Why Is Congress Protecting Big (Genetic Engineering) Business, Ignoring Consumer Concerns?

Despite the fact that transgenic (or genetic) engineering in agriculture has proven disappointing, writes N.Y. Times blogger Mark Bittman, big corporations like Monsanto have gotten Congress to protect the use of the technology – most recently in the funding bill that President Obama signed. A “disgraceful” rider in the huge piece of legislation bars the USDA from stopping production of any GE crop once it’s been planted, even if evidence suggests it could be harmful. With so many questions about the usefulness and potential dangers of GE in farming, Bittman wonders, why is Congress protecting big corporations instead of the public interest?