Posts Tagged ‘genetic engineering’

U.S. Adopts National Organic Standards: Victory for All, but…

[Editor's Note: This is part six of Mark Keating's ongoing history of the origins and evolution of organic agriculture; how the organic community and the USDA eventually came together to create the national organic standards; their subsequent implementation; and the fallout felt through to the present day.] “Democracy is the worst form of government you [...]

Monsanto v. Geerston Seed Farms: The Supreme Court Alfalfa Decision (video)

A Conversation with Craig Johnston June 28, 2010; The recent Supreme Court decision on the Roundup Ready Alfalfa case (PDF) has drawn a mixture of reactions from the mainstream media, and from the Blogosphere. To help us better understand this decision, CUpS sat down with Craig Johnston, professor of environmental law at Lewis & Clark [...]

A 21st Century Social Contract Between Agriculture & the Public

January 8, 2010 A Farm Foundation Roundtable discussion took place today. Michael Dimock, of Roots of Change (ROC) was present, offering “ten basic building blocks” for a new social contract. Dimock goes on to say, ” I am a realist who looks at the past and says we can, we will, and we must change [...]

A Conversation with Claire Hope Cummings-Part 2

editor’s note: In a recently disclosed Associated Press investigative report, Monsanto is being investigated for possible antitrust violations regarding its (seed) business licensing practices by the U.S. Department of Justice, and at least two state attorneys general. The video below was originally published in February, 2009; the written post has been updated to reflect new [...]

Seeds of Life: Beta Vulgaris

Beta Vulgaris, the latin name for the beet species, includes the sugar beet, table beet, and swiss chard varieties. Although each variety is grown for different agricultural purposes, botanically, they are the same plant. Being open pollinated plants from the same species, and not hybrids, they are susceptible to cross-contamination from the pollen of other [...]

Seeds of Life: David Vs. Goliath (video)

In an ongoing David versus Goliath legal battle, an Oregon organic seed breeder, has successfully sued the USDA over GMO sugar beets.

Genetic Engineering: Road to Paradise or Paradise Lost?

This video from the political advocacy group Greenpeace, provides an overview of the contentious issues of biotechnology (genetic engineering) as it applies to food production. In some ways, biotechnology is the equivalent of the abortion rights issue of the agriculture world. Both sides of the debate hold entrenched views; those in opposition to its use [...]

A Conversation with Claire Hope Cummings-Part 4 (video)

In Claire Hope Cummings book, Uncertain Peril, she writes about the importance of preserving biodiversity, and native plant species.