GMO Propaganda and the Sociology of Science
By Kristine Mattis,
Counterpunch
| 10. 05. 2015
In August of 2014, the website Gawker revealed documents that demonstrated the lengths to which the global chemical giant Monsanto would go in order to control the narrative about their products – in particular, their genetically modified crops. At a minimum, Monsanto enlisted Condé Nast publications, and appealed to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in need of donations, to help produce a celebrity-driven video series in support of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). While we all like to believe that our scientific/rational brains see through the transparent marketing, public relations rhetoric exists because it greatly sedates critical thought.
Although the proposed campaign by Monsanto never materialized, a quick perusing of GMO articles over the past year elicits suspicion that Monsanto’s and Condé Nast’s relationship did not end. In addition, Monsanto almost certainly had its hand in a number of other propaganda ventures. Since last year, the pro-GMO rhetoric has increased tremendously in news media articles on genetically modified organisms. Recent disclosed documents have also exposed numerous scientific experts enlisted in Monsanto’s messaging. But what is most pernicious is that a whole new rhetorical...
Related Articles
By Staff, Center for Food Safety | 12.03.2024
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
SAN FRANCISCO—In a precedential victory for food and environmental safety, a federal district court ruled today that genetically engineered (GE) organisms must be regulated. The Court's ruling overturns the 2020 rule overhaul by the...
By Anye Nyamnjoh, EthicsLab | 11.15.2024
By Jeff Tollefson, Max Kozlov, Mariana Lenharo and Traci Watson, Nature | 11.08.2024
“Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
From repealing climate policies to overturning guidance on the safe development of artificial intelligence (AI), Republican Donald Trump made plenty of promises during his presidential campaign that...
By Marc Zimmer, The Conversation | 06.06.2024