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MONSANTO The biotech giant firm Monsanto is widely regarded as the dominant force in the American food industry, serving as the world's leading producer of genetically modified seeds, accounting for 23% of the global proprietary market. But before the company became the so-called "face of evil" in our food culture in recent years, Monsanto was an innovator on the world stage. In 1957, the company created a prototype modular house in collaboration with M.I.T. to help solve the Baby Boomer housing crisis. Over the years, it became known as the company that produced a variety of chemicals, including Agent Orange, Dioxin, DDT, PCBs, the dairy cow hormone rBGH and Aspartame sweetener, among others. Today, Monsanto has rebranded itself into a "sustainable agriculture company," according to its website and "uses plant breeding and biotechnology to create seeds that grow into stronger, more resilient crops that require fewer resources." Currently, Monsanto is the fifth largest pesticide and fertilizer company holding 7.4% of the world's market share. Critics point out that Monsanto is laying the groundwork to become the dominate genetically modified seed and chemical company in the world with acquisitions that have already transformed the company into the largest seed company in the world. Monsanto has created a marketplace for farmers to become indebted to the company for seeds. For centuries, farmers would save seeds after each harvest and use them from one farming season to another. When Monsanto became a dominate force in the agriculture community by offering their genetically modified seeds resistant to herbicides for sale, everything we know about farming changed. Monsanto agreements with farmers are "designed to lock them into long-term contracts for their seeds. Once they get that, [farmers] can't plant normal seeds for at least seven years after they've planted GMO and sprayed heavily with Roundup. The soils become toxic. So you're more or less enslaved in this new kind of serfdom," says William Engdahl, author of "Seeds of Destruction." reproductive disorders, digestive problems and other illnesses were reported at higher levels aer GMOs were introduced in the food supply, but there is not sufficient research to confirm that GMOs are a contributing factor. Regardless of the scientific proof, in a New York Times poll in 2013, almost a quarter of respondents say they believed GMO foods were unsafe to eat or tox ic. In addition to the health consequences of GMOs, the awareness of our food supply has been the subject of several books and movies. In recent years, the spotlight on healthy food from proponents like filmmaker Michael Moore, author Michael Pollan and blogger Vani Hari, also k nown as the Food Babe, has raised awareness about our food system and what exactly we are puing on our plates. Consequences of Convenience e technological advancements that propelled the food industr y for ward have also made calories cheaper and easier than ever before. But mak ing food more plentiful and affordable has come at a high cost — our health. According to a study of U.S. grocer y store purchases, highly processed foods account for more than 60% of the calories in foods. Highly processed foods are defined as those with multi-ingredient, industrially prepared mi xtures like chips, cook ies, soda, candy, prepared meals and white breads. Not only are these foods ty pically higher in fat, sugar and salt than unprocessed food, but they are also stripped of important vitamins, minerals and fiber during processing. Eating processed foods leads to overeating because the food is digested quick ly and you do not feel full for nearly as long. As a whole, A mericans are deficient in Vitamins A, D, E and C, folate, magnesium, potassium, calcium and fiber, but over consume sodium and saturated fat. e average A merican diet does not meet federal recommendations of intake of vegetables, fruits, dair y or whole grains. Poor nutrition has also led to a dramatic increase in digestive and intestinal issues nationwide. About 70 million A mericans suffer from a digestive issue related to poor consumption, 1.3 million have a form of inflammator y bowel disease, and 34% are impacted by metabolic syndrome, which increases a person's risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. People suffering with these illnesses have bacteria in their intestinal tract, which makes them prone to inflammation and irritation. Continued on page 70 GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com | 69