AgBioWorld Members Discuss Jeffery Smith and Nature Biotechnology Article
Compiled by C.S. Prakash
September 28, 2007
Members Discuss Credibility of Activist Jeffery Smith
Abstract: Members discuss an expose on Jeffery Smith, author of “Seeds of Deception” and Genetic Roulette” and well-known anti-biotech activist. The article discusses his lack of credibility when it comes to biotechnology.
Several members questioned the credibility of Smith by exposing his belief in levitation and occupation as a ballroom dance teacher.
Link to Smith expose: http://www.cgfi.org/cgficommentary/jeffrey-smith%20article
Attack on AgBioWorld Members’ Contributions to Nature Biotechnology Article
Abstract: Members discuss a letter written by Professor Emeritus Joe Cummins, University of Western Ontario in response to an article appearing in Nature Biotechnology. The article that appeared in the journal referenced the work of Dr. Irina Ermakova and was supposedly meant to be an article solely written by her. The journal decided to take a different approach to the article, which was noted, and invited others in to contribute to the article.
One member noted that Cummins accuses the editor of the journal of plagiarism and “loses marks for citing Wikipedia as a reference source.” The member also suggested that Cummins probably did not read the article because “the only sections that are in any shape attributed to Andrew Marshall were the first two paragraphs.”
Link to Cummins’ letter: http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8295
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Best regards,
C.S. Prakash
