Monsanto Brainwashing: GMO Myths for Kids
Monsanto and its cohorts among the "Big 6" pesticide and GMO companies -- Monsanto, Dow Chemical, Bayer, Syngenta, Dupont, and BASF -- are fighting a battle with California voters on whether or not GMO foods should be labeled. In the meantime, the trade group CBI, whose membership consists solely of those six corporations, is busily educating children on the supposed benefits of GMOs.
As several outlets have reported, CBI is promoting its dis-informative Biotech Basics Activity Book for kids. The book has cute illustrations and introduces kids to the "neat topic" of biotechnology.
Note that the industry uses the term "biotechnology" exclusively. According to Stacy Malkan, a spokeswoman for the Yes on 37: California Right to Know Campaign, "Polls show that the term 'biotechnology' is viewed much more favorably than 'genetically modified' or 'genetically engineered food.' Yet the term most easily recognized and understood by people is 'genetically engineered food.' So they are obviously trying to change the language for PR purposes, not accuracy or clarity." The choice of terms is a subtle example of the transfer or association technique to project positive qualities of one concept onto another.
On page four, the book asks, "How can biotechnology help the health of the Earth and its people?" It directs kids to "look closer" and use the decoder at the side of the page to figure out three ways that biotechnology helps us. The answers are at the end of the book.
Strangely, some of the hazards associated with GMOs, such as a large increase in pesticide use (383 million more pounds) and possible liver and kidney damage, are not listed.
Source and context - http://truth-out.org/news/item/11111-trade-group-funded-by-monsanto-creates-childrens-book
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