Monsantophobia Explained

Monsantophobia: A schizophrenic bi-polar like condition characterized by an irrational fear of modern science and technology as it relates to food production in general, and in many cases specifically related to Monsanto Corporation.  Monsantophobia is prevalent throughout the population, including those with either left or right wing political tendencies.

Monsantophobia is NOT TO BE CONFUSED with a general concern for food safety, or even general criticism of biotechnology, or refusal to consume, grow, or market GMO products. Where criticism and fear of biotechnology crosses the line is when one attempts to project their personal preferences related to biotechnology onto others through petitioning the government for laws, regulations, or other restrictions that override or limit other people's preferences about biotechnology and food production. This obsession to limit the freedoms of others, and control their day to day personal choices from gate to plate is the most egregious aspect of what can be characterized as monsantophobia.

Examples of Monsantophobic Behavior:

Many (largely left leaning)critics of biotechnology are concerned that giant agribusinesses (like Monsanto) have too much market power and control over the food supply.  Some on the right often have the same concern, but believe Monsanto to simply be another wing of government oppression.  Thus, we have both anticapitalist and antigovernment activists in the same camp. Yet, in spite of the large body of scientific evidence supporting the safety of biotechnology, they support the existing outdated excessive regulatory framework (administered by not one but many regulatory agencies including the FDA, EPA, and USDA) that creates barriers to entry and economies of scale that promote and encourage larger corporations at the expense of small startups and public research. In addition, disregarding the science to the contrary, they also want to add to the regulatory burden by petitioning for unscientific labeling laws. 

Many left leaning critics are also very supportive of subsidies and regulations to promote environmental sustainability, yet, reject the evidence showing that through the price and profit motive almost all family farmers have adopted GMOs and created environmental benefits outweighing the impacts all subsidies and bureacratic edicts and government interventions. 

In addition, many of these same critics while rejecting the science supporting biotechnology are critical of those on the right for rejecting the evidence related to climate change.

Many on the right often promote free markets and capitalism, yet when it comes to biotechnology (which is the synergy of science, technology, and capitalism) many want more restrictions and even call for labeling. Instead of allowing family farms to choose the technologies best suited to meet their needs, we often can find some on the right supporting anit-GMO anti-capitalist and interventionist ideals.

This irrational fear of biotechnology that characterizes monsantophobia leads to policy preferences that are diametrically at odds and inconsistent. This fear in its extreme isn't that different from other conspiracy theories ( 'truther' theories about 911, etc.). When the government pulls experts from industry and academia that have experience in biotechnology, its viewed as putting 'Monsanto people' in charge of our food supply.  Take for instance the following article Obama Moves To Crush Poland After Global Genetic Disaster Revealed from the European Union Times:

"To what the Americans will do to protect themselves from the “mad scientists” unleashed by the Obama regime against them there appears to be nothing as, and as always, their mainstream propaganda media organs will not let them know the truth, while at the same time they refuse to listen to any others."

Solutions to  Monsantophobia

Perhaps the best approach is education. Borrowing a quote from Jonathan Foley, "Sometimes we need to differentiate popular environmentalism (a collection of beliefs) from environmental science (a body of evidence)." Sharing knowledge about modern agriculture with others becomes a challenge when popular media figures such as Oprah and Dr. Oz work to perpetuate the mythology surrounding the dangers of biotechnology. Sometimes it takes a little outreach from the farm, as this one farmer sent an open invitation to Oprah Winfrey to 'come to my farm and see why biotechnology makes sense.'

Disclosure: The term 'monsantophobia' is not my own. I think that I first came across the term at the very well written Eat Drink Better blog post entitled 'Monsantophobia: Sustainability Concern or Wealthy Convenience'. Referring to people that are critical of biotechnology as monsantophobes probably isn't the best approach when communicating with them. However, recognizing the inconsistencies in policies and positions related to biotechnology (that we might characterize as 'monsantophobic') may be a useful exercise for determining an effective approach to communicating to critics the benefits of modern sustainable agriculture.