WERU News Report 5/13/15

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Engineer: John Greenman

Topic: Backlash against the anti-GMO movement

Back in the 90s environmental activists were the first to start warning about dangers potentially posed by advances in genetic engineering. Since that time an estimated 60+ countries have banned or restricted genetically modified organisms – or “GMOs” in food, and the movement to at least label foods containing GMOs has gone mainstream, transcending political borders. You’re just as likely to see calls to action from the right as you are from the left these days. But now we’re seeing what appears to be a concerted backlash.

I say “concerted” because the talking points are repeated, almost verbatim, in one online post after another. Those who oppose GMOs are compared to climate change deniers. They are accused of having irrational fears that are not based in science. The argument is made that we’ve been genetically modifying organisms since the advent of farming and this is no different. In March, the Guardian ran an article by 2 former presidents of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, with the heading: “The anti-GM lobby appears to be taking a page out of the Climategate playbook. Climate change is real and GM technology is safe, but those in denial want to undermine the public understanding of science with misinformation and pseudo-debate”. And when Chipotle restaurant recently announced that they will no longer knowingly serve GMO food, New York Magazine responded with an article titled “Chipotle Is Promoting Opportunistic Anti-Science Hysteria”.
Even Bill Nye the so-called “Science Guy” changed his position on GMOs earlier this year –following a visit to Monsanto. In March, backstage at the Bill Maher show, Bill Nye said “I have revised my outlook, and am very excited about telling the world. When you’re in love, you want to tell the world!” – though he offered no details about what he learned that changed his mind.

GMO crops are being promoted as the answer to world hunger and a way to reduce pesticide use by supporters as well as the mega corporations that own the technology.
So what IS the science behind the opposition to GMOs? Or is it all an emotional response to the unknown? And does there need to be a proven risk before these products are labeled? We pose those questions to our guests, then open the phone lines and invite listeners to join the discussion.

Guests:
Nancy Oden is a long time antiGMO – she attended the first GMO int’l symposium many years ago, and has been working on the issue since that time thru grassroots organizing as well as working with the legislature;
Heather Spaulding is Maine Organic Farmers and Gardener’s Association’s Deputy Director. (www.mofga.org)

Credit: An excerpt was used from a HuffPost Live interview with Bill Nye

WERU News Report 6/18/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Segment 1: Imagine spending 40 years in a six-by-nine foot cell. That’s been the fate of Herman Wallace, a prisoner in Louisiana. His story, and that of an artist who got to know him, is the subject of a new film called “Herman’s House”, which will be shown in Portland on Thursday night, and followed by a discussion led by writer and prison reform activist Lance Tapley. We spoke with him earlier today, about the film and the prison system here in Maine

Segment 2: In Augusta Monday, a group called “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” joined the “*No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence*” for a rally and the reading of a very long list of names of victims of gun violence. The event was part of a 25-state national bus tour, promoting what organizers call “common-sense” gun policies, including comprehensive and enforceable background checks. We spoke with one of the participants, Larry Gilbert, a former mayor of Lewiston whose years of experience working in law enforcement led him to take on this cause

WERU News Report 6/12/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Segment 1: In breaking news, today the state legislature passed a law requiring labeling of food containing GMO’s -genetically modified organisms–though it contains a clause that will delay implementation. We spoke with MOFGA’s Interim Director Heather Spaulding by cell phone, as she was leaving the state house this afternoon

Segment 2: In other news from the state house today, the house also voted 97 to 51 to pass the Mainecare expansion bill, taking advantage of temporary federal funding to extend healthcare coverage to more low income Mainers, following a lengthy debate. Here are some of the arguments for and against the bill, starting with Representative Linda Sanborn of Gorham

WERU News Report 4/23/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

A public hearing is underway in Augusta this afternoon on legislation that would require labeling of genetically modified food in Maine. LD 718, “An Act To Protect Maine Food Consumers’ Right To Know about Genetically Engineered Food and Seed Stock”, is being considered by the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee of the state legislature – and drawing a large number of people to the hearing. Today on the News Report, we listen in as the legislation is presented.