E-sassination, GMO and Q&A
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The document discusses the challenges and misinformation surrounding genetically engineered (GE) crops and the scientific community's response to public perception influenced by social media and activist groups. It addresses conflicts of interest related to funding in scientific research, the effectiveness of GE crops, and the need for better communication of science to counter misinformation. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of engaging with public discourse to promote accurate information about agricultural innovations and their benefits.
E-sassination, GMO and Q&A
- 1. Kevin M. Folta Professor and Chairman Horticultural Sciences Department kfolta.blogspot.com @kevinfolta kfolta@ufl.edu www.talkingbiotechpodcast.com slideshare.net/kevinfolta Skeptics in the Pub June 10, 2016
- 2. eSassination – A new weapon in the War on Science The National Academies Report on Genetically Engineered Crops Q&A
- 3. How does it work? Social media, activist-friendly websites, low-quality publication used to spread false information about a scientist in an attempt to harm their credibility. Legitimate journalists duped into publishing stories that seem to be based on good information, yet they are not. Questions are raised about funding, collaborations, even though they have no influence on data or positions taken.
- 4. Conflict of Interest / Misconduct? If funding comes from an organization or company to perform a scientific study, it is perceived of and promoted as a Conflict of Interest There is no evidence of scientific misconduct, falsification, omission (typically) If there is, then that is a major problem.
- 5. Why do most study outcomes favor the funder’s position? ~90% of results of independent studies result in outcomes that are favorable to the funding body. Independent research is most often contracted to perform a confirmatory test or a well established hypothesis with reasonable preliminary data. It is likely rare that a company would contract to an independent researcher to perform research based on no preliminary data or to confirm failure.
- 6. Why do most study outcomes favor the funder’s position? What researcher is going to perform analysis on something unlikely to possibly work or with no chance to publish/patent etc? DrugCo wants us to do this test that will never work! Count me in, I don’t really want a career anyway!
- 7. Dr. Ray Hilborn Professor, University of Washington Specialist in measuring fish populations and modeling projected growth/depletion. Respected expert. Well cited.
- 8. He has reported that some populations are on the decline. He has reported that some populations are rebounding from conservation efforts. Some are stable, doing well and may be harvested.
- 14. Research Use of light to increase fruit quality USDA $500,000 Past funding for work in photomorphogenesis, plant photoreceptors and light – USDA $500,000, NSF $1,065,000, NIH - $100,000; Light Emitting Computers $5000. Past funding for work in strawberry genomics, strawberry flavors, disease resistance, USDA $470,000, NSF $1,550,000, FDACS - $550,000, FSREF - $310,000, UF Plant Molecular Breeding Program - $180,000, JR Simplot Co - $135,000; Driscoll’s $10,000; Roche/454 $10,000, Graduate students supported by CAPES (Brazil); Malaysian Government, Chinese Scholarship Fund (2); Islamic Development Fund, Belgian Graduate Student Development Fund. Internal grants: $145,000 Dean for Research toward strawberry genome sequencing $40,000
- 15. Outreach www.talkingbiotech.com Communicating the Science of Science Communication National Science Foundation - $32,000 Modules for schools- Citrus greening disease, crop domestication, plants and light Modules for extension agents – how to teach about citrus disease, talking about biotechnology Monsanto Co, $25000
- 16. 43 Scientists get FOIA requests – Funded by Organic Consumers Association I turned over 4600 pages
- 17. Numberoffundedtravels Year Monsanto and its industry partners have also passed out an undisclosed amount in special grants to scientists like Kevin Folta, the chairman of the horticultural sciences department at the University of Florida, to help with “biotechnology outreach” and to travel around the country to defend genetically modified foods. “While Dr. Folta was not personally compensated, Monsanto paid for his trips to testify in Pennsylvania and Hawaii.” Dr. Folta, the emails show, soon became part of an inner circle of industry consultants, lobbyists and executives who devised strategy on how to block state efforts to mandate G.M.O. labeling and, most recently, on how to get Congress to pass legislation that would pre-empt any state from taking such a step. ERIC LIPTON New York Times, 9/5/15 Every outreach written piece, seminar, lecture, etc, all costs reimbursed Kfolta.blogspot.com 9/19/2015
- 19. Phone threats, FBI domestic terrorism task force notified, Hacking Impersonation Doxxing
- 20. Outreach www.talkingbiotech.com Communicating the Science of Science Communication National Science Foundation - $32,000 Modules for schools- Citrus greening disease, crop domestication, plants and light Modules for extension agents- how to discuss citrus disease and biotechnology Monsanto Co, $25000
- 22. Total Distributed 6000 + pages given to USRTK -- including Gmail -- including personal emails between friends 2707 pages sent to Vani Hari – “food babe” that is cross-referencing them against USRTK The same sent to many other media outlets, reporters, etc. One wrote on Twitter – “I went through his emails, the guy is a saint” -- Copy cat requests, probably a dozen more Total paid by requestors- ~$5000, total cost to taxpayer, >$100,000
- 26. USRTK Organic Consumers Association $ Uses FOIA to obtain emails under reasonable pretenses Manufacture false or questionable stories, “supporting” emails Distribute to authors to write stories that appear independent Pieces published, regardless of facts Secondary press, web eSassination Secondary NGOs
- 27. Effects of eSassination Scientists- do not participate in public discussion. Do not take positions on controversial issues. Spiral of Silence- National organizations fear reprisal for members, remain quiet Funding– independent scientists are less likely to accept corporate funding for fear of being labeled as tainted. Corporations– Less likely to fund initiatives of helpful independent scientists
- 28. Conflict of Interest / Misconduct? If funding comes from an organization or company to perform a scientific study, it is perceived of and promoted as a Conflict of Interest There is no evidence of scientific misconduct, falsification, omission (typically) If there is, then that is a major problem.
- 29. Conflict of Interest / Misconduct? Chuck Benbrook - Ag Economist •Claims in YouTube video that GE crops cause allergies, autism, arthritis, ADHD. •Reported to PA House of Reps that Bt was found in umbilical cords, etc (October 2015) •Claims glyphosate detected in hair (I-squared debate, 12/2015) •Published papers showing an increase in herbicide use •Published paper claiming “no conflicts of interest”
- 30. Conflict of Interest / Misconduct? Paper showing increased use only showed those trends because of interpolated and projected data. http://weedcontrolfreaks.com/2012/10/do-genetically-engineered-crops-really-increase-herbicide-use/
- 32. Conflict of Interest / Misconduct? Nobody really cares. The one person that the FOIA efforts caught not disclosing funds and then creating information that is contrary to science– he gets a free pass.
- 33. Part 2 - Synthesis of the NAS Report kfolta.blogspot.com @kevinfolta kfolta@ufl.edu www.talkingbiotechpodcast.com slideshare.net/kevinfolta
- 34. Part 2 - Synthesis of the NAS Report •900 paper •80 speakers at in person testimonies •15 Webinars •>700 public comments The synthesis document was reviewed by dozens of scientists.
- 35. GM Crops Available Now 10 potato apple
- 36. What are the Three Main Traits? Virus Resistance Insect Resistance Herbicide Resistance
- 37. Agronomic and Environmental Effects- Bt 1. Bt leads to a decease in crop losses 2. Increased numbers of insects (diversity) 3. Decreased insecticide use 4. Resistance to the Bt protein
- 38. Agronomic and Environmental Effects – herbicide resistance traits 1. Yields are better because of better weed control 2. Lower impact than other herbicides 3. Number of kilos of herbicide has increased 4. Changes in weed populations 5. Resistance to the herbicide – major problem
- 39. Other effects 1. Help farmers by lowering costs of labor/fuel 2. No health effects identified.
- 40. GMO Crops Make Pesticides
- 41. Bt is one of many natural anti-insect proteins
- 42. Bt is one of many natural anti-insect proteins Episode 028
- 43. How Bt Works bt
- 44. Advantages Decrease in broad-spectrum insecticide use on corn and cotton Lower fuel and labor costs for farmers Solid dividends in the developing world No effect on beneficials Limitations Need to plant refugia to slow resistance Pockets of resistance are seen and require use of insecticides Requires careful scouting
- 45. Glyphosate-Resistant (Roundup Ready) Products A gene is inserted that allows plants to survive in the presence of the herbicide. Farmers can spray to kill non-transgenic plants.
- 46. How Herbicide Resistance Works A B C Amino acids proteins epsps glyphosate X Plants
- 47. How Herbicide Resistance Works A B C Amino acids proteins epsps glyphosate X A B C Amino acids proteins epsps Plants Bacteria glyphosate
- 48. How Herbicide Resistance Works A B C Amino acids proteins epsps epsps Plants X glyphosate A B C Amino acids proteins Bacteria glyphosate
- 49. How Herbicide Resistance Works A B C Amino acids proteins epsps Plants glyphosate Resistance!
- 50. Advantages Switch to a low-toxicity herbicide, cheap and effective Lower fuel and labor costs for farmers Decreased tilling, saved topsoil Limitations Weeds can evolve resistance, requiring increased labor, lower yields, and new control strategies. New chemistries.
- 51. What is Glyphosate? Non-selective herbicide. Kills all plants. Pathway not present in animals Acute toxicity is low (4320 -10,000 mg/kg)
- 52. Who’s technology is this? Technology exists TODAY that can: -Provide needed micronutrients to hungry populations -Add virus resistance to key crops in the developing world -Help plants grow in changing climates and weather extremes, such as heat, drought, flooding, cold. -Plants that protect themselves from pests, cutting need for insecticides -Why don’t we use them? Success Stories (We Can’t Use)
- 53. Papaya Ringspot Virus Good example of RNAi suppression
- 56. Golden Rice X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy Opposition to golden rice cost $2 billion to farmers in developing countries and 1.4 million human years – Wesseler et al., 2014
- 57. Cassava Virus Resistant Cassava (VIRCA) Biocassava Plus (BC Plus) 250 million depend on cassava 50 million tons lost to virus. X X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy
- 58. Golden Bananas Beta carotene producing X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy
- 59. Bacterial Wilt in Bananas >70% of carbohydrate calories for some areas GM trials in Uganda X X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy X
- 60. Over expression of rice Xa21 gene Tripathi et al, 2014
- 61. Overexpression of Ferredoxin like protein
- 62. Allergy-Free Peanuts Peanut – RNAi suppression Ara h2 X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy
- 63. GE chickens do not pass on Avian Influenza Episode 007 X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy X X X X Animal welfare
- 64. AquaBounty Salmon – attains market weight in less time. Salmon may be farmed on inland pools, generating high protein food on fewer inputs. Episode 008 X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy X X X X Wild populations
- 65. Thanks Alison Van Eenennaam for the slide! Farmers Consumers Environment Needy X
- 66. Low Acrylamide, non Browning Potatoes X X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy
- 67. Non Browning Apples Silencing a gene that leads to discoloration X X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy Small Business!X
- 68. BS2 Tomato A pepper gene in tomato eases bacterial wilt. X X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy
- 70. Grapes resistant to Pierce’s Disease X X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy X
- 72. One acre of omega-3 producing soybeans yields as much oil as 10,000 fish!
- 73. Stopping Citrus Greening Spinach defensin NPR1 Lytic peptides Many show promise Earliest deregulation is 2019 X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy X X
- 75. Mosquitoes– Mosquitoes are given a gene that is lethal. In the lab they receive a treatment to repress that gene. When released, they mate with existing populations and produce non-viable offspring. Episode 008
- 76. Gene Editing Not adding a gene, changing the gene that is present so that it stops function or creates a known change. Still strong opposition from activist NGOs Some countries have taken stands on the issue Stands to generate rapid improvement of crop plants, especially where traditional breeding is long (trees)
- 77. Gene Editing CRISPR/Cas9 -- a bacterial system that can be used to change DNA sequences, with no ‘genetic engineering’ sequences left behind.
- 78. Gene Editing Horn Gene Horn Gene NO HORNS!!! Good beef Bad milkHORNS!!! Bad beef Great milk
- 79. Gene Editing Horn Gene Horn Gene NO HORNS!!! Good beef Bad milkHORNS!!! Bad beef Great milk Cross…. Mix of bad beef, bad milk production
- 80. Gene Editing Horn Gene Horn Gene NO HORNS!!! Good beef Bad milkHORNS!!! Bad beef Great milk Horn Gene NO HORNS!!! Bad beef Good milk Episode 002
- 81. Changing domestic pigs’ DNA to provide resistance to African Swine Fever Episode 037
- 82. Why?Why? Who is blocking solutions?Who is blocking solutions?
- 83. Why Don’t We Use These Solutions?Why Don’t We Use These Solutions? Lots of money to be made promoting bad science Anti corporate agenda “These people hate corporations more than they love people” -Hank Campbell, Science 2.0 Expensive regulation that only favors giant corporations
- 84. Why Don’t We Use These Solutions?Why Don’t We Use These Solutions? Bad science, low quality reports and misinformation dominate the internet and public discourse. Reports that are not repeated, deeply flawed, or have no consistency with scientific consensus.
- 85. Why Don’t We Use These Solutions?Why Don’t We Use These Solutions?
- 86. Why Don’t We Use These Solutions?Why Don’t We Use These Solutions?
- 87. Why Don’t We Use These Solutions?Why Don’t We Use These Solutions? Based on a computer program prediction. Authors chose not to actually measure the compound. I’m going to do this, have invited their participation.
- 88. Why Don’t We Use These Solutions?Why Don’t We Use These Solutions? Based on Aris and LeBlanc, 2011
- 89. Why Don’t We Use These Solutions?Why Don’t We Use These Solutions? Big profits to be made from science denial Companies use greenwashing to differentiate products claiming some qualitative difference Companies like Chipotle fail to mention inconvenient facts: -Soda still contains HFCS from GE corn ($$$) -Cheese uses a GE enzyme in production -The switch from oil derived from GE soy to non-GE sunflower changes to a crop with substantially higher pesticide/herbicide inputs.
- 90. Conclusion: Farm producers are the most trusted and competent sources of information, but are among the least likely to engage. When engaging in conversation, lead with your ethics. Build the argument with evidence and bring in personal impacts and emotion. Know how ag innovations satisfy shared values. Get involved in the conversation. It is happening online with or without you, and we need your experience if we are going to control the narrative, and maintain freedom to operate.
- 91. Thank you kfolta.blogspot.com @kevinfolta www.talkingbiotechpodcast.com Slides online at slideshare.net/kevinfolta kfolta@ufl.edu Dr. Norman Borlaug