Are we all suffering from chemophobia?
Unfounded fears of chemicals threaten modern society Chemicals are everywhere and all around us, they compose everything, including ourselves. As the basic elements of all …
Risk
The Politics of Risk
Safe foods and technologies no longer reaching some markets Risk is an odd thing in modern societies. Most of us prefer to avoid risk, yet …
Is There a Future for Crop Insurance?
Farmers finding alternate methods of reducing the risks of yield failure Farming has changed dramatically in the near 50 years that I’ve been involved with …
Keeping Canadian Food Safe
What risks are assessed before a GM crop or food is approved? Any time a new crop or food product is approved in Canada it …
Sinking Billions of Investment Dollars into the Ground Each Spring
Planting crops requires billions to be invested months prior to reaping harvest profits As spring begins to hint at its arrival, farmers across the country …
How evidence and knowledge built GM crop regulatory frameworks
By Savannah Gleim & Stuart Smyth What came first, science or regulation? When you think about safety, you might think that regulation should lead science. …
Has McDonald’s Gone Nuts?
Canadian’s newest beef with chain restaurants is nuts! When Earl’s Restaurant chain announced they were moving to use humane certified beef and A&W advertised their …
Science of Risk & the Influences of Politics
United Nations Biodiversity Conference At what point does prevention and precaution trump science and innovation? Depending on who one asks, the responses would run the …
Risk versus Knowledge
Framing what is known against what is not Society is challenged, and at times troubled, as it grapples with what is known and what it …
Tummy-Turning: Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is more serious than you might think Remember this commercial, with the “tummy turning” bug picked up while travelling? While we’re concerned about catching …