Monsanto’s controversial present is very much tethered to its dark past. And nowhere is this manifest more than in Vietnam, a country that has borne the brunt of the toxic defoliant it produced and is now facing the growing threat of its infamous weedkillers. Vietnam has embraced a very perplexing relationship with Monsanto, crystalized in the unfortunate irony of allowing the former Agent Orange maker and current producer of the controversial genetically modified organisms (GMOs) back into the country, for all practical purposes, with a clean chit. While Monsanto has repeatedly and consistently denied responsibility for the deaths and other forms of suffering, lasting generations, that have been caused by Agent Orange, there is evidence that the company knew that dioxin, a key ingredient, was toxic. Now, with glyphostate, the active ingredient in the weed killer Roundup that the biotech giant plugs for use along with its GMO seeds, fears about causing cancer in humans have risen … [Read more...] about In Vietnam, Monsanto is guilty until proven innocent
Agent orange living in darkness
French amateur introduces Ha Noi’s alleys
DA NANG (VNS)- Daniel Frydman debuted his new photography exhibition, Alleyways in Ha Noi, at the central city's La Tour Eiffel Studio yesterday. Daniel, 68, who has lived in Ha Noi for seven years, introduced 25 photos of alleys taken in the Old Quarter. "The crowded, dark, narrow alleys in the Old Quarter have fascinated me throughout my years living in Ha Noi," the French photographer said at the opening ceremony. "I really want to depict the life of Hanoians in alleys, which preserve the ancient architecture of the downtown." The amateur photographer also plans to create photo exhibitions depicting Agent Orange victims and the landscapes of Viet Nam. The exhibition will be on display through next month. - VNS … [Read more...] about French amateur introduces Ha Noi’s alleys
Activities to support Agent Orange victims
When the first hearing of the Agent Orange lawsuit took place in New York on February 28, a student named Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc from Hanoi Social Sciences and Humanities University sent a message to all the people who had accessed www.chatdocdacam.info. In her message, she told about her meetings with Agent Orange victims in the northern provinces of Ha Nam and Nam Dinh, about 100 km away from Hanoi. "If only the hundreds of Vietnamese students studying in France and Australia knew that the Agent Orange victims have been moved to tears after receiving the invaluable gifts sent home from overseas. "The gifts have cheered them up in the early days of Spring because they suffer so much from the consequences of Agent Orange. And even more heart-breaking is the indifferent attitude of the people who have led them to despair." Also, a foreign student Peter Broad from Caleton University sent e-mails to as many people as possible to appeal for support for the Vietnamese Agent Orange victims two … [Read more...] about Activities to support Agent Orange victims
World youth in praise of Vietnamese young people
The 17th Assembly of World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) and the World Youth and Student Festival has just wrapped up in Hanoi. The event, held by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union's Central Committee, drew 116 delegates from 40 countries in the world. At the assembly, international youth delegates expressed their admiration and high evaluation of the Vietnamese youth's contributions. Hussein Alahmed, member of the executive committee of the Yemen Youth General Confederation said Vietnamese youth are both dynamic and intelligent. They are perfecting themselves to contribute more to society. "During our exchange with students of the Hanoi Polytechnic, Alahmend said, they put clear and insightful questions, showing that they did have specific plans for their studies." "Vietnam is a peaceful country. Vietnamese people are friendly and open. In the past, many Yemen youths struggled with Vietnamese people in the fight against imperialism. Now, many Yemen people are living … [Read more...] about World youth in praise of Vietnamese young people
Da Nang locals infected with dioxin to be detoxicated
Twenty four out of a total of 62 people who have recently been diagnosed as infected with Agent Orange/Dioxin following a test by Hatfield will be taken to Hanoi next week to be detoxicated of the chemicals. The process will start on September 5. Six years ago, the Canada-based Hatfield Consultants Company - a global leader in the field of Agent Orange contamination due to the spraying of herbicide in Vietnam - took random blood samples from locals who lived around Da Nang Airport and used water taken from area wells. 62 of those tested were confirmed to be infected with the toxic chemical, but the news has only recently been publicly announced. It has shocked people living around the airport, which is identified as one of the three dioxin hot spots in Vietnam, including Bien Hoa Airport in southern Dong Nai Province and Phu Cat Airport in central Binh Dinh Province. Mr. Ta Bay, chairman of the Red Cross Association and the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin of Chinh … [Read more...] about Da Nang locals infected with dioxin to be detoxicated