Agriculture & Food
We eat to live. Humans use approximately 11% of Earth’s land for the cultivation of crops for food, but also for clothing, medicine and biofuels. Globally, major crops include sugarcane, pumpkin, maize (corn), wheat, rice, cassava, soybeans, hay, potatoes and cotton.
Below is the complete archive of related articles sorted by date.
CRISPR gene editing used to genetically modify trees to protect their health
Researchers at the University of Georgia have used a gene editing tool known as CRISPR/Cas9 to modify the genome of ...
Farmers need to regain control of seeds, public plant breeding research
During last year’s Farm Bill debate, Sen. Jon Tester introduced an amendment to clarify a proposal from the previous Farm ...
Vani Hari and Kavin Senapathy debate which is better—Organic or GMOs?
Are genetically modified foods necessary to feed the world's growing population and organic foods just too expensive and gimmicky? Or ...
Better question than GMO debate: Are global crops genetically diverse enough?
The highly polarized GM debate too often devolves into good vs. evil, or corporate vs. small and organic farmers. The ...
America is experiencing its worst bird flu outbreak ever: Why aren’t we more concerned?
Which epidemic has caused Americans greater anxiety: the Ebola outbreak, which began last year in Africa and has killed thousands ...
Talking Biotech: Engineering hornless cows; Blueberry origins
Hornless cattle gene editing: Alison Van Eenennaam; Domestic blueberries: Paul Lyrene ...
Organic farming nets higher income than conventional farming, despite lower yields
According to a study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), organic agriculture earns farmers ...
Genome editing preemptively fights disease in African cattle
Animal diseases cost cash-strapped African farmers about $300 billion a year in lost income and veterinary bills. Now scientists are ...
African indigenous vegetables are genetic treasure trove of nutrition, hardiness
In Nairobi, indigenous vegetables were once sold almost exclusively at hard-to-find specialized markets; and although these plants have been favoured ...
Synbio technology’s potential benefits for food, medicine come with safety implications
Irene Mendoza and David Gillum from ASU’s Environmental Health and Safety Office were featured speakers at the June 3-6 Asociación ...
Ontario to phase out neonics use to improve bee health
Ontario is moving to take the sting out of pesticides that are killing bees. On July 1, the province will ...
Breeding barley for antioxidants could make healthier, longer lasting pita bread
Healthier and longer lasting pita bread may be the outcome of barley research underway at the University of Adelaide's Waite ...
GM crops: One divisive issue that stands in way of US-EU free trade deal
Food safety is a major stumbling block in EU-U.S. talks aimed at creating the world's biggest free trade zone. The ...
Anti-GMO ecology activists reject BBC’s Panorama portraying them as ‘fear mongers’
The pro-GM bias of the BBC was plain to see during Monday's (8th June) Panorama programme 'GM Food - Cultivating ...
How GM labeling could bankrupt small Vermont dairy farm
As a farmer in Vermont, I'm worried that a senseless food label will ultimately put our family farm out of ...
Tanzania removes GM research obstacles for scientists
The Tanzanian government has removed the strict liability clause in the Environmental Management (Biosafety) Regulations of 2009 to enable researchers conduct ...
BBC Panorama blasts anti-GMO activists for ignoring science underscoring turning point on biotech reporting
BBC's takedown of activist environmentalists for their rejection of safe and environmentally sustainable crops is the latest in a series ...
Bee breeders select genetic qualities that help colonies stave off varroa mites
The plight of the threatened honeybee was made a national priority last month when President Obama announced the first National ...
How science of GMOs can refine our environmental values
Many humans care deeply for the environment, and I really appreciate that sentiment. In order for us to have the ...
GMO ban in Oregon county in effect, but officials say they aren’t enforcing it
Saturday is the first day people in Jackson County, Oregon, can alert county officials about violations of the ban on ...
Floating farms: New take on old tech to feed world?
The global population looks likely to hit 9.6 billion by 2050. To meet the hungry demands of so many, food ...
Why we need a ‘dispassionate’ look at GMOs
Despite myriad assurances from scientists that foods containing genetically modified ingredients are safe to eat, consumers are likely to see ...
Project aims to develop biotech disease-resistant potato to pass both US and EU regulations
Spuds are a staple diet for many people on Earth. While potatoes seem like robust vegetables, they’re actually pretty susceptible ...
Monsanto suggests new UK headquarters, new name to lure Syngenta to accept merger deal
Monsanto, the U.S. seed and agrochemicals group known for its genetically modified crops, wants to switch its headquarters from the ...
The sustainability case for “industrial agriculture”
Attacks on GMOs is often a proxy for criticisms of globalization, corporate agriculture, synthetic chemicals. But these debates often lose ...
Why Neil Young’s viral anti-Monsanto and Starbucks song is wrong on GMO safety
Neil Young blew up the Internet this past weekend with the video release of “A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee ...
