About the Posts on this Site

The posts on this Blog site do not reflect the opinions of the Department of Animal Science nor those of Penn State.

Management of Terry Etherton Blog on Biotechnology complies with the Penn State University Conflict of Interest Policy.

Objectives of this site:

The posts on this blog site represent the collective views of leading experts in the fields of biotechnology, endocrinology (the study of hormones), food security, and food safety. The intent is to provide a public forum for presenting science-based facts about numerous issues that relate broadly to the use of biotechnologies and technologies for food production. Many science-based perspectives that relate to the use of biotechnology in animal and plant agriculture are discussed. Some topic areas pertain to the use of recombinantly-derived bovine somatotropin (rbST), animal cloning, and genetically modified (GM) crops.

There are many anti-ag, anti-biotech, and anti-science activist groups who use campaigns of misinformation and junk science to scare consumers. This is done to hinder adoption and use of the products of biotechnology for agriculture. These attacks are slanderous and falsely imprecate the scientific method and many reputable scientists in the United States and throughout the World who are striving to move society ahead. One objective of this blog site is to champion science and scientists who are pursuing the greater good, to help society move forward.

Public debate about the need for and benefits of food biotechnology and its safety should be discussed in a transparent manner. It should done on the basis of scientific facts, not misinformation campaigns filled with junk science and deception. Unfortunately there are countless groups who don’t care about the facts. Their first priority is their agenda and raising funds to continue their campaigns of propaganda and false attacks. Many do this under the guise of promoting safer food and food production systems or alternative ways of food production that are more “authentic.”

As you read the blogs posted on this blog site, please appreciate that the United States has the safest food supply in the history of humankind. Sure, there are occasional problems – zero risk does not exist. However, I have not met many who want to go back to the food production and food safety systems that were used in 1850.

Going forward, the global village is going to have to produce more food, and develop more efficient ways to do this. Moreover, this will have to be done in a way that reduces the environmental impact of agriculture. A growing challenge is how to do all of this. We are facing a shrinking land base for food production because of increasing urban and suburban sprawl. There are some in society who are concerned about climatic conditions in the future and how this might affect food production. In addition, there is the ever-present reality that geopolitical strife is ongoing in many regions of the World, and this impacts food production and distribution. These are formidable realities and answers are needed to address these challenges.

My position is that we should use science to discover new biotechnologies and technologies that in the future will help feed a growing world. And do so in a way that provides safe and wholesome foods.

Consider these blogs an opportunity to gain an understanding of science-based facts about current issues in food production.

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