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
Viewpoint: ‘Blistering’ USDA organic report suggests ‘movement’ needs major reforms
The USDA report detailing poor oversight by the agency’s National Organic Program challenges the belief that consumers can trust organic ...
Targeting weeds at the genetic level aids battle against herbicide resistance
Understanding how weeds evolve to become invasive and herbicide-resistant at the genetic level can help scientists design better weed controls ...
Ugandan journalist: How do you report on crop biotechnology when critics spread misinformation?
Genetic engineering could help Uganda combat some of its toughest food security challenges. But anti-GMO activists' misinformation campaigns are standing ...
Did GMO connection prompt Gates Foundation to halt support for corn-aflatoxin breakthrough?
When Gates Foundation reviewers rejected a researcher's bid for new funding, one of the reasons cited was a concern over ...
Left and right share anti-science instincts, rooted in fears of ideological misuse
Anti-science views have been increasingly embraced by political factions, left and right. Both harbor deep suspicions of government, industry and ...
9 misdirected arguments against GMOs
When discussing GMOs, many arguments are put forth on why they are “bad” and should be avoided. A molecular geneticist ...
Viewpoint: Anti-GMO online series promotes fear and ‘less sustainable’ farming
Works like the recently released "GMOs Revealed" are making it more difficult for new agricultural techniques to gain widespread acceptance ...
Hidden hunger: How anti-GMO activists are blocking humanitarian biofortification in Africa and Asia
Many crops grown in the developing world are deficient in nutritional qualities--which makes biofortification critical if we hope to improve ...
Suffering for the love of birds: A scientist’s battle to save birds — and now her career
PETA begins to harass and intimidate a rising researcher in the field of animal behavior, scientist Kevin Folta urges the ...
Viewpoint: Outdated regulations responsible for recall, destruction of harmless GE petunias
An outdated policy leading to the destruction of 50 varieties of harmless flowers provides evidence that regulatory GMO practices need ...
Does Uganda need GMOs? Scientists look to gene editing to spur innovation
Even as scientists in Uganda and other African countries aggressively push for approvals of new disease-fighting GMO crops, the focus ...
Monsanto shill alert: Does industry funded GMO research bias findings?
Can consumers trust "independent" studies funded by corporations that have found genetically modified foods safe? Anti-GMO activists say 'no.' But ...
Uganda: From scorching drought to ravaging worms, poor pay the price for missing out on a biotech solution
The food and famine crisis is finally bringing to a head the clash between anti-GMO activists, mostly European based, and ...
Vulnerable system? What if world’s breadbaskets experience crop failure at same time?
Less than 25 percent of Earth’s cropland produces nearly 75% of the staple crops that feed us. Are globalization and ...
The story behind the well-funded opposition to block AquaBounty’s sustainable GMO salmon
Opposition to the world's first GMO animal approved for human consumption was fueled by a variety of sources --from quacks ...
Viewpoint: Anti-GMO movement—and label demands—lose steam under Republican administration
The new administration has chosen to follow the analysis of the National Academy of Sciences, which found no material or ...
Why we need peaceful co-existence between GMOs and organics
Could organic and GM farming step past the rhetoric and vitriol, and co-exist? The science says yes ...
‘GMOs Revealed’: Documentary series delivers familiar arguments from the fringe
Multi-part documentary series will be rolled out over nine days, offering familiar voices from the anti-GMO fringe ...
Using Freedom of Information Act to target biotech scientists boomerangs against anti-GMO activists
Teacher Stephan Neidenbach reflects on his experiences using--and being targeted by—Freedom of Information Act requests, the technique commandeered by US ...
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 ...
