Jeffrey M. Smith

Jeffrey M. Smith (born 1958) is an American consumer activist,[2] self-published author, and former politician.[3][4] He is the author of two books on genetically engineered foods, Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating, and Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives, which he made into a film in 2012. He has appeared twice on each of the shows -The Dr. Oz Show and The Doctors.[5][6][7] Smith has worked with organic food marketers and alternative health product promoters[8] to advocate against genetically modified food. Supporters identify Smith as an influential educator on the alleged risks associated with genetically modified foods, while others point out Smith's lack of formal scientific training.[5] In 1998, Smith ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a candidate for the Natural Law Party.[9] As of 2021, Smith is the executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology,[10] and executive director of the global campaign Protect Nature Now.[11][12]

Jeffrey M. Smith
Smith delivering speech
Born1958 (age 64–65)
New York, U.S.[1]
NationalityAmerican
EducationMaharishi University of Management
Occupation(s)Consumer advocate, author
Websitewww.responsibletechnology.org

Early life

Jeffrey Smith grew up in Rey Brook, Westchester County.[1][13] He has a bachelors degree from SUNY Binghamton and an MBA from Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa .[14][15]

Career

Political

Smith was a Natural Law Party member in 1996. In 1998 he became the party's candidate for U.S. Congress in Iowa's First District to raise awareness about GMOs.[16] Smith received less than 1% of the vote, losing to Republican Jim Leach.[17] Smith worked for several years as a marketing consultant and nonprofit marketing advisor.[1]

Consumer activist

Smith has opposed the use of genetically modified foods since they were introduced in the 1990s.[1][18][19] As of 2000, Smith was the spokesperson and vice president for the accredited genetically modified organism (GMO) testing company, Genetic ID.[20][21] Smith authored the books Seeds of Deception in 2003[22] and Genetic Roulette in 2007. In 2012 Smith directed and produced Genetic Roulette, a documentary film narrated by Lisa Oz and critical of genetically modified food.[23] Smith is the founder and current executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology.[24][25][26]

A variety of American organic food companies see Smith "as a champion for their interests",[1] and Smith's supporters describe him as "arguably the world's foremost expert on the topic of genetically modified foods".[27] In contrast, others such as Michael Specter, writing in The New Yorker, reported that Smith was presented as a "scientist" on The Dr. Oz Show despite his lack of any scientific experience.[5] Bruce Chassy, a molecular biologist and food scientist, wrote to the show arguing that Smith's "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]

Films

Director

Written work

Author
  • Hard to Swallow: The Dangers of GE Food—An International Expose (2003)
  • Seeds of Deception (2003)
  • Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods (2007)

References
  1. Gillam, Carey (March 7, 2008). "U.S. activist circles globe to fight biotech crops". Reuters UK.
  2. (April 27, 2012) New GMO crops proposed, consumers want labeling, CBS News, accessed December 16, 2012
  3. "Coming to Tampa – Jeffrey M. Smith, International best-selling author and filmmaker; Executive Director, Institute of Responsible Technology and leading spokesperson on the health dangers of GMOs". Tampa, FL Patch. December 23, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  4. "Jeffrey M. Smith Biography". Institute for Responsible Technology. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  5. Specter, Michael (February 4, 2013). "The Operator". New Yorker.
  6. "Drs. Exclusive: Glyphosate Lawsuit Claims Cancer Link". The Doctors. November 8, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  7. Debating the Safety of Popular Herbicide, May 18, 2015, retrieved March 5, 2021
  8. Health Freedom Expo – See GMO expert Jeffrey Smith, Health Freedom Expo, Chicago, June 7–9, 2013.
  9. "Statistics of the Congressional Election – Nov 3, 1998".
  10. "Home". Institute for Responsible Technology. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  11. "Home". Protect Nature Now. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  12. Institute for Responsible Technology & YES! Books
  13. "Natural Awakenings – Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess July 2018". Issuu. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  14. Maharish University Purusha students Archived August 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, MUM 1985–1986 Yearbook, pg. 40.
  15. "Jeffrey Smith: Former flying yogic instructor now 'most trusted source' for anti-GMO advocacy". Genetic Literacy Project. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  16. Slockett, Tom (November 3, 1998). "November 3, 1998 General Election". Johnson County Auditor Commissioner of Elections and Voter Registration. Archived from the original on June 2, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  17. Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1998, House of Representatives, January 3, 1999, page 16
  18. Unknown Author (February 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"
  19. "Genetically altered foods a major part of our diets". NBC News. February 25, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  20. Gersema, Emily (May 20, 2001). "Farming industry, consumers leery of another biotech scare; 'Big motivator': USDAchanges how corn supplies are sampled". Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque).
  21. Brasher, Phillip (September 19, 2000). "U.S. Investigates Use of Unauthorized Biotech Corn in Taco Bell Taco Shells.(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News)". Tribune Business News.
  22. "Seeds of Deception Author Exposes the Corrupt Science of GMOs" (PDF). ACRES U.S.A (February 2004).
  23. Rosenhall, Laura (October 31, 2012). "Safety of genetically modified foods is debated in California". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  24. "Candidate Support Expected to Boost Non-GMO Brands". Health & Medicine Week. February 4, 2008.
  25. "The Future of Food". The Irish Times. July 3, 2004.
  26. "Genetically modified crops resistant to 2,4-D spur debate, calls for labeling". www.cbsnews.com. April 28, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  27. "An interview with GMO expert Jeffrey M. Smith". Chico (CA) News Enterprise. September 15, 2011.
  28. Rotten Tomatoes Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives (2012)
  29. "Home". Genetic Roulette Movie. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  30. "Presentations on the risks of GMO". Islands' Sounder. September 17, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  31. "Secret Ingredients Movie". Secret Ingredients Movie. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  32. "Don't Let The Gene Out of The Bottle". Total Health Matters. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  33. Good Reads The World According to Monsanto (DVD) by Marie-Monique Robin, Jeffrey M. Smith
  34. Vince (June 14, 2013). "Seeds Of Death – Unveiling the Lies of GMOs (Documentary)". The Permaculture Research Institute. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  35. Rotten Tomatoes Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMOs (2012)
  36. "Scientists Under Attack". Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.


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