Monsanto Protection Act

While North America has been busy worrying about gay marriage and gun control a new law quietly slipped into effect at the end of March. Bill HR 933, or the "Monsanto Protection Act" as it has become to be known since it pretty much gives immunity to Monsanto and other large corporations to continue genetically engineering crops regardless of certain risks to human health. Obama and Congress approved this "opaque" 78-page bill that was apparently drafted with the help of Monsanto and basically allows for farmers to continue growing GM foods even while an investigation into health hazards may be ongoing. If at the end of the (often lengthy) investigation the crop is proven to be harmful, production will be ceased. In the past as soon as an investigation began regarding the safety of a certain crop, farmers would either cease or temporarily halt production of whatever product was being engineered. This caused major financial losses for farmers and mainly large biotech corporations such as Monsanto in the 2000's. Now sales of such crops are immune from court intervention and can continue to grow and be sold regardless of risk. According to Monsanto this bill:

           "is a positive step to ensure US farmers and our food chain are shielded from supply disruptions caused by litigation over procedural issues unrelated to sound science or the safety of biotech crops. This legislative solution ensures that national agricultural policy is not being decided by the court system while providing a level of certainty that is critical to ensure that our agricultural producers continue to lead the world." 

So why would the government sign such a law into effect? [Money] The European Union strictly controls the use and labeling of GM foods so why can't North America? What are the long term effects of consuming GM foods? To learn more about this troubling law: HR 933 and other reactions: Tea Party