Jeffery Smith is a personality with no scientific training that has used disinformation to taint an important public discussion on biotechnology for over 25 years.
One of the ways he does this is to hijack legitimate scientific venues, making them think he conveys actual information.
He then uses their media to push his false information that ultimately affects the public trust in food, farming and medicine.
[Recently,] Smith was a guest on the Finding Genius Podcast, a podcast that features some excellent discussions with actual researchers.Smith and others like him have targeted science podcasts to promote their non-scientific ideas, using established scientific conduits to promulgate false claims.
The point of this podcast is:
- Illuminate how Smith propagates false information with uncited generalities, misrepresentation of actual science and innuendo.
- Demonstrate how he (and folks like him) exploit credulous podcast/media hosts to gain an audience that may be unfamiliar with their misrepresentation of science and to promote their books/websites/documentaries.
- To show how a reasonable podcast can fall prey to those that push false claims for agenda, politics and profits.
Kevin M. Folta is a professor, keynote speaker and podcast host. Follow Professor Folta on Twitter @kevinfolta
A version of this article was originally posted at Talking Biotech and has been reposted here with permission. Talking Biotech can be found on Twitter @talkingbiotech
The Talking Biotech podcast, produced by Kevin Folta, is available for listening or subscription:
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