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
GMO ‘Right to Know’ movement takes food off of plates of hungry in Africa, Asia
Unsubstantiated fears about the safety of GM crops in developed countries with an over-abundance of food has spread anti-biotech sentiment ...
Asthma and Atopic March Syndrome caused by GMOs? Science says ‘No’
Anti-GMO activists have lumped together a lot of allergic reactions into a syndrome caused by GMOs. Asthma shows how wrong ...
National Academy forum challenges anti-GMO claim that DNA in food ‘invades’ bloodstream
Can science self-correct to protect against sloppy or politicized research? Scientist Mary Mangan discusses the controversy over a study that ...
Newsmax unmasked: How scare stories are manufactured by right wing anti-GMO activists
Anti-GMO propaganda production usually emerges from leftist environmental and activist groups. But they have no peer in the pseudo-science emanating ...
Hollywood celebrities embrace pseudoscience, promote anti-GMO movie “Consumed”
Even as the consensus on the safety of GMO foods grows, a faction in Hollywood appears to be lining up ...
Organic industry and other funders behind Séralini’s anti-GMO studies
Financial support for the release and publicity of the laboratory animal feeding study by Gilles-Eric Séralini comes from a range ...
Scientist deconstructs Séralini’s PLOS GMO study: ‘Failed attempt at redemption’
Séralini's latest paper is a thinly veiled attempt to address the consensus scientific criticism of his previous work, retracted by ...
The anti-Rachel Parent: 10-year-old future scientist counters sea of GMO misinformation
Anti-GMO events are peppered with children holding signs touting the alleged dangers of genetically modified foods. For those who choose ...
Myth busting Foodie Farmer: Do conventional farmers “douse” fields in chemicals?
Conventional farmers, especially those who grow genetically modified crops, are often accused of "dousing" or "drowning" their fields in chemical ...
Could spray on DNA barcoding contain health contamination crises and trace GMOs?
Food contamination outbreaks could be better tracked with a new technology: spraying DNA barcodes directly onto food. It could also ...
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 ...
USDA’s non GMO labeling proposal doesn’t satisfy genuine ‘right to know’
While the Agricultural Department edges towards embracing a new food label, it's missing the opportunity to provide a meaningful 21st ...
Why do foodies love organic food? Because it tastes like McDonald’s!
Two prankster hosts an online comedy show went to an organic food convention and proceeded to pretend they were restaurant ...
Anti-GMO bungle: Claim GM genes pass from food into blood collapses
In 2013, when PLoS One published a research paper, Complete Genes May Pass from Food to Human Blood, anti-GMO activists ...
Genetic modification of trees faces forest of protests
Genetic modification of trees could help mitigate climate change and increase wood and paper production. But opposition to even basic ...
Pro-GMO marchers shocked at unfocused anger of March Against Monsanto protesters
The most striking and at times frightening aspect of the March Against Monsanto was the unfocused vitriol voiced by the ...
Abbott slammed, praised after cutting GMOs from Similac, as competitors assess
Mixed reviews on Abbott's GMO removal decision. Scientists blast it for being hypocritical and anti-science while some anti-GMO groups are ...
Anti-GMO stance by Greenpeace, other environmental activists, worsen climate change
The evidence suggests that GM crops can and do contribute to reducing global climate change. But high profile environmental groups, ...
Scientist mom evaluates Simplot’s GMO Innate potato
The recently approved GMO potato offers some unique advantages, including better color and lower levels of acrylamide, which has been ...
GMO myth busting: Crops (and humans) safely composed of ‘foreign’ genes
A central canon of GMO critics is the belief that transgenics--transferring genes from one species to another--represents a 'crime against ...
‘Natural’ illusions: Biologist’s failed attempt to defend organic food
Swedish writer trained in biology had embraced organic food and farming for years as a safer and healthier alternative to ...
Confessions of former Monsanto employee: “I’m freaking proud of it”
'I used to work for Monsanto. I got to help people better understand a technology that I think holds immense ...
GMO battle: March Against Myths protests March Against Monsanto
Science Power Hour host Vern Blazek interviews Kavin Senapathy, co-founder of March Against Myths About Modification. Known as MAMyths, the ...
Gary Hirshberg’s Stonyfield faces hypocrisy backlash over misleading labels
Glass house alert: Stonyfield's yogurts are filled with unknown and unlabeled chemicals. Shouldn't you "just label it", Gary? ...
Transgenic solution to virus-threatened African cassava faces anti-GMO protests
The cassava, a key African staple especially valued because of its drought tolerance, is threatened by numerous viruses. Conventional agriculture ...
Organic foods claimed nutritional benefits rest on shaky anti-oxidant study
High Antioxidant meta-study criticized for being too inclusive, for not dismissing studies with flawed methodology used to support boasting claims ...
Sustainable household products? Not if anti-GMO “green” groups have their way
The latest “green” household cleaning products are using cutting-edge biotechnology to become more environmentally friendly—but criticism from “green groups” could ...
