Elton Robinson
Farm Press Editorial Staff
Posted, March 16, 2010
When surveys don’t give you the overwhelming result you’re looking for, there’s only one thing left to do — cook your numbers. This was the tactic employed by the Consumers Union (CU), the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, after it conducted a poll recently on genetically engineered crops.
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The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) released their annual report on global adoption of genetically modified (GM) on February 23, 2010.
An executive summary of Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2009 – The first fourteen years, 1996 to 2009 presents highlights of the amazing growth in the global adoption of GM crops. Impressively, GM crops are being readily adopted by developing and developed countries. Read the rest of this entry »
Terry D. Etherton
The Opinion-Editorial published in the New York Times was passed along to me earlier today. As readers of Terry Etherton Blog on Biotechnology appreciate, I have written about a variety of topics across the landscape of science and agriculture; defending science, as well as attempting to counter attacks on, and misrepresentations of production agriculture .
In the article below, Mr. Shriver paints a picture of animal agriculture that presents some perspectives that don’t reflect the reality of practices used in contemporary animal production. Moreover, a paradox is presented about science – use transgenic farm animals that have been engineered so they can tolerate “pain and suffering” that he asserts is caused by “factory farming”.
My experiment, you ask? Rather than my writing an initial blog about this Op-Ed piece, I am opening up comments, and wish to moderate the discussion of your opinions and knowledge about animal agriculture and science as framed in the story by Mr. Shriver. I will share my perspectives after I “gather” your comments. Read the rest of this entry »
Terry D. Etherton
As readers of my blog have observed, I have not posted a blog for a few months. About all that could be written about the battle over application of rbST in the dairy industry in the United States, and defending the freedom of dairy farmers to use safe and effective technologies has been discussed. The stories currently being written by opponents of this biotechnology are simply a rehash of a rehash…nothing new. This all has been chronicled in Terry Etherton Blog on Biotechnology. Read the rest of this entry »
Washington, D.C. – An International Food Information Council (IFIC) report released Thursday, October 23 concludes that 84% of Americans have favorable or neutral impressions of agricultural plant biotechnology, while less than 16% hold an unfavorable impression. Read the rest of this entry »
Terry D. Etherton
Not long ago, I got an invitation to speak at the annual 2009 Dairy Forum sponsored by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). It was tempting to say “yes”… the meeting is being held at a dandy upscale hotel on the Disney World property in Florida, and in January, 2009! I, however, had a schedule conflict and couldn’t accept the invitation.
Good thing, however, given the title of the session I was invited to speak at was entitled “Labeling – War of Words”. Read the rest of this entry »
Administration Proposes Much-Anticipated Guidance on How to Regulate GE Animals
Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2008) – The multiple benefits of animal biotechnologies are closer to being realized thanks to efforts today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The FDA announced today the long-awaited draft guidance describing a regulatory framework for governing genetically engineered (GE) animals. In addition, USDA is seeking comment on their coordinated role in the regulatory process. Read the rest of this entry »
This way to see a pdf of this article
Science
Issue Date: September 5, 2008 | Volume 321 | Page 1279
BEIJING—Confronted with land degradation, chronic water shortages, and a growing population that already numbers 1.3 billion, China is looking to a transgenic green revolution to secure its food supply. Later this month, the government is expected to roll out a $3.5 billion research and development (R&D) initiative on genetically modified (GM) plants. “The new initiative will spur commercialization of GM varieties,” says Xue Dayuan, chief scientist on biodiversity at the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Read the rest of this entry »
Terry D. Etherton
Because of my commitment to defend science, scientists, and technological innovation in agriculture, I encounter folks and groups on the “other side” who use all sorts of interesting — even bizarre, and dysfunctional — tactics to scare consumers about science, food safety, and the need for technological innovation in agriculture. Read the rest of this entry »
Terry D. Etherton
The New York Times published an interesting article “A Conversation with Nina Fedoroff – An Advocate for Science Diplomacy” on August 19, 2008. Dr. Fedoroff, formerly at Penn State, is Science Adviser to the Secretary of State and Administrator of the Agency for International Development.
Dr. Fedoroff discusses the reality that science and technology are the drivers of the most successful economies in the 21st century. She also addresses the importance of technological innovation for feeding a growing world, and that organic farming can’t support the earth’s current population.
The article is an interesting read that clearly presents why we need to continue investing in science to develop new technologies to feed a growing world.
Enjoy the article!
