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
Mimicking Climategate, anti-GMO activists fund legal attack on biotech academics
US Right to Know, funded mostly by organic activists, is using the Freedom of Information Act to target scientists it ...
The Original Frankenfoods: Origins of Our Fear of Genetic Engineering
The anti-GMO community has gotten a lot of propaganda mileage out of demonizing GM crops as Frankenstein's creation. GLP guest ...
Rethinking “pro-GMO” and “anti-GMO” labels
Journalists and commentators often use the terms "anti-GMO" and "pro-GMO" as shorthand to guide the reader through ideological thickets. But ...
Will Tanzania follow Burkina Faso in embracing GM crops to fight ravaging diseases?
There is a groundswell of popular support for crop biotechnology among African farmers, with Uganda and Burkina Faso the most ...
Anti-GMO sociologists mute attacks on biotech, urge greater sensitivity to cultural impacts
At the National Research Council's public webinar on GM crops, three sociologists, known for their concerns about the cultural impact ...
Is there a future for eco-friendly genetically engineered fish and animals? Maybe not.
Animal biotech has been stifled by political opposition. Could technological advances that move away from classic genetic engineering to novel ...
Call for action: It’s time to March Against the March Against Monsanto
March Against Monsanto has evolved into a cultural event symbolizing the most strident and scientifically questionable side of the anti-technology ...
African elites blame early puberty on GMOs, sabotaging nutrition-enhanced cassava, matooke
It is fashionable in Africa to blame everyinexplicable heath condition on genetic engineered food. It's part of a campaign organized ...
Scientific consensus on GMO safety stronger than for global warming, PEW research center finds
Scientists blame the media and the lack of quality K-12 STEM education for large differences between public opinion and scientific ...
GLP radio interview: Girl Scouts refuse to bow to activist pressure to go non-GMO
On Agri-Talk radio, GLP's Jon Entine discusses the Girl Scouts' decision to rebuff anti-GMO activists who are demanding they remove ...
Pests invade Europe after neonicotinoids ban, with no benefit to bee health
The neonics ban in Europe may be backfiring as farmers turn topesticides that had been phased out because of potentially ...
Indian Eco-Goddess Vandana Shiva, charging $40,000 a speech, takes anti-GMO crusade to Hawaii
"What could be more basic to freedom than food freedom and food democracy?” declared Indian anti-GMO activist megastar Vandana Shiva ...
GMO Myth: Farmers “drown” crops in “dangerous” glyphosate. Fact: They use eye droppers
Anti-GMO activists and even some media reports claim that farmers growing GM crops "douse" their fields in "dangerous chemicals," glyphosate ...
Will “non natural” synbio dairy products face same skepticism as GMOs?
Dairy-free genetically modified milk and cheese products could appeal to vegans' environmental sensibilities. But they also face pushback over concerns ...
Forget GMOs: Surgeon General has determined that DNA is dangerous to your health!
OMG! Deoxyribonucleic acid risks contaminating all of our food. Where is Gary Hirshberg when we REALLY need him! Just Label ...
Girls Scouts reject attempts by anti-GMO parents to use their kids in fear campaign
The Girl Scouts cookie-selling fund-raising season kicked off this week, again pitting anti-GMO moms against the venerable scouting organization in ...
Could genetically engineered chickens reverse the avian flu epidemic?
Genetically engineered chicken could be more effective than vaccines at preventing transmissions of avian flu—a disease that can be devastating ...
Why Britain is going its own way on GMOs
Britain will grow GMOs now the EU compromise is official. Support in Britain over the last few years has only ...
Cornucopia Institute: Organic farms industrializing–As sustainability benefits of GMO crops rise
According to key organic supporters, organic farming is no longer the idyllic image that the multi-billion dollar industry promotes. And ...
African Christian asks: Is genetic engineering contrary to the Bible?
In Africa, where the battle over GMOs is intensifying, some critics claim genetic engineering violates Christian dogma. Is that accurate? ...
Anti anti-GMO organic farmer’s 2015 plea: ‘Let’s end the war over food’
I can't really tell if it was the "packed with pesticides" or the "bashing mom bashes good" phrase that finally ...
Will my child be born autistic if I eat GMOs? A scientist’s view
The Internet is aflame with claims linking autism to GMOs and the herbicide glyphosate, frightening many parents. Contributing columnist and ...
Avoiding “foreign genes” trap: Tale of two potatoes highlights new era of GE crops
J.R. Simplot’s recently approved Innate potato could be the first in a new generation of GMO crops bred using new ...
Mother’s science-based view: Organics and Whole Foods are ‘scam of the decade’
"USDA Certified Organic." These words may conjure notions of wholesomeness, healthiness, freshness and responsible consumer habits. So why is this ...
Are we facing a ‘world without wild bees’?
The bee crisis story keeps morphing. At first, we faced global beemageddon with commercial honeybees at risk. With evidence dimming ...
Bee experts shred ‘Harvard’ neonics-Colony Collapse Disorder study, upbraid journalists for ‘activist science’
North America's most prominent bee experts challenge a well-publicized 'Harvard study' that blamed neonicotinoids for bee deaths and Colony Collapse ...
Climate change: Are forestry and agriculture (and GMOs) part of the problem or a solution?
To address climate change, solutions must be found in agriculture. Sustainable intensification of agriculture, including the use of GMOs, could ...
