Food & Ag 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
What should we call lab-grown meat? Our decision could help or hinder food innovation
The Dirt: We need protein as part of a healthy diet— and many of us turn to meat as a ...
Golden Rice is coming. Finally! Will it be the game-changer hinted at for almost 20 years?
Having a staple crop that delivers adequate nutrition is a necessary precondition to fixing poverty ...
Viewpoint: Like it or not, technology is what gives us the crops that we eat
The “natural narrative” on food packaging is a complete fiction ...
Predatort Part II: How predatory lawyers, activist scientists hijacked IARC—International Agency for Research on Cancer—for personal profit and ideological vanity
How the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has forsaken academic integrity and knowingly contributes to the Predatort litigation ...
Viewpoint: Controversy flares over activist ‘predatort lawyers’ who ‘massaged facts’ in the Monsanto-glyphosate case
Lawyers often use a certain breed of self-interested scientist to terrify a jury of vulnerable non-specialists ...
How genetic engineering can help Africa cope with climate change by tweaking crops, animals
The impact of climate change on African crops could be mitigated by GE technologies ...
A tricky study about links between GMO rejectionism and education, and evidence the biotech debate may not be as ideologically polarized as most people think
Before we do an end-zone dance over this study, let's look at its limitations ...
Nigeria has its first GMO cowpea. The battle for public acceptance is just getting started
A war of words over a recently-released genetically modified cowpea has divided the Nigerian public and raised concerns about the ...
Talking Biotech: Epidemiologist Geoffrey Kabat debunks flawed glyphosate-cancer meta-analysis. Were the mistakes deliberate?
A skeptical look at the latest glyphosate-cancer study reveals critical errors ...
From a sustainability perspective, GMO AquaBounty salmon should be a ‘dream come true’. Why do environmentalists oppose it?
The flip-flop by Food and Water Watch and other advocacy groups rests not on environmental or science-based concerns but on ...
Viewpoint: Pervert science at your peril—anti-GMO campaigners, vaccine deniers and ‘bee-pocalypse’ scaremongers find common ground in ‘evidence rejectionism’
Widespread misunderstanding of the nature of science and the confirmation bias spawned by social media and the internet can have ...
Séralini pseudoscience syndicate: Lessons learned from decade-long assault on biotechnology orchestrated by French geneticist
A look at Séralini's modus operandi can equip journalists and other interested observers to turn a critical eye on Séralini ...
Infographic: Are genetically engineered crops less safe than classically-bred food?
Crops and foods today are not what they used to look like. Farmers and plant breeders have been modifying plant ...
41% glyphosate-cancer increase claim under fire: Did authors of new meta-study deliberately manipulate data or just botch their analysis?
Among other lapses, The Zhang paper does not mention the serious science and ethical questions raised pertaining to IARC’s assessment ...
Why neonicotinoid pesticides don’t deserve a ‘deadly to bees’ label
While some activists blame the popular class of pesticides for bee deaths, research suggests there are many contributing factors. And ...
Viewpoint: Here’s why we don’t have to worry about a world without insects
Recent headlines about the coming collapse of the insect world are another case of extrapolation from inadequate data ...
Viewpoint: Why the USDA’s new ‘GMO label’ is meaningless
A meaningless label you want, a meaningless label you shall have ...
Deep dive into the science and history of Monsanto’s glyphosate-based weed killer
The science behind the product, the fight over glyphosate, and the research behind the formulations ...
Rebellion against Europe’s ‘innovation-killing’ crop gene editing regulations grows among scientists, frustrated member states
Will Europe continue to be a science backwater? Does gene editing have a future in this part of the world? ...
Reality check: Eating locally grown food isn’t always the most sustainable option
Eating local has not achieved its goal of reducing emissions through fewer food miles. The fix could include embracing genetic ...
Viewpoint: Do organic farms really produce ‘chemical free, healthier food’?
The multi-billion-dollar organic industry is thriving in large part because of dishonesty ...
Inside Nigeria’s efforts to protect its cowpea harvest with nation’s first genetically engineered seeds
The release of the GM cowpea will significantly improve livelihoods. But not everyone is happy ...
Conservation agriculture and why we must move beyond the organic vs. conventional debate
How can journalists navigate the 'pitched battle' between organic advocates and biotechnology? Focus on real measures of sustainability, not polemical ...
Question of liability: Why researchers are worried about Uganda’s new biotech act
Uganda’s Genetic Engineering Regulatory Act has sent a cold chill down the spines of scientists who dream of creating new ...
6 common misconceptions about the ‘dangers’ of genetic engineering and GMOs
Why does the GMO debate have a bit of Groundhog Day aspect to it? The way the issues are framed ...
Proposed U.S. regulation of gene-edited food animals is not fit for purpose
Both plant and animal breeders need access to gene editing tools to introduce sustainability traits ...
Viewpoint: Developing nations face onslaught of ‘fake news’ targeting GMOs
A recent article co-authored by a prominent Malaysian economist propagated several popular myths about GMOs. A Malaysian scientist and communicator ...
