AgBioWorld Members Discuss Use of Bt Cotton in China, Henry Miller Articles and ‘Wormy Sweet Corn’ Study
Chinese Farmers and Bt Cotton
Abstract: A member wrote that he came across a newspaper article on a Cornell study that claimed Chinese farmers planting Bt cotton were loosing money. Noting that the article which appeared to be recent was actually a couple years old, the member asked for more information on the study. He also asked if the study was correct, why Chinese farmers continue to use Bt cotton despite being less profitable. Another member responded by saying that the study did not look at all aspects of farming, i.e. amount of pesticides used, health of the farmer, time spent in the fields, and said that he had seen another paper saying that more Chinese farmers are planting GM cotton. He also pointed to the recent ISAAA report on the current state of GM crops in the world for more information.
Source: Cornell University
Asia Embraces Biotechnology, Despite United Nations
Abstract: A member posted an article written by Henry Miller for the Far Eastern Economic Review. Miller criticizes the United Nations for ignoring scientific evidence on the positive impact of genetically modified crops, saying that several U.N. agencies have “conducted a senseless and destructive war on GM.” Using Asia as an example, Miller touts the benefits GM crops have brought to farmers worldwide. Several members responded to the article post by encouraging others to pass the article along to others.
Source: The Far Eastern Economic Review
Members Respond to Positive Article on Lack of Peer-Reviewed Studies
Abstract: A member posted another article by Henry Miller that appeared in The Guardian (UK). Miller discusses the need for trustworthy, prominent journals to work harder to ensure that the studies they publish are credible. He cites four well known studies that were put into question after flaws in research were found. Miller states that a better system of peer-review by unbiased scientists are needed to ensure the validity of future studies. Several members of the group commented on the importance of this article, saying that they plan to use it to “refute fake arguments.”
Source: The Guardian
Wormy Sweet Corn Study Debate Resurfaces in Canada
Abstract: An opinion article by Stephen Strauss appeared on CBC News (Canada) on an eight year old study that compared genetically modified “bt” sweet corn and conventional sweet corn in Canada. The controversial study supposedly included signs that described the conventional corn as “wormy sweet corn” and the Bt corn as “quality sweet corn.” Strauss agrees that the placement of these signs was an “error in judgment” by the researchers, but encourages those calling for the study to be retracted to conduct a study of their own without the signs and compare the results. Anti-GM activist Joe Cummins wrote a letter in response to the article noting that he had not been contacted despite his name being used in the article and argued that the call for retraction had more to do with how the study was conducted than the results. Members of AgBioWorld commented on this article saying that many of the people against this study are environmentalists who are often misinformed about what genetic modification really is. One member also mentioned a similar study involving genetically modified potatoes that was conducted in Price Edward Island, Canada, but was never published.
Source: CBC News
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.
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C.S. Prakash
