Food & Agriculture Features
The GLP explores the role of genetic engineering in food production and the polarized debate surrounding it. We highlight the work of our own writers, as well as that of contributors from around the Web. The GLP does not take a position on genetics-related issues; any opinions expressed belong to the authors.
Categories include:
- Chemicals and pesticides
- Organics
- Conventional crops
- New breeding technologies
- Animal biotechnology
- Food systems
- Sustainability
- Regulations
- Politics
- Ideology
Viewpoint: Democrats’ GMO labeling push is an embarrassment to pro-science progressives
A group of House Democrats, who called the proposed federal GMO labeling standards 'weak' and 'confusing,' are being urged not ...
‘There is no contradiction to being a vegan and eating GMO foods’
Should vegans support GMOs and biotechnology in agriculture as a means to optimize agriculture and minimize suffering and pain of ...
Viewpoint: Netflix movie Okja stokes unwarranted GMO fears, promotes anti-science worldview
The film about a fictitious evil corporation called "Mirando" that genetically engineers dangerous "superpigs" for food encapsulates all of the ...
Banana wilt, GMOs and Food Evolution: Behind the scenes in Uganda profiling desperate plight of poor farmers
Despite claims by anti-GMO activists who say crop biotechnology mostly benefits big corporations, African farmers and poor people are the ...
Ecomodernist podcast: Food Evolution film about ‘confirmation bias’ in foodie and anti-GMO community
One of the more surprising reactions to the documentary--and disappointing to scientists--came from organic and agroecology supporters who called it ...
Epigenetics Around the Web: Should farmers use vinegar, instead of genetically engineered solutions, to protect crops from drought?
A new study being peddled by anti-GMO activists suggests that table vinegar may be equal or superior to advanced breeding ...
When genetic engineering is the environmentally friendly choice
The newest generation of genetically engineered crops, using CRISPR gene editing, can help farmers fight pests with only minimal changes ...
Vitamins, nutrients can be harder to find in organic, non-GMO foods
Supply chain issues -- and restrictions imposed by anti-GMO groups -- may be responsible for what appears to be a ...
Food Evolution interview: Could ‘pro science’ documentary inspire a pro-GMO food movement?
Food Evolution director Scott Hamilton Kennedy talks with the Genetic Literacy Project about the film's funding, and challenges the "ruthless ...
Food Evolution director Scott Hamilton Kennedy: ‘I wanted to reset the debate’ over food and farming
Oscar-nominated director talks with the Genetic Literacy Project about the reaction his documentary has received, both from GMO critics and ...
Behind the NY Times glyphosate fiasco: Why anti-GMO activists turned on Ben & Jerry’s
The pile-on against Ben & Jerry's — "outed" for having traces of glyphosate in its ice creams — seems like ...
Herbicide-tainted Ben & Jerry’s ice cream? NY Times falls for anti-science group’s dubious attack on glyphosate
The Organic Consumers Association uses junk science testing organization to claim ice cream contains trace parts-per-billion of glyphosate—at least tens ...
Viewpoint: California activists ‘gamed system’ to get glyphosate herbicide labeled as carcinogen
Environmental activists found the perfect targets to help them defame the popular herbicide glyphosate — widely-accepted as safe — in ...
Dicamba drift fiasco: Example of failed GMO-related chemical technology?
Several states have banned the use of a recently reformulated dicamba herbicide after farmers complained about damaging chemical drift. Identifying ...
Opinion: Anti-GMO documentaries on Hawaii farming warp reality
A movement in Hawaii promotes the romanticized view that the world can be fed locally and without farm pesticides and ...
Making the case for sustainability in ‘industrial agriculture’
Attacks on GMOs are often a proxy for criticisms of globalization, synthetic chemicals and what has come to be called ...
15 years after debuting GMO crops, Colombia’s switch has benefited farmers and environment
GM crops saved water, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and provided farmers and the rest of Colombia with a variety of ...
With GMO insect-resistant sugarcane approval, Brazilian farmers poised to reap benefits of biotech pipeline
With the approval of Brazil's fourth genetically-engineered crop--insect-resistant sugarcane--Brazil is emerging as the most genetically innovative developing country ...
How Berkeley-led academics conspired with anti-GMO groups to attack Food Evolution movie
Emails show the Pesticide Action Network, Center for Food Safety, and Friends of the Earth helped write and promote a ...
Monoculture: Do intensive farming and GMOs really threaten biodiversity?
Many critics claim GMOs increase the practice of monoculture cropping, but is this accurate? Does intensive farming damage our land ...
15 tips to better communicate about GMOs with the public
Plant pathology professor Paul Vincelli shares what social science research and his years of experience have taught him about communication ...
Activists attack humanitarian ‘GMO’ corn shipment to Haiti — but seeds aren’t genetically engineered
The Non-GMO Project attacked the government of Haiti for approving a humanitarian shipment of high-yield conventional corn, claiming the seeds ...
Transgenic fish are ready for us. Are we ready for them?
After overcoming two decades of regulatory and legal challenges, AquaBounty now faces the ultimate tests as it prepares for the ...
Is it true there are no long term GMO safety studies?
Anti-GMO activists call for longer animal feed studies to assess the safety of GMOs. But are longer tests really necessary? ...
Harmful, beneficial or no effect? Flawed European bees and neonicotinoids study could be misused to support ban
A widely-discussed 3-country study showed no clear impact of neonics on bees. Why did the authors appear to explain away ...
Backlash to flawed ‘landmark’ European neonicotinoid study: Inconclusive data suggest both health benefits and harm
Upside down news: A backlash by independent scientists has begun to emerge, challenging sensational accounts of a 'landmark' European field ...
Global hunger challenge requires mix of high-tech, GM and organic methods
As the world's population booms, solutions are needed to feed an additional 2 billion humans by 2050. Can organic and ...
