Stronger Plants, Stronger Science, and Stronger Communication
This year and next, an important and interesting trial of genetically engineered wheat is underway. At the Rothamsted research station in the UK, they are testing the ability of this wheat to ward off aphids by emitting an odorless pheromone. If successful, it could mean that wheat farmers will have a non-insecticide option for prevent…
Written by Steve Savage When asked, “Do you want foods that contain GMOs to be labeled?” most US consumers say, “Yes.” To those unfamiliar with the food system, this sounds like a simple request. The reality is that GMO labeling would be very complicated because it involves “negative identity preservation in low value, commodity channels.”…
I have just heard from a colleague in the UK who works at a government research facility, who gave me some disturbing news. Last night, at least two activists broke into the facility with hazmat suits and a lawn mower. According to eyewitnesses, they were wearing Greenpeace logos on their backs. Almost immediately after they…
Read More “Did Greenpeace mow down GM wheat AGAIN? April Fools” »
Update: See post a week later– Greenpeace destroys Australian wheat trials Last week, blogs and twitter feeds were lit up by news that a group of scientists had written a letter to CSIRO, in Australia, criticizing them for proposing a nutritional trial of genetically engineered wheat. It appeared with this article, Scientists reject human trials…
Written by Steve Savage Back in 1995, I was party to some discussions about whether about-to-be-released GMO crops should be labeled at the consumer level. It was clear that a failure to do so would look to some like a conspiracy, but we also realized that it would be far too expensive to track the…
Read More “GMO Food Is Actually Already Labeled If You Know A Few Rules” »
Written by Steve Savage From what I read on various blogs and comment streams, there is way too much angst out there about GMO crops. Too much angst because every significant panel of scientists that has reviewed this technology has concluded that it is as safe as any other domesticated food crop. Too much angst…
Written by Steve Savage The graph above shows the relative production of these major US row crops comparing the years 1993-1995 (just prior to the introduction of biotechnology enhanced crops) and 2008-10 (the most recent available data which covers a a span which comes 12-15 years after biotech. Soybean production has expanded 47% in this…