The World According to Monsanto
Encyclopedia
The World According to Monsanto is a 2008 documentary film directed by Marie-Monique Robin
. Originally released in French as Le monde selon Monsanto, the film is based on Robin's three-year long investigation into the US agricultural giant Monsanto
corporation's practices around the world. The World According to Monsanto is also a book written by Marie-Monique Robin winner of the Rachel Carson Prize (a Norwegian prize for female environmentalists), the book was translated to many languages.
s), Agent Orange
, and the bovine growth hormone. The film delves into cases across the United States (including Anniston, Alabama), Canada, India, Mexico, Paraguay, the United Kingdom and France, pointing out along the way how the corporation's collusion with governments, pressure tactics, suppression and manipulation of scientific data, and extra-legal practices aided the company's attempts at dominating global agriculture. The World According to Monsanto draws on first-hand interviews with scientists, representatives of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency, civil society representatives, victims of the company’s activities, lawyers, and politicians.
, the suppression of scientific studies over the adoption of GMOs in Scotland, and the bovine growth hormone controversy. The film makes the case for environmental degradation and declining global food security through the colonization of indigenous land races by transgenic seeds produced by Monsanto.
Marie-Monique Robin
Marie-Monique Robin is an award-winning French journalist. She received the Albert Londres Prize in 1995 for Voleurs d'yeux, an expose about organ theft...
. Originally released in French as Le monde selon Monsanto, the film is based on Robin's three-year long investigation into the US agricultural giant Monsanto
Monsanto
The Monsanto Company is a US-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation. It is the world's leading producer of the herbicide glyphosate, marketed in the "Roundup" brand of herbicides, and in other brands...
corporation's practices around the world. The World According to Monsanto is also a book written by Marie-Monique Robin winner of the Rachel Carson Prize (a Norwegian prize for female environmentalists), the book was translated to many languages.
Synopsis
The documentary traces a wide range of controversies involving the use and promotion of genetically-modified seeds, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBPolychlorinated biphenyl
Polychlorinated biphenyls are a class of organic compounds with 2 to 10 chlorine atoms attached to biphenyl, which is a molecule composed of two benzene rings. The chemical formula for PCBs is C12H10-xClx...
s), Agent Orange
Agent Orange
Agent Orange is the code name for one of the herbicides and defoliants used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Vietnam estimates 400,000 people were killed or maimed, and 500,000 children born with birth...
, and the bovine growth hormone. The film delves into cases across the United States (including Anniston, Alabama), Canada, India, Mexico, Paraguay, the United Kingdom and France, pointing out along the way how the corporation's collusion with governments, pressure tactics, suppression and manipulation of scientific data, and extra-legal practices aided the company's attempts at dominating global agriculture. The World According to Monsanto draws on first-hand interviews with scientists, representatives of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency, civil society representatives, victims of the company’s activities, lawyers, and politicians.
Featuring
- David BakerDavid Baker (activist)David A. Baker is an activist, former union organiser and the president of an organisation that fights and protests against pollution. He is also a member of other organisations.-Background:...
... Himself - Ken Cook ... Himself
- David Carpenter ... Himself (as Prof. David Carpenter)
- Robert Bellé ... Himself (as Prof. Robert Bellé)
- John Hoffman ... Himself
- Dan Glickman ... Himself
- James Maryanski ... Himself
- Jeffrey Smith ... Himself
- Michael Hansen ... Himself
- Jeremy Rifkin ... Himself
- Michael Taylor ... Himself
- Richard Burroghs ... Himself
- Samuel Epstein ... Himself (as Dr. Samuel Epstein)
- Pete Hardin ... Himself
- Ray Moulsk ... Himself
- Lisa Watson ... Herself
- Shiv Chopra ... Himself
- Margaret Haydon ... Herself
- Steven Druker ... Himself
- Arpad Pusztai ... Himself (as Prof. Arpad Pusztai)
- Stanley Ewen ... Himself (as Prof. Stanley Ewen)
- Peter Melchett ... Himself
- Robert ShapiroRobert B. ShapiroRobert B. Shapiro is a businessman and attorney who has worked extensively with the biochemical corporations G.D. Searle and Monsanto Company. Before working in this sector he was Vice-President and legal counsel at General Instrument from 1972 to 1979...
... Himself (archive footage) - William Sanjour ... Himself
- Gerson Smoger ... Himself
- Prof. Ian Pryne ... Himself
- Troy Roush ... Himself
- David Ranyok ... Himself
- Aba Gaegam ... Himself
- Kish Tivari ... Himself
- Pravak Kate ... Himself
- Vandana ShivaVandana ShivaVandana Shiva , is a philosopher, environmental activist, and eco feminist. Shiva, currently based in Delhi, has authored more than 20 books and over 500 papers in leading scientific and technical journals. She was trained as a physicist and received her Ph.D...
... Herself - Ignacio Chapela ... Himself (as Prof. Ignacio Chapela)
- Segundino ... Himself
- Elena Àlvarez Buylla ... Herself
- Jonathan Matthews ... Himself
- Roberto Franco ... Himself
- Roberto Galeano ... Himself
Also
- George H. W. BushGeorge H. W. BushGeorge Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
... Himself (archive footage) - Dan QuayleDan QuayleJames Danforth "Dan" Quayle served as the 44th Vice President of the United States, serving with President George H. W. Bush . He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from the state of Indiana....
... Himself (archive footage) - Marie-Monique Robin ... Herself
Topics addressed
Topics addressed include PCB pollution in Anniston, AlabamaAnniston, Alabama
Anniston is a city in Calhoun County in the state of Alabama, United States.As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 24,276. According to the 2005 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 23,741...
, the suppression of scientific studies over the adoption of GMOs in Scotland, and the bovine growth hormone controversy. The film makes the case for environmental degradation and declining global food security through the colonization of indigenous land races by transgenic seeds produced by Monsanto.