GMOs

This comprehensive report from the National Academy of Sciences aims to provide an in-depth analysis, a report of its findings, and offer recommendations on the issues and opportunities.

In general, the committee finds that genetic-engineering technology has produced substantial net environmental and economic benefits to U.S. farmers compared with non-GE crops in conventional agriculture. However, the benefits have not been universal; some may decline over time; and the potential benefits and risks associated with the future development of the technology are likely to become more numerous as it is applied to a greater variety of crops. The social effects of agricultural biotechnology have largely been unexplored, in part because of an absence of support for research on them.

From the report (p. 213), there are five key challenges facing genetically engineered crops:

• The success of genetic-engineering technology in the United States has altered the seed industry by spurring consolidation of firms and integration with the chemical industry.
• How the intensive use of current and prospective GE organisms will directly affect the natural environment differently from other agricultural production systems is incompletely understood.
• Progress in developing GE varieties for most “minor” crops (e.g., fruits and vegetables) and for other “public goods” purposes not served well by private markets has been slow.
• The presence of transgenic material in non-GE products should be addressed.
• U.S. farmers who grow GE crops may face market restrictions from some countries or retail firms on the importation or sale of the crops or products made from the crops.

Science in the media can be very hard to explain. This is especially true when the topic, like genetically modified organisms (GMO), is very technical, not very sexy, or controversial. In the case of GMOs, some media outlets cater to the confusion and aim to be sensational. Unfortunately, this approach distorts the facts and may cause consumers to make inaccurate statements about what they eat, buy, or recommend.

On December 7, 2010, Dr. Pamela Ronald, a distinguished plant scientist at the University of California – Davis, appeared as guest expert on the nationally-syndicated “Dr. Oz Show” to discuss the benefits of GMOs.

Unfortunately, what “played out” was way past disappointing. There was unbelievable bias in how the segment was edited to produce the “final” version that overshadowed the sound scientific facts about GMOs. I found it remarkable that much of what Dr. Ronald presented during the filming of the segment was edited “out” of the final version of the show!

It is important to understand how media uses fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) to derail constructive conversations about complicated subjects. Learn more from Dr. Terry Etherton and his response to the producers of the Dr. Oz Show.

CropVillage 0128 Show Notes:

• Iowa State agronomist Palle Pederson in Europe.  Doug Cooper talks with Palle about issues faced by those producers

CropVillage 0048 Show Notes:

• Genetically-modified corn to enhance human nutrition will open doors to further modifications
• Tight supplies will continue to limit downside for food and feed grain commodities
• Deferring insurance or disaster income could be a problem if your track-record doesn't support deferral
• Update on traits and positive performance from Mycogen

CropVillage 0045 Show Notes:

• Organic groups gather to express GMO concerns
• New wheat herbicide from Dow AgroSciences
• Developing herbicide-tolerant sorghum options
• Western-grown corn and soybeans may cause issues for monogastric producers due to high levels of selenium
• Economist Ron Plain reviews impact by energy on current grain price levels

CropVillage 0033 Show Notes:

• Monsanto pipeline of 25+ products
• Producer delegation to talk with Brazil about biofuel production and capacities
• Pioneer's Russ Sanders discusses the twin focus of fuel and feed for the company's corn research divisions
• Continued world economic turmoil under review by ag economists

CropVillage 0012 Show Notes:

• E.U. approves new GMO products for import
• Follow up on corn stover loss impact on soil quality with Dr. Humberto Blanco
• Sorghum research at K State to make genetic information and material more accessible to speed innovation