The safety and nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables is verified by decades of science. Toxicology studies and analyses confirm the safety while nutrition research shows the numerous health benefits of eating a produce-rich diet. The body of scientific research should reassure consumers that whether they choose organic or conventional produce, they can eat both with confidence and the right choice is to always eat more.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/03/20/scientists-rebuke-environmental-working-groups-dirty-dozen-list-of-pesticide-soaked-vegetables-and-fruits/
Category Archives: Agriculture
Viewpoint: Challenging myths — Organic farming fleeces consumers and does not significantly promote sustainability – Genetic Literacy Project
As I discussed in Part 1, many Americans have begun to seek “authenticity” in many aspects of their lives. There’s nothing wrong with that unless in the process they are misled by special interests’ false claims that cause them to be endangered or merely ripped off. Arguably, the most pervasive hoax in this country, dwarfing phone and internet scams, is the widespread rejection of “industrial,” conventional farming in favor of more “natural,” “organic,” and “sustainable” offerings at your local supermarket. The definition of “organic” is a movable feast, with the organic industry and government constantly tweaking its practices. The products and practices that define it are completely arbitrary, with no scientific basis; “organic” is nothing more than agricultural and nutritional mumbo jumbo, the goal of which is to fleece consumers. It does this remarkably well – to the tune of over $50 billion worth of overpriced products annually in the U.S.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/03/21/viewpoint-challenging-myths-organic-farming-fleeces-consumers-and-does-not-significantly-promote-sustainability/
Changing negative perceptions about GMOs? Gene-edited purple tomato with great taste, longer shelf life and as much anthocyanin as blueberries is one of many new GM foods – Genetic Literacy Project
The first genetically modified (GM) food ever made commercially available to the public was a tomato, invented in the US in 1994. Since then, a number of different genetically modified foods have been created, including corn, cotton, potatoes and pink pineapple.Although genetically modified foods still get a bit of a bad rap, there are actually many good reasons why modifying an organism’s genetics may be worthwhile. For example, many breeds of genetically modified foods have made them more resistant to disease.It’s also possible to modify foods to make them more nutritious. Take for example golden rice. This grain was engineered to have higher levels of vitamin A, in order to tackle deficiencies of this nutrient in impoverished countries.But despite all the developments in genetically modified foods since 1994, few products have actually made it to the market. The continued ignorance of the general public about GM products alongside the reluctance of government policymakers in some countries have impeded the progress of genetically modified foods moving from the lab to the market.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/03/13/changing-negative-perceptions-about-gmos-gene-edited-purple-tomato-with-great-taste-longer-shelf-life-and-as-much-anthocyanin-as-a-blueberry-is-one-of-many-new-gm-foods/
Changing negative perceptions about GMOs? Gene-edited purple tomato with great taste, longer shelf life and as much anthocyanin as blueberries is one of many new GM foods – Genetic Literacy Project
The first genetically modified (GM) food ever made commercially available to the public was a tomato, invented in the US in 1994. Since then, a number of different genetically modified foods have been created, including corn, cotton, potatoes and pink pineapple.Although genetically modified foods still get a bit of a bad rap, there are actually many good reasons why modifying an organism’s genetics may be worthwhile. For example, many breeds of genetically modified foods have made them more resistant to disease.It’s also possible to modify foods to make them more nutritious. Take for example golden rice. This grain was engineered to have higher levels of vitamin A, in order to tackle deficiencies of this nutrient in impoverished countries.But despite all the developments in genetically modified foods since 1994, few products have actually made it to the market. The continued ignorance of the general public about GM products alongside the reluctance of government policymakers in some countries have impeded the progress of genetically modified foods moving from the lab to the market.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/03/13/changing-negative-perceptions-about-gmos-gene-edited-purple-tomato-with-great-taste-longer-shelf-life-and-as-much-anthocyanin-as-a-blueberry-is-one-of-many-new-gm-foods/
Nearly all soy and corn exporters plant genetically modified seeds. Why, so far, is there a dearth of GM wheat? – Genetic Literacy Project
Nearly all corn and soybean acres in the world’s largest exporting countries are seeded with genetically modified varieties, but that is not the case for wheat, a crop grown primarily for human food.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/03/09/nearly-all-soy-and-corn-exporters-plant-genetically-modified-seeds-why-so-far-is-there-a-dearth-of-gm-wheat/
Concerned about pesticide levels in food? Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list ignores organic pesticides while misrepresenting conventional trace chemical dangers – Genetic Literacy Project
The Environmental Working Group wants to insure allied journalists like Sheila Kaplan that their new “dirty dozen” list is almost ready to be copied and pasted into articles promoting the organic industry.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/27/concerned-about-pesticide-levels-in-food-environmental-working-groups-dirty-dozen-list-ignores-organic-pesticides-while-misrepresenting-conventional-trace-chemical-dangers/
Beepocalypse Myth Handbook: Assessing claims of pollinator collapse – Genetic Literacy Project
After a decade of debate, the causes of the mid-2000s spike in bee deaths is coming into focus. Culprits are multifactorial, a rebuke of simplistic fingering of pesticides. Time for targeted solutions.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/03/03/beepocalypse-myth-handbook-dissecting-claims-of-pollinator-collapse/
Does Big Ag dominate crop research and the global seed supply, controlling the world food market? – Genetic Literacy Project
Does Big Ag dominate crop research and the global seed supply, controlling the world food market? – Genetic Literacy Project
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/gmo-faq/does-big-ag-dominate-crop-research-and-the-global-seed-supply-controlling-the-world-food-market/
Natural crops untouched by human tinkering? Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts are genetically-altered variants of the Brassica family – Genetic Literacy Project
The cruciferous vegetable family, also known as the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae family, originally hails from the Mediterranean and Central Asia and is a member of the mustard family, which includes plants such as mustards, radishes, and turnips. This family of plants is unique because it can cross-pollinate, meaning that different varieties of the same species can be bred to create new varieties.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/13/natural-crops-untouched-by-human-tinkering-broccoli-cabbage-cauliflower-and-brussels-sprouts-are-genetically-altered-variants-of-the-brassica-family/
Biotechnology timeline: Humans have manipulated genes since the ‘dawn of civilization’ – Genetic Literacy Project
The history of biotechnology shows how humans have been manipulating nature for our benefit for a long time—and how modern genetic engineering is
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/17/biotechnology-timeline-humans-manipulating-genes-since-dawn-civilization/
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