Headline August 14th, 2012 / CONFIDENTIAL

''CONFIDENTIAL.....F.Y.I. AND DESTROY!'' 

From 1929 to 1971, Monsanto's Anniston works produced PCBs as industrial coolants and insulating fluids for transformers and other electrical equipment. One of the wonder chemicals of the 20th century, PCBs were exceptionally versatile and fire resistant, and became central to many American industries as lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and sealants. But PCB were toxic. 

A member of a family of chemicals that mimic hormones, PCBs have been linked to damage in the liver and in the neurological, immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Monsanto shutdown PCB production in Anniston in 71, and the company ended all its American operations in 77. Also in 1977, they closed down the PCB plant in Wales. 

What had Monsanto known, --or what should it have known about the potential dangers of the chemicals it was manufacturing? There is evidence lurking in court records indicating that this company knew quite a lot. The evidence that Monsanto refused to face questions about their toxicity is quiet clear to History.

Ten years later, a biologist conducting studies for Monsanto in streams near the Anniston plant got quick results when he submerged his test fish. As he reported to Monsanto, according to The Washington Post, ''All 25 fish lost equilibrium and turned on their sides in 10seconds and all were dead in about 3 minutes''. So, when F.D.A.turned up high levels of PCBs in fish near the plant in 70, Monsanto swung into action to limit the damage. 

The main heading of this post actually got writer in an internal memo by the company official Paul B Hodges to review steps under way to limit disclosure of info. One element of the strategy was to get public officials to fight Monsanto's battle: ''Joe Crockett, Secretary Albama Water Improvement Commission, was to handle the problem quietly without release of the info to the Public at this time,'' according to this memo. 

Despite Monsanto's efforts, the info did get out, but the company was to blunt the impact. And just so in conjunction read this: To be sure more and more agricultural corporations and individual farmers are using Monsanto's G.M. seeds. Till 80s no genetically modified crops were grown in the US. 

In 2007, the total was 142 million acres planted. Worldwide the figure was 282 million acres. Many farmers believe that G.M seeds increase crop yields and save money and are convenient. By using Monsanto seeds, a farmer plants his crop, then treats it later with Roundup to kill weeds. That takes the place of labor-intensive weed control and plowing. 

Monsanto, by the way, portrays its move into G.M. seeds as a giant leap for mankind!! But then is it a small step for them? Stay tuned, as Student Angel Mother signs off for abstracting great challenges and great opportunities! Let's see if we measure up!

Good Night & God bless!

SAM Daily Times - The Voice of the Voiceless