Category Archives: Bioterrorism and the Food System

Food Safety – Then and Now

Terry D. Etherton

Disease outbreaks that originate from consumption of food attract great media attention, and create concerns for many in society…for good reason. The recent outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Europe is a good example of this and the societal problems that ensue.  As of July 26, 2011, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control had reported 3900 confirmed or probable E. coli cases including 46 deaths from the recent E.coli outbreak in Europe.  The media attention that a disease outbreak like this causes is staggering!

Continue reading Food Safety – Then and Now

Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2010

Terry D. Etherton

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) has released their annual report Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2010.  The report presents interesting and compelling information about the rapid global adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops.

2010 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the commercialization of biotech crops. As a result of the consistent and substantial economic, environmental and welfare benefits offered by biotech crops, millions of large, small and resource-poor farmers around the world continued to plant significantly more acres of biotech crops in 2010. Continue reading Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2010

Bring Back Home Economics Education

Terry D. Etherton

A great article has just been published in the May 12 issue of the  Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).  The article Bring Back Home Economics Education was written by Drs. Alice Lichtenstein and David Ludwig of Tufts University and Children’s Hospital in Boston, MA.  The article advocates the need to “bring back” Home Economics education and the role this could play in prevention of adolescent overweight and obesity.

Home Economics, otherwise known as domestic education, was a fixture in secondary schools through the 1960s, at least for girls. The underlying concept was that future homemakers should be educated in the care and feeding of their families. This idea now seems quaint, but in the midst of a pediatric obesity epidemic and concerns about the poor diet quality of adolescents in the United States, instruction in basic food preparation and meal planning skills needs to be part of any long-term solution.

About 35% of adolescents are overweight or obese, a prevalence that approaches 50% in minority populations. Excessive weight among youth affects virtually every organ system and, according to a recent study, increases the risk of premature death. In addition, obesity adversely affects self-esteem, academic accomplishment, and future earning potential of children. Continue reading Bring Back Home Economics Education

The Slippery Slope Involved in the Proposed Move of the U.S. Foot and Mouth Disease Lab – What a “Mess”!

Background: Common to all fields of science and engaged scientists is their willingness to participate in the free exchange of ideas. This blog often posts such ideas in the form of existing citable scientific contributions and news items. In recent conversations among like-minded individuals regarding contemporary topics in livestock production agriculture and biotechnology, the issue of U.S. animal disease research was raised. No factor in livestock production can impact production efficiency and profitability more than a disease issue. And, in the case of a highly contagious foreign animal disease (FAD) where the U.S. would change from disease-free status to one of a FAD positive diagnosis, livestock production could be decimated in quick order. Continue reading The Slippery Slope Involved in the Proposed Move of the U.S. Foot and Mouth Disease Lab – What a “Mess”!

Milk Labeling in Minnesota – Another Journalistic Venture

“Sweet Bonus” or Survival? Get the Facts and Then Decide!
by Sherry Bunting
Introduction by Terry Etherton

On June 22, 2008, the Star Tribune newspaper (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota) published an article, “Is Labeling Milk as Free of Hormones a Bad Idea“, written by Lou Gelfand. The story is great example of the lousy and slanted journalism being practiced that focuses on agricultural biotechnology … in this case, rbST and milk labeling. Continue reading Milk Labeling in Minnesota – Another Journalistic Venture

Scientists Challenge Industry In Escalating rbST Label Row

Posted on Truth About Trade & Technology
April 2, 2008

Sixty-six university dairy and veterinary scientists launched a broad attack Monday against milk processors and retail marketers who increasingly seek to advertise and label milk produced by cows not treated with Monsanto’s recombinant bovine somatotropin. A letter from professors at nearly every major land grant university asserted there was no difference between conventional and “rBST-free” or organic milk but that consumers were being misled by emotional advertising claims to pay higher prices. Continue reading Scientists Challenge Industry In Escalating rbST Label Row

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Outbreak in the UK: Initial Report on Potential Breaches to Biosecurity at the Pirbright Site

Background:

I posted a press release on August 3, 2007 from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) about a recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the United Kingdom.

On August, 8, 2007 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK posted information that addresses potential breaches in biosecurity that may be linked to the outbreak. The HSE Report is presented below. Continue reading Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Outbreak in the UK: Initial Report on Potential Breaches to Biosecurity at the Pirbright Site

Foot and Mouth Disease Confirmed in Cattle in Surrey, United Kingdom

Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
News Release Date: 3 August 2007

Following an investigation of suspected vesicular disease by Animal Health on a holding near Guildford in Surrey, United Kingdom, laboratory results have this evening indicated that the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus is present in samples from cattle on the premises. Continue reading Foot and Mouth Disease Confirmed in Cattle in Surrey, United Kingdom

Ben & Jerry’s Embraces GM Ice Cream Protein?

Terry Etherton

According to an article published in FoodNaviator.com, Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, one of the most visible anti-biotechnology ice cream makers in the United States, has moved closer to gaining approval in Europe to use an ice-structuring protein (ISP) isolated from genetically modified yeast. Continue reading Ben & Jerry’s Embraces GM Ice Cream Protein?