Since my last post, genetically modified foods have not made any major headlines in the U.S. However, since the news of Whole Foods announcing its change to require GM labeling, there has been another push for a proposed bill. Huffington Post, CBS, and NY Daily News reported bills proposed by Senator Barbra Boxer and Rep. Peter DeFazio to the Senate and House of Representatives to require companies to label GM products. The Huffington Post and CBS focused on the controversy surrounding health concerns with GMOs. They sourced studies and polls from various health organizations and the public. NY Daily News primarily reported on a celebrity campaign against GMOs that urges the public to protest on May 25th. All of these articles compared the U.S. to other countries that already mandate GM food labeling.
In international news, The Telegraph (UK) reported on scientists designing cows to grow without horns. They mention the benefits for both farmers and the cows themselves, by stating, “Preventing horn growth would eliminate the need for many farmers to burn off the horn buds of calves in what is a difficult and intensely painful procedure for the animals.” However, unlike the U.S. articles, the story seems one-sided because they did not report on opposing factor or idea.
In the China Daily, a story was reported about the Hebei provence and a partnership with an Iowa corn company. It states that corn is in high demand in China. They quote governor of Iowa saying that he believes China should invest more in imports. However, the article presents an opposing side by mentioning that many Chinese companies and people “…doubt the safety of GM food.” Although, they do not report which companies gave their opinion.
Another article from the UK on The Guardian, published a story on how supermarkets are at fault for “misleading” consumers. They claim that, even with studies resulting in GM foods as non-harmful, supermarkets are confusing consumers with labels such as, “no MSG.” They also reported that journalist are helping to stop the fear in consumers by stating, “While scientists are working hard to get sound science and evidence into public discussion about food risks, and science journalists now stop much of the worst media reporting of unfounded scare and miracle stories, the supermarkets are busy promoting these unfounded fears to thousands of customers every day, undoing all that good work.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/25/genetically-engineered-food_n_3149418.html
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/05/02/sen-boxer-seeks-nationwide-labeling-of-genetically-modified-foods/
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/stars-align-protest-monsanto-new-video-article-1.1338766
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/agriculture/geneticmodification/10023561/Scientists-design-health-and-safety-cow-with-no-horns.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2013/may/09/supermarkets-unfounded-fears-food-health?INTCMP=SRCH
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-04/19/content_16421327.htm
I found it very interesting that all the sources you found gave different information, especially on how the U.S articles reported on opposing factors or ideas. I would expect that to happen more with the international sources. Your post and sources shows a lot of different sides and aspects on the topic of GM food. You didn’t just focus on the labeling.
Also, it would have been interesting to talk about the pictures on each article. I noticed that only CBS had a picture of GM food as the other U.S articles had pictures of people. China Daily didn’t even have any pictures. The other two international sources did offer pictures of food.
Most articles are usually one sided and would only show and try to validate their own opinion. If the article about the cows is one sided then the public reading this article would only find the opinion written to be correct without thinking of the opposition such as the negative affects of breeding cows with no horns.