The Organic & Non-GMO Report Newsletter

Monsanto-supported “coexistence” meeting focuses on bashing organic

Two speakers with ties to Monsanto devoted much of their presentations to criticizing organic farming and food at an educational session that was supposed to focus on agricultural coexistence between organic and other farming systems. The session, “Embracing Agriculture Co-Existence: Organic, Conventional, and Biotech,” was held at the IFT Annual Meeting and Expo held in […]

Experts: focus on the positives when talking to conventional farmers about organic agriculture

Criticizing conventional agriculture will turn farmers against organic, say speakers at Organic Confluences Summit

Mail-order DNA, DIY gene tinkering: looming catastrophe?

Gene editing technology has become accessible to biohackers of all ages and stripes—sending ripples of alarm through academic and non-scientific circles alike. “To unleash something deadly… could really happen any day now,” said Dr. George Church, leading synthetic biologist. Using tools like Crispr-Cas9, hackers “glue” DNA fragments (easily purchased on Science Exchange, a Craigslist for […]

New research shows risks to insects from Rothamsted’s GMO “fishy” camelina

A camelina plant genetically engineered to produce omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA may reduce the learning ability of bees and other insects. United Kingdom-based Rothamsted Research genetically engineered the oilseed crop to produce the two fatty acids because they are not produced by most plants. Rothamsted’s aim was to establish a plant-based production facility […]

Monsanto stops Bt GMO soybean launch in U.S.

Monsanto has halted indefinitely introduction of Intacta 2 Xtend soybeans to U.S. farmers—a second-generation product boasting multiple genetically modified Bt proteins and tolerance to dicamba. The company cites a “lack of product demand from growers” but entomologists suggested insect resistance is the more probable   reason. First-generation Intacta RR2 PRO soybeans, with their single Bt protein […]