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
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
