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
Do mysterious ‘jumping genes’ fast track evolution?
Genomes have a lot of moving parts. Some stretches of DNA try to assimilate and copy themselves in novel places, ...
Synthetic biology’s revolutionary and often disquieting impact on our food system
Synbio brings with it new social, ethical and regulatory concerns. The next generation will bring nearly miraculous advances in medicine ...
Can spider genes be genetically engineered to make eco-friendly cars?
Scientists are looking to create genetically engineered spider webs—which pound for pound is stronger than steel—to make products that might ...
Consumer Reports finds GMOs in Xochitl ‘Non GMO’ corn chips, spreads anti-bio misinformation
Consumer Reports finds genetically engineered corn in "natural" junk food labeled "No GMO"—and in the process spreads unnecessary fear about ...
GMO farming abject “failure” claims Center for Food Safety–Is it?
The Center for Food Safety makes the case that GMO crops have "failed", citing "myths" circulated by proponents. Specifically they ...
National Academy of Sciences releases videos of GMO panel presentations, schedules public webinar
The National Academy of Sciences' has posted videos of the presentations and discussions from the September 15-16 genetically engineered crop ...
Organic food can cure autism caused by GMOs? More ‘quack science’ from Dr. Oz
Dr. Oz, who was recently reprimanded in Congress for his increasingly bizarre endorsements of crank cures and alternative nostrums, stumbled ...
As state GMO labeling laws are proposed, critics wonder about logistics and costs
With a mandatory GMO label law recently passed in Vermont, and more in the hopper, scientists and the food and ...
GMO ‘foreign gene’ fears? Breeders incorporating unknown DNA into food crops for centuries
One of the more popular criticisms of genetically modified food revolves around fears that foods are being "contaminated" by "foreign" ...
To feed hungry world, is the future of agriculture a battle between organics and GMOs?
Many activists frame the future of food as a pitched battle between organic based agroecology and crop biotechnology. But scientists ...
Live to be 100+? Extreme longevity research is futuristic privatized enterprise
When longevity research is privately funded, what happens when the money runs dry? ...
Environmental activists sometimes hurt those they intend to help
Addressing environmental concerns is critical to counteract consequences of progress. But some of the causes embraced by activist groups can ...
General Mills buys Annie’s, GMO opponents go berserk
The announcement that General Mills is buying Annie's touched off raving commotion on social media about the 'natural foods' company ...
Evolution do-over might lead to the same place
Scientists have often wondered if evolution happened all over again, what would life on earth look like? A Harvard biologist ...
At National Academy of Sciences, GMO critics say technology is “failing”
A full slate of anti-GMO luminaries, including Gilles-Erich Seralini and representatives from the Center for Food Safety, Union of Concerned ...
Organic farmer viewpoint: Has the “Food Movement” become a religious cult?
Anti-GMO? Think organic foods are overhyped? Food politics is on the verge of becoming religion. If we haven't already, we're ...
Do anti-GMO activists inhabit an information bubble? Ask Paul Krugman
New York Times columnist Paul Krugman describes how critics of Obamacare stay misinformed, not only because they have incorrect information ...
29-year study of trillions of meals shows GE crops do not harm food-producing animals, humans
According to GMO critics, livestock around the world are developing cancer and dropping like flies after eating genetically engineered feed ...
Do GMO farms ‘contaminate’ neighboring crops? A farmer’s view of co-existence
Skeptics of GMOs often voice concern over cross-pollination--what activists say is the potential for the 'contamination' of neighboring fields by ...
GMOs for Dummies!
Marc Brazeau who blogs at Food and Farm Discussion Lab has posted an extremely useful guide covering many key GMO ...
Parasite practices genetic mind control to spread infection
Toxoplasma gondii, the parasitic infection that may infect almost half the worlds human population uses some special trick to control ...
When the media hypes epigenetics, mothers take the blame
There's a lot of talk about epigenetics in the news, but scientists still don't know what it all means. A ...
New Yorker editor David Remnick responds to Vandana Shiva criticism of Michael Specter’s profile
The Vandana Shiva affair takes a new turn today with the release of The New Yorker Editor David Remnick's point-by-point ...
Brain, behavior and genetics
The link between our genetics and how we behave is the topic of much speculation, some if it highly controversial ...
Portrayal of Vandana Shiva as ‘credible’ spokesperson for GMO labeling crusade promotes anti-science ‘false balance’
Reports in the GLP and by Michael Specter have painted a devastating picture of Vandana Shiva as an extremist who ...
Personal genomics: Care to update your haplogroup status page?
Personalized genomics offers the opportunity to revolutionize medical care and our understanding of disease. But many first adopters won’t wait ...
Debate: Are “Non GMO” labels deceptive?
Non GMO products are reportedly a $7 billion a year business — but do consumers get what they think they're ...
