Jeffrey M. Smith | |
---|---|
Born | 1956 |
Nationality | American |
Education | Maharishi University of Management (formerly Maharishi International University) |
Occupation(s) | Consumer advocate, Author, politician |
Jeffrey M. Smith (born 1956) is an American consumer advocate,[3][4] author and politician. He is the author of three books on genetically engineered foods and has appeared twice on The Dr. Oz Show.[5] Smith has worked with organic food growers to advocate against genetically modified food. His arguments have been criticized by some scientists as relying on inaccurate or discredited scientific data.[2][5] In 1998, Smith ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a candidate for the Natural Law Party.[6]
Early life
Jeffrey Smith grew up in New York City[2] before moving to Iowa to study business at the Maharishi University of Management from 1983–1986. Jeffrey and his wife, Andrea, began swing dancing classes in 1996 in Fairfield and took dance classes from Lindy Hop in 1997 in Detroit. They founded a performance group called Swingphoria in 1999[7] and taught a dance workshop at the University of Iowa as "Swingsmith" in 2002.[8][9][need quotation to verify] Smith was a Natural Law Party member in 1996 and participated in a TM-Sidhi program yogic flying demonstration in Des Moines, Iowa.[10] In 1998 he became the party's candidate for U.S. Congress in Iowa’s First District.[6] Smith received less than 1% of the vote, losing to Republican Jim Leach.[11]
Consumer advocate
Before becoming an activist Smith was a marketing consultant.[2] Smith has opposed "the expansion of genetically engineered foods since they were first introduced."[12][13] In 1996 Smith began traveling around the world "to more than two dozen countries" to address political, physician and consumer groups on the topic of genetically modified food.[2] His activities are reported to be "funded by speaking fees, book sales and donations."[2] As of 2000 Smith was the spokesperson and vice president for the accredited genetically modified organism (GMO) testing company, Genetic ID.[14][15] In 2004 Smith attended the First Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[16] The Washington Post cited Smith's criticism of Michael R. Taylor's 2009 appointment as a senior adviser for the FDA.[3] In 2012 Smith produced Genetic Roulette, a documentary film narrated by Lisa Oz [17] and critical of genetically modified food.[18] Smith also spoke with CBS News at New York's 2012 Green Festivals concerning the "proliferation of genetically modified organisms" in the U.S. food supply.[4] Smith is the executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology and the director of the Campaign for Healthier Eating in America."[19] [20][21]
Reception
A variety of American organic food companies see Smith "as a champion for their interests."[2] Smith's supporters describe him as "arguably the world's foremost expert on the topic of genetically modified foods".[22] However, journalist Michael Specter, writing in The New Yorker, reported that Smith was presented as a "scientist" in the Dr. Oz TV show although he has "no experience in genetics or agriculture, and has no scientific degree from any institution". Specter cites academics who assert that Smith is unqualified to impart health information about GMOs, as "his only professional experience prior to taking up his crusade against biotechnology is as a ballroom-dance teacher, yogic flying instructor, and political candidate for the Maharishi cult’s natural-law party."[5] The director of the Organic Consumers Association says Smith is "respected as a public educator on GMOs" while "supporters of biotechnology" have described him as "misinformed and misleading"[2] and as "an activist with no scientific or medical background" who is known for his "near-hysterical criticism of biotech foods".[23]
Bibliography
Books
- Smith, Jeffrey M. (1981) Preventing legal malpractice, West Pub. Co, St. Paul, Minn.
- Smith, Jeffrey M (2003). Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating. Fairfield, IA: YES! Books. ISBN 9780972966504.
- Smith, Jeffrey M (2003). Hard to Swallow: The Dangers of GE Food – An International Expose. Nelson, New Zealand: Craig Potton. ISBN 978-1877333118.
- Smith, Jeffrey M (2007). Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods. Fairfield, IA: YES! Books. ISBN 978-0972966528.
Filmography
- Smith, Jeffrey M. (2005) Dangers in Kids' Meals and Your Milk on Drugs —Just Say No! a DVD, Institute for Responsible Technology, Fairfield, ASIN= 0972966560
- Smith, Jeffrey M. (2012) Genetic Roulette the Movie, Institute for Responsible Technology, Fairfield, IA, ASIN= B0096DP4CG
References
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
”CBS
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f g h Gillam, Carey (March 7, 2008). "U.S. activist circles globe to fight biotech crops". Reuters UK.
- ^ a b "Monsanto petition tells Obama: 'Cease FDA ties to Monsanto'". Washington Post. January 30, 2012.
- ^ a b (April 27, 2012) New GMO crops proposed, consumers want labeling, CBS News, accessed Dec 16, 2012
- ^ a b c Specter, Michael (February 4, 2013). "The Operator". New Yorker.
- ^ a b Slockett, Tom (November 3, 1998). "November 3, 1998 General Election". Johnson County Auditor Commissioner of Elections and Voter Registration. Retrieved Dec 16, 2012.
- ^ http://www.eric-randall.com/swingsmith/aboutus.html
- ^ Unknown author (Feb 2002) Ballroom Dance Announcement Iowa State Education archives, accessed 12/14/12
- ^ U. Iowa: Is swing dancing coming or going? Depends who you ask, Reinstein, Leah, The daily Iowan (U. Iowa), pg. 5A, January 26, 1999.
- ^ 'Yogic flying,' third-party candidates promoted, Bush, Bill, The Illinois State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL), October 23, 1996.
- ^ Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1998, House of Representatives, January 3, 1999, page 16
- ^ Unknown Author (Feb 25, 2011) Shoppers wary of GM foods find they're everywhere, USA Today, "Smith, an activist who has fought the expansion of genetically engineered foods since they were first introduced 15 years ago"
- ^ Jolnick, Mary Clare (Feb 11, 2005). "Genetically altered foods a major part of our diets". NBC News. Retrieved Feb 15, 2013.
- ^ Gersema, Emily (May 20, 2001). "Farming industry, consumers leery of another biotech scare; 'Big motivator': USDAchanges how corn supplies are sampled". Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque).
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(help) - ^ Brasher, Phillip (Sept 19, 2000). "U.S. Investigates Use of Unauthorized Biotech Corn in Taco Bell Taco Shells.(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News)". Tribune Business News.
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(help) - ^ John, Elizabeth (February 25, 2004) `Potential threats from GM foods, Potential threats from GM foods', New Straits Times
- ^ Unkown author. "Genetic Roulette". The Institute for Responsible Technology. Retrieved Feb 13, 2013.
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has generic name (help) - ^ Rosenhall, Laura (Oct 31, 2012). "Safety of genetically modified foods is debated in California Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/10/31/173151/safety-of-genetically-modified.html#storylink=cpy". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved Feb 13, 2013.
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- ^ Staff (Feb 4, 2008). "Candidate Support Expected to Boost Non-GMO Brands". Health & Medicine Week.
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(help) - ^ Unknown author (July 3, 2004). "The Future of Food". The Irish Times.
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has generic name (help) - ^ (April 27, 2012) Genetically modified crops resistant to 2,4-D spur debate, calls for labeling CBS News, accessed Dec 19, 2012
- ^ "An interview with GMO expert Jeffrey M. Smith". Chico (CA) News Enterprise. September 15, 2011.
- ^ Entine, John (October 19, 2012). "Malpractice on Dr. Oz: Pop Health Expert Hosts Anti-GM Food Rant; Scientists Push Back". Forbes. Retrieved December 16, 2012.