Category: News

The USRTK FOIA Campaign Against Academics: 40-plus years of public science, research and teaching under assault

As a public-sector research scientist, it was expected and a requirement of my position at the University of Illinois that I collaborate with and solicit the engagement of those working in my field of expertise. University and private sector collaborations are critically essential to ensure the public benefits from the best and most complete understanding of research and emerging commercial developments of any technology.

Steven Druker: Twisted Truth in Altered Genes Book

Druker exploits misinformation found in a limited selection of cherry-picked studies as the foundation for his unsubstantiated claims intended to scare people away from GMOs and Big Ag. The problem is there is nothing new in his claims.

Scientist deconstructs Séralini’s PLOS GMO study: ‘Failed attempt at redemption’

As a neuroscientist who works regularly with lab animals, I find these claims baffling. Alison Bernstein, Ph.D. Originally published by the Genetic Literacy Project. Dr. Bernstein is a scientist studying Parkinson’s disease living in Atlanta with her husband, 2 kids and 2 cats. Follow her on her Mommy PhD Facebook page and on Twitter @mommyphd2.

IARC glyphosate cancer review fails on multiple fronts

The International Agency for Research on Cancer Monograph evaluation of certain insecticides and herbicides earns an F grade for failure to consider all the available studies, placing weight on weak and discredited studies (several in the advocacy community are already using this report claiming it is a vindication of the discredited Seralini GMO cancer claims), […]

Debunking pseudo science “lab testing” health risk claims about glyphosate (Roundup)

“Recently claims of adverse effects caused by glyphosate have begun to appear. Although none of the reports has proven credible, it appears that these reports are part of a deliberate campaign to create the False impression that glyphosate is highly toxic and harmful as a basis of calling for bans…”

Why Consumers Pay More for Organic Foods? Fear Sells and Marketers Know it.

An academic review of more than 25 years of market research, marketing tactics and government programs driving sales in the organic and natural product industries

Turning Science into a Circus: The New Yorker, Rachel Aviv and Tyrone Hayes

Syngenta may have good reason to feel it was treated unfairly, even dishonestly, in the New Yorker article. The real damage, however, is that such shoddy journalism debases the public’s understanding of how science should be conducted and the importance of non-politicized, sound science-based regulatory systems to protect consumers

Tufts University statement on Golden Rice Research

Multiple reviews found no concerns related to the integrity of the study data, the accuracy of the research results or the safety of the research subjects. In fact, the study indicated that a single serving of the test product, Golden Rice, could provide greater than 50 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A in these children, which could significantly improve health outcomes if adopted as a dietary regimen.

A critical assessment of the paper ‘GM Soy: Sustainable? Responsible?’

In 2010, Antoniou et al published a paper entitled GM Soy: Sustainable? Responsible? This made a number of claims of alleged negative impacts associated with the global use of genetically modified (GM) soybeans on human and animal health, on environmental safety and on socio-economic status. This briefing note examined and assessed the main claims in this paper.

Dr. Oz and Academics Review in the New Yorker

The Trouble with Dr. Oz by Michael Specter in the New Yorker Magazine.