Scientific evidence and policy making
Evidence based information to inform policy In November of 2012, I organized a PANEL at the Canadian Science Policy Conference in Calgary. We invited experts from Canada, the US and the UK (all with...
View Article“10 ‘reasoned’ responses” to “10 reasons we don’t need #GMOs”
You may have run across this article “10 Reasons We Don’t Need GM Foods” on the FoodConsumer website. It’s been making its rounds on social media (Facebook and Twitter). I would like to address some...
View ArticleFrom ‘I smell a rat’ to ‘when pigs fly’, bad science makes its rounds
From ‘I smell a rat‘ to ‘when pigs fly’, bad science has been making the rounds of late. The multi-authored article “A long-term toxicology study on pigs fed a combined genetically modified (GM) soy...
View ArticleThere’s no room in science for provocateurs
How many times do we have to deal with the folly and fall-out of sub-standard science? In her letter titled “Future of Meat” dated October 24, 2013, J. MacPherson references the same ol’, same ol’...
View ArticleRetraction reaction…
The recent retraction of the Séralini study by the journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology journal (more at Retraction Watch) has been a hot topic over the past few weeks. The editors of the journal...
View ArticleGMOs and Public Perceptions: Part 1 (of 5)
I had the opportunity to work with a journalism student from Sheridan College. She asked some really great questions about genetically modified organisms and I provided some answers. Q.1 Why are people...
View ArticleGMOs and Public Perceptions: Part 2 (of 5)
I had the opportunity to work with a journalism student from Sheridan College. She asked some really great questions about genetically modified organisms and I provided some answers. Q.2 How do anti-GM...
View ArticleGMOs and Public Perceptions: Part 4 (of 5)
I had the opportunity to work with a journalism student from Sheridan College. She asked some really great questions about genetically modified organisms and I provided some answers. Q.4 Should...
View ArticleGMOs and Public Perceptions: Part 5 (of 5)
I had the opportunity to work with a journalism student from Sheridan College. She asked some really great questions about genetically modified organisms and I provided some answers. Q.5 What are the...
View ArticleFacts in Action: Need reliable, compelling information about GMOs?
TED TALKS: Can a GMO be natural?: Jimmy Botella, is the Professor of Plant Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland. He founded the Plant Genetic...
View ArticleFarmTech poll summary: the ag and food conversation
I had the opportunity to speak to a large and engaging group of farmers and industry people at this year’s FarmTech in Edmonton. It was my first FarmTech and it was a great experience! The title of the...
View ArticleVerdict: promise not YET met #GMOs
Biology Fortified just launched a series that digs into and critically examines the claims about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and what they realistically offer up in terms of economic,...
View ArticleThe consumer and GMOs: adrift in a sea of misinformation
Last month, I had the opportunity to present to a group of registered dieticians and nutritionists at the Alberta Milk sponsored event, the Nutrition File Seminar. It was a great opportunity to...
View ArticleThe full farm and food immersion experience at #CanolaConnect!
Canola Connect Camp “swag” I was excited to participate last week in the third annual Canola Connect Camp, hosted by the Manitoba Canola Growers Association. It was a full farm and food immersion...
View ArticleSelf-doubt and the fine art of solution aversion: my story
I am a self-professed ‘late bloomer’; in the academic sense, anyway. In the early nineties, I was a single parent trying make ends meet. I worked 2+ part-time jobs to keep my daughter and son fed,...
View ArticleThe Closer You Get… the fear and disgust response
As humans, we all experience a range of emotions: Anger, joy, sadness, surprise, fear and disgust. Fear and disgust are dominant emotional drivers. And you can thank your ancestors for that. Research...
View ArticleFast ‘Information’ Nation? The social costs of our highly connected world
We have an information banquet at our finger tips. It’s a feast for the eyes and the ears; a smorgasbord of colour, content and a constant (sometimes annoying) presence in our lives. Information has...
View ArticleThe public-private relationship in research: conflict or opportunity?
Summary: Research objectives need to be linked to markets and society’s needs; that’s innovation Federal funding agencies (like Genome Canada), and their partners, adhere to strict standards in...
View ArticleThe Dose Makes the Poison: 2016 edition
Today is a good day to (re)launch my personal blog – now titled “Camistry” – showcasing its new, snappy design. Thanks to my very talented cousin, Shawn, for his creative input and for “re-imagining”...
View ArticleWhat happens when a friend asks you this?… #GMOs @AJStein_de
This is what happened when Alexander J. Stein, an economist from the EU with research interests in ag and food security, was asked this: “Do you have any recommendations for reading about the debate on...
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