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scientists and others around the world. Again, is the concern a toothache or a tumour? scientists and others around the world. Again, is the concern —_"a clear pattern of fraudulent content in Monsanto's research" a toothache or a tumour? which led to approval. In the case of BGH, Monsanto was required to promptly report Dr Collier: There are no human or animal safety issues that all complaints from farmers. Florida dairyman Charles Knight would prevent approval in Canada once they've completed their says he was complaining loud and clear that Posilac was decimat- review—not that I'm aware of. ing his herd...but four months later? He found that the company Monsanto's leading BGH expert categorically denies know- _ had not passed one of his complaints to the FDA as required. ing of well-publicised human health concerns in Canada Charles Knight, Florida Dairyman: ...so how many more where the product is unapproved. Reporters were instructed hundreds of complaints out there sat and were not registered with to minimise this expert's denial by slanting the broadcast to FDA? state that he "downplayed" Canadian concern, as opposed to Narration 14: Monsanto admits a long delay in reporting accurately reporting the Canadian concern is "a fact Dr Knight's complaints. A company spokesman claims that despite a Collier denies". series of on-farm visits and telephone conversations with Knight, it took four months for them to understand he was complaining Narration 10: But long-term human safety is exactly the con- about BGH. As for those safety claims for previous Monsanto cern expressed by a Canadian House Committee on Health. Here _ products that turned out to be dangerous, the company offered no are the minutes of a 1995 meeting, where members voted to ask comment. But back now to the dairy co-op here in Tampa and the Canada's Health Minister to try to keep BGH off the market for at use of synthetic BGH by local farmers. least two more years. Why? "...to allow members of Parliament A Florida dairyman told reporters—and Monsanto later to further examine the human health implications" of the drug. confirmed—that the company failed to make reports to It's still not legal to sell the unli- government officials about adverse censed product north of the border, BGH reactions in cattle. Those despite the company's efforts to gain reports were required as part of the the approval of government regula- " . research which led to US government tos The point you [reporters] monitoring. ound: Monsanto, Canada, whose ' Parr The reporters' investigation also representative allegedly raised the don't get is it's not whether uncovered an EPA investigative subject of money. he fall of 1994 the facts are true, it’s the report that concluded Monsanto arration 11: In the fall of ; " showed "'a clear pattern of fraudulent Canadian television quoted a way we present them. content" in the research that led to Canadian health official as reporting Monsanto offered $1-2 million if her approval of its product, dioxin, years ago. Reporters felt this was a fact government committee would recom- directly relevant to helping viewers mend BGH approval in Canada with- determine Monsanto's credibility in out further data or studies of the drug. Another member of her making its claims about its latest product, BGH. committee, who was present when Monsanto made the offer, was Reporters were instructed to ignore the company's previous asked: "Was that a bribe?" withholding of scientific data and not to compare it to what File video clip of CBC documentary, CBC correspondent to _ happened in the Knight case, for fear of appearing to be committee member: Is that how it struck you? “building a case against Monsanto". Though undeniably Dr Edwards: Certainly! true, Fox feared a claim of "defamation by implication", a Jane Akre on camera: Monsanto said the report alleging matter that could not be won by summary judgement. bribery was "a blatant untruth", that Canadian regulators just did- Reporters were told that if not winnable at summary judge- n't understand the offer of the money was for research. Monsanto ment, the facts were not reportable on Fox 13: "The point demanded a retraction. The Canadian Broadcasting Company you [reporters] don't get is it's not whether the facts are true, stands by its story. it's the way we present them. Summary judgement is my Narration 12: Elsewhere, New Zealand and a dozen other standard; those are my marching orders," reporters were told countries—all members of the European Union—are also uncon- — on May 29 [1997]. "I don't decide what goes on the air; [Fox vinced about BGH. The product has been banned in Europe at General Manager] Dave Boylan does, and he wanted this one least until the year 2000. Could scepticism about the safety of to go away," counsel claimed. BGH around the world be fuelled by memories of earlier Monsanto products? Reporter Jane Akre to Riley Hogan, Tampa Dairy Co-op: Dr Hansen: Monsanto has a very chequered history with some Have you ever got a communication from a grocer or processing of its other products... plant asking your members not to use it? Narration 13: Dr Michael Hansen of Consumers Union is Riley Hogan: No, ma'am. another American scientist still very sceptical about BGH. He Narration 15: When we continue tomorrow, you'll see the says Monsanto was wrong years ago when it convinced the gov- man who controls much of Florida's milk supply admit how local ernment PCBs were safe. Those were put inside electrical con- supermarkets did once try to avoid milk from Florida cows inject- ductors for years...until researchers in Japan and Sweden showed — ed with BGH. We'll show you exactly how their plan didn't serious hazards to human health and the environment. work...and we'll reveal how the dairy industry has kept this issue And you've heard of Agent Orange, 2,4,5-T, the defoliant used so quiet for so long. It's only an issue if you make it an issue! in Vietnam? Monsanto convinced the government that it, too, was safe. It was later proved to be extremely harmful to (Source: This article is edited from material posted on the BGH humans...and a government investigator found what she said was Bulletin website, http:/Awww.foxBGH suit.com/.) Dr Collier: There are no human or animal safety issues that would prevent approval in Canada once they've completed their review—not that I'm aware of. Monsanto's leading BGH expert categorically denies know- ing of well-publicised human health concerns in Canada where the product is unapproved. Reporters were instructed to minimise this expert's denial by slanting the broadcast to state that he "downplayed" Canadian concern, as opposed to accurately reporting the Canadian concern is "a fact Dr Collier denies". "The point you [reporters] don't get is it's not whether the facts are true, it's the Way we present them." Reporter Jane Akre to Riley Hogan, Tampa Dairy Co-op: Have you ever got a communication from a grocer or processing plant asking your members not to use it? Riley Hogan: No, ma'am. Narration 15: When we continue tomorrow, you'll see the man who controls much of Florida's milk supply admit how local supermarkets did once try to avoid milk from Florida cows inject- ed with BGH. We'll show you exactly how their plan didn't work...and we'll reveal how the dairy industry has kept this issue so quiet for so long. It's only an issue if you make it an issue! (Source: This article is edited from material posted on the BGH Bulletin website, http:/Awww.foxBGH suit.com/.) 26 = NEXUS JUNE — JULY 2001 www.nexusmagazine.com