WSJ: U.S. closes antitrust investigation into seed industry, Monsanto.

[proverbialwisdom]

2. "...that gives politicians cover to take these actions” - INCOMPLETE story and passing the buck.

Clearly, **scientists and public health advocates** could use cover, too. Farmers aren't the only ones being rolled. Examples abound, most recently in the news a lawsuit for food 'defamation' miring a solo microbiologist. Where are his professional colleagues?

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/abc-news-sued-pink-slime-370126

ABC News Sued for $1.2 Billion Over Report on 'Pink Slime'

10:48 AM PDT 9/13/2012
by Eriq Gardner

Beef manufacturer claims defamation in March report that led to consumer uprising against a processed beef product.

ABC has been hit with a $1.2 billion lawsuit over "pink slime."

Beef Products Inc., a South Dakota-based boneless-lean-beef giant, has sued the network as well as news anchor Diane Sawyer and several correspondents for news reports that allegedly have caused the company harm.

Until March, much of the ground beef in supermarkets, many restaurants and school lunches used a meat product some have called "pink slime," which includes the use of fillers and trimmings, plus ammonia to kill bacteria. Then, ABC featured it, leading to a big consumer backlash.

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The lawsuit also targets Gerald Zirnstein, the USDA microbiologist who came up with the term "pink slime" and gave an interview to ABC.

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