Show notes
Once fiercely skeptical of "Big Ag," even adamantly progressive media outlets like Mother Jones are beginning to embrace the use of conventional farm technologies like synthetic pesticides and genetically engineered crops. What explains this dramatic opinion shift? A reporter for the Atlantic recently discovered, much to her surprise, that organic farmers don't take better care of their cows. What led her to that conclusion? Every culture seems to have some appreciation for music, but researchers are still uncertain about why humans would evolve to love music. What does the latest science tell us?
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Podcast:
Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 268 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:
* Viewpoint: Mother Jones takes stand against American Academy of Pediatrics’s misguided case against GM crops and glyphosate
After years of criticizing the science behind crop biotechnology, progressive magazine Mother Jones has had a change of heart. The outlet recently joined the coalition of science publications and individual experts that has blasted the American Academy of Pediatrics for publishing a critically flawed--and some would say intentionally deceptive--guidance document attacking biotech crops and synthetic pesticides. Mother Jones' sudden acceptance of mainstream agricultural science appears to be part of a larger trend of formerly hostile environmental groups and media outlets embracing biotechnology as an important means of boosting food security and farming sustainability.
* Podcast: Do you buy organic milk because you believe organic farms treat their cows better? Here’s a reality check
If you think certified-organic products promote animal welfare, Atlantic contributor Annie Lowry has a revelation for you. Speaking to Slate recently, Lowry recounted her experience at a cattle auction where saw a "Certified Grass-Fed Organic" cow with its eye hanging out of its eye socket, a disconcerting symptom of ocular cancer. That observation led Lowry into a deeper investigation of animal welfare on organic farms and ultimately to the conclusion that organic farming doesn't protect animals from mistreatment or sickness—and in some cases may actually make those problems worse.
Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.
SIGN UP
Podcast:
Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 268 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:
* Viewpoint: Mother Jones takes stand against American Academy of Pediatrics’s misguided case against GM crops and glyphosate
After years of criticizing the science behind crop biotechnology, progressive magazine Mother Jones has had a change of heart. The outlet recently joined the coalition of science publications and individual experts that has blasted the American Academy of Pediatrics for publishing a critically flawed--and some would say intentionally deceptive--guidance document attacking biotech crops and synthetic pesticides. Mother Jones' sudden acceptance of mainstream agricultural science appears to be part of a larger trend of formerly hostile environmental groups and media outlets embracing biotechnology as an important means of boosting food security and farming sustainability.
* Podcast: Do you buy organic milk because you believe organic farms treat their cows better? Here’s a reality check
If you think certified-organic products promote animal welfare, Atlantic contributor Annie Lowry has a revelation for you. Speaking to Slate recently, Lowry recounted her experience at a cattle auction where saw a "Certified Grass-Fed Organic" cow with its eye hanging out of its eye socket, a disconcerting symptom of ocular cancer. That observation led Lowry into a deeper investigation of animal welfare on organic farms and ultimately to the conclusion that organic farming doesn't protect animals from mistreatment or sickness—and in some cases may actually make those problems worse.
Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.