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Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:34:27 -0400 (EDT)
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Subject: Let's Cap the Gene Spill for Earth Day!
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"Please forward this to your email list, to newspapers and other media, an=
d to farmers. Please put Secretary Vilsack's email address, ""[log in to unmask]
ov" [ mailto:[log in to unmask] ]", in the CC line each time.

The following article reveals the devastating and unprecedented impact tha=
t Monsanto's Roundup herbicide is having on the health of our soil, plants=
, animals, and human population. On top of this perfect storm, the USDA no=
w wants to approve Roundup Ready alfalfa, which will exacerbate this calam=
ity. Please tell USDA Secretary Vilsack not to approve Monsanto's alfalfa=
 by using the sample letter on our website ""here" [ http://action.respons=
ibletechnology.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3D5161 ]".

To share this article via Facebook please click ""here" [ http://www.faceb=
ook.com/share.php?u=3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.responsibletechnology.org%2Fblog%2F=
664 ]".  Permission is granted to publish and post freely.
View this article on our website [ http://www.responsibletechnology.org/bl=
og/664 ].
" by Jeffrey M. Smith=20
Monsanto's Roundup Triggers Over 40 Plant Diseases and Endangers Human and=
 Animal Health [ http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/664 ]


While visiting a seed corn dealer's demonstration plots in Iowa last fall,=
 Dr. Don Huber walked passed a soybean field and noticed a distinct line=
 separating severely diseased yellowing soybeans on the right from healthy=
 green plants on the left (see photo). The yellow section was suffering fr=
om Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS), a serious plant disease that ravaged the=
 Midwest in 2009 and '10, driving down yields and profits. Something had=
 caused that area of soybeans to be highly susceptible and Don had a good=
 idea what it was.=20
The diseased field on the right had glyphosate applied the previous season=
. Photo by Don Huber=20


Don Huber spent 35 years as a plant pathologist at Purdue University and=
 knows a lot about what causes green plants to turn yellow and die prematu=
rely. He asked the seed dealer why the SDS was so severe in the one area=
 of the field and not the other. "Did you plant something there last year=
 that wasn't planted in the rest of the field?" he asked. Sure enough, pre=
cisely where the severe SDS was, the dealer had grown alfalfa, which he la=
ter killed off at the end of the season by spraying a glyphosate-based her=
bicide (such as Roundup). The healthy part of the field, on the other hand=
, had been planted to sweet corn and hadn't received glyphosate.=20

This was yet another confirmation that Roundup was triggering SDS. In many=
 fields, the evidence is even more obvious. The disease was most severe at=
 the ends of rows where the herbicide applicator looped back to make anoth=
er pass (see photo). That's where extra Roundup was applied.=20

Don's a scientist; it takes more than a few photos for him to draw conclus=
ions. But Don's got more-lots more. For over 20 years, Don studied Roundup=
's active ingredient glyphosate. He's one of the world's experts. And he=
 can rattle off study after study that eliminate any doubt that glyphosate=
 is contributing not only to the huge increase in SDS, but to the outbreak=
 of numerous other diseases. (See selected reading list. [ http://responsi=
bletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/dangers-to-the-environment/reference-plant-e=
ffects-of-glyphosate ])=20
Sudden Death Syndrome is more severe at the ends of rows, where Roundup do=
se is strongest. Photo by Amy Bandy.=20


Roundup: The perfect storm for plant disease=20

More than 30% of all herbicides [ http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-=
7456230/Title-Glyphosate-Occupies-More-Than.html ] sprayed anywhere contai=
n glyphosate-the world's bestselling weed killer. It was patented by Monsa=
nto for use in their Roundup brand, which became more popular when they in=
troduced "Roundup Ready" crops starting in 1996. These genetically modifie=
d (GM) plants, which now include soy, corn, cotton, canola, and sugar beet=
s, have inserted genetic material from viruses and bacteria that allows th=
e crops to withstand applications of normally deadly Roundup.=20

(Monsanto requires farmers who buy Roundup Ready seeds to only use the com=
pany's Roundup brand of glyphosate. This has extended the company's grip=
 on the glyphosate market, even after its patent expired in 2000.)=20

The herbicide doesn't destroy plants directly. It rather cooks up a unique=
 perfect storm of conditions that revs up disease-causing organisms in the=
 soil, and at the same time wipes out plant defenses against those disease=
s. The mechanisms are well-documented but rarely cited.=20
  * The glyphosate molecule grabs vital nutrients and doesn't let them go.=
 This process is called chelation and was actually the original property=
 for which glyphosate was patented in 1964. It was only 10 years later tha=
t it was patented as an herbicide. When applied to crops, it deprives them=
 of vital minerals necessary for healthy plant function-especially for res=
isting serious soilborne diseases. The importance of minerals for protecti=
ng against disease is well established. In fact, mineral availability was=
 the single most important measurement used by several famous plant breede=
rs to identify disease-resistant varieties.=20

  * Glyphosate annihilates beneficial soil organisms, such as Pseudomonas=
 and Bacillus bacteria that live around the roots. Since they facilitate=
 the uptake of plant nutrients and suppress disease-causing organisms, the=
ir untimely deaths means the plant gets even weaker and the pathogens even=
 stronger.=20

  * The herbicide can interfere with photosynthesis, reduce water use effi=
ciency, lower lignin , damage and shorten root systems, cause plants to re=
lease important sugars, and change soil pH-all of which can negatively aff=
ect crop health.=20

  * Glyphosate itself is slightly toxic to plants. It also breaks down slo=
wly in soil to form another chemical called AMPA (aminomethylphosphonic ac=
id) which is also toxic. But even the combined toxic effects of glyphosate=
 and AMPA are not sufficient on their own to kill plants. It has been demo=
nstrated numerous times since 1984

Glyphosate with sterile soil (A) only stunts plant growth. In normal soil=
 (B), pathogens kill the plant. Control (C) shows normal growth.=20


that when glyphosate is applied in sterile soil, the plant may be slightly=
 stunted, but it isn't killed (see photo).=20

  * The actual plant assassins, according to Purdue weed scientists and ot=
hers, are severe disease-causing organisms present in almost all soils. Gl=
yphosate dramatically promotes these, which in turn overrun the weakened=
 crops with deadly infections.=20


"This is the herbicidal mode of action of glyphosate," says Don. "It incre=
ases susceptibility to disease, suppresses natural disease controls such=
 as beneficial organisms, and promotes virulence of soilborne pathogens at=
 the same time." In fact, he points out that "If you apply certain fungici=
des to weeds, it destroys the herbicidal activity of glyphosate!"=20

By weakening plants and promoting disease, glyphosate opens the door for=
 lots of problems in the field. According to Don, "There are more than 40=
 diseases of crop plants that are reported to increase with the use of gly=
phosate, and that number keeps growing as people recognize the association=
 between glyphosate and disease."=20

Roundup promotes human and animal toxins=20
Photo by Robert Kremer=20


Some of the fungi promoted by glyphosate produce dangerous toxins that can=
 end up in food and feed. Sudden Death Syndrome, for example, is caused by=
 the Fusarium fungus. USDA scientist Robert Kremer found a 500% increase=
 in Fusarium root infection of Roundup Ready soybeans when glyphosate is=
 applied (see photos and chart). Corn, wheat, and many other plants can al=
so suffer from serious Fusarium-based diseases.=20

But Fusarium's wrath is not limited to plants. According to a report by th=
e UN Food and Agriculture Organization [ http://www.fao.org/docrep/u3550t/=
u3550t0e.htm ], toxins from Fusarium on various types of food crops have=
 been associated with disease outbreaks throughout history. They've "been=
 linked to the plague epidemics" of medieval Europe, "large-scale human to=
xicosis in Eastern Europe," oesophageal cancer in southern Africa and part=
s of China, joint diseases in Asia and southern Africa, and a blood disord=
er in Russia. Fusarium toxins have also been shown to cause animal disease=
s and induce infertility.=20

As Roundup use rises, plant disease skyrockets=20

When Roundup Ready crops were introduced in 1996, Monsanto boldly claimed=
 that herbicide use would drop as a result. It did-slightly-for three year=
s. But over the next 10 years, it grew considerably. Total herbicide use=
 in the US jumped by a whopping 383 million pounds in the 13 years after=
 GMOs came on the scene. The greatest contributor is Roundup.=20

Over time, many types of weeds that would once keel over with just a tiny=
 dose of Roundup now require heavier and heavier applications. Some are ne=
arly invincible. In reality, these super-weeds are resistant not to the gl=
yphosate itself, but to the soilborne pathogens that normally do the killi=
ng in Roundup sprayed fields.=20

Having hundreds of thousands of acres infested with weeds that resist plan=
t disease and weed killer has been devastating to many US farmers, whose=
 first response is to pour on more and more Roundup. Its use is now accele=
rating. Nearly half of the huge 13-year increase in herbicide use took pla=
ce in just the last 2 years. This has serious implications.=20

As US farmers drench more than 135 million acres of Roundup Ready crops wi=
th Roundup, plant diseases are enjoying an unprecedented explosion across=
 America's most productive crop lands. Don rattles off a lengthy list of=
 diseases that were once under effective management and control, but are=
 now creating severe hardship. (The list includes SDS and Corynespora root=
 rot of soybeans, citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), Fusarium wilt of cott=
on, Verticillium wilt of potato, take-all root, crown, and stem blight of=
 cereals, Fusarium root and crown rot, Fusarium head blight, Pythium root=
 rot and damping off, Goss' wilt of corn, and many more.)=20

In Brazil, the new "Mad Soy Disease" is ravaging huge tracts of soybean ac=
reage. Although scientists have not yet determined its cause, Don points=
 out that various symptoms resemble a rice disease (bakanae) which is caus=
ed by Fusarium.=20

Corn dies young=20

In recent years, corn plants and entire fields in the Midwest have been dy=
ing earlier and earlier due to various diseases. Seasoned and observant fa=
rmers say they're never seen anything like it.=20

"A decade ago, corn plants remained green and healthy well into September,=
" says Bob Streit, an agronomist in Iowa. "But over the last three years,=
 diseases have turned the plants yellow, then brown, about 8 to 10 days ea=
rlier each season. In 2010, yellowing started around July 7th and yield lo=
sses were devastating for many growers."=20

Bob and other crop experts believe that the increased use of glyphosate is=
 the primary contributor to this disease trend. It has already reduced cor=
n yields significantly. "If the corn dies much earlier," says Bob, "it mig=
ht collapse the corn harvest in the US, and threaten the food chain that=
 it supports."=20

A question of bugs=20

In addition to promoting plant diseases, which is well-established, sprayi=
ng Roundup might also promote insects. That's because many bugs seek sick=
 plants. Scientists point out that healthy plants produce nutrients in a=
 form that many insects cannot assimilate. Thus, farmers around the world=
 report less insect problems among high quality, nutrient-dense crops. Wea=
ker plants, on the other hand, create insect smorgasbords. This suggests=
 that plants ravaged with diseases promoted by glyphosate may also attract=
 more insects, which in turn will increase the use of toxic pesticides. Mo=
re study is needed to confirm this.=20

Roundup persists in the environment=20

Monsanto used to boast that Roundup is biodegradable, claiming that it bre=
aks down quickly in the soil. But courts in the US and Europe disagreed an=
d found them guilty of false advertising. In fact, Monsanto's own test dat=
a revealed that only 2% of the product broke down after 28 days.=20

Whether glyphosate degrades in weeks, months, or years varies widely due=
 to factors in the soil, including pH, clay , types of minerals, residues=
 from Roundup Ready crops, and the presence of the specialized enzymes nee=
ded to break down the herbicide molecule. In some conditions, glyphosate=
 can grab hold of soil nutrients and remain stable for long periods. One=
 study showed that it took up to 22 years for glyphosate to degrade only=
 half its volume! So much for trusting Monsanto's product claims.=20


Glyphosate can attack from above and below. It can drift over from a neigh=
bors farm and wreak havoc. And it can even be released from dying weeds,=
 travel through the soil, and then be taken up by healthy crops.=20

The amount of glyphosate that can cause damage is tiny. European scientist=
s demonstrated that less than half an ounce per acre inhibits the ability=
 of plants to take up and transport essential micronutrients (see chart).=
=20

As a result, more and more farmers are finding that crops planted in years=
 after Roundup is applied suffer from weakened defenses and increased soil=
borne diseases. The situation is getting worse for many reasons.=20
  * The glyphosate concentration in the soil builds up season after season=
 with each subsequent application.=20
  * Glyphosate can also accumulate for 6-8 years inside perennial plants=
 like alfalfa, which get sprayed over and over.=20
Long-term Field 2.jpg Wheat affected after 10 years of glyphosate field ap=
plications.=20

  * Glyphosate residues in the soil that become bound and immobilized can=
 be reactivated by the application of phosphate fertilizers or through oth=
er methods. Potato growers in the West and Midwest, for example, have expe=
rienced severe losses from glyphosate that has been reactivated.=20
  * Glyphosate can find its way onto farmland accidentally, through drifti=
ng spray, in contaminated water [ http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/glypho=
sate02.html ], and even through chicken manure!=20


Imagine the shock of farmers who spread chicken manure in their fields to=
 add nutrients, but instead found that the glyphosate in the manure tied=
 up nutrients in the soil, promoted plant disease, and killed off weeds or=
 crops. Test results of the manure showed glyphosate/AMPA concentrations=
 at a whopping 0.36-0.75 parts per million (ppm). The normal herbicidal ra=
te of glyphosate is about 0.5 ppm/acre.=20

Manure from other animals may also be spreading the herbicide, since US li=
vestock consume copious amounts of glyphosate-which accumulates in corn ke=
rnels and soybeans. If it isn't found in livestock manure (or urine), that=
 may be even worse. If glyphosate is not exiting the animal, it must be ac=
cumulating with every meal, ending up in our meat and possibly milk.=20

Add this threat to the already high glyphosate residues inside our own die=
ts due to corn and soybeans, and we have yet another serious problem threa=
tening our health. Glyphosate has been linked to sterility, hormone disrup=
tion, abnormal and lower sperm counts, miscarriages, placental cell death,=
 birth defects, and cancer, to name a few. (See resource list on glyphosat=
e health effects. [ http://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/health-ri=
sks/reference-health-effects-of-glyphosate ])=20

Nutrient loss in humans and animals=20

The same nutrients that glyphosate chelates and deprives plants are also=
 vital for human and animal health. These include iron, zinc, copper, mang=
anese, magnesium, calcium, boron, and others. Deficiencies of these elemen=
ts in our diets, alone or in combination, are known to interfere with vita=
l enzyme systems and cause a long list of disorders and diseases.=20

Alzheimer's, for example, is linked with reduced copper and magnesium. Don=
 Huber points out that this disease has jumped 9000% since 1990.=20

Manganese, zinc, and copper are also vital for proper functioning of the=
 SOD (superoxide dismustase) cycle. This is key for stemming inflammation=
 and is an important component in detoxifying unwanted chemical compounds=
 in humans and animals.=20

Glyphosate-induced mineral deficiencies can easily go unidentified and unt=
reated. Even when laboratory tests are done, they can sometimes detect ade=
quate mineral levels, but miss the fact that glyphosate has already render=
ed them unusable.=20

Glyphosate can tie up minerals for years and years, essentially removing=
 them from the pool of nutrients available for plants, animals, and humans=
. If we combine the more than 135 million pounds of glyphosate-based herbi=
cides applied in the US in 2010 with total applications over the past 30=
 years, we may have already eliminated millions of pounds of nutrients fro=
m our food supply.=20

This loss is something we simply can't afford. We're already suffering fro=
m progressive nutrient deprivation even without Roundup. In a UK study, fo=
r example, they found between 16-76% less nutrients in 1991, compared to=
 levels in the same foods in 1940.=20

Livestock disease and mineral deficiency

Roundup Ready crops dominate US livestock feed. Soy and corn are most prev=
alent-93% of US soy and nearly 70% of corn are Roundup Ready. Animals are=
 also fed derivatives of the other three Roundup Ready crops: canola, suga=
r beets, and cottonseed. Nutrient loss from glyphosate can therefore be se=
vere.=20

This is especially true for manganese (Mn), which is not only chelated by=
 glyphosate, but also reduced in Roundup Ready plants (see photo). One vet=
erinarian finds low manganese in every livestock liver he measures. Anothe=
r vet sent the liver of a stillborn calf out for testing. The lab report=
 stated: No Detectible Levels of Manganese-in spite of the fact that the=
 mineral was in adequate concentrations in his region. When that vet start=
ed adding manganese to the feed of a herd, disease rates dropped from a st=
aggering 20% to less than =C2=BD%.=20

Veterinarians who started their practice after GMOs were introduced in 199=
6 might assume that many chronic or acute animal disorders are common and=
 to be expected. But several older vets have stated flat out that animals=
 have gotten much sicker since GMOs came on the scene. And when they switc=
h livestock from GMO to non-GMO feed, the improvement in health is dramati=
c. Unfortunately, no one is tracking this, nor is anyone looking at the im=
pacts of consuming milk and meat from GM-fed animals.=20

Alfalfa madness, brought to you by Monsanto and the USDA=20

As we continue to drench our fields with Roundup, the perfect storm gets=
 bigger and bigger. Don asks the sobering question: "How much of the hundr=
eds of millions of pounds of glyphosate that have been applied to our most=
 productive farm soils over the past 30 years is still available to damage=
 subsequent crops through its effects on nutrient availability, increased=
 disease, or reduced nutrient of our food and feed?"=20

Instead of taking urgent steps to protect our land and food, the USDA just=
 made plans to make things worse. In December they released their Environm=
ental Impact Statement (EIS) on Roundup Ready alfalfa, which Monsanto hope=
s to reintroduce to the market.=20

Alfalfa is the fourth largest crop in the US, grown on 22 million acres.=
 It is used primarily as a high protein source to feed dairy cattle and ot=
her ruminant animals. At present, weeds are not a big deal for alfalfa. On=
ly 7% of alfalfa acreage is ever sprayed with an herbicide of any kind. If=
 Roundup Ready alfalfa is approved, however, herbicide use would jump to=
 unprecedented levels, and the weed killer of choice would of course be Ro=
undup.=20

Even without the application of glyphosate, the nutritional quality of Rou=
ndup Ready alfalfa will be less, since Roundup Ready crops, by their natur=
e, have reduced mineral . When glyphosate is applied, nutrient quality suf=
fers even more (see chart).=20

The chance that Roundup would increase soilborne diseases in alfalfa field=
s is a near certainty. In fact, Alfalfa may suffer more than other Roundup=
 Ready crops. As a perennial, it can accumulate Roundup year after year.=
 It is a deep-rooted plant, and glyphosate leaches into sub soils. And "Fu=
sarium is a very serious pathogen of alfalfa," says Don. "So too are Phyto=
phthora and Pythium," both of which are promoted by glyphosate. "Why would=
 you even consider jeopardizing the productivity and nutrient quality of=
 the third most valuable crop in the US?" he asks in frustration, "especia=
lly since we have no way of removing the gene once it is spread throughout=
 the alfalfa gene pool."=20

It's already spreading. Monsanto had marketed Roundup Ready alfalfa for a=
 year, until a federal court declared its approval to be illegal in 2007.=
 They demanded that the USDA produce an EIS in order to account for possib=
le environmental damage. But even with the seeds taken off the market, the=
 RR alfalfa that had already been planted has been contaminating non-GMO=
 varieties. Cal/West Seeds, for example, discovered that more than 12% of=
 their seed lots tested positive for contamination in 2009, up from 3% in=
 2008.=20

In their EIS, the USDA does acknowledge that genetically modified alfalfa=
 can contaminate organic and non-GMO alfalfa, and that this could create=
 economic hardship. They are even considering the unprecedented step of pl=
acing restrictions on RR alfalfa seed fields, requiring isolation distance=
s. Experience suggests that this will slow down, but not eliminate GMO con=
tamination. Furthermore, studies confirm that genes do transfer from GM cr=
ops into soil and soil organisms, and can jump into fungus through cuts on=
 the surface of GM plants. But the EIS does not adequately address these=
 threats and their implications.=20

Instead, the USDA largely marches lock-step with the biotech industry and=
 turns a blind eye to the widespread harm that Roundup is already inflicti=
ng. If they decide to approve Monsanto's alfalfa, the USDA may ultimately=
 be blamed for a catastrophe of epic proportions.=20

Please send a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack [ http://action.respons=
ibletechnology.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3D5161 ], urging him no=
t to approve Roundup Ready alfalfa, and to fully investigate the damage th=
at Roundup and GMOs are already inflicting.=20

"International bestselling author and filmmaker Jeffrey M. Smith is the ex=
ecutive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology [ http://resp=
onsibletechnology.org ]. His first book, Seeds of Deception: Exposing Indu=
stry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Fo=
ods You're Eating [ http://seedsofdeception.com ], is the world's bestsell=
ing and #1 rated book on GMOs. His second, Genetic Roulette: The Documente=
d Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods [ http://geneticroulette.co=
m ], documents 65 health risks of the GM foods Americans eat everyday. To=
 help you choose healthier, non-GMO brands, use the Non-GMO Shopping Guide=
 [ http://nongmoshoppingguide.com ].

-------------------------------------------------

"To ensure you receive updates from ResponsibleTechnology.org in your inbo=
x (not to bulk or junk folders), please add webmaster@responsibletechnolog=
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cription to this campaign's email list. If you did not subscribe, or would=
 no longer like to receive email updates unsubscribe here [ http://org2.de=
mocracyinaction.org/o/6236/unsubscribe.jsp ].=20

To update your email address or change your subscription details, click he=
re [ http://action.responsibletechnology.org/o/6236/profile/ ]."
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<p><i>View this post on our <a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=K72dYcmvpeR4DXVmE2tnvsPMMniwwsj8">website</a>.<br />
</i></p>
<div class="post"><span class="info">
<div class="entry_author_image"><img src="http://www.responsibletechnology.org/posts/wp-content/authors/Jeffrey%20Smith-9.jpg" alt="" /> by Jeffrey M. Smith</div>
<span class="posted-on"> </span></span>
<h2><a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Qxx279pRbBIwmc7U2a%2FsrMPMMniwwsj8">Cap the Gene Spill</a></h2>
<!-- p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }a:link { color: rgb(0, 0, 255); } -->It&rsquo;s been a year since we started watching BP&rsquo;s oil spew into the Gulf day after day. Although that&rsquo;s been plugged and cleanup is underway, a more insidious form of pollution continues without containment, with <em>much</em> longer term consequences. You might <a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=L%2FAyt1LbNZOAVNwKgb5%2BhsPMMniwwsj8"><img width="250" height="136" style="float: left; margin: 8px;" title="Cap the Gene Spill" src="http://responsibletechnology.org/images/content/capthegenespill.jpg" alt="" /></a>think I&rsquo;m talking about Fukushima&rsquo;s nuclear catastrophe. Actually, the pollution I&rsquo;m referring to about can outlast even thousands of years of active nuclear waste.  <br />
<br />
Watch this two-minute video <a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=l%2B4GgOxfrFb9qCIkE0K83cPMMniwwsj8" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cap the Gene Spill</span></a>, directed by Alex Bogusky, to find out how genes from genetically modified crops self-propagate and permanently alter the gene pool&mdash;for all future generations.  <br />
<br />
Alex is described by <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=wC54X5XoMdZGPezOqVhlM8PMMniwwsj8"><em>Fast Company</em></a></span></span> as &ldquo;the Elvis of advertising,&rdquo; a &ldquo;pop-culture Houdini,&rdquo; and the &ldquo;daddy of 21st-century advertising.&rdquo; He designed the Truth Campaign for tobacco, brought the king to Burger King, was crowned &ldquo;Creative Director of the Decade&rdquo; by <em>Adweek</em>, and was a partner at a $1.5 billion company that <em>Advertising Age</em> named &ldquo;Agency of the Decade,&rdquo;&hellip;and then he walked away. Alex realized he could no longer speak his truth.  <br />
<br />
Now, under his own banner of <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5XEGXXEgDa92UfOTJ2JvosPMMniwwsj8">The Fearless Revolution</a></span></span>, he&rsquo;s harnessing the power of truth to create &ldquo;an educated and empowered consumer,&rdquo; who will act as &ldquo;a sudden and powerful counterbalance to corporate power.&rdquo; <br />
<br />
Alex and I would like you to know the truth about genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Enjoy this first in a series of videos, appropriately released on Earth Day. <br />
<br />
After viewing, please consider making a <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=3FtwMxjvi7sDZuvHmk%2Fq3mzP%2FenP%2Fopq">donation</a></span></span> to our <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=WOWIseVDbovQSzXhzja6PcPMMniwwsj8">Institute for Responsible Technology</a></span></span>, which works everyday to help cap the gene spill. Your donation will be doubled this month by a generous matching grant from Nutiva.  <br />
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Safe eating, <br />
<br />
Jeffrey Smith<i><br />
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