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
Which tastes better: Conventional or organic foods? A tale of two apples
Many studies (e.g., here) have broached the topic of the taste and ‘quality’ of organic food versus conventional. Robustly, The ...
Is Nassim Taleb a “dangerous imbecile” or on the pay of anti-GMO activists?
Even Nassim Taleb's friends call him a "vulgar, bombastic windbag". Now he's becoming one of the new faces of the ...
What’s so “natural” about “natural crop breeding”?
One of the most popular arguments of critics of crop biotechnology is the claim that conventional breeding is more "natural" ...
Science as profane: What superstition of 1752 and 2014 share in common
Today, the Frankenstein story is invoked in exactly the opposite way that Shelley wrote it - it is invoked as ...
Not all science created equal: The genetically engineered crops story
In 1987 the US National Academy of Sciences stated there were no new risks from plants created using recombinant DNA ...
Greenpeace claims GM technology eclipsed by ‘safer’ genetic techniques, renews Golden Rice attack
Greenpeace is launching another offensive against Golden Rice, promoting organic-based agriculture as an alternative model and promoting alternative forms of ...
Gluten-free fad food choice, rarely medically dictated
Millions of people have lately adopted a gluten-free diet by self-diagnosing with gluten sensitivities in spite of the fact there ...
National Wildlife Refuge System bans on GMOs and neonics lack transparency, scientific rationale
While not identifying any specific evidence that pesticides or genetically modified crops might cause environmental or human damage, the NWRS ...
Women carry fetal DNA long after children’s birth
Women and their offspring exchange small amounts of DNA during pregnancy. Those fetal DNA signatures can last a lifetime in ...
Seed patent primer: Is the use of GMOs preventing farmers from reusing their seeds?
The claim that farmers would be able to save their seeds if only the patent rights of seed companies were ...
Closer examination of risk factors for Latinos underscores cultural diversity
Investigations into the genetics of disease in Latino populations are yielding interesting patterns of risk and protection from disease. The ...
Leftist dystopia? Anti-technology fever animates opposition to GMOs and other ‘disruptive’ technologies
Thoughtful people are offering thoughtful critiques of the role of genetic engineering in agriculture and other technological advances that raise ...
General Mills’ Cascadian Farm launches ‘bee-friendly’ campaign, GMO critics unimpressed
Alarm has grown in recent years over the widespread loss of bee colonies, not just because of the canary-in-the-coal-mine implications ...
Food 2.0: Will farmers be able to meet the ecological challenges ahead?
Financial columnist Paul Farrell recently explored the investment challenges and opportunities for food tech companies. We deconstruct some of his ...
Center for Food Safety attacks GMO drought tolerant crops, distorts big picture
Conventional breeding is currently outpacing biotech in tackling some complex traits like drought tolerance and nitrogen efficiency. Is it a ...
Beyond universal donors, some people are programed with no blood type at all
People genetically coded with the RH-null blood type have a blood type more rare than extremely rare disease. Their numbers ...
Enlist Duo: Everything you need to know about new dual herbicide resistant crops
With the EPA poised to clear Enlist, the dual herbicide mixture, next week, the GLP reviews the issues around this ...
Ebola infographic: Is this outbreak poised for pandemic?
A second Texas healthcare worker tests positive for the virus amid predictions that as many as 10,000 people a day ...
In rejecting GMO shipments, is China more protective of health of its citizens than US?
Despite the exultation by some over seemingly anti-GMO policies coming from China, actions of Beijing are better understood as hardball ...
Robyn O’Brien defends anti-GMO crusader Don Huber: Whistleblower or crank?
Following news that Dr. Huber was in a car accident, food activist Robyn O'Brien paints a picture of a scientist ...
Can psychology explain strident opposition by some to GMOs?
Strident opponents of crop biotechnology often claim that they can actually taste the difference between foods with genetically modified ingredients ...
Leaked memo highlights new axis of pseudoscience between Dr. Oz and Consumer Reports?
Are Consumer Reports and Dr. Oz teaming up to spread pseudoscience? The GLP has obtained an in house Consumer Reports ...
Genome Prairie examines challenges of communicating science of agriculture
Agriculture relies upon science and technology to meet demand in an efficient and sustainable manner, but these technological advances are ...
Quarantine expanded as killer bacterium spreads to California orange groves, GMO only hope
As California officials add another 100 square miles of citrus groves to a 1,000 square mile quarantine, Florida growers are ...
DIY fecal transplant: Taking love of the microbiome a bit too far
Anthropologist Jeff Leach ended his last trip to Africa with a bit of self-experimentation. He gave himself a fecal transplant ...
Personal genomics company says it will solve puzzle of Welsh origins
A British genetics company is asking for Welsh participants to help discover the mysterious genetic origins of the famously redheaded ...
Crop breakthrough! No GMOs! Let’s celebrate!–Why advanced farm technology scares us
Are journalists so gun shy about reporting the 'good news' of genetic engineering that they seek false balance in hyping ...
