Could an open source movement in biotechnology bring critics and supporters together? The Open Source Seed Initiative, which launches today, may help build that bridge.
Tag: GMO
Genetic Contamination May Not Mean What You Think It Means
In the debate about GMO crops, the “threat of genetic contamination” is often raised as a reason to reject the technology. Is this threat real? Does it justify acts of [ … ]
Genetically Modified Food Is Actually Already Labeled If You Know A Few Rules
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 [ … ]
Way Too Much Angst About GMO Crops
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 [ … ]
Concern and Encouragement In The News About Climate Change and Food
Last week, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization released a report which described the current upswing of global food prices (see chart above). They characterized it as a “polite [ … ]
News Flash! Scientists Find that Cigarettes May Be Dangerous!
[social_buttons] A team of American and French scientists have just documented the fact that there are a lot of bacteria in cigarettes and that the bacterial population includes some human pathogens. They don’t actually [ … ]
The Ethics of Selling Crop Seed: Part 2 – GMO Seed
[social_buttons] This is a followup post that will attempt to address some additional, wide-spread myths about the commercial sale of seed. In this case the topic with be “GMO” seed [ … ]
Food Supply Worries of an Agricultural Scientist, Part 3: Climate Change
[social_buttons] I’ll come back to the Mycotoxin issue soon. Instead, I’ll talk today about my serious worries about Climate Change. People involved in world agriculture have no patience with [ … ]
McDonald’s “Pesticide Conundrum” and the Solution it Will Probably Not Pursue (Part 2)
[social_buttons] This is a follow-up to a previous blog about a pesticide reduction commitment that McDonalds has made and why that will be challenging in terms of their potato supplies [ … ]
International Paper Growing Genetically Engineered “Frankenforests”
[social_buttons] I can’t believe what I read on Bloomberg.com, “International Paper’s ArborGen joint venture with MeadWestvaco Corp. and New Zealand’s Rubicon Ltd. is seeking permission from the U.S. Department of [ … ]
Should “Charismatic Megafauna” be the “Face” of Climate Change
[social_buttons] A polar bear is the perfect example of “Charismatic Megafauna” – the kind of animal whose image can easily be used to generate sympathy. I care about polar bears [ … ]
Would You Eat Cloned Fruit?
Cloned asian pears in New Zealand (photo Steve Savage) [social_buttons] OK, I’ll admit it. That question and the picture caption are a little bit manipulative because few people know that [ … ]