AgBioWorld Members discuss Italian Field Trial Results Suppression, 2 Australian State GM Bans Lifted and Organic/Conventional Food Nutritional Value
Italian GM Field Trials Suppression Discussion Continues
Abstract: Members continue to discuss the suppression of findings from Italian GM field trials. The main topic of discussion continues to be the lack of coverage the story is receiving in the English speaking world. One member did post a number of sites that included articles about the issue, but most are not mainstream media or widely read outside the scientific community. An Italian scientist who is a member also chimed in with his views and noted that scientists from around the world and many scientific journals have been contacting on the issue.
NSW and Victoria, Australia lift bans on GM Crops
Abstract: An Australian AgBioWorld member posted an announcement that New South Wales and Victoria, Australia have both agreed to lift their respective bans on GM crops when the current moratoria ends early in 2008. Another member posted several Australian media articles about the lifting of the bans, with several negative comments about the announcement. Members agreed that while this is a positive development, there is still a chance these deals may fall through. Another member posted an article from the Herald Sun (Melbourne Tabloid) by Andrew Bolt attacking the credibility of popular anti-GM activist Jeffrey Smith. Members noted that while the article put a dent in Smith’s movement, they still have a long way to go.
Sources:
The Weekly Times via GMO Pundit blog
Herald Sun
Organic vs. Conventional Food and Nutritional Value
Abstract: Members discuss the nutritional difference between organic and conventionally produced food. The original poster noted that while many people believe that more nutrients are present in organic food, in reality the only food that may have more nutritional value, the tomato, does not have a significant amount more. He notes that just by eating another orange or potato, one can get the same amount of extra vitamin C that many organic producers claim is present in organic tomatoes. Many of the members also questioned whether the extra money spent on organic food was really worth the alleged extra nutrients. Members also pointed to an article published by Vivian Moses, Visiting Professor of Biotechnology, King’s College London and Bruce Chassy, Professor of Food Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on this topic.
AgBioWorld is comprised of ag-biotech 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
