Dr. Benbrook doesn’t elucidate anything. Elucidating would involve production of new data. Where are the data, Kirk?

Pseudoscientists produce quotes. Real scientists produce data.

“…Dr. Benbrook describes how biosynthetic pathways are disrupted by GMOs -…”

Where are the data, Kirk? How can a pathway be disrupted by an organism?

Why are you afraid of using an accurate term, like “transgenes”? Is it because you falsely claim that mutations in crops make them dangerous to eat, you are so profoundly, aggressively ignorant that you can’t even name a crop that millions of organic enthusiasts eat every day that was subjected to far more massive, random mutagenesis that is impossible to achieve by random integration of a transgene?

“… and the fats, proteins, and carbohydrates all come from biosythetic pathways.”

Wow, that’s profound. Didya learn that in medical school?

“I would hope those with the opportunity to read Dr. Benbrook’s papers for several years would have the opportunity to master the basic concepts Dr. Benbrook set forth in his discussion.”

Dr. Benbrook’s papers aren’t worth reading unless they contain new data derived from his own attempts to falsify his own hypothesis. That’s science.

“However, comprehension of scientific literature requires basic reading comprehension.”

Which you seem to lack, because you can’t seem to wrap your brain around the fact that applying the broad term “genetically modified organisms” exclusively to a tiny minority of genetically modified organisms, transgenics, is intellectually dishonest.

See if you have the integrity to answer a simple question: if mutations in crops are bad for the person eating them, why can’t you identify and publicly denounce the consumption of a common crop that was subjected to massive mutagenesis?

I am deeply skeptical about this topic and about Kirk James Murphy, M.D. I don’t mean this as a personal attack so please hear me out. A bit of Googling tells me that Dr. Murphy is a psychiatrist. That’s commendable but does not indicate any expertise on the topic of food safety. So why make a point about sticking on the M.D.? It strikes me a bit like Dr. Laura.

I have a PhD but I don’t sign everything on the Internet “Dr. Fessway”… only at the university do I go by that title. Otherwise, it gives people the impression that I am claiming authority that I don’t really deserve.

The language that Murphy uses is not neutral. “Frankenfoods” — come on. This is a tipoff. Why is FDL all of a sudden enamored with this topic and with this guy?

Again, sorry for the ad-hominem tone, but I think it matters in this case. Delete me if I’m wrong.

I have written to both Jane and Christy about this same problem. I have 20 years experience in Organics and have been very involved in GMO issues; all I can see is that he just copies reports from the web, from anti-GMO groups that peddle more emotions than facts. Don’t get me wrong I’m against GMO’s, but this is not the way to address this issue.
I have asked several times for his credentials for speaking on these topics and none have been forthcoming.

Ya can always eat Toe Foo of course.

Soy is one of the tainted foods, but you can make your own tofu: cook the beans, blend with water to make soy milk, heat with lemon juice to curdle, strain with cheesecloth and put into form and let drain. Refridgerate.

Made some in the mid 70’s, turned out yummy, but was alot of work.

Why are we importing wheat from China?

I have a PhD but I don’t sign everything on the Internet “Dr. Fessway”… only at the university do I go by that title. Otherwise, it gives people the impression that I am claiming authority that I don’t really deserve.

The language that Murphy uses is not neutral. “Frankenfoods” — come on. This is a tipoff. Why is FDL all of a sudden enamored with this topic and with this guy?

Again, sorry for the ad-hominem tone, but I think it matters in this case. Delete me if I’m wrong.

Kirk,

Practical question: How can I be sure that the seeds I am ordering are not genetically modified? I ordered from what I thought was a great company in Maine. Kingsolver mentions in her book that the company buys from Monsanto – I think that’s the company.

Everything’s in the ground. But I will be successive planting.

Monsanto did buy the largest conventional veg seed company in the past year. However, if you want Organic seeds you can Google for them. Seeds of Change is the oldest and there are many more.

Bad news is that most of the foundation grain seed, that is the seed that is kept in in quarantine for breeding, now is contaminated with GMO’s. Its a crime but a reality. There are only a few GMO veg seeds but you can expect more in the coming years.

Practical question: How can I be sure that the seeds I am ordering are not genetically modified? I ordered from what I thought was a great company in Maine. Kingsolver mentions in her book that the company buys from Monsanto – I think that’s the company.

Everything’s in the ground. But I will be successive planting.

Dr. Benbrook seems quite convinced that

“They don’t know whether the promoter gene, which has been moved into the plant to turn on the new piece of genetic material, will influence some other biosynthetic pathway that’s in the plant, turning on some natural process of the plant when it shouldn’t be turned on”

If he’s concerned promoter genes influence other biosynthetic pathways “turning on some natural process when it shouldn’t be turned on”, why is that GMO organisms can’t express new proteins (or new modifications of existing proteins) as Dr. Benbrook describes?

How can one say that GMOs can’t express novel proteins – proteins encoded in DNA not expressed until GM manipulation?

Distract, divert, spin.

promoter genes influence other biosynthetic pathways

Biosynthetic pathways produce the building blocks of natural systems – fats, protein, carbohydrates.

Fats, proteins, carbohydrates are all categories of molecules. And each category contains molecules lethal to humans.

THe fundamental issue of the GMO genetic instability Dr. Benbrook elucidates is that derangement of any biosynthetic pathway is possible.

Plants make proteins, fats and carbohydrates on their own. Dr. Benbrook describes how biosynthetic pathways are disrupted by GMOs – and the fats, proteins, and carbohydrates all come from biosythetic pathways.

I would hope those with the opportunity to read Dr. Benbrook’s papers for several years would have the opportunity to master the basic concepts Dr. Benbrook set forth in his discussion.

However, comprehension of scientific literature requires basic reading comprehension.

The defininitive statement on proteins was the statement I quoted:

frankly some of your claims about GMOs are scientifically wrong (like genetic instability leading to new proteins

The sentences of mine you quote happen to be questions

If he’s concerned promoter genes influence other biosynthetic pathways “turning on some natural process when it shouldn’t be turned on”, why is that GMO organisms can’t express new proteins (or new modifications of existing proteins) as Dr. Benbrook describes?

How can one say that GMOs can’t express novel proteins – proteins encoded in DNA not expressed until GM manipulation?

Oh – Organic George?

It nice to talk about clean food and philosophy but first and foremost supplying food is a business.

Thanks for your work on behalf of the food industry.

Mitch, as recently as last year this was Dr. Benbrook’s assessment.

Dr. Benbrook seems quite convinced that

“They don’t know whether the promoter gene, which has been moved into the plant to turn on the new piece of genetic material, will influence some other biosynthetic pathway that’s in the plant, turning on some natural process of the plant when it shouldn’t be turned on”

If he’s concerned promoter genes influence other biosynthetic pathways “turning on some natural process when it shouldn’t be turned on”, why is that GMO organisms can’t express new proteins (or new modifications of existing proteins) as Dr. Benbrook describes?

How can one say that GMOs can’t express novel proteins – proteins encoded in DNA not expressed until GM manipulation?

I’ve know Chuck Benbrook for years and am familiar with his work. It is a stretch for you to take his work where he questions the science of GMO, as well he should, and then make a leap to a definitive statement on proteins.