GMO Answers RE: MON 87712 Soybean
The original series of this soybean line (877xx) was Genetically engineered to contain herbicide in its cells. MON 87712 is stacked with additional herbicide genes to combat the growing resistance of weeds to the herbicides used in industrial farming. This is a never ending cycle and the result is more and more pesticides inside the crop and also as residues on the crop. In turn, major diseases and poor health of the U.S. population increase with the amount of herbicides and pesticides used that show up in our food supply.
APHIS received a petition from Monsanto in July 2011
seeking nonregulated status for this soybean.
According to the APHIS “Factsheet”, no doubt prepared by Monsanto – MON
87712 was produced to create soybean crops with increased yield. They produced this soybean using the BBX32
gene “that causes the plant to express the protein that alters the plant’s
physiology; allowing it to make more efficient use of nutrients and
sunlight.” Hmmmm, and just how does
this soybean do this? By killing
everything around it with the dicamba herbicide stacked trait????
Dicamba
(3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) includes brand names such as Banvel, Diablo, Oracle and Vanquish. The chemical compound is a derivative of
benzoic acid and is used to control brush, bracken, legumes, cacti and
perennial wild rose. It kills broadleaf
weeds before and after they sprout. Dicamba
functions by increasing plant growth rate. At sufficient concentrations, the plant
outgrows its nutrient supplies and dies. And they put this into soybeans along with who
knows what else? Soybeans that are fed
to animals and people, both directly and indirectly?? You better believe they do.
More information can be found in the patent for the MON
87708 Soybean http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20110067134
The traits and events Monsanto created in this soybean
will be stacked with additional events and traits into the MON 87712 soybean,
which they want deregulated. Tricky
The following are excerpts from patent MON 87712:
The invention relates to transgenic Glycine max event, MON 87708. The event exhibits tolerance to dicamba herbicide. The invention also relates to plants, plant parts, plant seeds, plant cells, agricultural products, and methods related to event MON 87708 and provides nucleotide molecules that are unique to the event and were created in connection with the insertion of transgenic DNA into the genome of a Glycine max plant.
Soybean is an important crop in many areas of the world, and the methods of biotechnology have been applied to this crop in order to produce soybean with desirable traits. One such desirable trait is herbicide tolerance. The expression of an herbicide tolerance transgene in a plant can confer the desirable trait of herbicide tolerance on the plant, but expression of the transgene may be influenced by the chromosomal location and the genomic result of the transgene insertion.
The invention provides transgenic soybean plants designated event MON 87708, which exhibit commercially acceptable tolerance to applications of dicamba herbicide, having representative seed deposited with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) with Accession No. PTA-9670. The invention also provides novel DNA molecules related to soybean event MON 87708 and methods of using these molecules. The invention also provides seeds, progeny, plant parts, cells, and commodity products of soybean event MON 87708. The invention also provides methods of using soybean event MON 87708 and methods of producing dicamba tolerant soybean."
Remember that the July 2012 APHIS Factsheet never
mentions anything about GE herbicides spliced into plant genes in MON
87712. They claim it has been field
tested since 2009 under permits and movement controls granted by APHIS. Now Monsanto wants what little regulations
were in place, dropped. Monsanto
provides a few more details about MON 87712 in their Draft Environmental
Assessment of June 2013.
Monsanto Petition (11-202-01p) for Determination of
Nonregulated Status of Event
MON 87712-4 Soybean
OECD Unique Identifier: MON 87712-4
Draft Environmental Assessment June 2013
Excerpt:
Physical Environment
The potential effects from the cultivation of other stacked GE crops (including soybean) to use of pesticides have been evaluated in other EAs by APHIS. For example, glyphosate, glufosinate and other herbicide resistance and resistance to insects have been thoroughly evaluated in other APHIS EAs since the 1994 introduction of a glyphosate-resistant soybean, and since the first insect-resistant crop (potato) in 1994 (see list of pending and previously approved GE crops).
An in depth paper could be written about each of these GE seeds. The environmental assessments, FONSIs (Finding of No Significant Impact statements) and other such technical sounding documents are written by the chemical companies. The FDA doesn't fight them but goes along with whatever they write. The regulatory process is a sham of smoke and mirrors used to deceive the American public. Those who have dug deep into this subject know the truth, however.
Just recently, Monsanto set up a "GMO Answers" website. More smoke and mirrors. Methinks they doth protest TOO much. It is truly astounding they have managed to deceive so many people for so many years with their heinous lack of honesty and human compassion.
The total amount of the mix of pesticides that may be applied to varieties of MON 87712-4 soybean stacked with herbicide-resistant varieties would be limited by the total application approved by EPA for a registered or exempted herbicide and would be no different than the application rate already approved for use on currently nonregulated varieties of stacked herbicide-resistant soybean cultivars. In addition, MON 87712-4 soybean engineered for higher yield may also be stacked with dicamba-resistant MON 87708 soybean pending determination of nonregulated status (Monsanto, pers. comm. October 2012); however, as stated above, the authorized amount or application rate of dicamba approved for use on MON 87708 soybean would not likely differ in a stacked product containing the MON 87712-4 soybean enhanced yield trait. When used consistent with the label, the potential risks from the application of pesticides to stacked MON 87712-4 soybean varieties to the physical environment could increase. However, substantial impact would not occur because EPA will have determined whether environmental effects of application of an approved herbicide would or would not be likely to cause unreasonable harmful impacts on the environment. In addition, there would be no changes to currently authorized pesticide tolerance levels for stacked varieties of MON 87712-4 soybean.
Big Deal. Monsanto
owns APHIS where biotechnology and plant gene splicing are concerned and the EPA follows their lead.
A summary of the FR Notice regarding MON 87712 Soybean follows along with the full text
Federal Register Notice
August 5, 2013 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-08-05/html/2013-18876.htm
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 150 (Monday, August
5, 2013)]
[Pages 47272-47273] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18876]
[Pages 47272-47273] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18876]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0020]
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0020]
Monsanto Co.; Availability of Plant Pest Risk
Assessment and Environmental Assessment for Determination of Nonregulated
Status of Soybean Genetically Engineered for Increased Yield
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service is making available for public comment our
plant pest risk assessment and our draft environmental assessment regarding a
request from the Monsanto Company seeking a determination of nonregulated
status of soybean designated as MON 87712, which has been genetically
engineered for increased yield. We are soliciting comments on whether this
genetically engineered soybean is likely to pose a plant pest risk.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on
or before September 4, 2013.
47272 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 150 /
Monday, August 5, 2013 / Notices
1. On March 6, 2012, APHIS published in the Federal
Register (77 FR 13258–13260, Docket No. APHIS–2011–0129) a notice
describing our public review process for soliciting public comments and information
when considering petitions for determinations of nonregulated status for GE organisms.
To view the notice, go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0129.
2. To view the notice, the petition, and the comments we
received, go to http://www. regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2012-
0020.
Here is the full
Notice:
[Docket No. APHIS–2012–0020]
Monsanto Co.; Availability of Plant Pest Risk
Assessment and
Environmental Assessment for Determination of
Nonregulated Status of Soybean Genetically Engineered for Increased Yield
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making available for public
comment our plant pest risk assessment and our draft environmental assessment
regarding a request from the Monsanto Company seeking a determination of
nonregulated status of soybean designated as MON 87712, which has been
genetically engineered for increased yield. We are soliciting comments on
whether this genetically engineered soybean is likely to pose a plant pest
risk.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we
receive on or before September 4, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of
the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/
#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0020. •
Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to
Docket No. APHIS–2012–0020, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS,
Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Supporting
documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http://www.
regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= APHIS-2012-0020 or in our reading room,
which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC.
Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please
call (202) 799–7039 before coming. Supporting documents are also available on
the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ biotechnology/petitions_table_
pending.shtml under APHIS Petition Number 11–202–01p.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Rebecca
Stankiewicz Gabel, Chief, Biotechnology Environmental Analysis Branch,
Environmental Risk Analysis Programs, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS,
4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 851–3927, email: rebecca.l.stankiewiczgabel@
aphis.usda.gov. To obtain copies of the supporting documents for this petition,
contact Ms. Cindy Eck at (301) 851–3892, email: cynthia.a.eck@aphis.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Under the
authority of the plant pest provisions of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C.
7701 et seq.), the regulations in 7 CFR part 340, ‘‘Introduction of Organisms
and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant
Pests or Which There Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests,’’ regulate, among
other things, the introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release
into the environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through
genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to believe are
plant pests. Such genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products are
considered ‘‘regulated articles.’’ The regulations in § 340.6(a) provide that
any person may submit a petition to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) seeking a determination that an article should not be regulated
under 7 CFR part 340. APHIS has received a petition (APHIS Petition Number
11–202–01p) from the Monsanto Company (Monsanto) of St. Louis, MO, seeking a
determination of nonregulated status of soybean (Glycine max) designated
as event MON 87712, which has been genetically engineered for increased yield.
The petition stated that this soybean is unlikely
to pose a plant pest risk and, therefore, should not be a regulated article
under APHIS’ regulations in 7 CFR part 340. According to our process 1 for soliciting
public comment when considering petitions for determinations of nonregulated
status of GE organisms, APHIS
accepts written comments regarding a petition once APHIS deems it complete. In
a notice 2 published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2012, VerDate
Mar<15>2010 19:07 Aug 02, 2013
NOTICES Federal Register /Vol. 78, No. 150
/Monday, August 5, 2013 /Notices 47273 (77 FR 41354–41355, Docket No. APHIS–2012–0020),
APHIS announced the availability of the Monsanto petition for public comment.
APHIS solicited comments on the petition for 60 days ending on September 11,
2012, in order to help identify potential environmental and interrelated
economic issues and impacts that APHIS may determine should be considered in
our evaluation of the petition. APHIS received 66 comments on the petition:
Several of these comments included electronic attachments consisting of a
consolidated document of many identical or nearly identical letters, for a total of 4,665 comments. Issues
raised during the comment period include effects on plant and animal diversity,
soybean supply and prices, and organic soy production; gene flow; and food and
feed impacts. APHIS has evaluated the issues raised during the comment period
and, where appropriate, has provided a discussion of these issues in our
environmental assessment (EA). After public comments are received on a completed
petition, APHIS evaluates those comments and then provides a second opportunity
for public involvement in our decision making process.
According to our public review process,
the second opportunity for public involvement follows one of two approaches, as
described below. If APHIS decides, based on its review of the petition and its
evaluation and analysis of comments received during the 60-day public comment
period on the petition, that the petition involves a GE organism that raises no
substantive new issues, APHIS will follow Approach 1 for public involvement. Under
Approach 1, APHIS announces in the Federal
Register the availability of APHIS’ preliminary regulatory determination
along with its EA, preliminary finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and
its plant pest risk assessment (PPRA) for a 30-day public review period. APHIS
will evaluate any information received related to the petition and its
supporting documents during the 30-day public review period. If APHIS decides,
based on its review of the petition and its evaluation and analysis of comments
received during the 60-day public comment period on the petition, that the
petition involves a GE organism that raises substantive new issues, APHIS will
follow Approach 2. Under Approach 2, APHIS first solicits written comments from
the public on a draft EA and PPRA for a 30-day comment period through the publication
of a Federal Register notice.
Then, after reviewing and evaluating the comments on the
draft EA and PPRA and other information, APHIS will revise the PPRA as
necessary and prepare a final EA and, based on the final EA, a National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision document (either a FONSI or a notice
of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement). For this petition, we
are using Approach 2. APHIS has prepared a PPRA to determine if soybean event
MON 87712 is unlikely to pose a plant pest risk. In section 403 of the Plant
Protection Act, ‘‘plant pest’’ is defined as any living stage of any of the following
that can directly or indirectly injure, cause damage to, or cause disease in
any plant or plant product: A protozoan, a nonhuman animal, a parasitic plant,
a bacterium, a fungus, a virus or viroid, an infectious agent or other
pathogen, or any article similar to or allied with any of the foregoing.
APHIS has also
prepared a draft EA in which we present two alternatives based on our analysis
of data submitted by Monsanto, a review of other scientific data, field tests
conducted under APHIS oversight, and comments received on the petition.
APHIS is considering the following alternatives: (1) Take
no action, i.e., APHIS would not change the regulatory status of soybean event
MON 87712 and it would continue to be a regulated article, or (2) make a determination
of nonregulated status of soybean event MON 87712. The EA was prepared in
accordance with (1) NEPA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (2)
regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the
procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3) USDA regulations
implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA Implementing Procedures
(7 CFR part 372). In accordance with our process for soliciting public input
when considering petitions for determinations of nonregulated status for GE
organisms, we are publishing this notice to inform the public that APHIS will
accept written comments on our PPRA and draft EA regarding the petition for a determination
of nonregulated status from interested or affected persons for a period of 30
days from the date of this notice. The petition is available for public review,
and copies are available as indicated under
ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above.
After the comment period closes, APHIS will review all written comments received
during the comment period and any other relevant information. After reviewing
and evaluating the comments on the draft EA and PPRA and other information,
APHIS will revise the PPRA as necessary and prepare a final EA. Based on the
final EA, APHIS will prepare a NEPA decision document (either a FONSI or a notice
of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement). If a FONSI is reached,
APHIS will furnish a response to the petitioner, either approving or denying
the petition. APHIS will also publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing
the regulatory status of the GE organism and the availability of APHIS’ final
EA, PPRA, FONSI, and our regulatory determination.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781– 7786; 31
U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Done in Washington, DC, this 31st day
of July 2013. Kevin Shea, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service. [FR Doc. 2013–18876 Filed 8–2–13; 8:45 am]
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