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Study on GE crop sustainability co-authored by Monsanto
Posted on Mon, April 26, 2010 by Slow Food USA
3 Comments | Categories: Biodiversity, Farms and Farming, Food Justice, Labeling, News, Current Events,
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by Emily Vaughn
The National Academy of Science recently released “the first comprehensive assessment of how GE [genetically engineered] crops are affecting all U.S. farmers.” That’s exciting news—if you follow the controversy surrounding GE food crops, you know that the lack of scientific consensus on either side is a source of constant debate.
One reason it’s so hard to sort out the science behind GE crops is that major chemical companies and food industry giants often sit on research committees. Take the study that the National Academy just released. Out of the study’s three authoring bodies, one included a representative from Monsanto, another had a representative from Cargill.
I’m not saying that there’s no way for public and private interests to work together to produce good science. For example, the much-lauded IAASTD report, for which the World Bank, the FAO and the UNDP brought together 400 leading natural and social scientists, representatives from government (including the U.S.), private sector and non-governmental organizations to ask how we would feed the world in 2050. The scientists concluded that genetically modified crops and chemical agriculture had failed to show much promise in feeding the world. (Although it’s worth noting that before the report was released, Monsanto and Syngenta withdrew from the project.)
Instead I’m calling for more transparency. Pointing out potential conflicts of interest will allow scientists, consumers, environmentalists, and farmers to make more informed decisions. And where transparency isn’t offered, it’s up to everyday people to create it, and spread the word.
Where do you turn for GE news?
Member Comments
From FoodFitnessFreshAir on Mon, April 26, 2010
It’s so frustrating that representatives from companies such as Monsanto sit on the research boards…It’s similar to mainstream dairy companies sitting on nutrition research boards and swaying public opinion to think the only way to get enough calcium is to drink milk. Monsanto wants people to think their ideas are the best way to grow food…clearly the research says otherwise.
From chris lee on Thu, April 29, 2010
It is so upsetting that Monsanto, a chemical company at heart and a loyal subject of the almighty dollar, would ever be involved in public research, especially with the National Academy of Science. For a company that has a history of misleading and covering up the truth there is absolutely no way anyone could ever trust them to help publish unbiased research. The fact that they were able to get their GE foods on the market without any testing or regulations goes to show just how influential they are and how malleable our gov’t is.
We should be doing research to see how GE foods affect people in short and long-term studies, not doing research to see if they can feed the world. Which is ridiculous in the first place, because if anything, our higher and cheaper food production actually prevents poorer communities from doing sustainable agriculture for themselves.
We should have never allowed the patenting of life in the first place..
From mary nicole marincik on Fri, April 30, 2010
So! Let me see, we have a huge corporation that is “helping”, I use the term loosely, the public realize the opportunity for the world by genetically altered food is the way of the future? I don’t see a future if we keep on the course we are going! Monsanto only has their own interest at heart here. They are not concerned about the little guy they have put out of business by extortion. I’m sorry,I do not believe it.
