The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis.
The Environmental Working Group, an anti-GMO activist group, hosted a press call on Feb. 2 to discuss the latest “study” about glyphosate. . . .
. . . .
Less than five hours later, Newsweek’s Doug Main posted an article that can only be described as an early Valentine to Benbrook and the entire anti-GMO crowd. . . .
. . . Main passes along all the information the activists gave him without fact-checking or providing a frame of reference.
Opening paragraph:
“The world is awash in glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, produced by Monsanto. . . .”
Awash in glyphosate! Horrifying, no? Main is painting the image exactly how the activists want him to – that our world is awash in a dangerous chemical. It would be nice to know what herbicide glyphosate replaced since we can assume weeds have always been a problem. . . .
Here’s more:
“It’s not yet clear how much of an impact glyphosate has had on cancer rates.”
This sentence suggests that glyphosate could have an impact on cancer rates, even though there is no proof whatsoever. It’s meant to scare the reader and imply we just haven’t found out “yet” that it causes cancer.
. . . .
“Furthermore, it’s robbing farmers of income, which is diverted to companies that produce herbicides . . . ’30 percent of the net income that used to go to farmers is now going to these companies,’ Benbrook says . . .”
How hard would it have been to call a farmer to comment on this? If the 30% number is even true, how does this compare to previous years?
. . . .
. . . Anyone looking for information about glyphosate or GMOs will see this piece online – along with Newsweek’s imprimatur – and assume it’s the full story when it’s activist propaganda sealed with a kiss.
Read full, original post: Newsweek’s One-Sided Valentine to the Anti-GMO Movement
