Union of Concerned Scientists
by Doug Gurian-Sherman, senior scientist, Food and Environment

One of the most frequently mentioned benefits of genetically engineered crops is a reduction in chemical pesticide use on corn and cotton. These chemicals typically kill not only pest insects but also beneficial insects that help control pests or pollinate crops. They may also harm other friendly organisms like birds.

But in reality, corn engineered to kill certain insect pests—AKA Bt corn—has mainly resulted in the replacement of one group of chemical insecticides with another. Previously, corn may have been sprayed, or soil treated with chemical insecticides to control several insect pests, especially corn rootworm. Bt has largely eliminated (at least for the time being) the demand for insecticides to control rootworm or European corn borer.

But those who tout the benefits of GE fail to mention that today virtually all corn seed is treated instead with chemical insecticides called neonicotinoids to ward off several corn insects not well controlled by Bt toxins. Read Full Article »

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Yet another reason to test GMOs for safety.

AlterNet / By Ari LeVaux

Chinese researchers have found small pieces of rice ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the blood and organs of humans who eat rice. The Nanjing University-based team showed that this genetic material will bind to receptors in human liver cells and influence the uptake of cholesterol from the blood.

The type of RNA in question is called microRNA (abbreviated to miRNA) due to its small size. MiRNAs have been studied extensively since their discovery ten years ago, and have been implicated as players in several human diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. They usually function by turning down or shutting down certain genes. The Chinese research provides the first in vivo example of ingested plant miRNA surviving digestion and influencing human cell function in this way.

Should the research survive scientific scrutiny — a serious hurdle — it could prove a game changer in many fields. It would mean that we’re eating not just vitamins, protein, and fuel, but gene regulators as well. Read Full Article »

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As research into organic food and farming expands, trends are beginning to emerge validating the multiple benefits of organic systems. In this session, the author will present concise, understandable summaries of recently conducted research regarding nutrition, pesticide residues, biodiversity, natural resource conservation, soil and water quality, and food safety related to organic production and handling. Read Full Article »

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Two agricultural events are happening this weekend that we encourage you to attend if you are able.

2012 Practical Farmers of Iowa Annual Conference

Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) will host their annual conference January 12-14, 2012 at the Scheman Building, Iowa State University campus, in Ames, Iowa. Read Full Article »

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NEWS RELEASE from the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA)

They require at least a 40¢ a gallon increase in their milk price to stay in business

A remarkable turn-around in demand for organic dairy products in 2011 has resulted in shortages on supermarket shelves, but organic dairy family farmers find themselves not being able to increase production because they can’t pay their bills. Sales of organic milk and packaged dairy product are at an all-time high and there is more organic milk being produced by family farms than ever before, but organic dairy farmers are leaving the industry because they are not being paid enough to cover the increased cost of feed, fuel and family expenses. Farmers require a fair share of the retail dollar. Currently, retailers and farmers receive the same amount for each ½ gallon of organic milk sold.

“For the last year we have been telling the processors that we are losing money,” says Liz Bawden, NODPA President and New York organic dairy farmer, “Now the milk buyers need more milk and we can’t afford to buy the feed to increase production. Some dairy farmers are going out of business. We require at least a 40¢ a gallon increase to be able to pay our bills and stay in business.” Read Full Article »

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