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
FDA proposal to regulate gene edited animals is ‘nonsensical’
Genetic modification of animals is heavily regulated -- so much so that only one major innovation has been approved by ...
Addressing GMO concerns: Will Big Ag let farmers save seeds?
There is a certain emotional appeal to the idea that nobody should be able to patent foods. But how would ...
Addressing GMO concerns: Are agricultural chemicals hazardous, overused?
This is the second in a series that explores common objections to GMOs that are found on the internet. This ...
Addressing GMO concerns: Are foods “made in labs” the same as those “made by nature”
This is the first in a series that explores common objections to GMOs that are found on the internet. The ...
3 disease resistant GMOs could address climate change and save farmers billions
The next generation of genetically engineered crops--if technology skeptics do not have their way--will bring a range of benefits to ...
Top 5 ‘post-truth’ anti-GMO headlines: Biologist critiques outrageous 2016 claims
A reproductive biologist offers her take on the five most outrageous--but astronomically popular--anti-GMO advocacy blog headlines from last year, including ...
Myth busting: Is agricultural pesticide use in the US, and its impact, going down or up?
Anti-GMO groups have shifted their focus from demonizing GMO crops directly to criticizing chemical usage, particularly the herbicide glyphosate, for ...
Kelly v Graham: Should scientists ‘stay out’ of politics?
The question of whether scientists should take special restraint in not lacing their pubic engagement on science issues with politics ...
Video GMO story: The near death and rescue of the Hawaiian papaya
The anti-GMO movement in Hawaii grew into a sizable force in 2013 thanks to funding and directional support from activist ...
UC Davis’ Alison Van Eenennaam’s deep dive into latest Séralini GMOs-are-dangerous paper
The controversial paper by the Séralini team challenges a central tenet of biotech proponents: are GM crops 'substantially equivalent' to ...
Real story of anti-GMO sensation Rachel Parent: Idealist or pawn of ‘natural’ marketers?
Teen anti-GMO activist Rachel Parent tours the world, 'testifying' at anti-GMO tribunals and delivers Ted Talks about the dangers of ...
Why business journalists should not write on science: Washington Post botches India GMO cotton exposé
Business reporters should not attempt to write about science--a point underscored by a botched Washington Post "investigation" about growing cotton ...
‘Agrochemical academic complex’: Should industry fund research?
According to a recent piece in the NYT: Industry funded researchers are shills and the rest are tree-hugging greenies. UC ...
Teenager raped to death in US Animal Research Center (NY Times’ Michael Moss’ F in journalism)
In January 2015, New York Times journalist Michael Moss skewered the research protocols of the US Meat Animal Research Center ...
Can water protect you from glyphosate ‘poisoning’? Gilles-Eric Séralini’s homeopathy “detox” hoax
The controversial French scientist fronts for a homeopathy company that has funded much of his research. What does mainstream science ...
Addressing all farmers’ challenges: Taking ideology out of the glyphosate and ‘superweed’ debate
Hardy weeds that develop from continued use of a limited control system are problems for all farmers. This is not ...
Farmer: Why I choose to grow genetically engineered crops
GMO supporters generally stick to positive talking points about the technology, while critics stick to the negative. Terry Daynard, a ...
Read GLP’s Jon Entine’s Reddit Science ‘Ask Me Anything’ on pesticides and the ‘bee-pocalypse’
December 13, from 2-4 pm EST, GLP's executive director, Jon Entine, will be holding a Reddit Science "Ask Me Anything" ...
Crop biotech policy experts: Fallout from ‘equivocating’ National Academy of Sciences GMO report now being felt
Science is not democratic. The National Academies of Sciences report muddied the debate about GE crop yields, gave undue credence ...
Activist journalists, NGOs disinformation campaign against approved, fast-growing GMO salmon
There is a growing body of evidence pointing to the safety, utility and necessity of precision breeding (aka genetic modification) ...
Oregon teacher: Anti-GMO activist Vandana Shiva talk slippery on facts
On November 21, 2016, prominent GMO critic Vandana Shiva, gave a presentation at the Peace Center at Lane Community College ...
Honeybees are not in crisis, but what about beekeepers?
While it's now acknowledged that honeybee populations aren’t declining, some of the focus of concern has shifted from the pollinators ...
Buy only “hormone free” meat? Farmer says don’t be fooled by deceptive labels
No poultry, pork or beef that you eat contains added hormones. Instead of capitalizing on fear and misleading consumers into ...
Pew survey: Americans don’t trust scientists on GMOs, but are warming to GM foods
Skepticism of GM foods remains strong in America, although the embrace of the safety of biotechnology has grown dramatically over ...
Opinion: Organic tail wagging farming dog in Washington while sustainability, consumers suffer
Organic activists have held sway in Washington for years now, although the percentage of farms under organic standards remains tiny--just ...
French geneticist warns ‘new religion of precaution’ threatens US GMO policy, science
Since the first cargo of genetically modified soybeans was delivered to Europe 20 years ago, scientists have come under fire ...
While safety of herbicide glyphosate is clear, doubts fueled by WHO’s IARC undermines trust in science
Most regulators around the world have concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer. But one agency disagrees. The International ...
