Jeffrey Smith has spent the past 25 years warning us of the dangers of rampant, profit-driven genetic engineering.
As the founder of the Institute for Responsible Technology and author of Seeds of Deception, as well as producer of the documentary Don't Let the Gene Out of the Bottle, Smith has galvanized much public opinion to question the safety of the GMOs in our food supply, and has been at the forefront of the movement to label GMOs so consumers can decide for themselves whether to consume them.
In our conversation, we focused on glyphosate, one of the active ingredients in the Bayer/Monsanto pesticide RoundUp. Smith shared the predatory business and legal tactics the company uses to force farmers to buy its RoundUp Ready seeds, and highlighted some of the known harms of the chemical.
According to Smith, the release of genetically modified microbes poses a real and dire threat to the entire gene pool of planet earth. He shared an example of a ecological disaster narrowly averted when a student of soil scientist Dr Elaine Ingram discovered that a genetically modified bacteria about to released into the soil turned plant matter into puddles of alcoholic goop.
We talked about the myth of “active ingredients,” and the hubris of technologists who believe that genetic modification will yield predictable, wholly positive results.
Smith cautioned against consuming Impossible Foods faux meats, as they are products of synthetic biology – essentially turning microbes into factories to produce what he terms “Food-shaped objects to be avoided.”
Smith also pointed out the revolving door between Monsanto and the US government regulators charged with our safety, and the conflicts of interest and political machinations it's produced.
For example: Monsanto lobbying Michael Taylor was named by President Obama in 2009 to be senior adviser to the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner on food safety.
For example: ex-Monsanto lawyer and current Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas refusing to recuse himself from cases in which Monsanto is a defendant.
And in 2019 a document came to light showing that Monsanto had compiled dossiers on its opponents, including politicians, journalists and scientists, as part of smear campaigns designed to cast doubt on any criticism of the company or its products.
Smith noted with horror that anyone with a couple of hundred bucks and an internet connection can now buy a gene splicing kit and run their own potentially world-ending experiments, a situation he likened to handing a bomb detonator to a teenager.
Listen, watch, learn — and be very frightened, my friends.
Links
Institute for Responsible Technology
Seeds of Deception, by Jeffrey Smith
Jeffrey Smith on The Doctors TV
Looking for Transformational Change?
You know how when you discovered plant-based eating, you basically went, “Holy shit, how come the entire healthcare system isn't totally embracing this as one of the most powerful keys to disease prevention and reversal!”?
That's how I feel now about a psychological approach to transformational change called “Memory Reconsolidation.” Few psychologists have heard about it, and when they do hear the radical transformations it can bring about in a very short time, they're often skeptical to the point of disbelief.
But I've added Memory Reconsolidation work to my own coaching, and can attest to its amazing efficacy. So much so, that I'm devoting the next year to mastering it, studying with the best clinicians and teachers in the world, and then introducing it into health coaching through my trainings.
Right now, I want to triple my coaching practice to get more and more opportunities to do this work. And I'm lowering my fees – a lot – to make it easier for people to work with me.
If you're interested in working with me (and willing to commit to a minimum of 2 months), click the link below to open the form in a new browser tab and I'll get back to you within 3 business days.
Yes, I'm interested in Memory Reconsolidation Coaching.
You CAN Change Other People!
Well, that's what Peter Bregman and I claim in our provocative book of that title.
What we really mean is, you can help the people around you make behavioral changes in their own best interests. If you think you're powerless to help people change, it's because you've been going about it the wrong way.
Discover our straightforward, replicable process here: You Can Change Other People.
Audiobook: Use the Weight to Lose the Weight
Listen to Josh LaJaunie and me narrate our latest audiobook, about how to start moving when you're obese.
It's $10, and Josh and I split it evenly 🙂
Tip Jar
This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by clicking the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.
Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – Brittany Porter – Dominic Marro – Barbara Whitney – Tammy Black – Amy Good – Amanda Hatherly – Mary Jane Wheeler – Ellen Kennelly – Melissa Cobb – Rachel Behrens – Tina Scharf – Tina Ahern – Jen Vilkinofsky – David Byczek – Michele X – Elspeth Feldman – Leah Stolar – Allan Kristensen – Colleen Peck – Michele Landry – Jozina – Sara Durkacs – Kelly Cameron – Janet Selby – Claire Adams – Tom Fronczak – Jeannette Benham – Gila Lacerte – David Donohue – Blair Seibert – Doron Avizov – Gio and Carolyn Argentati – Jodi Friesner – Mischa Rosen – Michael Worobiec – AvIvA Lael – Alicia Lemus – Val Linnemann – Nick Harper – Bandana Chawla – Molly Levine – The Inscrutable Harry R – Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan – Craig Covic – Adam Scharf – Karen Bury – Heather Morgan – Nigel Davies – Marian Blum – Teresa Kopel – Julian Watkins – Brid O'Connell – Shannon Herschman – Linda Ayotte – Holm Hedegaard – Isa Tousignant – Connie Haneline – Erin Greer – Alicia Davis – Heather O'Connor – Carollynne Jensen – Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health – Karen Smith – Scott Mirani – Karen and Joe Crabtree – Kirby Burton – Theresa Carrell – Kevin Macaulay – Elizabeth Rothschild – Ann Jesse – Sheryl Dwyer – Jenny Hazelton – Peter W Evans – Dennis Bird – Darby Kelly – Lori Fanney – Linnea Lundquist – Emily Iaconelli – Levi Wallach – Rosamonde McAtee – Dan Pokorney – Stephen Leinin – Patty DeMartino – Mike and Donna Kartz – Deanne Bishop – Bilberry Elf – Marjorie Lewis – Tricia Adams – Nancy Sheldon – Lindsey Bashore – Gunn Marit Hagen – Tracey Gulledge – Lara Hedin – Meg from Mamasezz – Stacey Stokes – Ben Savage – Michael K – David Hughes -Coni Rodgers – Claire England – Sally Robertson – Parham Ganchi – Amy Dailey – Brian Tourville – Mark Jeffrey Johnson – Josie Dempsey – Caryn Schmitt – Pamela Hayden – Emily Perryman – Allison Corbett – Richard Stone – Lauren Vaught of Edible Musings – Erin Hastey – Sean Owens – Sagar Naik – Erika Piedra – Danielle Roberts – Michael Leuchten – Sarah Johnson – Katharine Floyd – Meryl Fury – for your generous support of the podcast.
Disclosure
This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive compensation from your actions on such links. It don't cost you a dime, tho.
