AgBioworld Blog: Biotech Food Lacks Investors and an Update on the Schmeiser Case from Canada
Compiled by C.S. Prakash, Ph.D.
September 6, 2007
AgBioworld is comprised of agbiotech experts who take a keen interest in the latest news and events important to ag-biotech. This blog aims to be a reflection of those events and news stories that have captured our attention. Please share your comments and feelings on the current climate for biotech with us as well.
Best regards,
C.S. Prakash
Without U.S. Rules, Biotech Food Lacks Investors
Abstract: A recent Andrew Pollack news article in the NY Times drew some criticism from the group.
One member commented that in order to supposedly balance comments from the industry, he quoted Joe Medelson (Center for Food Safety), Margaret Mellon (Union of Concerned Scientists) and Carol Tucker Foreman (Consumer Federation of America's (CFA) Food Policy Institute), as well as the anonymous ‘critics say…’
Another member revealed that upon “tallying” Pollack’s sources he found that there were 2 government spokesperson from the FDA cited, 2 or more, less neutral academics, 3 “whacktivists” (Mendelson, Mellon and Carol Tucker Foreman) and 4 industry folks. The member noted that in addition to the overall tone of the story not being positive, the majority of the quotes, even from the FDA and industry officials are either negative or “defensively pointing out how much they have done to convince FDA of safety.”
Yet another member points out that while the article does not appear to be positive that does not mean that positive quotes were not given. The member reminds the group that the author picks the quotes therefore there is no way of knowing if positive quotes were given.
A link to the article can be found here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/30/washington/30animal.html?ex=1186891200&en=769045980a8ecb36&ei=5070
"Infringing and trespassing plants. Patented seeds at dispute in Canada's courts"
Abstract: Members question whether Percy Schmeiser’s case against Monsanto is being “mischaracterized” by some law publications.
One member notes that they stumbled upon a Web page of the Canadian Organic Activists who are trying to sue Monsanto and Bayer. The site includes links to numerous articles, some of which have been published in reputable scholarly law publications.
Another member points out that the most “insidious incorrect ‘fact’ being distributed” by organic activists is that the GM canola was ‘blown’ into Schmeiser’s fields. He criticizes these law journals for not being concerned “about either factual accuracy or scientific understanding.” He then goes on to list four authors who are not stating the facts of the case. He notes that two of the authors don’t “care one bit about facts or about science” and that they are merely preaching against Monsanto as a corporation.
Read the article here:
