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
Scientist finds ‘genetically modified beauty’ everywhere at plant nursery
Your local commercial nursery has plants with an amazing array of colors and shapes--and most of these flowers and plants ...
Biotechnology could remove dirty feet from Uganda’s beloved beer
Ugandans make beer by squishing banana's with their feet. But biotech may be able to offer a better way that ...
No-till agriculture offers vast sustainability benefits. So why do many organic farmers reject it?
Conservation-minded farmers are embracing what is called no-till agriculture, which dramatically improves water retention and cuts down on greenhouse gas ...
GMOs not natural? FDA ponders science, public perceptions in evaluating label revision
The FDA is reviewing the definition of 'natural' as it pertains to food. Should it include foods made with genetic ...
In California, glyphosate phobia results in hazmat suits, respirators to protect against organic chemicals
GMO and glyphosate opponents in tiny Petaluma in Sonoma County are replacing a safe synthetic pesticide with a natural one ...
Former GMO exec: Industry-initiated universal labeling would dissolve fears
Universal labeling by industry will lead to a broader acceptance of how science and nature mutually support a better and ...
Organic farmer’s plea for coexistence: Sustainability benefits using conventional and organics
An organic farmer speaks out on the similarities between conventional and organic--and the benefits farmers can receive from using both ...
In wake of National Academies’ GMO report, is public skepticism of biotech waning?
A number of recent events have seemed to shift public sentiment favorable towards GMOs. What is behind this change? ...
Amish use GMOs, pesticides yet cancer rates remain very low
Amish farmers may not get cancer as much, but it's not because they don't use pesticides or GMOs. In fact, ...
Tanzanian women battle virus-fighting “liberator” cassava but challenges loom
With the introduction of GMO crops still stalled in Tanzania, farmers and scientists are pressing ahead with alternative advanced farming ...
Science by news release: Media miss on bee “extinction” reports
One year drop in bee hive numbers after recent steady gains does not mean "extinction" on the horizon ...
Why did global GMO crop acreage decline in 2015?
A recent report stated that acreage for genetically modified crops declined in 2015, does this mean farmers are moving away ...
9 misdirected arguments against GMOs that really reflect modern and organic ag issues
When discussing GMOs, many arguments are put forth on why they are “bad” and should be avoided. A molecular geneticist ...
Targeting agricultural weeds at the genetic level could slow herbicide resistance
Understanding how weeds evolve to become invasive and herbicide-resistant at the genetic level can help scientists design better weed controls ...
Gene edited hornless cow improve animal welfare but regulatory fate unclear
A new publication reports how scientists created healthy, hornless cows via gene editing. These cows could improve animal welfare on ...
D-Day approaches for Uganda’s Biosafety law, which could pave way for GMO crops
Ugandan scientists allied with farmers and students clash with anti-GMO activists over long-delayed biosafety bill that could lead to introduction ...
How does popular organic pesticide copper sulfate compare to synthetic ones like glyphosate?
Organic farming is not chemical free; one popular organic fungicide is copper sulfate. How does it work and how does ...
Boulder, Colorado farmers find benefits and drawbacks to both GMOs and organic crops
For farmers, the GMO vs organic debate in Boulder County is not black-and-white. Rather, it is shades of gray, with ...
Emails reveal activists’ role in changing Whole Foods’ ‘Responsibly Grown’ standards
Last year, Whole Foods changed its Responsibly Grown label. Now emails show activists and researcher Charles Benbrook were heavily involved ...
View from the farm: Why conventional and organic farmers don’t want to save seeds
A common criticism of GMOs is that corporations force farmers to buy new seeds every year. But do farmers actually ...
Why vitamins and nutrients are disappearing from non-GMO food
Non-GMO and organic food have always been more expensive, but why is it now less nutritious too? ...
Gary Ruskin and Jon Entine tangle over the GMO corporate connection
US Right to Know attacks GLP's Jon Entine as a 'corporate shill' and Entine responds, focusing on transparency and science ...
GMOs, seed availability, national security concerns threaten Syngenta-ChemChina deal
In a merger of a Swiss agricultural company and a Chinese state-owned chemical company, the U.S. may be the biggest ...
Turning the potential of ‘big data’ in agriculture into farmer and consumer benefits
The marriage of data and agriculture has failed, so far, to deliver on its promises. It needs to demonstrate an ...
Differences between non-GMO and organic: More profits for farmer, more costs for consumers
Organic food always has cost more than conventional food. Now, a new player, the Non-GMO label, may make prices go ...
Did CRISPR gene-edited mushroom really “escape” regulation?
The USDA decided it will not regulate a CRISPR gene edited mushroom. Is this an example of a failure of ...
Two moms on how Kevin Folta inspired their pro-biotech science writing and advocacy
Two science advocates explain why Kevin Folta deserved the 2016 CAST Borlaug Agricultural Communications Award he was awarded on April ...
