Here's some excerpts from a speech a while back by E. Ann Clark  - the full text can be seen at: http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/www/CRSC/faculty/eac/biotech.htm  

 "....Insider Trading? It is difficult to envision how government decisions can be made impartially and objectively - with societal and environmental interests in the forefront - when people in positions of high authority frequently have such strong ties to industry. A brief listing of key people who have migrated between the biotech industry and the USDA, the FDA, or the EPA in recent years would include Linda Fisher (EPA to Monsanto); Val Giddings (USDA to BIO), Terrence Harvey (FDA to Monsanto), Margaret Miller (Monsanto to FDA), Keith Reding (USDA to Monsanto), Michael Taylor (lawyer representing Monsanto to USDA)..."

Now George W. has Linda coming round again...
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Bush names Monsanto executive for senior EPA job
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
May 2, 2001

WASHINGTON - An executive with Monsanto Co , a leading developer of biotech foods, has been nominated for the second-ranking job at the Environmental Protection Agency, the White House said yesterday.

Linda Fisher, who worked for the EPA for 10 years before heading Monsanto's Washington lobbying office, was nominated for the post of deputy administrator. Fisher also served on a U.S. Agriculture Department advisory committee on biotech foods.

One of the major issues currently before the EPA is a request from Aventis SA to approve a genetically-modified corn known as StarLink for human consumption. StarLink, a variety altered to repel pests, was barred from human food in 1998 due to concerns that it might trigger allergic reactions in some people.

The discovery of StarLink contamination in taco shells last autumn  prompted a massive recall of more than 300 kinds of snack chips, corn flour and  other foods. Aventis contends the corn is safe and poses no risk to people who  eat it.

The EPA, which regulates plants altered to produce their own pesticides,  is also considering whether to renew the registration of Bt corn, cotton and potato varieties that were approved six years ago. The registrations are  set to expire in September.

The White House also nominated two others for key posts at the EPA.

Stephen Johnson, who is currently acting assistant administrator, was nominated to be assistant administrator for pesticides.

Jeffrey Holmstead, a White House adviser during the first Bush presidency, was nominated to be assistant administrator for air and radiation.

In addition to the EPA, the Bush administration nominated James  Connaughton to head the Council of Environmental Quality. Connaughton, an  environmental lawyer, has been a lead negotiator during the past seven years on a U.S. advisory group to the International Standards Organization on  environmental standards.

The U.S. Senate must confirm all presidential nominees.