I don't know the effects, and I don't believe you do either, but we do know that they managed to change legislation so that gmo foods are not subject to normal fda testing. The unintended ripple effect could be very long term, with the problems already here, the causal connection not realized, or changes that don't show up for generations. We are basically making significant and permanent changes to the genetic makeup of our food supply, something quite different from the natural and gradual evolutionary changes in dna which take place within a species. Monsanto knows, using their revolving door into key government positions, that if there are unintended repercussions, they will get nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Just another giant filling their purse in our too-big-to-fail culture.
However there cannot be any doubt right now that they are clearly overstepping their bounds in creating a monopoly on food. I would consider the right to grow food, gather seeds, etc, a part of our natural heritage as human beings. Controlling that is like claiming ownership of the atmosphere and charging people to breathe.
