Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates came to the defense of genetically modified organisms and the potential they hold to "feed the world" and help relieve global poverty issues in a recent annual letter released on his foundation's website.

Ninety-three percent of cotton grown in the U.S. is genetically modified, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, but that isn't stopping the market demand for organic cotton.

Genetically modified organisms have come to be synonymous with corn and soy (and the brands behind the recent proliferation of GMOS such as Monsanto). But the practice of altering DNA and cellular structures doesn't stop at plant seeds; researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research Centre at Oregon Health and Science University have successfully genetically modified monkeys.
]]> http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/shock-the-gmo-monkey-lab-creates-genetically-modified-rhesus/feed/ 0 http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/label-it-today-gmo-salmon-up-for-fda-approval-public-scrutiny/ http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/label-it-today-gmo-salmon-up-for-fda-approval-public-scrutiny/#comments Sun, 18 Dec 2011 08:00:25 +0000 Erin Shaw http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=10654

There has never been a better time to assert your right to an informed choice in food. The FDA may be finalizing approval of genetically engineered salmon, the first GE animal for human consumption, and there is one team working hard for consumers’ rights to know. The Just Label It! Campaign is calling for support for their legal petition urging the FDA to require mandatory labeling of GE salmon and all genetically engineered foods.

]]> http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/label-it-today-gmo-salmon-up-for-fda-approval-public-scrutiny/feed/ 0 http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/pardon-monsanto-gmo-ban-overturned-in-france/ http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/pardon-monsanto-gmo-ban-overturned-in-france/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:00:48 +0000 Jill Ettinger http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=10616

A ban on planting genetically modified crops in France was annulled last week, shocking a nation that prides itself on being known as the world's gourmand with a focus on fresh and whole foods. The decision to overturn the ban came as the government cited a failure in being able to establish the reason for the rushed initial ban and the lack of any conclusive scientific evidence that genetically modified foods pose human health or environmental risks.

More good news for organic farming enthusiasts. Despite longstanding opinions that organic farming could not successfully challenge the perceived efficacy or durability of conventional farming, or the big push from Monsanto and other manufacturers of genetically modified seeds that claim to provide higher yield and less dependence on pesticides, the benefits of organic farming are becoming more apparent and desirable.

Claims that the Naked Juice Company is falsely advertising its products as 'all natural' despite a number of synthetic ingredients, has landed the Monrovia, CA-based company with several class action federal lawsuits.

Nepal's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is battling the U.S. Agency for International Development and Monsanto, the largest seed company in the world, over the development of a hybrid corn crop intended for planting in the Nepalese regions of Chitwan, Nawalparasi and Kavre.

Efforts to make the FDA finally require mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods appear to be well on their way to becoming a reality. In just over one month, more than 350,000 people have signed on to support the Just Label It – We Have the Right to Know campaign.