science and Gambles With Your Future. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher / Putnam (Penguin), 2001.
- Robin, Marie Monique. The World According to Monsanto: Pollution, Corruption, and the Control of the World's Food Supply. Translated from French by George Holoch. New York: New Press, 2010. First published in 2008 as Le monde selon Monsanto in Paris by Éditions La Découverte. ISBN 978-1-59558-426-7 Search this book on
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