A September 5 article by Eric Lipton in the New York Times, “Food Industry Enlisted Academics in G.M.O. Lobbying War, Emails Show,” accusing Kevin Folta of lobbying for Monsanto GMO products is misleading at best. Folta, professor and chairman of the horticultural sciences department at the University of Florida, is one of the few academics doing what the rest of us should be doing–educating the public about the science behind agriculture.
Modern agriculture requires the introduction of management practices that increase sustainability along with crop improvement. Crop species have been genetically modified since hunter-and-gatherer societies around the globe settled down and began the process of domestication; a process that has produced present day crops. During the last century plant breeders have accelerated the genetic modification of crops by introducing genes from wild species to develop disease and insect resistant varieties, and to introduce other desirable characters.
The generation of transgenic crops, commonly referred to as GMOs, is just another tool that has been used by American agriculture for over 20 years without a single scientific report indicating ill effects. According to the National Academy of Sciences and more than 200 other global organizations, the current GMO crops are safe for human consumption, and they are subject to FDA, USDA and EPA approval prior to being allowed into our food supply.
Kevin Folta reaches out to the public to explain the scientific aspects of agriculture, including those involving GMO technology. This is no different from academics educating the public on the science behind vaccinations or water fluoridation. Providing accurate scientific information to the public doesn’t turn a public sector scientist into a lobbyist for any particular industry. This is rather a critical mission of Land Grant Universities. As chair of our department, Kevin Folta exemplifies the Land Grant mission by promoting research in all aspects of horticulture, including best management practices for sustainable and organic farming. We want to express our full-hearted support for his scientific and professional integrity, and his commitment to educate the public at large.
Jeff Brecht, Professor
Jose Chaparro, Associate Professor
Christine Chase, Professor
Rebecca Darnell, Professor, Associate Chair
Robert Ferl, Professor, ICBR Director
Curt Hannah, Adjunct Professor
Donald J. Huber Professor
Harry Klee, Eminent Scholar
Karen Koch, Professor
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Donald McCarty, Professor
Gloria Moore, Professor, PMCB Director
Jim Olmstead, Assistant Professor
Mercy Olmstead, Assistant Professor
AnnaLisa Paul, Research Associate Professor
Bala Rathinasabapathi, Professor
Steven Sargent, Professor, Assistant Chair
A. Mark Settles, Professor
C. Eduardo Vallejos, Associate Professor
Jeffrey Williamson, Professor
Lincoln Zotarelli, Assistant Professor
