The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 144

144. Chemical Weapons on the Dinner Table

The President was acutely aware of the potential dangers posed by GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) based on information from the future.

Since the mid-1990s, coinciding with the U.S. beginning to export soybeans, South Korea had experienced a troubling surge in suicide rates and a rapid increase in cases of autism, atopic dermatitis [eczema], colon cancer, diabetes, dementia, and end-stage renal failure. These disease patterns mirrored those observed in the United States.

Knowing that GMOs were the root cause, upon receiving an interim report that initially showed no conclusive results, he acted as if Korean researchers had conducted the experiment. He emphasized that unlike plants, humans don’t die immediately, but their internal organs and systems are gradually and indirectly destroyed.

Consequently, he approved additional, substantial research funding.

President Leon gestured to the charts as he explained.

“This photo displays the dissected internal organs of experimental mice that were fed glyphosate [a common herbicide] over an extended period. Notice the significant inflammation in the intestines, and the extensive damage to the brains, livers, kidneys, and colons of the mice.”

Several people grimaced at the gruesome, zombie-like images.

“Brain damage leads to dementia, liver and kidney damage leads to liver cancer and kidney failure, and colon destruction leads to colon cancer. But why does this happen? And why does skin cancer occur, not just internal organ damage? Uncovering this mechanism was the central goal of this research.”

Dr. Han, a prominent figure in the medical community, inquired,

“If these diseases are caused by long-term accumulation of glyphosate, does that imply it doesn’t directly affect human cells?”

“Precisely! That’s why it received a free pass despite the presence of these disease phenomena. Glyphosate decimates the most critical immune mechanism in the human body. It eradicates the essential microorganisms within us—the ‘microbiota.'”

“Ah!”

Knowledgeable medical professionals were already nodding in understanding.

“‘Microbiota’ is responsible for immunity and nutrition. It supplies aromatic essential amino acids—tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine—that our bodies cannot produce directly.”

While this was common knowledge among experts, he was explaining the basics to ensure the President and other officials, who were laypersons in this area, could easily follow.

“When the microbiota is healthy, harmful external microorganisms cannot invade and proliferate. It’s the same principle as seeds blown from the outside failing to take root in a dense forest.”

The President nodded.

“Your explanation is very clear, President Leon.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency!”

The President addressed the audience,

“Well, you’re all working so diligently. Let’s give them a round of applause to show our appreciation and boost their spirits!”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The President dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief and continued.

“A vast number of microbiota reside in our internal organs and on our skin. When the microbiota dies, our immune function is compromised, and our protective ability is significantly reduced. Inflammation occurs throughout the body, leading to conditions like vaginitis, colon cancer, and skin cancer in women. Harmful bacteria thrive in the areas where the microbiota has died, attacking our organs, brain, and the protective barrier of our skin. That’s why humans develop these diseases, just like those hideous experimental mice.”

The audience murmured, visibly disturbed.

His shocking explanation of the experimental results continued.

“Unlike other pesticides that wash away with rain or lose their effectiveness over time, GMO crops absorb glyphosate from the roots and store it inside the grains. The real danger lies in the fact that it goes directly into our mouths.”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

This time, everyone applauded spontaneously, without the President’s prompting, demonstrating their newfound awareness.

The head of the Housewives’ Association asked,

“So, the problem isn’t the genetic modification itself, but the glyphosate absorbed inside?”

“Exactly. The issue isn’t that GMO crops are inherently toxic, but that they are designed to promote the sale of the herbicide Roundup. We are forced to buy and consume pesticides we don’t even want.”

“Then, can we simply avoid eating U.S. wheat flour or corn?”

“That’s the crux of the problem. 95% of U.S. imported soybeans are GMO. In Korea, they are primarily used to extract cooking oil, and the remaining soybean meal is used as animal feed. Cooking oil and foods made with cooking oil, such as chicken, fish cakes, and fried foods, are all affected.”

“Oh my, goodness!”

“Savory canola oil is also 95% derived from GMO crops—crops that have absorbed glyphosate. Furthermore, hydrogenated oil used in confectionery and bakery products, and liquid fructose and starch syrup made from cornstarch, are all laden with glyphosate. Glyphosate is, in effect, a chemical weapon on our dinner tables.”

“…….”

A heavy, fearful silence descended upon the audience.

“Moreover, glyphosate is even detected in beer made from GMO barley. Pigs, cows, and chickens fed GMO soybean meal cannot be safe either. It will inevitably be transferred and remain in their meat.”

“Oh my, oh my! What are we supposed to do? There’s really nothing safe to eat. Should we just eat rice without cooking oil and bread?”

The professor of food and nutrition in the audience responded,

“You can use perilla oil or sesame oil. Among imported oils, grapeseed oil and olive oil are generally not from GMO seeds.”

The infuriated head of the Housewives’ Association huffed and rolled up her sleeves.

“I need to inform housewives across the country immediately. How can they sell pesticide-laden food? Mr. President, please throw these bad guys in jail immediately!”

“…….”

The blame had shifted to the President.

The President stood up and said,

“Please understand that we are fundamentally trying to solve the problem of GMO crops containing glyphosate. We will definitely kick away this table of death.”

*

A California court in the United States.

The second trial was underway.

The plaintiff, the victim, had lost the first trial.

Without presenting decisive evidence, there was a significant risk that the first trial verdict would be upheld.

The plaintiff’s lawyer explained, holding up the materials distributed to the judge and jury.

“As stated, this research data cites a paper researched by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the UN World Health Organization.”

Because IARC was an authoritative institution with expertise in cancer research, the defendant was visibly nervous.

“The key point of this paper is that it reveals where and how glyphosate, the main ingredient of the herbicide Roundup, is harmful to the human body, which does not have the shikimate pathway [a metabolic route for the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids] that works in plants.”

The jurors stirred.

“As you can see in the autopsy photos of the experimental mice, glyphosate massacres the immune microbiota in our bodies, lowering the defense of the brain, organs, and skin, causing cancer, atopy, dementia, kidney failure, autism, etc. It is no exaggeration to call it a chemical weapon on the table.”

And then he listed the following seven harmful effects:

– Fetal malformation

– Endocrine hormone disruption

– Genetic destruction

– Internal organ destruction

– Destruction of cells in the body

– Sterilization of essential microbiota in the body due to antibiotic action

– Obstacles to the removal of toxic substances

The defendant’s lawyer stood up.

“Your Honor, I object. This paper is only the result of experiments on laboratory mice. It does not demonstrate how it affects humans. It is not suitable as evidence of harm.”

The rebuttal continued.

“The defendant claimed that glyphosate acts on the plant’s physiological mechanism and is safe for animals and humans. This paper refutes that claim and shows that it also acts on the animal’s physiological mechanism. Human metabolism and digestion are the same as animal tissue. These seven major diseases have occurred in people exposed to Roundup herbicide, so the victims themselves are the evidence.”

“That’s just conjecture!”

“Are you suggesting that to prove a poison is a poison, we should drink the poison here? Do you want more victims?”

The two men’s arguments escalated.

The judge said,

“The International Agency for Research on Cancer is an authoritative research institution, and the paper submitted as evidence is recognized as having considerable scientific basis. However, there is a lack of research cases on how it affects the human body. The defendant will supplement this aspect, and we will hold the next trial.”

The local newspaper ran the results of the trial on the front page.

– Harmfulness Proven in Animal Experiments of Roundup, Will the First Trial Be Overturned?

The reaction to the article was polarized.

Members of consumer groups held pickets in front of the courthouse and shouted after a long time.

“Immediately ban the distribution of GMO foods containing poison!”

“Completely ban GMO foods!”

On the other hand, farmers and grain majors of the crop met with the governor.

“Governor, farmers with tens or hundreds of acres of farmland cannot weed without Roundup. It’s no more harmful than ordinary pesticides, so why are you making such a fuss?”

The governor cautiously replied because their votes were at stake.

“I understand that pesticides are not harmful unless they get on your skin or you ingest them, but the lawsuit is not over yet, so let’s wait and see the results.”

“If Roundup is banned, we will have to abandon harvesting the crops that are currently growing. Roundup is just a herbicide.”

*

Monsanto headquarters.

CEO George convened an emergency meeting with lawyers, legal advisors, and senior executives.

Dr. Nobe, a reviewer for the American Cancer Society’s papers, was invited to provide an explanation.

“The International Agency for Research on Cancer paper cited by the plaintiff is very significant data. Although it was a mouse experiment, it is only a matter of time before it proves that it is harmful to humans with the same physiological functions.”

George clasped his hands together, revealing his anxiety.

In fact, he already knew from internal experiments that glyphosate killed even microorganisms in the body and was actively concealing this information.

So, as a dark joke, he had suggested that humans should also be transplanted with genes resistant to Roundup.

“How long will that take?”

“Well, one year? Two years? It depends on the experiment.”

The lawyer asked Dr. Nobe.

“Not all farmers who used Roundup have developed the disease. What’s the reason for that?”

“Well, the mechanism of cancer development is not fully understood. It is influenced by both genetic and acquired factors.”

“So, even under the same conditions, the effects can vary significantly from person to person?”

“That’s right.”

George’s eyes lit up as he saw an opportunity.

The lawyer from the top law firm, who received a substantial retainer fee, attempted to justify his cost.

“Isn’t it because it acts on human bacteria and is indirectly harmful to immunity, leading to individual differences in susceptibility?”

“That’s correct. Because each person has a different immune system, the degree of immune damage varies.”

CEO George issued the following instructions.

“Let’s settle this in the court of public opinion, not in a real court!”

Monsanto bought advertising space on small broadcasting stations and newspapers and published favorable news interviews.

A farmer stated,

“Why is Roundup harmful? I’ve been spraying it for four years, and I haven’t had any problems. I can’t manage this vast farmland without this herbicide. Banning it would be like burning down the house to catch a flea [an overreaction].”

A livestock farmer said, while feeding corn feed to pigs,

“Is this corn potassium cyanide? The pigs eat well, gain weight, and their fur is shiny. Why should it be banned?”

A retired doctor with the title of ‘Former Chief Researcher at the American Cancer Institute’ stated,

“The results of laboratory mouse experiments have not yet been clearly scientifically proven. The cause of cancer is very complex, including genetics. The harmfulness of Roundup herbicide is largely exaggerated.”

Despite the reports of harmfulness, Monsanto’s stock price plummeted by 27%.

He had expected at least a 50% drop, so the actual decline was less than anticipated.

It didn’t take long to discover the reason why.