The Genetic Literacy Project: A Useful and Functional Information Source for Unbiased Science and Issues in Agricultural and Human Genetics and Health

     This post is a shoutout to a long-favored site for sane, rational, and cutting-edge analysis of agricultural and human genetics, biology, human health, and environmental health. Articles vary but are always thoughtful and unbiased. The motto seems to be Science Not Ideology. Indeed, they often call out those from the left and those from the right if they are anti-science or pushing ideologies, catastrophism, or pseudoscience. Scientific integrity is important and smart.

     Subjects include genetic crop engineering and CRISPR, biodiversity issues, risk science, genetics and evolution, pesticide risks, medicine and public health, food and agricultural innovation, regulatory politics, and much more.

     Their webpage has the following description:

The Genetic Literacy Project fosters dialogue about the scientific, social and ethical implications of genetic technologies, human and agricultural. It respects the uncertainties inherent in science but is grounded in the conviction that genomic research is an engine of innovation and job creation. It is designed to help journalists, scientists and policymakers navigate the increasingly politicized arena of biotechnology, genetic engineering, CRISPR gene editing, medical genomics and related sciences, such as nanotechnology and epigenetics.

     The following is from their donation tab:

The Genetic Literacy Project is dedicated to disentangling ideology from science. Our mission is to improve the quality of the public discourse, encourage innovation and act as a hub for journalists, NGOs, industry, policy makers and the public on issues involving biotechnology, biomedicine, food and farming. The GLP is a non-profit arm of the 501(c)(3) Science Literacy Project.

     The work of the Genetic Literacy Project is important, especially as many countries still ban genetically modified products and foods, which have never been shown to have any negative health effects over the past several decades that they have been produced and consumed. Those countries need to be advised by science-based analysis and not by activists, often armed with pseudoscience or irrelevant cherry-picked data.

GLP hosts numerous invaluable resources, updated regularly and available for researchers journalists, policymakers, and the public, found nowhere else.

▪ GMO/Biotechnology FAQs ▪ Bees and Butterflies: Facts About Pesticides and Pollinators ▪ Sustainable Weed Management: A guide on using crop chemicals ▪ GMO Profiles: Who and what organizations challenge consensus science ▪ Anti-GMO Advocacy Funding Tracker ▪ Pesticides and Food ▪ Glyphosate: Global Regulatory Summary (one of more than 50 infographics developed by the GLP, accessible on our site and via search ▪ Global Gene Editing Regulation Tracker

There are also many useful infographics on the site.

 

     

References:

Genetic Literacy Project (webpage). Genetic Literacy Project | Science Not Ideology

Genetic Literacy Project. SCIENCE NOT IDEOLOGY. Policy & Performance Review, 2024. GLP-Policy-and-Performance-2024.pdf

Pesticides and Food: It’s not a black or white issue — Has pesticide use decreased since the introduction of GMO crops? Kayleen Schreiber, Marc Brazeau | December 1, 2023. Genetic Literacy Project. Pesticides and Food: It's not a black or white issue — Has pesticide use decreased since the introduction of GMO crops? - Genetic Literacy Project

Infographic: Crop biotech boosts farm productivity $225 billion, improving lives of millions globally. VTC News | December 9, 2020, Genetic Literacy Project. Infographic: Crop biotech boosts farm productivity $225 billion, improving lives of millions globally - Genetic Literacy Project