Author of Whitewash- Carey Gillam

Episode #3 - Carey Gillam from the documentary “The Monsanto Papers,” shares an in-depth look of the growing controversy surrounding Monsanto.

Summary

On this episode of Agrihood Radio, we’re talking with Carey Gillam, author of the very popular book, Whitewash.

Carey speaks in detail about her new book and her research into the controversy surrounding Monsanto.

Carey shares her experience of how she’s spent time with row crop farmers, ranchers, vegetable growers and orchard operators around the country. She has been invited inside high-tech laboratories, greenhouses and corporate offices of some of the largest U.S. agribusinesses. She has spent countless hours interviewing key U.S. regulators, lawmakers, and scientists.

With years of this behind-the-scenes reporting, Gillam has developed deep insight into the risks and rewards of the modern-day food system, and hopes to share that knowledge with others who care about the food they eat and feed to their families.

It’s the pesticide on our dinner plates, a chemical so pervasive it’s in the air we breathe, our water, our soil, and even found increasingly in our own bodies. Known as Monsanto’s Roundup by consumers, and as glyphosate by scientists, the world’s most popular weed killer is used everywhere from backyard gardens to golf courses to millions of acres of farmland. For decades it’s been touted as safe enough to drink, but a growing body of evidence indicates just the opposite, with research tying the chemical to cancers and a host of other health threats.

In her book Whitewash, veteran journalist Carey Gillam uncovers one of the most controversial stories in the history of food and agriculture, exposing new evidence of corporate influence. Gillam introduces readers to farm families devastated by cancers which they believe are caused by the chemical, and to scientists whose reputations have been smeared for publishing research that contradicted business interests.

Carey tells about the arm-twisting of regulators who signed off on the chemical, echoing company assurances of safety, even as they permitted higher residues of the pesticide in food and skipped compliance tests. And, in startling detail, Gillam reveals secret industry communications that pull back the curtain on corporate efforts to manipulate public perception.

Enjoy today’s interview!

"I've always known I wanted to be a journalist, to build a career on the simple pursuit of truth. My work is based on the belief that by sharing information and ideas, airing debates, and unveiling actions and events critical to public policy, we help advance and strengthen our community -- our humanity."
-Carey Gillam