Author Archives: Jennifer P

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

Sources: Fox News, WSJ, Huff Post, NYTimes, ABC News

With the recent news of the “Monsanto Protection Act” and supermarket chain Whole Foods announcing their push to display transparent food labels, there has been some debate about genetically modified foods.

On March 26th, President Obama signed into law H.R. 933, the “Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013,”  which includes the Agricultural Appropriations Bill, and will expire on September 30th, 2013. Many food activists have protested and called the provision the Monstanto Protection Act. They have found that it protects biotech companies against lawsuits, even if there is a need to stop GMO distribution because of possible public health issues. Also, Whole Foods has decided to require the labeling of GMOs from suppliers. This makes the supermarket chain the first in the nation to mandate this type of labeling.

While an op-ed in Wall Street Journal presented GMOs as more of a benefit to the public, an op-ed in the New York Times discussed the dangers of allowing companies the freedom to produce GMOs. THe WSJ piece explained why people should not be too concerned with genetically modified food because the FDA and various researchers claim there are no harmful risks. It also describes how it can help poorer nations that need modified supplements  The NYTimes piece discusses that GMOs can have the potential to become hazardous. I found it interesting that Fox News used a photo from 2008 depicting signs from Greenpeace activists that showed “angry or “evil” corn. In the article, they discuss the disapproval of President Obama signing the spending bill. A story in ABC News discusses the controversy over GMOs. The report explains how scientists are developing hypo-allergenic apples. They present a mostly unbiased story, which states both sides of the issue.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/03/30/obama-signs-bill-that-protects-makers-genetically-engineered-crops-from-federal/

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324105204578380872639718046.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/scientists-developing-hypo-allergenic-apples/story?id=18782570#.UW9ukCt34eE

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/02/monsanto-protection-act-tea-party-partiots_n_3000073.html

The New York Times
Wall Street Journal
NPR
Huffington Post
The Guardian