The Facts About GMO's

C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,001,Bs-BK,E3July 28, 2013

Late Edition Today, cloudy, a few showers and a thunderstorm, high 80. Tonight, thunderstorms, low 70. Tomorrow, clouds and sun, a morning shower, high 84. Weather map, Page 18.

VOL. CLXII . . No. 56,211 © 2013 The New York Times NEW YORK, SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 $6 beyond the greater New York metropolitan area. $5.00 WORRIES MOUNT Egypt’s Ruling Military Kills Scores of Islamists at Rally AS SYRIA LURES HUNDREDS ARE INJURED WEST’S MUSLIMS A Crackdown Widens Three Weeks After Radicals Seen as Threat Morsi’s Ouster After Gaining War

Experience By KAREEM FAHIM and MAYY EL SHEIKH By ERIC SCHMITT CAIRO — The Egyptian au- WASHINGTON — A rising thorities unleashed a ferocious number of radicalized young attack on Islamist protesters ear- Muslims with Western passports ly Saturday, killing at least 72 are traveling to Syria to fight people in the second mass killing with the rebels against the gov- of demonstrators in three weeks ernment of Bashar al-Assad, rais- and the deadliest attack by the ing fears among American and security services since Egypt’s European intelligence officials of uprising in early 2011. a new terrorist threat when the The attack provided further ev- fighters return home. idence that Egypt’s security es- More Westerners are now tablishment was reasserting its fighting in Syria than fought in dominance after President conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, So- Mohamed Morsi’s ouster three malia or Yemen, according to the weeks ago, and widening its officials. They go to Syria moti- crackdown on his Islamist allies vated by the desire to help the in the Muslim Brotherhood. The people suffering there by over- tactics — many were killed with throwing Mr. Assad. But there is gunshot wounds to the head or growing concern that they will the chest — suggested that come back with a burst of jihadist Egypt’s security services felt no zeal, some semblance of military need to show any restraint. discipline, enhanced weapons “They had orders to shoot to and explosives skills, and, in the kill,” said Gehad el-Haddad, a worst case, orders from affiliates Brotherhood spokesman. The of Al Qaeda to carry out terrorist message, he said, was, “This is NARCISO CONTRERAS FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES the new regime.” strikes. A supporter of the ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, mourns a relative killed in a clash with the authorities in Cairo. “Syria has become really the In Washington, Secretary of predominant jihadist battlefield State John Kerry called this “a in the world,” Matthew G. Olsen, pivotal moment for Egypt” and the director of the National Coun- urged its leaders “to help their terterrorism Center, told a secu- G.O.P. Senators See an Upside President Says Income Gap country take a step back from the rity conference in Aspen, Colo., brink.” this month. He added, “The con- The killings occurred a day af- cern going forward from a threat In a Problematic Issue: Abortion Is Fraying U.S. Social Fabric ter hundreds of thousands of perspective is there are individ- Egyptians marched in support of uals traveling to Syria, becoming the military, responding to a call further radicalized, becoming by its commander for a “man- By JEREMY W. PETERS By JACKIE CALMES and MICHAEL D. SHEAR trained and then returning as date” to fight terrorism. The ap- WASHINGTON — It reads like Plans under discussion among part of really a global jihadist GALESBURG, Ill. — In a week A few days after the acquittal peal by Gen. Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, a who’s who of the next genera- the staff members of a handful of movement to Western Europe when he tried to focus attention in the Trayvon Martin case who has emerged as Egypt’s de Republican senators and anti- and, potentially, to the United tion of Republican Party leaders: on the struggles of the middle prompted him to speak about be- facto leader since the military re- States.” Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Rob Port- abortion groups would involve class, President Obama said in an ing a black man in America, Mr. moved Mr. Morsi from power, bringing the measure up for a Classified estimates from man. interview that he was worried Obama said the country’s strug- was widely seen as a green light But what is bringing all these vote, probably as part of debate that years of widening income in- to the security forces to increase Continued on Page 10 gle over race would not be eased marquee political names togeth- over a spending measure, some- equality and the lingering effects until the political process in their repression of the Islamists. time after Congress returns from er is not the Iowa State Fair or a of the financial crisis had frayed Washington began addressing In the attack on Saturday, civil- its August recess. Because of the Tea Party rally on the National the country’s social fabric and the fear of many people that fi- ians joined riot police officers in Senate’s porous rules for intro- Mall. Rather, they are all talking undermined Americans’ belief in nancial stability is unattainable. firing live ammunition at the pro- discreetly about how to advance ducing amendments, people on testers as they marched toward a opportunity. “Racial tensions won’t get bet- a bill in the Senate to ban abor- both sides of the issue say they bridge over the Nile. By early Upward mobility, Mr. Obama ter; they may get worse, because tion at 20 weeks after fertiliza- believe a vote is more than likely morning, the numbers of wound- said in a 40-minute interview people will feel as if they’ve got tion. if the legislation comes together. ed people had overwhelmed doc- with The New York Times, “was to compete with some other A similar ban passed the “I think there’s significant sup- part and parcel of who we were tors at a nearby field hospital. group to get scraps from a House last month, and Senate port across the country for the as Americans.” One doctor sat by himself, cry- shrinking pot,” Mr. Obama said. Democrats quickly pronounced it idea that after 20 weeks, abortion “And that’s what’s been erod- ing as he whispered verses from “If the economy is growing, ev- doomed to fail in their chamber. should be significantly limited,” ing over the last 20, 30 years, well the Koran. Nearby, medics tried erybody feels invested. Every- It is almost certain to be defeated said Mr. Rubio, who has taken a before the financial crisis,” he to revive a man on a gurney. there, and even if it were not, leading role in trying to generate added. body feels as if we’re rolling in When they failed, he was quickly President Obama would veto it. support for the bill. “Irrespective “If we don’t do anything, then the same direction.” lifted away to make room for the UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL, 1973 But backers of the ban are eager of how people may feel about the growth will be slower than it Mr. Obama, who this fall will many others. Champion for Women to bring to the floor of the Senate issue,” he added, “we’re talking should be. Unemployment will choose a new chairman of the With hundreds of people the same impassioned debate about five months into a preg- not go down as fast as it should. Federal Reserve to share eco- gravely wounded, the toll seemed Lindy Boggs, who served Lou- over abortion that has been tak- nancy. People certainly feel there Income inequality will continue nomic stewardship, expressed certain to rise, and by Saturday isiana for nine terms in Con- ing place in state legislatures should be significant restrictions to rise,” he said. “That’s not a fu- confidence that the trends could evening had already surpassed gress, has died at 97. Page 20. around the country. Continued on Page 4 ture that we should accept.” Continued on Page 15 Continued on Page 12

A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA

Contagion Raging, Florida Industry Tries to Build a Better Tree

fall day in 2005, “let’s make a crop that has thrived in the state By AMY HARMON plan.” since its arrival, it is said, with In the years that followed, he Ponce de León. But such a tree CLEWISTON, Fla. — The call and the 8,000 other Florida grow- did not exist. Ricke Kress and every other cit- ers who supply most of the na- “In all of cultivated citrus, rus grower in Florida dreaded tion’s orange juice poured every- there is no evidence of immuni- came while he was driving. thing they had into fighting the ty,” the plant pathologist heading “It’s here” was all his grove a National Research Council task manager needed to say to force disease they call citrus greening. force on the disease said. him over to the side of the road. To slow the spread of the bacte- In all of citrus, but perhaps not The disease that sours oranges rium that causes the scourge, and leaves them half green, al- they chopped down hundreds of in all of nature. With a precipi- ready ravaging citrus crops thousands of infected trees and tous decline in Florida’s harvest across the world, had reached the sprayed an expanding array of predicted within the decade, the state’s storied groves. Mr. Kress, pesticides on the winged insect only chance left to save it, Mr. the president of Southern Gar- that carries it. But the contagion Kress believed, was one that his dens Citrus, in charge of two and could not be contained. industry and others had long a half million orange trees and a They scoured Central Florida’s avoided for fear of consumer re- factory that squeezes juice for half-million acres of emerald jection. They would have to alter Tropicana and Florida’s Natural, groves and sent search parties the orange’s DNA — with a gene sat in silence for several long mo- around the world to find a natu- from a different species. ments. rally immune tree that could Oranges are not the only crop RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES “O.K.,” he said finally on that serve as a new progenitor for a Continued on Page 16 A test plot in Florida contains genetically modified orange trees alongside regular ones.

INTERNATIONAL 6-13 NATIONAL 14-19 SPORTSSUNDAY SUNDAY REVIEW

THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 N 17 16 N THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013

trees, the one that appeared effective they believe us?” he asked himself for came from a pig. the first time. “Will they believe we’re One of about 30,000 genes in the ani- doing this to eliminate chemicals and mal’s genetic code, it was, he ventured, we’re making sure it’s safe? Or will “a pretty small amount of pig.” they look at us and say, ‘That’s what “There’s no safety issue from our they all say?’” standpoint — but there is a certain The major brands were rumored to be creep factor,” an Environmental Protec- looking beyond Florida for their orange tion Agency official observed to Mr. juice — perhaps to Brazil, where grow- Kress, who had included it on an early ers had taken to abandoning infected list of possibilities to run by the agency. groves to plant elsewhere. Other experi- “At least something is working,” Mr. ments that Mr. Kress viewed as similar Kress bristled. “It’s a proof of concept.” to his own had foundered. Pigs engi- A similar caution dimmed his hopes neered to produce less-polluting waste for the timely approval of a synthetic had been euthanized after their devel- gene, designed in the laboratory of a oper at a Canadian university had failed fourth scientist, Jesse Jaynes of Tuske- to find investors. A salmon modified to gee University. In a simulation, Dr. Jay- grow faster was still awaiting F.D.A. ap- nes’s gene consistently vanquished the proval. A study pointing to health risks greening bacteria. But the burden of from G.M.O.’s had been discredited by proving a synthetic gene’s safety would scientists, but was contributing to a prolong the process. “You’re going to sense among some consumers that the get more questions,” Mr. Kress was told, technology is dangerous. “with a gene not found in nature.” And while the California labeling And in the fall of 2010, an onion gene measure had been defeated, it had that discouraged psyllids from landing spawned a ballot initiative in Washing- on tomato plants was working in the ton State and legislative proposals in Cornell laboratory of Mr. Kress’s final Connecticut, Missouri, New Mexico, hope, Herb Aldwinckle. But it would be Vermont and many other states. In the heat of last summer, Mr. Kress RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES some time before the gene could be transferred to orange trees. PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES gardened more savagely than his wife RAVAGED CROPS To avoid spreading a scourge further, orange trees infected by disease are cut down and burned in Clewiston, Fla., at groves owned by Southern Gardens Citrus. Only Dr. Mirkov’s newly fine-tuned had ever seen. trees with the spinach gene, Mr. Kress “The consumer will support us if it’s the only way.” Driving through the Central Valley of and Mr. Irey agreed, could be ready in California last October to speak at the RICKE KRESS, the president of Southern Gardens Citrus, who believes that the time to stave off what many believed California Citrus Growers meeting, Mr. A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA would soon be a steep decline in the har- only way to save Florida’s entire citrus crop is to alter the orange trees’ DNA Kress considered how to answer critics. vest. In the fall of 2010, they were put to Maybe even a blanket “G.M.O.” label the test inside a padlocked greenhouse would be O.K., he thought, if it would is more predictable than traditional stocked with infected trees and psyllids. tional varieties, they proved popular help consumers understand that he had Millenniums of Intervention belief that a plant would take on the another as they feed on the sap of their genetically engineered. What bothered 163-page petition, showing how the ap- From Page 1 methods that involve randomly mixing enough that some stores rationed them, nothing to hide. He could never prove identity of the species from which its leaves, can carry the germ a mile withhim was that a label seemed to lump all ples are equivalent in nutritional con- Even in the heyday of frozen concen- or mutating many genes of unknown before business missteps by their devel- that there were no risks to genetically that might benefit from genetically en- new DNA was drawn, like the scientist out stopping, and the females can lay up The Monsanto Effect G.M.O.’s into one stigmatized category. tent to normal apples, how remote was trate, the popularity of orange juice function. in the movie “The Fly” who sprouted in- to 800 eggs in their one-month life. oper ended their production. modifying a crop. But he could try to ex- gineered resistance to diseases for And when the E.P.A. informed him in the likelihood of cross-pollination with rested largely on its image as the ulti- But because it also usually involves sect parts after a DNA-mixing mistake Mr. Kress’s DNA candidate would Mr. Kress’s only direct brush so far And he was no longer alone in the plain the risks of not doing so. which standard treatments have proven June 2012 that it would need to see test other apple varieties and the potentially mate natural beverage, fresh-squeezed taking DNA from the species where it with a house fly. have to fight off the bacteria or the inwith the broader battle raging over ge- pursuit of a genetically modified or- Southern Gardens had lost 700,000 elusive. And advocates of the technol- results for how large quantities of spin- bigger market for a healthful fruit. from a primordial fruit. But the reality is evolved and putting it in another to Asked if tomatoes containing a gene sect. As for public acceptance, he told netically modified food came in Decem- ange. Citrus growers were collectively trees trying to control the disease, more ogy say it could also help provide food ach protein affected honeybees and Then he turned to the comments. that human intervention has modified which it may be only distantly related — from a fish would “taste fishy” in a his industry colleagues, “We can’t think ber 2010, in the reader comments on a financing research into a greening-re- than a quarter of its total. The forecast for a fast-growing population on a mice, he gladly wrote out the $300,000 There were hundreds. And they were al- the orange for millenniums, as it has al- or turning off genes already present — question on a 2004 poll conducted by the about that right now.” Reuters article alluding to Southern sistant tree, and the Agriculture De- for the coming spring harvest was dis- warming planet by endowing crops with check to have the protein made. most universally negative. Some were most everything people eat. critics of the technology say it repre- Food Policy Institute at Rutgers Uni- Gardens’ genetic engineering efforts. partment had also assigned a team of mal. The approval to use more pesticide more nutrients, or the ability to thrive in from parents, voicing concerns that the Before humans were involved, corn sents a new and potentially more haz- versity that referred to one company’s Some readers vowed not to buy such scientists to it. Any solution would have It was the largest single expense yet on young trees had come through that drought, or to resist pests. Leading sci- The ‘Creep Factor’ in a project that had so far cost more nonbrowning trait would disguise a rot- entific organizations have concluded was a wild grass, tomatoes were tiny, ardous degree of tinkering whose risks efforts to forge a frost-resistant tomato “frankenfood.” Another attributed a rise satisfied Mr. Kress. Almost daily, he day. At his hotel that night, he slipped a than $5 million. If these tests raised no ten apple — though transgenic apples that shuttling DNA between species carrots were only rarely orange and are not yet fully understood. with a gene from the winter flounder, Trim, silver-haired and described by in allergies to genetic engineering. And could smell the burning of infected new slide into his standard talk. red flags, he would need to test the pro- rotten from infection would still turn carries no intrinsic risk to human health dairy cows produced little milk. The or- If he had had more time, Mr. Kress fewer than half correctly answered colleagues as tightly wound (he prefers dozens lambasted Monsanto, the St. trees, which mingled with orange-blos- On the podium the next morning, he tein as it appears in the pollen of trans- brown. Many wrote as part of a petition or the environment, and that such alter- ange, for its part, might never have ex- could have waited for the orange to nat- “no.” A fear that the genetic engineer- “focused”), Mr. Kress arrives at the of- Louis-based company that dominates som sweetness in the grove just beyond talked about the growing use of pesti- genic orange blossoms. Then the agen- drive by the Center for Food Safety, a ations can be reliably tested. isted had human migration not brought urally evolve resistance to the bacteria ing of food would throw the ecosystem fice by 6:30 each morning and micro- the crop biotechnology business, which Southern Gardens’ headquarters. cides: “We’re using a lot of chemicals, cy would want to test the juice. group that opposes biotechnology. But the idea of eating plants and ani- together the grapefruit-size pomelo known as C. liberibacter asiaticus. That out of whack showed in the surveys too. waves a bowl of oatmeal. He stocks his was not even mentioned in the article. pure and simple,” he said. “We’re using “Apples are supposed to be a natural, mals whose DNA has been manipulated from the tropics and the diminutive could happen tomorrow. Or it could take Mr. Kress’s researchers, in turn, liked office cabinet with cans of peel-top “If this trend goes on, one day, there “Seems excessive,” Dr. Mirkov said. more than we’ve ever used before.” A Growing Urgency healthy snack,” it warned. “Genetically in a laboratory — called genetically mandarin from a temperate zone thou- years, or many decades. Or the orange to point out that the very reason genetic Campbell’s chicken soup that he heats will be only Monsanto engineered foods But Mr. Kress and Mr. Irey shared a Then he stopped at the new slide. Un- engineered apples are neither.” modified organisms, or G.M.O.’s — still sands of years ago in China. And it in Florida could disappear first. engineering works is that all living up for lunch. Arriving home each available,” read one letter warning of In an infection-filled greenhouse sense of celebration. The path ahead adorned, it read “Consumer Accept- spooks many people. Critics worry that would not have become the most widely things share a basic biochemistry: if a evening, he cuts a rose from his garden unintended consequences. where every nontransgenic tree had was starting to clear. Others voiced a general distrust of ance.” He looked out at the audience. scientists’ guarantees: “Too many such crops carry risks not yet detected, planted fruit tree had human traders Plunging Ahead gene from a cold-water fish can help a for his wife. Weekends, he works in his Mr. Kress was unperturbed. Dozens showed symptoms of disease, Dr. Mir- Rather than wait for Dr. Mirkov’s 300 What these growers wanted most, he and distrust the big agrochemical com- not carried it across the globe. tomato resist frost, it is because DNA is yard and pores over clippings about of long-term animal feeding studies had kov’s trees with the spinach gene had trees to flower, which could take several things were presented to us as innocu- knew, was reassurance that he could panies that have produced the few in The varieties that have survived, Early discussions among other citrus a universal code that tomato cells know G.M.O.’s in the news. concluded that existing G.M.O.’s were survived unscathed for more than a years, they agreed to try to graft his ous and years later we discovered it help them should the disease spread. wide use. And hostility toward the tech- among the many that have since arisen growers about what kind of disease re- how to read. Even the most distantly re- For a man who takes pleasure in rou- as safe as other crops, and the National year. Mr. Kress would soon have 300 of spinach gene shoots to mature trees to was untrue,” wrote one woman. “After But he had to warn them: “If we don’t nology, long ingrained in Europe, has through natural mutation, are the prod- search they should collectively support lated species — say, humans and bacte- tine, the uncertainty that marked his Academy of Sciences, the World Health them planted in a field trial. But in the hasten the production of pollen — and, two cancers I don’t feel like taking any have consumer confidence, it doesn’t deepened recently among Americans as uct of human selection, with nearly all did little to reassure Mr. Kress about his ria — share many genes whose func- DNA quest was disquieting. It would Organization and others had issued spring of 2012, he asked the Environ- finally, their first fruit, for testing. more unnecessary risks.” matter what we come up with.” organic food advocates, environmental- of Florida’s juice a blend of just two: the own genetic engineering project. tions have remained constant across cost Southern Gardens millions of dol- statements to the same effect. mental Protection Agency, the first of Many insisted that should the fruit be ists and others have made opposition to Hamlin, whose unremarkable taste and “The public will never drink G.M.O. billions of years of evolution. lars just to perform the safety tests for a But some of his researchers worried three federal agencies that would evalu- Wall of Opposition approved, it ought to be labeled. Planting it a pillar of a growing movement for pale color are offset by its prolific yield orange juice,” one grower said at a con- “It’s not where a gene comes from single gene in a single variety of orange. that the popular association between ate his trees, for guidance. The next That morning, Mr. Kress drove to healthier and ethical food choices. in the early season, and the dark, flavor- tentious 2008 meeting. “It’s a waste of that matters,” one researcher said. “It’s Of his five researchers’ approaches, he G.M.O.’s and Monsanto — and in turn step was safety testing. And he felt that Early one morning a year ago, Mr. work late. He should not be surprised One recent sunny morning, Mr. Kress Mr. Kress’s boss worried about dam- ful, late-season Valencia. our money.” what it does.” had planned to narrow the field to the between Monsanto and the criticisms of it could not be started fast enough. Kress checked the Agriculture Depart- by the hostility, he told himself. drove to a fenced field, some distance aging the image of juice long promoted Because oranges themselves are hy- “The public is already eating tons of Mr. Kress set the surveys aside. one that worked best over time. modern agriculture — could turn con- Dr. Mirkov assured him that the ment’s Web site from home. The agency Mr. Irey tried to console him with from his office and far from any other as “100 percent natural.” brids and most seeds are clones of the G.M.O.’s,” countered Peter McClure, a He took encouragement from other But in 2010, with the disease spread- sumers against Southern Gardens’ agency’s requirements for animal tests had opened its 60-day public comment good news: the data on the honeybees citrus tree. He unlocked the gate and “Do we really want to do this?” he de- mother, new varieties cannot easily be big grower. attempts to genetically modify foods ing faster than anyone anticipated, the transgenic oranges. to assess the safety of the protein pro- period on the trees modified to produce and mice had come back. The highest signed in, as required by Agriculture manded in a 2008 meeting at the compa- produced by crossbreeding — unlike, “This isn’t like a bag of Doritos,” that were in the works. There was even factor that came to weigh most was “The article doesn’t say ‘Monsanto’ duced by his gene, which bore no re- “Arctic apples” that did not brown. dose of the protein the E.P.A. wanted Department regulations for a field trial ny’s headquarters on the northern rim say, apples, which breeders have re- snapped another. “We’re talking about another fruit, the “Arctic apple,” whose which could be ready first. anywhere, but the comments are all semblance to anything on the list of His own application, he imagined, tested had produced no ill effect. of a genetically modified crop. of the Everglades. mixed into favorites like Fuji and Gala. a raw product, the essence of orange.” genes for browning were switched off, To fight C. liberibacter, Dean Gabriel about Monsanto,” Dr. Mirkov said. known allergens and toxins, would be would take a similar form. But the magnitude of the opposition Just in the previous few months, Mr. Kress, now 61, had no particular But the vast majority of oranges in com- The genetically modified foods Amer- to reduce waste and allow the fruit to be at the University of Florida had chosen It had not helped win hearts and minimal. He skimmed through the company’s had never hit Mr. Kress so hard. “Will Whole Foods had said that because of predilection for biotechnology. Known mercial groves are the product of a type icans have eaten for more than a decade more readily sold sliced. a gene from a virus that destroys bacte- minds for G.M.O.’s, Mr. Kress knew, that “It’s spinach,” he insisted. “It’s been customer demand it would avoid stock- for working long hours, he rose through of genetic merging that predates the — corn, soybeans, some cottonseed oil, “The public is going to be more in- ria as it replicates itself. Though such the first such crop widely adopted by eaten for centuries.” ing most G.M.O. foods and require la- the ranks at fruit and juice companies Romans, in which a slender shoot of a canola oil and sugar — come mostly as formed about G.M.O.’s by the time we’re viruses, called bacteriophages farmers was the soybean engineered by Other concerns weighed on Mr. Kress bels on them by 2018. Hundreds of thou- like Welch’s and Seneca Foods. On mov- favored fruit variety is grafted onto the invisible ingredients in processed foods ready,” Mr. Kress told his research di- (“phage” means to devour), are harm- Monsanto with a bacteria gene — to tol- that spring: growers in Florida did not sands of protesters around the world ing here for the Southern Gardens job, sturdier roots of other species: lemon, like cereal, salad dressing and tortilla rector, Michael P. Irey, as they lined up less to humans, Mr. Irey sometimes erate a weed killer Monsanto also made. like to talk about it, but the industry’s had joined in a “March Against Mon- just a few weeks before citrus greening for instance, or sour orange. And a seed- chips. And the few G.M.O.’s sold in the five scientists whom Southern Gar- urged Mr. Kress to consider the public Starting in the mid-1990s, soybean tripling of pesticide applications to kill santo” — and the Agriculture Depart- was detected, he had assumed his big- less midseason orange recently adopted produce aisles — a Hawaiian papaya, dens would underwrite. And to the sci- relations hurdle that might come with farmers in the United States over- the bacteria-carrying psyllid was, while ment had issued its final report for this gest headache would be competition by Florida growers emerged after some squash, a fraction of sweet corn — entists, growers and juice processors at such a strange-sounding source of the whelmingly adopted that variety of the within legal limits, becoming expensive year’s orange harvest showing a 9 per- from flavored waters, or persuading his breeders bombarded a seedy variety lack the iconic status of a breakfast a meeting convened by Minute Maid in DNA. “A gene from a virus,” he would crop, which made it easier for them to and worrisome. One widely used pesti- cent decline from last year, attributable wife to tolerate Florida’s humidity. with radiation to disrupt its DNA, a drink that, Mr. Kress conceded, is “like Miami in early 2010, he insisted that just ask pointedly, “that infects bacteria?” control weeds. But the subsequent cide had stopped working as the psyllid to citrus greening. But the dwindling harvest that could technique for accelerating evolution motherhood” to Americans, who drink finding a gene that worked had to be his But Mr. Kress’s chief concern was broader use of the chemical — along evolved resistance, and Florida’s citrus But visiting the field gave him some mean the idling of his juice processing that has yielded new varieties in dozens more of it per capita than anyone else. company’s priority. that Dr. Gabriel was taking too long to with a distaste for Monsanto’s aggres- growers’ association was petitioning peace. In some rows were the trees with plant would also have consequences beof crops, including barley and rice. If various polls were to be believed, a The foes were formidable. C. libe- perfect his approach. sive business tactics and a growing sus- one company to lift the twice-a-season no new gene in them, sick with green- yond any one company’s bottom line. Its proponents argue that genetic en- third to half of Americans would refuse ribacter, the bacterium that kills citrus A second contender, Erik Mirkov of picion of a food system driven by corpo- restrictions on spraying young trees — ing. In others were the 300 juvenile Florida is the second-largest producer gineering is one in a continuum of ways to eat any transgenic crop. One study’s trees by choking off their flow of nutri- Texas A&M University, was further rate profits — combined to forge a con- increasingly its only hope for an unin- trees with spinach genes, all healthy. In of orange juice in the world, behind Bra- humans shape food crops, each of which respondents would accept only certain ents — first detected when it destroyed along with trees he had endowed with a sumer backlash. Environmental activ- fected harvest. the middle were the trees that carried zil. Its $9 billion citrus industry contrib- carries risks: even conventional cross- types: two-thirds said they would eat a citrus trees more than a century ago in gene from spinach — a food, he re- ists vandalized dozens of field trials and Others in the industry who knew of his immediate hopes: 15 mature Ham- utes 76,000 jobs to the state that hosts breeding has occasionally produced fruit modified with another plant gene, China — had earned a place, along with minded Mr. Kress, that “we give to ba- protested brands that used Monsanto’s Mr. Kress’s project were turning to him. lins and Valencias, seven feet tall, onto the Orange Bowl. Southern Gardens, a toxic varieties of some vegetables. Be- but few would accept one with DNA anthrax and the Ebola virus, on the Ag- bies.” The gene, which exists in slightly soybeans or corn, introduced soon after, He agreed to speak at the fall meeting of which had been grafted shoots of Dr. subsidiary of U.S. Sugar, was one of the cause making a G.M.O. typically infrom an animal. Fewer still would know- riculture Department’s list of potential different forms in hundreds of plants which was engineered to prevent pests citrus growers in California, where the Mirkov’s spinach gene trees. few companies in the industry with the volves adding one or a few genes, each ingly eat produce that contained a gene agents of bioterrorism. Asian citrus and animals, produces a protein that at- from attacking it. greening disease had just been detect- There was good reason to believe that tacks invading bacteria. wherewithal to finance the development containing instructions for a protein from a virus. psyllids, the insects that suck the bacte- In response, companies including Mc- ed. “We need to hear about the trans- the trees would pass the E.P.A.’s tests of a “transgenic” tree, which could take whose function is known, they argue, it There also appeared to be an abiding ria out of one tree and inject them into Even so, Dr. Mirkov faced skepticism Donald’s, Frito-Lay and Heinz pledged genic solution,” said Ted Batkin, the as- when they bloom next spring. And he a decade and cost as much as $20 mil- from growers. “Will my juice taste like not to use G.M.O. ingredients in certain sociation’s director. But Mr. Kress wor- was gathering the data the Agriculture lion. spinach?” one asked. products, and some European countries ried that he had nothing to calm their Department would need to ensure that An emerging scientific consensus “Will it be green?” wondered another. prohibited their cultivation. fears. the trees posed no risk to other plants. held that genetic engineering would be “This gene,” he invariably replied, Some of Mr. Kress’s scientists were And an increasingly vocal movement KEEPING A THREAT IN CHECK In Southern Gardens’ groves, trees that When he had fruit, the Food and Drug required to defeat citrus greening. “has nothing to do with the color or still fuming about what they saw as the to require any food with genetically en- are infected with citrus greening are marked, cut down and burned. Administration would compare its safe- “People are either going to drink trans- taste of spinach. Your body makes very lost potential for social good hijacked gineered ingredients to carry a ty and nutritional content to conven- genic orange juice or they’re going to similar kinds of proteins as part of your “G.M.O.” label had made him uneasy. tional oranges. both by the activists who opposed ge- 15 drink apple juice,” one University of own defense against bacteria.” Where Crops ORANGEES PRODUCED netic engineering and the corporations Supporters of one hotly contested 5 In his office is a list of groups to con- Florida scientist told Mr. Kress. When some of the scientist’s promis- that failed to convince consumers of its California ballot initiative argued for la- Are Threatened in 20111, in millions of tons. tact when the first G.M.O. fruit in Flor- And if the presence of a new gene in ing trees got sick in their first trial, Mr. benefits. In many developing countries, beling as a matter of consumer rights ida are ready to pick: environmental or- citrus trees prevented juice from be- Kress agreed that he should try to im- concerns about safety and ownership of and transparency — but their advertise- Only in the last decade has citrus Areas known to be INFECTED ganizations, consumer advocates and coming scarcer and more expensive, prove on his results in a new generation seeds led governments to delay or pro- ments often implied the crops were a greening spread to the world’s top BY CITRUUS GREENING, with others. Exactly what he would say when of trees, by adjusting the gene’s place- Mr. Kress believed, the American public hibit cultivation of needed crops: Zam- hazard: one pictured a child about to orange-producing countries , thhe he finally contacted them, he did not ment. But transgenic trees, begun as a seselectlected years of first would embrace it. “The consumer will bia, for instance, declined shipments of take a joyful bite of a pest-resistant cob United States and Brazil. know. Whether anyone would drink the single cell in a petri dish, can take two observata ion. support us if it’s the only way,” Mr. G.M.O. corn even during a 2002 famine. of corn, on which was emblazoned a juice from his genetically modified or- Kress assured his boss. years before they are sturdy enough to ”It’s easy for someone who can go question mark and the caption “Corn, anges, he did not know. His quest to save the orange offers a place in the ground and many more down to the grocery store and buy any- engineered to grow its own pesticide.” But he had decided to move ahead. close look at the daunting process of ge- years to bear fruit. thing they need to be against G.M.O.’s,” Yet the gene that makes corn insect- Late this summer he will plant sev- netically modifying one well-loved or- “Isn’t there a gene,” Mr. Kress asked CACALCALIFORNAALIFORNIAALIFOR said Dr. Jaynes, who faced such barri- resistant, he knew, came from the same IRAN eral hundred more young trees with the ganism — on a deadline. In the past sev- Mr. Irey, “to hurry up Mother Nature?” 202 12 ers with a high-protein sweet potato he soil bacterium long used by organic 202000090909 spinach gene, in a new greenhouse. In eral years, out of public view, he has For a time, the answer seemed to lie had engineered with a synthetic gene. food growers as a natural insecticide. two years, if he wins regulatory approv- considered DNA donors from all over with a third scientist, William O. Daw- FLORIDA To Mr. Kress in early 2011, any com- Arguing that the Food and Drug Ad- al, they will be ready to go into the the tree of life, including two vegetables, son at the University of Florida, who 2005 parison to Monsanto — whose large ministration should require labels on CHICHH NA ground. The trees could be the first to a virus and, briefly, a pig. A synthetic had managed to alter fully grown trees blocks of patents he had to work food containing G.M.O.’s, one leader of YEMENYEMM Laatete 1800s produce juice for sale in five years or so. gene, manufactured in the laboratory, by attaching a gene to a virus that could 199855 Whether it is his transgenic tree, or also emerged as a contender. be inserted by way of a small incision in around, and whose thousands of em- the Environmental Working Group, an INDIAA 1960s someone else’s, he believed, Florida Trial trees that withstood the disease the bark. Genes transmitted that way ployees worldwide dwarfed the 750 he advocacy group, cited “pink slime, growers will soon have trees that could in his greenhouse later succumbed in would eventually stop functioning, but employed in Florida at peak harvest deadly melons, tainted turkeys and BPA produce juice without fear of its being the field. Concerns about public percep- Mr. Kress hoped to use it as a stopgap times — seemed far-fetched. If it was in our soup.” INDONESIA 1940s sour, or in short supply. tion and potential delays in regulatory measure to ward off the disease in the successful, Southern Gardens would Mr. Kress attributed the labeling scrutiny put a damper on some promis- 60 million citrus trees already in Flori- hope to recoup its investment by charg- campaigns to the kind of tactic any in- For a moment, alone in the field, he BRAZIL ing leads. But intent on his mission, Mr. da’s groves. Dr. Dawson joked that he ing a royalty for its trees. But its busi- dustry might use to gain a competitive let his mind wander. ness strategy was aimed at saving the edge: they were financed largely by 2004 SOUTH AFRICA “Maybe we can use the technology to Kress shrugged off signs that national hoped at least to save the grapefruit, 1937 campaigns against genetically modified whose juice he enjoyed, “preferably orange crop, whose total acreage was a companies that sell organic products, improve orange juice,” he could not help food were gaining traction. with a little vodka in it.” tiny fraction of the crops the major bio- which stood to gain if packaging im- thinking. “Maybe we can find a way to Only in recent months has he begun But his most promising result that technology companies had pursued. plying a hazard drove customers to have oranges grow year-round, or get two for every one we get now on a tree.” to face the full magnitude of the gap be- ROBYN BECK/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE — GETTY IMAGES year was doomed from the beginning: He urged his worried researchers to their own non-G.M.O. alternatives. He ProductionProductionn numbersumbers forforB Brazilrazil and thetheU Unitednited StatesStates areares shownhownb byys statetate. All otothershersa arere shoshownwn by coucountry.ntry tween what science can achieve and OPPOSITION A rally against Monsanto, which dominates the crop biotechnology business, in Los Angeles in of the dozen bacteria-fighting genes he look at the early success of Flavr Savr did not aim to hide anything from con- Then he reined in those thoughts. what society might accept. May was one of hundreds held that day. More information and photographs are at nytimes.com/national. had then tested on his greenhouse tomatoes. Introduced in 1994 and engi- sumers, but he would want them to un- Sources: U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, U.S. Department of Agriculture, He took the clipboard down, signed neered to stay fresh longer than tradi- derstand how and why his oranges were Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, academic papers THE NEW YORK TIMES out and locked the gate. C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,001,Bs-BK,E3

Late Edition C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,001,Bs-BK,E3Today, cloudy, a few showers and a thunderstorm, high 80. Tonight, thunderstorms, low 70. Tomorrow, clouds and sun, a morning shower, high 84. Weather map, Page 18. Late Edition Today, cloudy, a few showers and a thunderstorm, high 80. Tonight, VOL. CLXII . . No. 56,211 © 2013 The New York Times NEW YORK, SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 $6 beyond the greater New York metropolitan area. $5.00 thunderstorms, low 70. Tomorrow, clouds and sun, a morning shower, high 84. Weather map, Page 18.

WORRIES MOUNT Egypt’s Ruling Military KillsVOL. CLXII Scores . . No. 56,211 of© 2013Islamists The New York Times atNEW YORK,Rally SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 $6 beyond the greater New York metropolitan area. $5.00 AS SYRIA LURES WORRIES MOUNT Egypt’s RulingHUNDREDS Military ARE INJURED Kills Scores of Islamists at Rally WEST’S MUSLIMS AS SYRIA LURES A Crackdown Widens HUNDREDS ARE INJURED Three Weeks After Radicals Seen as Threat WEST’S MUSLIMS Morsi’s Ouster A Crackdown Widens After Gaining War Three Weeks After Radicals Seen as Threat Experience By KAREEM FAHIM Morsi’s Ouster After Gaining War and MAYY EL SHEIKH By ERIC SCHMITT Experience CAIRO — The Egyptian au- By KAREEM FAHIM WASHINGTON — A rising thorities unleashed a ferocious and MAYY EL SHEIKH number of radicalized young By ERIC SCHMITT attack on Islamist protesters ear- CAIRO — The Egyptian au- ly Saturday, killing at least 72 Muslims with Western passports WASHINGTON — A rising thorities unleashed a ferocious number of radicalized young people in the second mass killing attack on Islamist protesters ear- are traveling to Syria to fight ly Saturday, killing at least 72 with the rebels against the gov- Muslims with Western passports of demonstrators in three weeks are traveling to Syria to fight and the deadliest attack by the people in the second mass killing ernment of Bashar al-Assad, rais- of demonstrators in three weeks with the rebels against the gov- security services since Egypt’s ing fears among American and ernment of Bashar al-Assad, rais- and the deadliest attack by the European intelligence officials of uprising in early 2011. security services since Egypt’s ing fears among American and The attack provided further ev- a new terrorist threat when the European intelligence officials of uprising in early 2011. fighters return home. a new terrorist threat when the idence that Egypt’s security es- The attack provided further ev- fighters return home. tablishment was reasserting its idence that Egypt’s security es- More Westerners are now tablishment was reasserting its fighting in Syria than fought in More Westerners are now dominance after President fighting in Syria than fought in Mohamed Morsi’s ouster three dominance after President conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, So- Mohamed Morsi’s ouster three conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, So- weeks ago, and widening its malia or Yemen, according to the malia or Yemen, according to the weeks ago, and widening its officials. They go to Syria moti- crackdown on his Islamist allies crackdown on his Islamist allies officials. They go to Syria moti- in the Muslim Brotherhood. The vated by the desire to help the vated by the desire to help the in the Muslim Brotherhood. The people suffering there by over- people suffering there by over- tactics — many were killed with tactics — many were killed with throwing Mr. Assad. But there is gunshot wounds to the head or gunshot wounds to the head or throwing Mr. Assad. But there is the chest — suggested that growing concern that they will growing concern that they will the chest — suggested that come back with a burst of jihadist Egypt’s security services felt no Egypt’s security services felt no come back with a burst of jihadist zeal, some semblance of military need to show any restraint. zeal, some semblance of military need to show any restraint. “They had orders to shoot to discipline, enhanced weapons “They had orders to shoot to discipline, enhanced weapons and explosives skills, and, in the kill,” said Gehad el-Haddad, a and explosives skills, and, in the worst case, orders from affiliates kill,” said Gehad el-Haddad, a Brotherhood spokesman. The Brotherhood spokesman. The message, he said, was, “This is worst case, orders from affiliates of Al Qaeda to carry out terrorist NARCISO CONTRERAS FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES strikes. message, he said, was, “This is the new regime.” of Al Qaeda to carry out terrorist NARCISOA supporter CONTRERAS ofFOR the THE ousted NEW YORK president, TIMES Mohamed Morsi, mourns a relative killed in a clash with the authorities in Cairo. “Syria has become really the the new regime.” In Washington, Secretary of strikes. State John Kerry called this “a A supporter of the ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, mourns a relative killedpredominant in a clash jihadist with battlefield the authorities in Cairo. In Washington, Secretary of “Syria has become really the in the world,” Matthew G. Olsen, pivotal moment for Egypt” and predominant jihadist battlefield State John Kerry called this “a urged its leaders “to help their the director of the National Coun- pivotal moment for Egypt” and in the world,” Matthew G. Olsen, terterrorism Center, told a secu- G.O.P. Senators See an Upside President Says Income Gap country take a step back from the the director of the National Coun- rity conference in Aspen, Colo., urged its leaders “to help their brink.” The killings occurred a day af- terterrorism Center, told a secu- this month. He added, “The con- country take a step back from the G.O.P. Senators See an Upside President Says Income Gap ter hundreds of thousands of rity conference in Aspen, Colo., cern going forward from a threat In a Problematic brink.”Issue: Abortion Is Fraying U.S. Social Fabric perspective is there are individ- The killings occurred a day af- Egyptians marched in support of this month. He added, “The con- the military, responding to a call uals traveling to Syria, becoming ter hundreds of thousands of cern going forward from a threat In a Problematic Issue: Abortion Isfurther Fraying radicalized, becomingU.S. Social Fabric by its commander for a “man- By JEREMY W. EgyptiansPETERS marched in support of By JACKIE CALMES and MICHAEL D. SHEAR perspective is there are individ- trained and then returning as date” to fight terrorism. The ap- WASHINGTON — It reads like Plans under discussion among uals traveling to Syria, becoming part of really a global jihadist the military, responding to a callGALESBURG, Ill. — In a week A few days after the acquittal peal by Gen. Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, a who’s who of the next genera- the staff members of a handful of further radicalized, becoming movement to Western Europe by its commander for a “man-when he tried to focus attention in the Trayvon Martin case who has emerged as Egypt’s de By JEREMY W. PETERS By JACKIE CALMES and MICHAELtion of Republican D. SHEAR Party leaders: Republican senators and anti- facto leader since the military re- trained and then returning as and, potentially, to the United date” to fight terrorism. The on ap- the struggles of the middle prompted him to speak about be- WASHINGTON — It reads like Plans under discussion among States.” Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Rob Port- abortionpeal by groupsGen. Abdul-Fattah would involve el-Sisi,class, President Obama said in an ing a black man in America, Mr. moved Mr. Morsi from power, part of really a global jihadist GALESBURG, Ill. — In a week Aman. few days after the acquittal bringing the measure up for a a who’s who of the next genera- the staff members of a handful of Classified estimates from who has emerged as Egypt’sinterview de that he was worried Obama said the country’s strug- was widely seen as a green light movement to Western Europe when he tried to focus attention in theBut what Trayvon is bringing Martin all these case vote, probably as part of debate that years of widening income in- to the security forces to increase tion of Republican Party leaders: Republican senators and anti- on the strugglesContinued of theon Page middle 10 facto leader since the military re- gle over race would not be eased and, potentially, to the United promptedmarquee him political to speak names about togeth- be- over a spending measure, some- equality and the lingering effects until the political process in their repression of the Islamists. Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Rob Port- abortion groups would involve timemoved after Congress Mr. Morsi returns from from power, States.” class, President Obama said in an inger a isblack not the man Iowa in StAmerica,ate Fair or Mr. a of the financial crisis had frayed Washington began addressing In the attack on Saturday, civil- man. bringing the measure up for a its August recess. Because of the Classified estimates from interview that he was worried ObamaTea Party said rallythe country’s on the National strug- was widely seen as a green lightthe country’s social fabric and the fear of many people that fi- ians joined riot police officers in vote, probably as part of debate Mall. Rather, they are all talking Senate’s porous rules for intro- firing live ammunition at the pro- But what is bringing all these that years of widening income in- gle over race would not be eased to the security forces to increaseundermined Americans’ belief in nancial stability is unattainable. Continued on Page 10 discreetly about how to advance ducing amendments, people on testers as they marched toward a marquee political names togeth- over a spending measure, some- equality and the lingering effects their repression of the Islamists.opportunity. “Racial tensions won’t get bet- untila bill the in the political Senate to process ban abor- in both sides of the issue say they bridge over the Nile. By early er is not the Iowa State Fair or a time after Congress returns from In the attack on Saturday, civil-Upward mobility, Mr. Obama ter; they may get worse, because of the financial crisis had frayed Washingtontion at 20 weeks began after addressing fertiliza- believe a vote is more than likely morning, the numbers of wound- Tea Party rally on the National its August recess. Because of the said in a 40-minute interview people will feel as if they’ve got the country’s social fabric and thetion. fear of many people that fi- if theians legislation joined riot comes police together. officers in ed people had overwhelmed doc- Senate’s porous rules for intro- with The New York Times, “was to compete with some other Mall. Rather, they are all talking undermined Americans’ belief in A similar ban passed the firing“I think live there’s ammunition significant at sup- the pro-part and parcel of who we were tors at a nearby field hospital. nancial stability is unattainable. group to get scraps from a discreetly about how to advance ducing amendments, people on opportunity. House last month, and Senate porttesters across as thethey country marched for toward the as aAmericans.” One doctor sat by himself, cry- “Racial tensions won’t get bet- shrinking pot,” Mr. Obama said. a bill in the Senate to ban abor- both sides of the issueC M sayY theyK Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,001,Bs-BK,E3Democrats quickly pronounced it ideabridge that after over 20 theweeks, Nile. abortion By early“And that’s what’s been erod- ing as he whispered verses from Upward mobility, Mr. Obama ter; they may get worse, because “If the economy is growing, ev- tion at 20 weeks after fertiliza- believe a vote is more than likely doomed to fail in their chamber. shouldmorning, be significantly the numbers limited,” of wound-ing over the last 20, 30 years, well the Koran. Nearby, medics tried said in a 40-minute interview people will feel as if they’ve got erybody feels invested. Every- tion. if the legislation comes together. with The New York Times, “was It is almost certain to be defeated saided Mr.people Rubio, had who overwhelmed has taken a doc-before the financial crisis,” he to revive a man on a gurney. to compete with some other leading role in trying to generate body feels as if we’re rolling in When they failed, he was quickly “I think there’s significant sup- there, and even if it were not, tors at a nearby field hospital. added.Late Edition A similar ban passed the part and parcel of who we were support for the bill. “Irrespective the same direction.” lifted away to make room for the groupPresident to get Obama scraps would from veto it. a Today, cloudy,“If wea few don’t showers do and anything, then House last month, and Senate port across the country for the as Americans.” UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL, 1973 of howOne people doctor may sat feel by about himself, the cry- Mr. Obama, who this fall will many others. idea that after 20 weeks, abortion shrinkingBut backers pot,” of Mr.the ban Obama are eager said. a thunderstorm,growth high will 80. Tonight, be slower than it Democrats quickly pronounced it “And that’s what’s been erod- to bring to the floor of the Senate issue,”ing as he he added, whispered “we’re verses talkingthunderstorms, fromshould low be. 70. Tomorrow, Unemployment will choose a new chairman of the With hundreds of people “If the economy is growing, ev- clouds and sun, a morning shower, doomed to fail in their chamber. should be significantly limited,” ing overChampion the last 20, 30 for years, Women well the same impassioned debate aboutthe Koran. five months Nearby, into medicsa preg- tried Federal Reserve to share eco- gravely wounded, the toll seemed erybody feels invested. Every- high 84.not Weather go down map, Pageas fast 18. as it should. It is almost certain to be defeated said Mr. Rubio, who has taken a before theLindy financial Boggs, who crisis,” served he Lou- over abortion that has been tak- nancy.to revive People certainly a man feel on there a gurney.Income inequality will continue nomic stewardship, expressed certain to rise, and by Saturday leading role in trying to generate isiana for nine terms in Con-bodying feels place as in if state we’re legislatures rolling in shouldWhen be they significant failed, restrictions he was quicklyto rise,” he said. “That’s not a fu- confidence that the trends could evening had already surpassed there, and even if it were not, VOL. CLXII . . No. 56,211added. © 2013 The New York Times NEW YORK, SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 $6 beyond the greater New York metropolitan area. $5.00 President Obama would veto it. support for the bill. “Irrespective “If wegress, don’t has do died anything, at 97. Page then 20.thearound same direction.”the country. liftedContinued away to on make Page room 4 for turethe that we should accept.” Continued on Page 15 Continued on Page 12 UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL, 1973 But backers of the ban are eager of how people may feel about the growth will be slower than it Mr. Obama, who this fall will many others. Champion for Women to bring to the floor of the Senate issue,” he added, “we’reWORRIES talking MOUNTshould be.Egypt’s Unemployment Ruling will chooseMilitary a new chairman Kills of Scores the With of hundreds Islamists of people at Rally the same impassioned debate about five months into a preg- not go down as fast as it should. Federal Reserve to share eco- gravely wounded, the toll seemed Lindy Boggs, who served Lou- over abortion that has been tak- nancy. People certainlyAS feel SYRIA there LURESIncome inequalityA Race will to continue Savenomic stewardship, the Orange expressed by Alteringcertain to Its rise, andDNA by Saturday isiana for nine terms in Con- ing place in state legislatures should be significant restrictions to rise,” he said. “That’s not a fu- confidence that the trends could evening had already surpassedHUNDREDS ARE INJURED gress, has died at 97. Page 20. around the country. Continued on PageWEST’S 4 MUSLIMSture that we should accept.” Continued on Page 15 Continued on Page 12 A Crackdown Widens Contagion Raging, Florida Industry Tries to Build a Better Tree Three Weeks After Radicals Seen as Threat Morsi’s Ouster After Gaining War fall day in 2005, “let’s make a crop that has thrived in the state

Experience By AMY HARMON plan.” since its arrival, it is said, with By KAREEM FAHIM A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA In the years that followed, he Ponce de León. But such a tree and MAYY EL SHEIKH CLEWISTON, Fla. — The call By ERIC SCHMITT and the 8,000 other Florida grow- did not exist. CAIRO — The Egyptian au- Ricke Kress and every other cit- WASHINGTON — A rising ers who supply most of the na- “In all of cultivated citrus,thorities unleashed a ferocious number of radicalized young rus grower in Florida dreaded attack on Islamist protesters ear- tion’s orange juice poured every- there is no evidence of immuni-ly Saturday, killing at least 72 Muslims with Western passports came while he was driving. are traveling to Syria to fight thing they had into fighting the ty,” the plant pathologist headingpeople in the second mass killing Contagion Raging, Florida Industry Tries to Build a Better Tree “It’s here” was all his grove of demonstrators in three weeks with the rebels against the gov- disease they call citrus greening. a National Research Council task ernment of Bashar al-Assad, rais- manager needed to say to force and the deadliest attack by the ing fears among American and To slow the spread of the bacte- force on the disease said. security services since Egypt’s him over to the side of the road. uprising in early 2011. fall day in 2005, “let’s make a crop that has thrivedEuropean in the intelligence state officials of rium that causes the scourge, In all of citrus, but perhaps not a new terrorist threat when the The disease that sours oranges The attack provided further ev- plan.” since its arrival, it is said, with idence that Egypt’s security es- By AMY HARMON fighters return home. and leaves them half green, al- they chopped down hundreds of in all of nature. With a precipi- More Westerners are now tous decline in Florida’s harvesttablishment was reasserting its In the years that followed, he Ponce de León. But such a tree ready ravaging citrus crops thousands of infected trees and dominance after President CLEWISTON, Fla. — The call fighting in Syria than fought in predicted within the decade, the and the 8,000 other Florida grow- did not exist. conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, So- across the world, had reached the sprayed an expanding array of Mohamed Morsi’s ouster three Ricke Kress and every other cit- weeks ago, and widening its malia or Yemen, according to the state’s storied groves. Mr. Kress, pesticides on the winged insect only chance left to save it, Mr. ers who supply most of the na- “In all of cultivatedofficials. Theycitrus, go to Syria moti- crackdown on his Islamist allies rus grower in Florida dreaded that carries it. But the contagion Kress believed, was one that hisin the Muslim Brotherhood. The tion’s orange juice poured every- there is no evidencevated of immuni- by the desire to help the the president of Southern Gar- came while he was driving. people suffering there by over- dens Citrus, in charge of two and could not be contained. industry and others had longtactics — many were killed with thing they had into fighting the ty,” the plant pathologistthrowing heading Mr. Assad. But there is gunshot wounds to the head or “It’s here” was all his grove They scoured Central Florida’s avoided for fear of consumer re-the chest — suggested that a National Research growingCouncil concern task that they will a half million orange trees and a disease they call citrus greening. come back with a burst of jihadist half-million acres of emerald jection. They would have to alterEgypt’s security services felt no manager needed to say to force factory that squeezes juice for need to show any restraint. To slow the spread of the bacte- force on the disease said.zeal, some semblance of military Tropicana and Florida’s Natural, groves and sent search parties the orange’s DNA — with a gene him over to the side of the road. discipline, enhanced weapons “They had orders to shoot to rium that causes the scourge, In all of citrus, but andperhaps explosives not skills, and, in the sat in silence for several long mo- around the world to find a natu- from a different species. kill,” said Gehad el-Haddad, a The disease that sours oranges worst case, orders from affiliates Oranges are not the only cropBrotherhood spokesman. The RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES they chopped down hundreds of in all of nature. With a precipi- ments. rally immune tree that could message, he said, was, “This is and leaves them half green, al- of Al Qaeda to carry out terrorist NARCISO CONTRERAS FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES “O.K.,” he said finally on that serve as a new progenitor for a Continued on Page 16 the newA regime.” test plot in Florida contains genetically modified orange trees alongside regular ones. thousands of infected trees and tous decline in Florida’sstrikes. harvest A supporter of the ousted president, Mohamed Morsi, mourns a relative killed in a clash with the authorities in Cairo. ready ravaging citrus crops “Syria has become really the In Washington, Secretary of across the world, had reached the sprayed an expanding array of predicted within the predominant decade, jihadistthe battlefield State John Kerry called this “a pesticides on the winged insect only chance left to in save the world,” it, Mr.Matthew G. Olsen, pivotal moment for Egypt” and state’s storied groves. Mr. Kress, the director of the National Coun- INTERNATIONAL 6-13 NATIONAL 14-19 urged its leaders “to help their SPORTSSUNDAY SUNDAY REVIEW that carries it. But the contagion Kress believed, was terterrorism one that Center, his told a secu- G.O.P. Senators See an Upside President Says Income Gap country take a step back from the the president of Southern Gar- rity conference in Aspen, Colo., brink.” could not be contained. industry and othersthis hadmonth. He long added, “The con- Israel May Release Palestinians U.S. Scrutiny of Local Police A Merging of AdThe killingsAgencies occurred a day af- Finding a Sanctuary Maureen Dowd PAGE 11 dens Citrus, in charge of two and ter hundreds of thousands of avoided for fear of consumercern going forward re- from a threat PrimeIn a Minister Problematic Benjamin Netanyahu Issue: AbortionFederal interventionIs Fraying in local police U.S. de- SocialTwo Fabricof the world’s largest advertising As another winless season passes at a half million orange trees and a They scoured Central Florida’s perspective is there are individ- Egyptians marched in support of factory that squeezes juice for half-million acres of emerald jection. They would haveuals traveling to alter to Syria, becoming agreed to free 104 prisoners, a move that partments over civil rights violations companies are expectedthe military, to responding announce to a call Carroll Academy, run by the Carroll further radicalized, becoming by its commander for a “man- he said was painful,By JEREMY but tied W. PETERSto progress has become more Bycommon JACKIE CALMES under and the MICHAEL D. SHEARtheir merger on Sunday, supplanting the County (Tenn.) Juvenile Court, basket- Tropicana and Florida’s Natural, groves and sent search parties the orange’s DNA — trainedwith anda gene then returning as date” to fight terrorism. The ap- WASHINGTON — It reads like Plans under discussion among part of really a global jihadist in peace talks. PAGE 12 Obama administration.GALESBURG, Ill. — In a weekPAGEA few14 daysindustry after the acquittal leader. peal by Gen. Abdul-FattahPAGE el-Sisi, 19 ball remains a source of stability. PAGE 1 U(D5E71D)x+%!z!/!#!@ from a different species. a who’s who of the next genera- the staff members of a handful of sat in silence for several long mo- around the world to find a natu- movement to Western Europe when he tried to focus attention in the Trayvon Martin case who has emerged as Egypt’s de Republican senators and anti- ments. rally immune tree that could Oranges are not theand, only potentially, crop to the United tion of Republican Party leaders: on the struggles of the middle promptedRICHARD him to PERRY/THE speak about NEW be- YORKfacto leaderTIMES since the military re- States.” Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Rob Port- abortion groups would involve class, President Obama said in an ing a black man in America, Mr. moved Mr. Morsi from power, bringing the measure up for a “O.K.,” he said finally on that serve as a new progenitor for a Continued on PageClassified 16 estimatesA test from plotman. in Florida contains genetically modifiedinterview orange that hetrees was worriedalongsideObama saidregular the country’s ones. strug- was widely seen as a green light But what is bringing all these vote, probably as part of debate that years of widening income in- to the security forces to increase Continued on Page 10 gle over race would not be eased marquee political names togeth- over a spending measure, some- equality and the lingering effects until the political process in their repression of the Islamists. time after Congress returns from er is not the Iowa State Fair or a of the financial crisis had frayed Washington began addressing In the attack on Saturday, civil- its August recess. Because of the Tea Party rally on the National the country’s social fabric and the fear of many people that fi- ians joined riot police officers in Senate’s porous rules for intro- INTERNATIONAL 6-13 NATIONAL 14-19 Mall. Rather, they are allSPORTSSUNDAY talking By AMY underminedHARMON Americans’SUNDAY belief in nancial REVIEW stability is unattainable. firing live ammunition at the pro- discreetly about how to advance ducing amendments, people on testers as they marched toward a opportunity. “Racial tensions won’t get bet- a bill in the Senate to ban abor- both sides of the issue say they bridge over the Nile. By early Upward mobility, Mr. Obama ter; they may get worse, because tion at 20 weeks after fertiliza- believe a vote is more than likely morning, the numbers of wound- Israel May Release Palestinians U.S. Scrutiny of Local Police A Merging of Ad Agencies FindingCLEWISTON, a Sanctuary Fla. saidsilence in a 40-minute forMaureen interviewseveralpeople long Dowd will feelmoments. as if they’ve got PAGE 11 tion. if the legislation comes together. ed people had overwhelmed doc- with The New York Times, “was to compete with some other A similar ban passed the “I think there’s significant sup- part and parcel of who we were tors at a nearby field hospital. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Federal intervention in local police de- Two of the world’s largesth e advertisingcall Ricke KressAs anotherand every winless other season cit passes- at “O.K.,” he saidgroup finally to get scraps on from that a fall day in House last month, and Senate port across the country for the as Americans.” One doctor sat by himself, cry- shrinking pot,” Mr. Obama said. agreed to free 104 prisoners, a move that partments over civil rights violations companies are expected to announceDemocrats quickly pronouncedCarroll it Academy,idea that after 20 run weeks, by abortion the Carroll“And that’s what’s been erod- ing as he whispered verses from rus grower in Florida dreaded came while 2005, “let’s make “Ifa theplan.” economy is growing, ev- doomed to fail in their chamber. should be significantly limited,” ing over the last 20, 30 years, well the Koran. Nearby, medics tried he said was painful, but tied to progress has become more common under the their merger on Sunday, supplanting the County (Tenn.) Juvenile Court, basket- erybody feels invested. Every- It is almost certain to be defeated said Mr. Rubio, who has taken a before the financial crisis,” he to revive a man on a gurney. he was driving. leading role in trying to generate In the yearsU(D5E71D)x+%!z!/!#!@ thatbody feels followed, as if we’re rolling he in and the 8,000 in peace talks. PAGE 12 Obama administration. PAGE 14 industry leader.T there,PAGE and even 19 if it wereball not, remains a source of stability.added. PAGE 1 When they failed, he was quickly President Obama would veto it. support for the bill. “Irrespective “If we don’t do anything, then the same direction.” lifted away to make room for the UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL,“It’s here” 1973 was all his grove manager need- other Florida growers who supply most of the But backers of the ban are eager of how people may feel about the growth will be slower than it Mr. Obama, who this fall will many others. Championed for to Women say to forceto bring tohim the floor over of the Senateto theissue,” side he added,of the “we’re road. talking should be. Unemployment will choose a new chairman of the With hundreds of people the same impassioned debate about five months into a preg- notnation’s go down as fast orangeas it should. Federaljuice Reservepoured to share eco- everythinggravely wounded, they the toll seemed Lindy Boggs, who served Lou- over abortion that has been tak- nancy. People certainly feel there Income inequality will continue nomic stewardship, expressed certain to rise, and by Saturday isiana for nine termsThe in Con- diseaseing place that in state sours legislatures orangesshould be significantand leaves restrictions to rise,”had he said.into “That’s fighting not a fu- confidence the thatdisease the trends couldtheyevening call had citrus already surpassed gress, has diedthem at 97. Pagehalf 20. green,around the already country. ravagingContinued citrus on Page crops 4 turegreening. that we should accept.” Continued on Page 15 Continued on Page 12 across the world, had reached the state’s sto- To slow the spread of the bacterium that A Raceried to groves. Save the Mr. Orange Kress, the by Alteringpresident Itsof SouthDNA- causes the scourge, they chopped down hun- ern Gardens Citrus, in charge of two and a half dreds of thousands of infected trees and sprayed Contagionmillion Raging, orange Florida trees Industry and Tries a factory to Build that a Better squeezes Tree an expanding array of pesticides on the winged juice for Tropicana and Florida’s Natural, sat in insect that carries it. But the contagion could fall day in 2005, “let’s make a crop that has thrived in the state By AMY HARMON plan.” since its arrival, it is said, with In the years that followed, he Ponce de León. But such a tree CLEWISTON, Fla. — The call and the 8,000 other Florida grow- did not exist. Ricke Kress and every other cit- ers who supply most of the na- “In all of cultivated citrus, rus grower in Florida dreaded tion’s orange juice poured every- there is no evidence of immuni- came while he was driving. thing they had into fighting the ty,” the plant pathologist heading “It’s here” was all his grove a National Research Council task manager needed to say to force disease they call citrus greening. force on the disease said. him over to the side of the road. To slow the spread of the bacte- In all of citrus, but perhaps not The disease that sours oranges rium that causes the scourge, and leaves them half green, al- they chopped down hundreds of in all of nature. With a precipi- ready ravaging citrus crops thousands of infected trees and tous decline in Florida’s harvest across the world, had reached the sprayed an expanding array of predicted within the decade, the state’s storied groves. Mr. Kress, pesticides on the winged insect only chance left to save it, Mr. the president of Southern Gar- that carries it. But the contagion Kress believed, was one that his dens Citrus, in charge of two and could not be contained. industry and others had long a half million orange trees and a They scoured Central Florida’s avoided for fear of consumer re- factory that squeezes juice for half-million acres of emerald jection. They would have to alter Tropicana and Florida’s Natural, groves and sent search parties the orange’s DNA — with a gene sat in silence for several long mo- around the world to find a natu- from a different species. ments. rally immune tree that could Oranges are not the only crop RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES “O.K.,” he said finally on that serve as a new progenitor for a Continued on Page 16 A test plot in Florida contains genetically modified orange trees alongside regular ones.

INTERNATIONAL 6-13 NATIONAL 14-19 SPORTSSUNDAY SUNDAY REVIEW

Israel May Release Palestinians U.S. Scrutiny of Local Police A Merging of Ad Agencies Finding a Sanctuary Maureen Dowd PAGE 11 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Federal intervention in local police de- Two of the world’s largest advertising As another winless season passes at agreed to free 104 prisoners, a move that partments over civil rights violations companies are expected to announce Carroll Academy, run by the Carroll he said was painful, but tied to progress has become more common under the their merger on Sunday, supplanting the County (Tenn.) Juvenile Court, basket- in peace talks. PAGE 12 Obama administration. PAGE 14 industry leader. PAGE 19 ball remains a source of stability. PAGE 1 U(D5E71D)x+%!z!/!#!@ not be contained. lection for biotechnology. Known for working They scoured Central Florida’s half-million long hours, he rose through the ranks at fruit acres of emerald groves and sent search parties and juice companies like Welch’s and Seneca around the world to find a naturally immune Foods. On moving here for the Southern Gar- tree that could serve as a new progenitor for a dens job, just a few weeks before citrus green- crop that has thrived in the state since its ar- ing was detected, he had assumed his biggest rival, it is said, with Ponce de León. But such a headache would be competition from flavored tree did not exist. waters, or persuading his wife to tolerate Flori- “In all of cultivated citrus, there is no evi- da’s humidity. dence of immunity,” the plant pathologist head- But the dwindling harvest that could mean ing a National Research Council task force on the idling of his juice processing plant would the disease said. also have consequences beyond any one com- In all of citrus, but perhaps not in all of na- pany’s bottom line. Florida is the second-largest ture. With a precipitous decline in Florida’s producer of orange juice in the world, behind harvest predicted within the decade, the only Brazil. Its $9 billion citrus industry contributes chance left to save it, Mr. Kress believed, was 76,000 jobs to the state that hosts the Orange one that his industry and others had long avoid- Bowl. Southern Gardens, a subsidiary of U.S. ed for fear of consumer rejection. They would Sugar, was one of the few companies in the in- have to alter the orange’s DNA — with a gene dustry with the wherewithal to finance the de- from a different species. velopment of a “transgenic” tree, which could Oranges are not the only crop that might take a decade and cost as much as $20 million. benefit from genetically engineered resistance An emerging scientific consensus held that to diseases for which standard treatments have genetic engineering would be required to de- proven elusive. And advocates of the technol- feat citrus greening. “People are either going to ogy say it could also help provide food for a fast- drink transgenic orange juice or they’re going growing population on a warming planet by en- to drink apple juice,” one University of Florida dowing crops with more nutrients, or the ability scientist told Mr. Kress. to thrive in drought, or to resist pests. Leading And if the presence of a new gene in citrus scientific organizations have concluded that trees prevented juice from becoming scarcer shuttling DNA between species carries no in- and more expensive, Mr. Kress believed, the trinsic risk to human health or the environment, American public would embrace it. “The con- and that such alterations can be reliably tested. sumer will support us if it’s the only way,” Mr. But the idea of eating plants and animals Kress assured his boss. whose DNA has been manipulated in a labora- His quest to save the orange offers a close tory — called genetically modified organisms, look at the daunting process of genetically modi- or G.M.O.’s — still spooks many people. Critics fying one well-loved organism — on a deadline. worry that such crops carry risks not yet detect- In the past several years, out of public view, he ed, and distrust the big agrochemical companies has considered DNA donors from all over the that have produced the few in wide use. And tree of life, including two vegetables, a virus and, hostility toward the technology, long ingrained briefly, a pig. A synthetic gene, manufactured in in Europe, has deepened recently among Amer- the laboratory, also emerged as a contender. icans as organic food advocates, environmen- Trial trees that withstood the disease in his talists and others have made opposition to it a greenhouse later succumbed in the field. Con- pillar of a growing movement for healthier and cerns about public perception and potential ethical food choices. delays in regulatory scrutiny put a damper on Mr. Kress’s boss worried about damaging some promising leads. But intent on his mis- the image of juice long promoted as “100 per- sion, Mr. Kress shrugged off signs that national cent natural.” campaigns against genetically modified food “Do we really want to do this?” he demand- were gaining traction. ed in a 2008 meeting at the company’s head- Only in recent months has he begun to face quarters on the northern rim of the Everglades. the full magnitude of the gap between what sci- Mr. Kress, now 61, had no particular predi- ence can achieve and what society might accept. C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,016,Bs-4C,E1C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,016,Bs-4C,E1 C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,016,Bs-4C,E1

16 N THE NEW YORK16 TIMES NATIONALN SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 16 N THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013

C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,016,Bs-4C,E1

16 N THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013

RICHARD PERRY/THERICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK NEW YORK TIMES TIMES RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES RAVAGED CROPS To avoid spreading a scourge further, orange trees infected by disease are cut down and burned in Clewiston, Fla., at groves owned by Southern Gardens Citrus. RAVAGED CROPS To avoid spreading a scourge further, orange trees infected by disease are cut down and burned in Clewiston, Fla., at groves owned by Southern Gardens Citrus. RAVAGED CROPS To avoid spreading a scourge further, orange trees infectedRICHARD PERRY/THE by disease NEW YORK are TIMES cut down and burned in Clewiston, Fla., at groves owned by Southern Gardens Citrus. RAVAGED CROPS To avoid spreading a scourge further, orange trees infected by disease are Acut downRace and toburned Save in Clewiston, the Orange Fla., at groves byowned Altering by Southern Gardens Its DNA Citrus. Millenniums of Intervention Millenniums of Intervention is more predictable season than traditional Valencia.belief that a plant would take on the another as they feed on the sap of their A Race to Save theFrom Page Orange 1 by Alteringmethods that involve randomly mixing Itsidentity of theDNA species from which its leaves, can carry the germ a mile with- Even in the heydayEven in the heydayofA frozen of frozen Race concen- concentrate,or mutating manyto genes ofSave unknownBecausenew DNAoranges wasthe drawn, likethemselves the scientistOrangeout stopping,are andhybrids the females canby lay up Altering Its DNA that might benefit from genetically engineered resistance to diseases for trate, the popularity of orange juice function. in the movie “The Fly” who sprouted in- to 800 eggs in their one-month life. A Race to Save the Orangethe popularity ofrested orange by largely on itsjuice imageAltering as rested the ulti- Butlargely because it also and usuallyIts involvesmost DNA seedssect parts after are a DNA-mixing clones mistake of theMr. mother, Kress’s DNA new candidate would which standard treatments have proven elusive. And advocatesis more of the predictable technol- mate natural than beverage, traditional fresh-squeezed belieftaking DNA that from a the plant species wouldwhere it takewith a house on fly. the another as theyhave to feedfight off on the thebacteria sap or theof in-their From Page 1 Millenniums of Interventionogy say iton could its also helpimage provide foodas thefrom a ultimateprimordial fruit. Butnatural the reality is Millenniumsbeverage,evolved and putting itvarietiesof in anotherIntervention to cannotAsked if tomatoes easily containingis be more aproduced gene predictablesect. As forby public cross than acceptance, traditional- he told belief that a plant would take on the another as they feed on the sap of their for a fast-growingmethods population that onFrom involve a that Page human randomly 1 intervention mixing has modified identitywhich it may of be only the distantly species related from— from which a fish would its “tastemethodsleaves, fishy” in can athat hiscarry involveindustry the colleagues, randomlygerm “We a can’tmile mixing think with- identity of the species from which its iswarming more planetfresh-squeezed predictableby endowing crops with than fromthe traditionalorange a forprimordial millenniums,belief as it hasfruit. thatal- or But a turning plant the off genes would alreadybreeding take present on — — thequestion unlike, onanother a 2004 say,poll conductedas apples,they by feedthe which abouton thethat right breederssap now.” of their leaves, can carry the germ a mile with- MillenniumsEven of in Interventionthe heyday of frozen concen- or mutating manymost genes everything of people unknown eat. newEven DNA in the was heyday drawn, of like frozen the concen-scientist out stopping, and the females can lay up that From might Page benefit 1 from genetically en- methodsmore nutrients, thatthat or the might abilityinvolve to thrive benefit randomly in from mixing geneticallyidentity en- of critics the of species the technology from say it which repre- itsFood Policyleaves, Institute can ator Rutgers carry mutating Uni- the germ many a genesmile withof unknown new DNA was drawn, like the scientist out stopping, and the females can lay up trate, the popularity of orange drought, juice orreality to resist pests. is Leadingthat sci-humanBefore intervention humans were involved, has corn modifiedsents a new and potentiallyhave more remixed haz- versity thatinto referred favorites to one company’s like TheFuji ‘Creep and Factor’ Gala. gineered resistance to diseases Even for in the heyday of frozen concen- function. was a wild grass, tomatoes were tiny, trate,in the themovie popularity “The Fly” of who orange sprouted juice in- function.to 800 eggs in their one-month life. in the movie “The Fly” who sprouted in- to 800 eggs in their one-month life. that might benefit from genetically en- rested largely on its image as theorentific ulti- mutating organizationsgineered many have concluded resistance genes of unknown to diseasesnew for DNA wasardous degreedrawn, of tinkering like thewhose scientist risks efforts to outforge stopping,a frost-resistant and tomato the females can lay up which standard treatments have proven that shuttlingthe DNAorangeBut between because for species millenniums, it carrots also wereusually only rarely as involves it orange has and almostrestedsectare not parts yet largely ev fully - afterunderstood. onBut a itsDNA-mixing imagethe vast aswith the amistake majority gene ulti- from the winter ofMr. flounder,oranges Kress’sTrim, in DNA silver-haired commer candidate and described- would by trate, the popularity of orange juice function.which standard treatmentsdairy cows produced have little provenin milk. the The movie or- “The Fly” who sprouted in- to 800 eggs Butin their because one-monthcolleagues it also as tightly life. usually wound (he involves prefers sect parts after a DNA-mixing mistake Mr. Kress’s DNA candidate would gineered resistance to diseases for mate natural beverage, fresh-squeezedcarries no intrinsictaking risk to human DNA health from the species where it matewithIf he a natural hadhouse had more fly. beverage, time, Mr. Kress fresh-squeezedfewer than half correctlyhave answered to fight off the bacteria or the in- elusive. And advocates of the technol-rested largely on its image as the ulti- or theBut environment, erything becauseelusive. and that it Andpeople alsosuch alter- advocates usually eat.ange, for involves its of part, the might technol- neversect have parts ex- couldafter have a waitedDNA-mixing for thecial orange groves tomistake nat- “no.” are A fear the thatMr. product the Kress’s genetictaking engineer- of DNA a type“focused”), from candidate of the Mr. genetic Kress species would arrives at where the ofit with a house fly. have to fight off the bacteria or the inwhich standard treatments have proven from a primordial fruit. But the realityations is can be reliably tested. isted had human migration not brought urally evolve resistance to the bacteria ing of food would throw sect.the ecosystem As forfice public by 6:30 each acceptance, morning and micro- he told ogy say it could also help providemate food natural beverage, fresh-squeezed evolved and puttingtogether it the in grapefruit-size another topomelo fromAsked a primordial if tomatoes fruit. containing But the reality a gene is evolved and putting it in another to sect. As for public acceptance, he told elusive. And advocates of the technol- takingBut the idea DNAogy of Beforeeating fromsay plants it the couldandhumans ani- species also help wherewere provide itinvolved, withfood a housecornknown fly.was as C. liberibactera merging asiaticus. That thatout of whackpredateshave showed to in fightthe the surveys off Romans, too. the wavesbacteria a inbowl whichofor oatmeal. the Hein-a stocks his Asked if tomatoes containing a gene that human intervention has modified which it may be onlyfrom distantly the tropics andrelated the diminutive — thatfromcould human happen a fish tomorrow. intervention would Or it could “taste take has fishy” Mr. modified Kress’s in researchers, a his in turn, industry liked office colleagues, cabinet with “We cans ofcan’t peel-top think for a fast-growing population from on aa primordial fruit. But the reality is evolvedmals whose DNAfor and has a been putting fast-growing manipulated it in another population to on Asked a if tomatoes containing a gene sect. As which for public it may acceptance, be only distantly he told related — from a fish would “taste fishy” in a his industry colleagues, “We can’t think ogy say it could also help provide food the orange for millenniums, as it hasin a al- laboratorywildor —turning grass, called genetically offtomatoes genesmandarin already fromwere a temperatepresent tiny, zone —carrots thou- thequestionyears, orange wereor many on for decades. a 2004millenniums,slender Or pollthe orange conducted shoot asto point it hasof out by thata al-the favoredthe very aboutreason fruitgenetic that varietyrightCampbell’s now.” chicken is graft soup thathe heats warming planet by endowing cropsthat with human intervention has modified modified organisms,warming or G.M.O.’s planet — still bysands endowing of years agocrops in China. with And it in Florida could disappear first. engineeringhis works industry is or that turning colleagues, all living offup genes for“We lunch. can’talready Arriving think homepresent each — question on a 2004 poll conducted by the about that right now.” for a fast-growing population on a most everything people eat. which it may be only distantlywould related not have become — thefrom most widely a fish would “taste fishy” in a evening, he cuts a rose from his garden more nutrients, or the ability to thrivethe orangein for millenniums, as it has al- spooks manyonly people.critics rarely Critics of worry the orange that technology and saydairy it repre- cows mostproducedFood everything Policy Instituteed people onto eat. at the Rutgersthings sturdier share Uni- a basic roots biochemistry:critics of other of if a the species: technology lem say- it repre- Food Policy Institute at Rutgers Uni- warming planet by endowing crops with orsuch turning crops carrymore offrisks genesnutrients,not yet detected, already or theplanted present ability fruit tree —to had thrive humanquestion in traders on a 2004 poll conducted by thegene fromabout a cold-water that fish right can help now.” a for his wife. Weekends, he works in his Before humans were involved, corn sents a new and not potentially carried it across more the globe. haz- versityPlunging that Ahead referred to one company’s yard and pores over clippings about drought, or to resist pests. Leadingmost sci- everything people eat. criticsand distrust little of thedrought, the big milk. agrochemical technology or The to com- resist orange, say pests. it repre- for Leading its part,Food sci- might PolicyBefore Institutenever humans aton, Rutgers were for instance, involved, Uni-tomato resist corn or frost, sour it is sentsbecauseThe orange. DNA ‘Creep a new is And and Factor’ potentiallya seedless more haz- versity that referred to one company’s more nutrients, or the ability to thrive in was a wild grass, tomatoes werepanies tiny, that haveardous produced degree the few inof tinkeringThe varieties whose that have risks survived, Early discussions among other citrus a universal code that tomato cells know G.M.O.’s in the news. The ‘Creep Factor’ entific organizations have concludedBefore humans were involved, corn among the many that have since arisen wasefforts a wildto forge grass, a frost-resistant tomatoes were tomato tiny, ardous degreeFor of a mantinkering who takes pleasure whose in rou-risks efforts to forge a frost-resistant tomato drought, or to resist pests. Leading sci- carrots were only rarely orangesentswide and use. ahaveAnd newentific hostility existed and toward organizations potentially the tech-had human more have haz- migration concludedversity not that growersbrought referred about what to kind onemidseason of disease company’s re- how orange to read. Even recently the most distantly adopted re- by Florida that shuttling DNA between specieswas a wild grass, tomatoes were tiny, nology, long ingrainedare not in yet Europe, fully has understood.through natural mutation, are the prod- carrotswithsearch athey genewere should fromcollectively only the rarely support winter orangelated flounder, speciesThe and — say, ‘Creep humansareTrim, andnot Factor’bacte- yet silver-haired fullytine, theunderstood. uncertainty and that described marked his by with a gene from the winter flounder, Trim, silver-haired and described by entific organizations have concluded ardousdeepened recently degreethat among shuttlingof Americans tinkering as DNA uctwhose of between human risks selection, species withefforts nearly allto forgedid little ato reassurefrost-resistant Mr. Kress about tomato his ria — share many genes whose func- DNA quest was disquieting. It would carries no intrinsic risk to human health dairy cows produced little milk. The or- togetherIf he hadthe hadgrapefruit-size more time, Mr. pomelo Kress dairyfewerfrom cows the than produced halfgrowers correctly little milk.emerged answered The or- aftercolleagues breeders ascost bombarded tightly Southern Gardenswound millions a(he ofprefers dol- that shuttling DNA between species carrots were only rarely orange and areorganic not food yet advocates,carries fully environmental-understood.no intrinsicof risk Florida’s to juicehuman a blend health ofwith just two: a the geneown fromgenetic engineering the winter project. flounder,tions have remainedTrim, silver-hairedconstantIf he across had had and more described time, by Mr. Kress fewer than half correctly answered colleagues as tightly wound (he prefers ange, for its part, might never haveists ex-and otherscould have made have opposition waited to Hamlin, for the whose orange unremarkable to nat- taste and “no.”“The A public fear will that never drink the G.M.O. geneticbillions engineer- of years of evolution.“focused”), larsMr. just Kress to perform arrives the safety tests at forthe a of- or the environment, and that such dairyalter- cows produced little milk. The or- tropicsor the environment,and the palediminutive and color that are offset such by itsmandarin alter- prolific yield ange, from for itsa part,seedy might variety never have withcolleagues ex- radiationcould as tightly have to disrupt waited singlewound gene for in(heits a singlethe DNA,prefers orangevariety of orange. to nat- “no.” A fear that the genetic engineer- “focused”), Mr. Kress arrives at the of- carries no intrinsic risk to human health isted had human migration not broughtit aIf pillar he of had a growing had movement more for time, Mr. Kress fewer thanorange half juice,” correctlyone grower said at answered a con- “It’s not where a genefice comes by from 6:30 each morning and micro- ations can be reliably tested. ange, for its part, might never have ex- healthier and ationsethicalurally food can evolvechoices. be reliably resistancein the tested. early toseason, the and bacteria the dark, flavor- istedingtentious of had food 2008 human meeting. would “It’s migration throw a waste ofthe notthat ecosystem matters,”brought“focused”), one researcherurally Mr. said. evolve “It’sKressOf resistancearriveshis five researchers’ at theto approaches,the of- bacteria he ing of food would throw the ecosystem fice by 6:30 each morning and micro- or the environment, and that such alter- together the grapefruit-size pomelocouldMr. Kress’s havetemperate boss waited worried about for zone dam-the orangethousandsful, late-season to nat- Valencia. of years“no.” A ago fearour in money.” that Chi the- genetica technique engineer-what for it does.” accelerating evolutionhad planned that to narrow has the field to the But the idea of eating plants and ani- known as C. liberibacter asiaticus. That togetherout of whack the showed grapefruit-size in the surveys pomelo too. waves a bowlone thatof workedoatmeal. best over He time. stocks his waves a bowl of oatmeal. He stocks his ations can be reliably tested. isted had human migration not brought urallyaging the evolveimage Butof juice resistance the long promotedidea of to eating theBecause bacteria plants oranges themselvesanding ani- areof hy-food would“The public throw is already the eating ecosystem tons of Mr. Kressfice set the by surveys 6:30known aside. each as C. morning liberibacter and micro-asiaticus. That out of whack showed in the surveys too. from the tropics and the diminutiveas “100 percentna.could natural.” And happen it would tomorrow.brids not and mostOrhave itseeds could arebecome clones take of the theG.M.O.’s,”Mr. most Kress’s countered researchers, Peteryielded McClure, new a in Heturn, varieties took liked encouragement inoffice dozens from other cabinet of Butcrops, in with 2010, with includ cans the disease of- spread- peel-top mals whose DNA has been manipulatedtogether the grapefruit-size pomelo mals whose DNA has been manipulated from the tropics and the diminutivewaves a couldbowl ofhappen oatmeal.ing tomorrow. faster He than stocks anyone Or anticipated, ithis could the take Mr. Kress’s researchers, in turn, liked office cabinet with cans of peel-top But the idea of eating plants and ani- mandarin from a temperate zone knownthou-“Do we reallyas C. want liberibacter to do this?” he de- asiaticus.mother, new That varieties cannotout easily of whack be big gshowedrower. in the surveys too.attempts to genetically modify foods in a laboratory — called genetically manded in a 2008years, meeting or at the many compa- decades.produced by Or crossbreeding the orange — unlike, mandarinto point out from that a the temperate very reason zone genetic thou- Campbell’s factor chicken that came soup to weigh that most he was heats Campbell’s chicken soup that he heats mals whose DNA has been manipulated from the tropics and the diminutive could happenwidelyin a tomorrow. laboratoryplanted Orfruit — it could calledtree take had genetically humanMr. Kress’s traders“This researchers, isn’tnot like a baging in of barleyturn, Doritos,” liked thatand were rice.office in the works. cabinet years,There was oreven with many cans decades. of peel-top Or the orange to point out that the very reason genetic sands of years ago in China. Andny’s headquarters it in Floridaon the northern could rim disappearsay, apples, whichfirst. breeders have re- engineeringsnapped another. “We’re works talking is about thatanother all fruit, living the “Arcticup apple,” for whose lunch.which could Arriving be ready first. home each modified organisms, or G.M.O.’s —mandarin still from a temperate zone thou- of the Everglades.modified organisms,mixed or into G.M.O.’s favorites like — Fuji still and Gala. sands of years ago in China. AndCampbell’s it in Florida chicken could soupTo fight disappear that C. liberibacter, he heats first. Dean Gabriel engineering works is that all living up for lunch. Arriving home each in a laboratory — called genetically would not have become the most widelyyears, carriedor many itdecades. across Or the the globe. orange to point outa rawthat product, the thevery essence reason of orange.”Its genetic proponents genes for browning argue wereevening, switched that off, genetic he cuts a engineer rose from -his garden spooks many people. Critics worrysands that of years ago in China. And it Mr. Kress, spooks now 61, had many no particular people.But theCritics vast majority worry of oranges that in com- wouldthingsThe geneticallynot share have modified a become basic foods biochemistry:Amer- the mostto reduce widely upwaste if andfor a allow lunch. the fruit to be Arrivingat the University home of Florida each had chosen things share a basic biochemistry: if a evening, he cuts a rose from his garden modified organisms, or G.M.O.’s — still inpredilection Florida for could biotechnology.The disappear varieties Known first.mercial that groves have are the product survived,engineering of a type icans among works have eaten for is more thating than is a all decade one living inmore a readily continuum sold sliced. of waysa humans gene from a virus shape that destroys bacte- such crops carry risks not yet detected, planted fruit tree had human traders plantedgene from fruit a cold-water tree had human fish can traders help a for his wife.ria Weekends, as it replicates itself.he works Though such in his for his wife. Weekends, he works in his spooks many people. Critics worry that would not have become the most widely for working longsuchPlunging hours, crops he rose throughcarry Ahead risksof genetic not merging yet detected, that things predates the share— corn, a basicsoybeans, biochemistry: some cottonseed oil, if a“The publicevening, is going he to be cuts more a in- rose from his garden gene from a cold-water fish can help a not carried it across the globe. the ranks at fruit and juice companies Romans, in which a slender shoot of a tomatocanola oil andresist sugar frost, — come itmostly is because as formed DNAabout G.M.O.’s is byPlungingyard the time we’re and poresviruses,Ahead over called clippings bacteriophages about and distrust the big agrochemicalplanted com- fruit tree had human traders theand many distrust that the have big agrochemical since arisen com- throughnot carried natu -it acrossfood the crops, globe. eachfor ofhis whichwife. Weekends, carries(“phage” herisks: meansworks to evendevour), in his are harm- tomato resist frost, it is because DNA is yard and pores over clippings about such crops carry risks not yet detected, The varieties that have survived,like Welch’s and Seneca Foods. On mov- favored fruit variety is graftedgene onto from the invisiblea cold-water ingredients in fish processed can foods helpready,” a Mr. Kress told hisG.M.O.’s research di- in the news. panies that have produced the few in Plunginging here for the Southern EarlyAhead Gardens discussions job, sturdier among roots of other other species: citrus lemon, alike Theuniversal cereal, varieties salad code dressing that that and tortillatomato have rector, cells survived, Michael know P. Irey, as theyEarly lined updiscussionsless to humans, among Mr. Irey other sometimes citrus G.M.O.’s in the news. and distrust the big agrochemical com- not carried it across the globe. ralpanies mutation, that have are produced the product the few tomatoof inhuman resist frost,selec itis becauseconventional DNA is crossbreedingyard and pores overhasurged clippingsoccasionally Mr. Kress to consider about the public a universal code that tomato cells know wide use. And hostility toward the tech- among the many that have since arisenjust a few weeksgrowers before citrus about greening whatfor instance, kind orof sour disease orange. And re- a seed- howchips. to And read. the few Even G.M.O.’s the sold most in distantlythe five scientists re- whom SouthernFor Gar-a man who takes pleasure in rou- For a man who takes pleasure in rou- The varieties that have survived, wasEarly detected, discussionswide he had use. assumed And hisamong big-hostilityless other midseason toward citrus orange the recently tech- adopted amongproduce the aisles many — a Hawaiian that papaya,have sincedens would arisenG.M.O.’s underwrite. growersin And the to the news. sci- aboutrelations what hurdle kind that mightof disease come with re- how to read. Even the most distantly re- panies that have produced the few in tion, with nearly all of Florida’sa universaljuice a blend code that of tomatoproduced cells know toxic varietiestine, of the some uncertaintysuch a vegetables. strange-sounding that source marked of the his nology, long ingrained in Europe, has through natural mutation, are the gestprod- headachenology,search would be theylong competition should ingrainedby collectively Florida in gEurope,rowers supportemerged has after throughlatedsome squash, species natural a fraction — mutation,ofsay, sweet humans corn — areentists, andthe g rowersbacte-prod- and juicesearch processors they at should collectively support lated species — say, humans and bacte- tine, the uncertainty that marked his wide use. And hostility toward the tech- among the many that have since arisen growersfrom flavored aboutwaters, or what persuading kind his ofbreeders disease bombarded re- a seedyhow varietyto read.lack Even the iconic the status most of distantly a breakfast re-a meeting convenedFor a by man Minute who Maid intakesDNA. pleasure “A gene from in a virus,”rou- he would deepened recently among Americans as uct of human selection, with nearly all justdid two: little the to reassure Hamlin, Mr. whose Kress aboutunremarkable his ria — taste share manyBecause genes making whose func- a G.M.O.DNA questtypicallyask was pointedly, disquieting.involves “that infects bacteria?” It would nology, long ingrained in Europe, has through natural mutation, are the prod- searchwife to tolerate theydeepened Florida’s should humidity. recently collectively withamong radiation support Americans to disruptlated its as DNA, species a uctdrink of — that, human say, Mr. Kresshumans selection, conceded, and is “like withbacte-Miami nearly in earlytine, all 2010, the he insisted did uncertainty little that just to reassure that marked Mr. Kress his about his ria — share many genes whose func- DNA quest was disquieting. It would of Florida’s juice a blend of just two:But the the dwindlingown harvest genetic that couldengineeringtechnique project. for accelerating evolution motherhood” to Americans, who drink finding a gene that workedcost had to Southern be his But Gardens Mr. Kress’s chief millions concern of was dol- organic food advocates, environmental- andorganic pale food color advocates, are offset environmental- by its prolificoftions Florida’syield have in juice remainedadding a blend constant ofone just two:or across DNAa the few quest owngenes, wasgenetic disquieting.each thatengineering Dr. containingGabriel Itwas project. wouldtaking too long to tions have remained constant across cost Southern Gardens millions of dol- deepened recently among Americans as uct of human selection, with nearly all didmean little the idling to ofreassure his juice processing Mr. Kressthat hasabout yielded his new varietiesria in —dozens sharemore many of it per capita genes than anyone whose else. func-company’s priority. lars just to perform the safety tests for a ists and others have made opposition to Hamlin, whose unremarkable tasteplant and would also have“The consequences public be- willof crops, never including drink barley G.M.O. and rice. Hamlin,billionsIf various ofwhose polls years were unremarkable toof be evolution. believed, a Thetaste foes and were formidable. C. libe- perfect his approach. lars just to perform the safety tests for a organic food advocates, environmental- of Florida’s juice a blend of just two: the own genetictheists early engineeringand others season, have project. and made the opposition dark,tions toflavorful, have remained late- constantinstructions across forcost a Southernprotein“The Gardens whose publicA secondwill millionsfunction never contender, of drink Erikdol-is Mirkov G.M.O. of billions of years of evolution. it a pillar of a growing movement for pale color are offset by its prolific yondyield any one orange company’s juice,” bottom line. one gItsrower proponents said argue at that a geneticcon- en- third“It’s to half not of Americans where would a generefuse comesribacter, the from bacterium thatsingle kills citrus gene in a single variety of orange. single gene in a single variety of orange. ists and others have made opposition to Hamlin, whose unremarkable taste and Florida“The is the publicit second-largest a pillar will producer ofnever a growing drinkgineering G.M.O. is movement one in a continuumbillions for of ways ofpale yearsto eat color any of transgenic evolution. are offset crop. One by study’s its prolifictrees by chokinglarsyield just off their toorange flowperform of nutri- juice,” theTexas onesafety A&M grower University,tests saidfor was a at further a con- “It’s not where a gene comes from healthier and ethical food choices. in the early season, and the dark, flavor-of orange juice tentiousin the world, behind 2008 Bra- meeting.humans shape “It’s food a crops, waste each of of which respondents would accept only certain ents — first detected whenOf it desthisroyed five researchers’along with trees he had approaches, endowed with a he healthier and ethical food choices. inthat the matters,” early season, one researcherand the dark, said. flavor-single “It’s genetentious in a single 2008gene variety meeting. from spinach of orange. “It’s — a food, a waste he re- of that matters,” one researcher said. “It’s Of his five researchers’ approaches, he it a pillar of a growing movement for pale color are offset by its prolific yield orangezil. Its $9 billion juice,” citrus oneindustry grower contrib- saidcarries at risks: a con- even conventional“It’s cross- nottypes: where two-thirds a genesaid they comeswould eat a fromcitrus trees more than a hadcentury planned ago in to narrow the field to the Mr. Kress’s boss worried about dam- ful, late-season Valencia. utes 76,000 jobsour to the money.” state that hosts breeding has occasionally produced ful,whatfruit late-season modified it does.” with another Valencia. plant gene, China — had earned a place, along with minded Mr. Kress, that “we give to ba- had planned to narrow the field to the healthier and ethical food choices. in the early season, and the dark, flavor- tentious 2008Mr. meeting. Kress’s boss “It’s worried a waste about of dam-that matters,” one researcher said. “It’s Of his fiveour researchers’ money.” bies.” approaches,The gene, which exists he in slightly what it does.” aging the image of juice long promoted Because oranges themselves arethe hy- Orange Bowl. “The Southern public Gardens, ais alreadytoxic varieties eating of some vegetables.tons of Be- butMr. few Kress would accept set the one withsurveys DNA aside.anthrax and the Ebola virus,one on that the Ag- worked best over time. one that worked best over time. Mr. Kress’s boss worried about dam- ful, late-season Valencia. oursubsidiary money.” of agingU.S. Sugar, the was oneimage of the ofcause juice making long a promoted G.M.O. what typically it in-does.”fromBecause an animal. oranges Fewer still would themselves know- riculture are Department’shad hy- planned list “The of potential to narrowpublicdifferent is the already forms field in hundreds toeating the of tons plants of Mr. Kress set the surveys aside. as “100 percent natural.” brids and most seeds are clones offew the companiesG.M.O.’s,” in the industry with countered the volves Peteradding one McClure, or a few genes, a each ingly eat produce that contained a gene agents of bioterrorism. AsianBut citrus in 2010,and animals,with producesthe disease a protein thatspread- at- But in 2010, with the disease spread- as “100 percent natural.” bridsHe and took most encouragement seeds are clones from of one other the that workedG.M.O.’s,” best countered tacksover invading time. bacteria. Peter McClure, a He took encouragement from other aging the image of juice long promoted Because oranges themselves are hy- wherewithal“The public to finance theis developmentalready eatingcontaining tons instructions of for Mr. a protein Kressfrom set a virus. the surveys aside. psyllids, the insects that sucking the faster bacte- than anyone anticipated, the “Do we really want to do this?” he de- mother, new varieties cannot easilyof a “transgenic” be big tree, g rower.which could take attempts to genetically modify foods Even so, Dr. Mirkov faced skepticism ing faster than anyone anticipated, the as “100 percent natural.” brids and most seeds are clones of the G.M.O.’s,” countered“Do we really Peter wantwhose McClure, to function do this?” is aknown, he they de-He argue, took it mother, encouragementThere also new appeared varieties to be froman abiding cannot otherria easilyout of one But betree andin injectbig2010, gthemrower. with into the disease spread- attempts to genetically modify foods manded in a 2008 meeting at the compa- produced by crossbreeding — unlike,a decade and cost“This as much as isn’t $20 mil- like a bag of Doritos,” that were in the works. There was even factor that from came growe rs. to “Will weigh my juice most taste like was factor that came to weigh most was “Do we really want to do this?” he de- mother, new varieties cannot easily be biglion. grower.manded in a 2008 meeting at the compa-attemptsproduced to genetically by crossbreeding modify foods — unlike,ing faster than“This anyone isn’tspinach?” likeanticipated, one a asked. bag ofthe Doritos,” that were in the works. There was even ny’s headquarters on the northern rim say, apples, which breeders have An re- emerging scientific consensus which could be“Will ready it be green?” first. wondered another. manded in a 2008 meeting at the compa- produced by crossbreeding — unlike, ny’ssnapped headquarters another. “We’reon the northern talking about rim say,another apples, fruit, which the “Arctic breeders apple,” have whosefactor re- thatsnapped came another. to weigh “We’re most talking was about another fruit, the “Arctic apple,” whose which could be ready first. of the Everglades. mixed into favorites like Fuji and heldGala.“This that genetic isn’t engineering like would a bag be of Doritos,” that were in the works. There was even To fight C. “Thisliberibacter, gene,” he invariably Dean replied, Gabriel ny’s headquarters on the northern rim say, apples, which breeders have re- required to of defeata theraw citrusEverglades. product, greening. the essence of orange.” mixedgenes into for browningfavorites like were Fuji switched and Gala.which off, coulda raw be product,ready“has first. the nothing essence to do with of theorange.” color or genes for browning were switched off, To fight C. liberibacter, Dean Gabriel snapped“People are either another. going to drink “We’re trans- talking about another fruit, the “Arctic apple,” whose at the Universitytaste of spinach. of Florida Your body hadmakes chosenvery Mr. Kress, now 61, had no particular But the vast majority of oranges in com- Mr.The Kress, genetically now 61,modified had no foods particular Amer- Butto reduce the vast waste majority and allowof oranges the fruit in com- toTo be fight C. liberibacter, Dean Gabriel at the University of Florida had chosen of the Everglades. mixed into favorites like Fuji and Gala. agenic raw orange product, juice or they’rethe essence going to of orange.” genes for browning were switched off, a Thegene genetically fromsimilar a virus kinds modified ofthat proteins destroys foods as part of Amer- your bacte- to reduce waste and allow the fruit to be predilection for biotechnology. Known mercial groves are the product of adrink type apple predilection juice,”icans one have University eaten for of biotechnology. for more than a Known decade mercialmore readily groves sold are sliced. the product of aat type the University of Floridaown defense had against chosen bacteria.” a gene from a virus that destroys bacte- Mr. Kress, now 61, had no particular But the vast majority of oranges in com- FloridaThe scientist genetically told Mr. Kress. modified foods Amer- to reduce waste and allow the fruit to be icans have eatenWhen for some more of the scientist’s than a promis- decade more readily sold sliced. for working long hours, he rose through of genetic merging that predates the — corn, soybeans, some cottonseed oil, “The public is going to be more in- ria as it replicates itself. Though such ria as it replicates itself. Though such predilection for biotechnology. Known mercial groves are the product of a type icansAnd if have the presencefor eaten working of a fornew moregene long in hours,than a hedecade rose throughmore readilyof genetic sold sliced. merging that predatesa gene the from— corn, a virus soybeans, thating trees destroys got some sick in bacte-theircottonseed first trial, Mr. oil, “The public is going to be more in- the ranks at fruit and juice companies Romans, in which a slender shootcitrus of a trees preventedcanola juice oil fromand be- sugar — come mostly as formed about G.M.O.’s by the time we’re viruses, Kress called agreed that he bacteriophages should try to im- viruses, called bacteriophages for working long hours, he rose through of genetic merging that predates the coming scarcerthe and ranks more expensive, at fruit and juice companies Romans, in which a slender shootria of asa it canola replicates oil and itself.prove sugar on Thoughhis results — come in a such new mostlygeneration as formed about G.M.O.’s by the time we’re like Welch’s and Seneca Foods. On mov- favored fruit variety is grafted onto— thecorn, soybeans, some cottonseed oil, “The public is going to be more in- (“phage” means to devour), are harm- the ranks at fruit and juice companies Romans, in which a slender shoot of a Mr. Kress believed,likeinvisible theWelch’s American ingredients andpublic Seneca in Foods.processed On mov-foods favoredready,” fruit Mr. Kressvariety told is grafted his research ontoviruses, the di- invisible called ingredients of trees, bacteriophages by adjusting in processed the gene’s place- foods ready,” Mr. Kress told his research di- (“phage” means to devour), are harm- ing here for the Southern Gardens job, canolawould embrace oil and it. “The sugar consumer — will come mostly as formed about G.M.O.’s by the time we’re less to humans,ment. But transgenic Mr. Irey trees, sometimesbegun as a sturdier roots of other species: lemon, inglike here cereal, for the salad Southern dressing Gardens and tortilla job, sturdierrector, Michael roots of P. other Irey, species:as they lined lemon,(“phage” up means to devour),single cell in aare petri harm-dish, can take two less to humans, Mr. Irey sometimes like Welch’s and Seneca Foods. On mov- favored fruit variety is grafted onto the invisiblesupport us ifingredients it’s the only way,” in Mr.processed foods ready,” Mr. Kress told his research di- likeurged cereal, Mr. Kress salad to dressing consider and the tortilla public rector, Michael P. Irey, as they lined up just a few weeks before citrus greening for instance, or sour orange. And a Kressseed- assuredjust hischips. boss. a few And weeks the before few G.M.O.’s citrus greening sold in forthe instance, five scientists or sour whom orange. Southern And a seed-less Gar- to humans, Mr.years Irey before sometimesthey are sturdy enough to urged Mr. Kress to consider the public ing here for the Southern Gardens job, sturdier roots of other species: lemon, likeHis quest cereal, to save salad the orange dressing offers a and tortilla rector, Michael P. Irey, as they lined up chips.relations And hurdle place the in fewthat the ground G.M.O.’s might and many come sold more with in the five scientists whom Southern Gar- was detected, he had assumed his big- less midseason orange recently adopted produce aisles — a Hawaiian papaya, dens would underwrite. And to the sci- years to bear fruit. relations hurdle that might come with just a few weeks before citrus greening for instance, or sour orange. And a seed- chips.close look at And thewas daunting the detected, process few of G.M.O.’s ge- he had assumed sold in histhe big- five scientistsless midseason whom orange Southern recently Gar- adoptedurged Mr.produce Kress to aisles consider — a the Hawaiian public papaya, dens would underwrite. And to the sci- gest headache would be competition by Florida growers emerged netically after modifyingsome one squash, well-loved or-a fraction of sweet corn — such a strange-sounding“Isn’t there a gene,” Mr. source Kress asked of the such a strange-sounding source of the was detected, he had assumed his big- ganism — on agest deadline. headache In the past sev- would be competition byentists, Florida growers growers and juice emerged processors relations after at some hurdle squash, thatMr. mighta Irey, fraction “to hurry come upof Mother sweet with Nature?” corn — entists, growers and juice processors at from flavored waters, or persuadingless his midseason orange recently adopted produce aisles — a Hawaiian papaya, dens would underwrite. And to the sci- DNA. “A gene from a virus,” he would gest headache would be competition breeders bombarded a seedy varietyeral years, outfromlack of public flavored the view, iconic he haswaters, status or persuading of a breakfast his breedersa meeting bombarded convened by a Minute seedy varietyMaidsuch in a strange-soundinglack the iconicFor a statustime, source the answer of of atheseemed breakfast to lie a meeting convened by Minute Maid in DNA. “A gene from a virus,” he would wife to tolerate Florida’s humidity.by Florida growers emerged after someconsidered squash, DNA donors a fraction from all over of sweet corn — entists, growers and juice processors at ask pointedly,with “that a third scientist,infects William bacteria?” O. Daw- with radiation to disrupt its DNA,the tree a of life,wife includingdrink to twothat,tolerate vegetables, Mr. Florida’s Kress conceded, humidity. is “like withMiami radiation in early 2010, to disrupt he insisted its DNA,thatDNA. just a “A gene from son a virus,” at the University he would of Florida, who ask pointedly, “that infects bacteria?” from flavored waters, or persuading his breeders bombarded a seedy variety lack the iconic status of a breakfast a meeting convened by Minute Maid in drinkBut that, Mr. Mr. Kress’s Kress chiefconceded, concern is “like was Miami in early 2010, he insisted that just But the dwindling harvest that could technique for accelerating evolutiona virus and, briefly,motherhood”But a pig.the A dwindling synthetic to Americans, harvest that who could drink finding a gene that worked had to beask his pointedly, “that infectshad managed bacteria?” to alter fully grown trees But Mr. Kress’s chief concern was wife to tolerate Florida’s humidity. with radiation to disrupt its DNA, a drinkgene, manufactured that, Mr. in Kress the laboratory, conceded, is “like technique for accelerating evolution motherhood”by attaching to Americans, a gene to a virus who that could drink finding a gene that worked had to be his mean the idling of his juice processing that has yielded new varieties in dozens Miami in early 2010, he insisted that just that Dr. Gabriel was taking too long to that Dr. Gabriel was taking too long to But the dwindling harvest that could technique for accelerating evolution also emerged meanasmore a contender. theof it idlingper capita of his than juice anyone processing else. thatcompany’s has yielded priority. new varieties in dozensBut Mr.more Kress’s of it per chiefbe capitainserted concern by than way of anyone a small was incision else. in company’s priority. plant would also have consequences be- motherhood”Trial trees that withstood to Americans, the disease who drink finding a gene that worked had to be his perfect his approach.the bark. Genes transmitted that way perfect his approach. of crops, including barley and rice. in his greenhouseplantIf later variouswould succumbed also polls in have were consequences to be believed, be- a of crops,The foes including were barley formidable. and rice. C. that libe- Dr. Gabriel was wouldtaking eventually too stoplong functioning, to but mean the idling of his juice processing that has yielded new varieties in dozens more of it per capita than anyone else. company’s priority. IfA various second polls contender, were to Erik be believed, Mirkov a of The foes were formidable. C. libe- yond any one company’s bottom line. Its proponents argue that geneticthe en-field. Concernsyondthird about anyto public half one percep- of company’sAmericans bottomwould refuse line. ribacter, the bacterium that kills perfectcitrus his approach. Mr. Kress hoped to use it as a stopgap A second contender, Erik Mirkov of plant would also have consequences beof crops, including barley and rice. tionIf and various potential delayspolls in were regulatory to be believed, a The foesIts were proponents formidable. argue C.that libe- genetic en- thirdTexas to half A&M measureof University,Americans to ward off the would wasdisease in furtherrefuse the ribacter, the bacterium that kills citrus Florida is the second-largest producer gineering is one in a continuum of scrutinyways put aFlorida todamper eat on any some is the promis-transgenic second-largest crop. One producer study’s trees by choking off their flow of nutri- 60 million citrus trees already in Flori- Texas A&M University, was further yond any one company’s bottom line. Its proponents argue that genetic en- third to half of Americans would refuse ribacter, gineeringthe bacterium is one that in a killscontinuum citrus of waysA secondto eat contender, any transgenic Erik Mirkov crop. One of study’s trees by choking off their flow of nutri- of orange juice in the world, behind Bra- humans shape food crops, each of whiching leads. But intentrespondents on his mission, wouldMr. accept only certain along with treesda’s groves. he Dr.had Dawson endowed joked that with he a along with trees he had endowed with a Florida is the second-largest producer Kress shruggedof offorange signs that juice national in the world, behind Bra- humansents — firstshape detected food crops, when each it dest of whichTexasroyed A&Mrespondents University,hoped would at was least accept to furthersave theonly grapefruit, certain ents — first detected when it destroyed zil. Its $9 billion citrus industry contrib-gineering is one in a continuum of ways to eat any transgenic crop. One study’s trees by choking off their flow of nutri- gene from spinach — a food, he re- of orange juice in the world, behind Bra- carries risks: even conventional cross-campaigns againstzil.types: Itsgenetically $9 two-thirds billion modified citrus said industry they would contrib- eat a carriescitrus trees risks: more even than conventional a century cross-agoalong in withtypes: trees two-thirds he hadwhose endowed juice said he they enjoyed, with would “preferablya eat a citrus trees more than a century ago in gene from spinach — a food, he re- utes 76,000 jobs to the state that humans hosts shape food crops, each of which respondentsfood were gaining traction. would accept only certain ents — first detected when it destroyed minded Mr.with Kress, a little vodka that in it.”“we give to ba- minded Mr. Kress, that “we give to ba- zil. Its $9 billion citrus industry contrib- breeding has occasionally producedOnly in recentutesfruit months 76,000modified has he jobsbegun with to the another state plant that hostsgene, breedingChina — had has earned occasionally a place, along producedgene with fromfruit spinach modified —But with a his food, mostanother promising he re-plant result thatgene, China — had earned a place, along with carries risks: even conventional cross- types: two-thirds said they would eat a citrus trees more than a century agoROBYN in BECK/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE — GETTY IMAGES the Orange Bowl. Southern Gardens, a toxic varieties of some vegetables.to face Be- the full butmagnitude few of the would gap be- accept one with DNA bies.” The gene,year was which doomed fromexists the beginning:in slightly bies.” The gene, which exists in slightly utes 76,000 jobs to the state that hosts the Orange Bowl. SouthernOPPOSITION Gardens, a toxicanthrax varieties and the of Ebola some virus, vegetables. on theminded Be-Ag- Mr.but Kress, few would that “we accept give oneto ba- with DNA subsidiary of U.S. Sugar, was one breedingof the has occasionally produced fruittween whatmodified science canwith achieve another and plant gene,A rally againstChina Monsanto, — had which earned dominates a place, the crop along biotechnology with business, in Los Angelesdifferent in formsof the dozen in bacteria-fighting hundreds genes of plants he anthrax and the Ebola virus, on the Ag- the Orange Bowl. Southern Gardens, a cause making a G.M.O. typicallywhat in- society mightsubsidiaryfrom accept. an animal. of U.S. Fewer Sugar,May still waswas onewould one of hundreds ofknow- the held thatcausericulture day. More making information Department’s a and G.M.O. photographs list typically ofare at potential nytimes.com/national.bies.” in- Thefrom gene, an whichanimal.had exists thenFewer tested in still slightly on hiswould greenhouse know- different forms in hundreds of plants few companies in the industry withtoxic the varieties of some vegetables. Be- but few would accept one with DNA anthrax and the Ebola virus, on the Ag- and animals, produces a protein that at- riculture Department’s list of potential subsidiary of U.S. Sugar, was one of the volves adding one or a few genes, each fewingly companies eat produce in thethat industry contained with a gene the volvesagents adding of bioterrorism. one or a few Asiangenes, different citruseach ingly forms eat in produce hundreds that of contained plants a gene and animals, produces a protein that at- wherewithal to finance the developmentcause making a G.M.O. typically infrom an animal. Fewer still would know- riculture Department’s list of potential tacks invading bacteria. agents of bioterrorism. Asian citrus few companies in the industry with the containing instructions for a protein wherewithalfrom a virus. to finance the development containingpsyllids, the instructions insects that suck for a the protein bacte-and animals,from produces a virus. a protein that attacks invading bacteria. of a “transgenic” tree, which couldvolves take adding one or a few genes, each ingly eat produce that contained a gene agents of bioterrorism. Asian citrus Even so, Dr. Mirkov faced skepticism psyllids, the insects that suck the bacte- wherewithal to finance the development whose function is known, they argue, it of aThere “transgenic” also appeared tree, which to be couldan abiding take ria out of one tree and inject themtacks into invading bacteria. Even so, Dr. Mirkov faced skepticism a decade and cost as much as $20containing mil- instructions for a protein from a virus. psyllids, whosethe insects function that issuck known, the bacte- they argue, it fromThere growe alsors. appeared “Will my to juicebe an taste abiding like ria out of one tree and inject them into of a “transgenic” tree, which could take a decade and cost as much as $20 mil- Even so, Dr. Mirkov faced skepticism from growers. “Will my juice taste like lion. whose function is known, they argue, it There also appeared to be an abiding ria out of one tree and inject them into spinach?” one asked. a decade and cost as much as $20 million. from growers. “Will my juice taste like spinach?” one asked. An emerging scientific consensus “Will it be green?” wondered another. lion. An emerging scientific consensus spinach?” one asked. “Will it be green?” wondered another. held that genetic engineering would be “This gene,” he invariably replied, An emerging scientific consensus held that genetic engineering would be “Will it be green?” wondered another. “This gene,” he invariably replied, required to defeat citrus greening. “has nothing to do with the color or held that genetic engineering would be required to defeat citrus greening. “This gene,” he invariably replied, “has nothing to do with the color or “People are either going to drink trans- taste of spinach. Your body makes very required to defeat citrus greening. “People are either going to drink trans- “has nothing to do with the color or taste of spinach. Your body makes very genic orange juice or they’re going to similar kinds of proteins as part of your “People are either going to drink transgenic orange juice or they’re going to taste of spinach. Your body makes very similar kinds of proteins as part of your drink apple juice,” one University of own defense against bacteria.” genic orange juice or they’re going to drink apple juice,” one University of similar kinds of proteins as part of your own defense against bacteria.” Florida scientist told Mr. Kress. When some of the scientist’s promis- drink apple juice,” one University of Florida scientist told Mr. Kress. own defense against bacteria.” When some of the scientist’s promis- And if the presence of a new gene in ing trees got sick in their first trial, Mr. Florida scientist told Mr. Kress. And if the presence of a new gene in When some of the scientist’s promising trees got sick in their first trial, Mr. citrus trees prevented juice from be- Kress agreed that he should try to im- And if the presence of a new gene in citrus trees prevented juice from being trees got sick in their first trial, Mr. Kress agreed that he should try to im- coming scarcer and more expensive, prove on his results in a new generation citrus trees prevented juice from becoming scarcer and more expensive, Kress agreed that he should try to improve on his results in a new generation Mr. Kress believed, the American public of trees, by adjusting the gene’s place- coming scarcer and more expensive, Mr. Kress believed, the American public prove on his results in a new generation of trees, by adjusting the gene’s place- would embrace it. “The consumer will ment. But transgenic trees, begun as a Mr. Kress believed, the American public would embrace it. “The consumer will of trees, by adjusting the gene’s placement. But transgenic trees, begun as a support us if it’s the only way,” Mr. single cell in a petri dish, can take two would embrace it. “The consumer will support us if it’s the only way,” Mr. ment. But transgenic trees, begun as a single cell in a petri dish, can take two Kress assured his boss. years before they are sturdy enough to support us if it’s the only way,” Mr. Kress assured his boss. single cell in a petri dish, can take two years before they are sturdy enough to His quest to save the orange offers a place in the ground and many more Kress assured his boss. His quest to save the orange offers a years before they are sturdy enough to place in the ground and many more close look at the daunting process of ge- years to bear fruit. His quest to save the orange offers a close look at the daunting process of ge- place in the ground and many more years to bear fruit. netically modifying one well-loved or- “Isn’t there a gene,” Mr. Kress asked close look at the daunting process of genetically modifying one well-loved or- years to bear fruit. “Isn’t there a gene,” Mr. Kress asked ganism — on a deadline. In the past sev- Mr. Irey, “to hurry up Mother Nature?” netically modifying one well-loved organism — on a deadline. In the past sev- “Isn’t there a gene,” Mr. Kress asked Mr. Irey, “to hurry up Mother Nature?” eral years, out of public view, he has For a time, the answer seemed to lie ganism — on a deadline. In the past several years, out of public view, he has Mr. Irey, “to hurry up Mother Nature?” For a time, the answer seemed to lie considered DNA donors from all over with a third scientist, William O. Daw- eral years, out of public view, he has considered DNA donors from all over For a time, the answer seemed to lie with a third scientist, William O. Daw- the tree of life, including two vegetables, son at the University of Florida, who considered DNA donors from all over the tree of life, including two vegetables, with a third scientist, William O. Daw- son at the University of Florida, who a virus and, briefly, a pig. A synthetic had managed to alter fully grown trees the tree of life, including two vegetables, a virus and, briefly, a pig. A synthetic son at the University of Florida, who had managed to alter fully grown trees gene, manufactured in the laboratory, by attaching a gene to a virus that could a virus and, briefly, a pig. A synthetic gene, manufactured in the laboratory, had managed to alter fully grown trees by attaching a gene to a virus that could also emerged as a contender. be inserted by way of a small incision in gene, manufactured in the laboratory, also emerged as a contender. by attaching a gene to a virus that could be inserted by way of a small incision in Trial trees that withstood the disease the bark. Genes transmitted that way also emerged as a contender. Trial trees that withstood the disease be inserted by way of a small incision in the bark. Genes transmitted that way in his greenhouse later succumbed in would eventually stop functioning, but Trial trees that withstood the disease in his greenhouse later succumbed in the bark. Genes transmitted that way would eventually stop functioning, but the field. Concerns about public percep- Mr. Kress hoped to use it as a stopgap in his greenhouse later succumbed in the field. Concerns about public percep- would eventually stop functioning, but Mr. Kress hoped to use it as a stopgap tion and potential delays in regulatory measure to ward off the disease in the the field. Concerns about public perception and potential delays in regulatory Mr. Kress hoped to use it as a stopgap measure to ward off the disease in the scrutiny put a damper on some promis- 60 million citrus trees already in Flori- tion and potential delays in regulatory scrutiny put a damper on some promis- measure to ward off the disease in the 60 million citrus trees already in Flori- ing leads. But intent on his mission, Mr. da’s groves. Dr. Dawson joked that he scrutiny put a damper on some promising leads. But intent on his mission, Mr. 60 million citrus trees already in Flori- da’s groves. Dr. Dawson joked that he Kress shrugged off signs that national hoped at least to save the grapefruit, ing leads. But intent on his mission, Mr. Kress shrugged off signs that national da’s groves. Dr. Dawson joked that he hoped at least to save the grapefruit, campaigns against genetically modified whose juice he enjoyed, “preferably Kress shrugged off signs that national campaigns against genetically modified hoped at least to save the grapefruit, whose juice he enjoyed, “preferably food were gaining traction. with a little vodka in it.” campaigns against genetically modified food were gaining traction. whose juice he enjoyed, “preferably with a little vodka in it.” Only in recent months has he begun Only in recent months has he begun But his most promising result that But his most promising result that food were gaining traction. ROBYN BECK/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE — GETTY IMAGESwith a little vodka in it.” to face the full magnitude of the gap be- year was doomed from the beginning: ROBYN BECK/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE — GETTY IMAGES Only in recent months has he begun to face the full magnitude of the gap be- But his most promising result that year was doomed from the beginning: tween what science can achieve and OPPOSITION A rally against Monsanto, which dominates the crop biotechnology business, in Los Angeles in of the dozen bacteria-fighting genes he to face the full magnitude of the gap between what science can achieveROBYN and BECK/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSEOPPOSITION — GETTYA rally IMAGES against Monsanto,year was doomed which fromdominates the beginning: the crop biotechnology business, in Los Angeles in of the dozen bacteria-fighting genes he what society might accept. had then tested on his greenhouse tween what science can achieve and OPPOSITIONMayA wasrally one against of hundreds Monsanto, held which thatwhat day. dominates societyMore information might the crop accept. biotechnology and photographs business, areMay at in nytimes.com/national. Loswas Angelesone of hundreds in heldof the that dozen day. bacteria-fightingMore information genes and he photographs are at nytimes.com/national. had then tested on his greenhouse what society might accept. May was one of hundreds held that day. More information and photographs are at nytimes.com/national. had then tested on his greenhouse known, they argue, it is more predictable than duce that contained a gene from a virus. traditional methods that involve randomly mix- There also appeared to be an abiding belief ing or mutating many genes of unknown func- that a plant would take on the identity of the tion. species from which its new DNA was drawn, But because it also usually involves taking like the scientist in the movie “The Fly” who DNA from the species where it evolved and put- sprouted insect parts after a DNA-mixing mis- ting it in another to which it may be only dis- take with a house fly. tantly related — or turning off genes already Asked if tomatoes containing a gene from a present — critics of the technology say it rep- fish would “taste fishy” in a question on a 2004 resents a new and potentially more hazardous poll conducted by the Food Policy Institute at degree of tinkering whose risks are not yet fully Rutgers University that referred to one compa- understood. ny’s efforts to forge a frost-resistant tomato with If he had had more time, Mr. Kress could a gene from the winter flounder, fewer than half have waited for the orange to naturally evolve correctly answered “no.” A fear that the genetic resistance to the bacteria known as C. liberib- engineering of food would throw the ecosystem acter asiaticus. That could happen tomorrow. out of whack showed in the surveys too. Or it could take years, or many decades. Or the Mr. Kress’s researchers, in turn, liked to orange in Florida could disappear first. point out that the very reason genetic engineering works is that all living things share a basic Plunging Ahead biochemistry: if a gene from a cold-water fish Early discussions among other citrus grow- can help a tomato resist frost, it is because DNA ers about what kind of disease research they is a universal code that tomato cells know how should collectively support did little to reassure to read. Even the most distantly related spe- Mr. Kress about his own genetic engineering cies — say, humans and bacteria — share many project. genes whose functions have remained constant “The public will never drink G.M.O. orange across billions of years of evolution. juice,” one grower said at a contentious 2008 “It’s not where a gene comes from that mat- meeting. “It’s a waste of our money.” ters,” one researcher said. “It’s what it does.” “The public is already eating tons of Mr. Kress set the surveys aside. G.M.O.’s,” countered Peter McClure, a big grow- He took encouragement from other at- er. tempts to genetically modify foods that were “This isn’t like a bag of Doritos,” snapped in the works. There was even another fruit, the another. “We’re talking about a raw product, “Arctic apple,” whose genes for browning were the essence of orange.” switched off, to reduce waste and allow the fruit The genetically modified foods Americans to be more readily sold sliced. have eaten for more than a decade — corn, “The public is going to be more informed soybeans, some cottonseed oil, canola oil and about G.M.O.’s by the time we’re ready,” Mr. sugar — come mostly as invisible ingredients in Kress told his research director, Michael P. Irey, processed foods like cereal, salad dressing and as they lined up the five scientists whom South- tortilla chips. And the few G.M.O.’s sold in pro- ern Gardens would underwrite. And to the sci- duce aisles — a Hawaiian papaya, some squash, entists, growers and juice processors at a meet- a fraction of sweet corn — lack the iconic status ing convened by Minute Maid in Miami in early of a breakfast drink that, Mr. Kress conceded, 2010, he insisted that just finding a gene that is “like motherhood” to Americans, who drink worked had to be his company’s priority. more of it per capita than anyone else. The foes were formidable. C. liberibacter, If various polls were to be believed, a third the bacterium that kills citrus trees by choking to half of Americans would refuse to eat any off their flow of nutrients — first detected when transgenic crop. One study’s respondents would it destroyed citrus trees more than a century accept only certain types: two-thirds said they ago in China — had earned a place, along with would eat a fruit modified with another plant anthrax and the Ebola virus, on the Agriculture gene, but few would accept one with DNA from Department’s list of potential agents of bioter- an animal. Fewer still would knowingly eat pro- rorism. Asian citrus psyllids, the insects that C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,016,Bs-4C,E1

N 16 N THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013

RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES RAVAGED CROPS To avoid spreading a scourge further, orange trees infected by disease are cut down and burned in Clewiston, Fla., at groves owned by Southern Gardens Citrus. A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA

Millenniums of Intervention is more predictable than traditional belief that a plant would take on the another as they feed on the sap of their From Page 1 Millenniums of Intervention methods that involve randomly mixing identity of the species from which its leaves, can carry the germ a mile with- Even in the heyday of frozen concen- methods that involve randomly mixing identity of the species from which its leaves, can carry the germ a mile withthat might benefit from genetically en- Even in the heyday of frozen concen- or mutating many genes of unknown new DNA was drawn, like the scientist out stopping, and the females can lay up that might benefit from genetically en- trate, the popularity of orange juice function. in the movie “The Fly” who sprouted in- to 800 eggs in their one-month life. gineered resistance to diseases for trate, the popularity of orange juice function. in the movie “The Fly” who sprouted in- to 800 eggs in their one-month life. rested largely on its image as the ulti- But because it also usually involves sect parts after a DNA-mixing mistake Mr. Kress’s DNA candidate would which standard treatments have proven rested largely on its image as the ulti- But because it also usually involves sect parts after a DNA-mixing mistake Mr. Kress’s DNA candidate would mate natural beverage, fresh-squeezed taking DNA from the species where it with a house fly. have to fight off the bacteria or the in- elusive. And advocates of the technol- mate natural beverage, fresh-squeezed taking DNA from the species where it with a house fly. have to fight off the bacteria or the infrom a primordial fruit. But the reality is evolved and putting it in another to Asked if tomatoes containing a gene sect. As for public acceptance, he told ogy say it could also help provide food from a primordial fruit. But the reality is evolved and putting it in another to Asked if tomatoes containing a gene sect. As for public acceptance, he told that human intervention has modified which it may be only distantly related — from a fish would “taste fishy” in a his industry colleagues, “We can’t think for a fast-growing population on a that human intervention has modified which it may be only distantly related — from a fish would “taste fishy” in a his industry colleagues, “We can’t think warming planet by endowing crops with the orange for millenniums, as it has al- or turning off genes already present — question on a 2004 poll conducted by the about that right now.” warming planet by endowing crops with most everything people eat. or turning off genes already present — question on a 2004 poll conducted by the about that right now.” more nutrients, or the ability to thrive in most everything people eat. critics of the technology say it repre- Food Policy Institute at Rutgers Uni- more nutrients, or the ability to thrive in Before humans were involved, corn drought, or to resist pests. Leading sci- Before humans were involved, corn sents a new and potentially more haz- versity that referred to one company’s drought, or to resist pests. Leading sci- was a wild grass, tomatoes were tiny, The ‘Creep Factor’ entific organizations have concluded was a wild grass, tomatoes were tiny, ardous degree of tinkering whose risks efforts to forge a frost-resistant tomato entific organizations have concluded carrots were only rarely orange and Trim, silver-haired and described by that shuttling DNA between species carrots were only rarely orange and are not yet fully understood. with a gene from the winter flounder, Trim, silver-haired and described by that shuttling DNA between species dairy cows produced little milk. The or- colleagues as tightly wound (he prefers carries no intrinsic risk to human health dairy cows produced little milk. The or- If he had had more time, Mr. Kress fewer than half correctly answered colleagues as tightly wound (he prefers carries no intrinsic risk to human health ange, for its part, might never have ex- “focused”), Mr. Kress arrives at the of- or the environment, and that such alter- ange, for its part, might never have ex- could have waited for the orange to nat- “no.” A fear that the genetic engineer- “focused”), Mr. Kress arrives at the of- or the environment, and that such alter- isted had human migration not brought fice by 6:30 each morning and micro- ations can be reliably tested. isted had human migration not brought urally evolve resistance to the bacteria ing of food would throw the ecosystem fice by 6:30 each morning and micro- ations can be reliably tested. together the grapefruit-size pomelo waves a bowl of oatmeal. He stocks his But the idea of eating plants and ani- together the grapefruit-size pomelo known as C. liberibacter asiaticus. That out of whack showed in the surveys too. waves a bowl of oatmeal. He stocks his But the idea of eating plants and ani- from the tropics and the diminutive office cabinet with cans of peel-top mals whose DNA has been manipulated from the tropics and the diminutive could happen tomorrow. Or it could take Mr. Kress’s researchers, in turn, liked office cabinet with cans of peel-top mals whose DNA has been manipulated mandarin from a temperate zone thou- Campbell’s chicken soup that he heats in a laboratory — called genetically mandarin from a temperate zone thou- years, or many decades. Or the orange to point out that the very reason genetic Campbell’s chicken soup that he heats in a laboratory — called genetically sands of years ago in China. And it up for lunch. Arriving home each modified organisms, or G.M.O.’s — still sands of years ago in China. And it in Florida could disappear first. engineering works is that all living up for lunch. Arriving home each modified organisms, or G.M.O.’s — still would not have become the most widely evening, he cuts a rose from his garden spooks many people. Critics worry that would not have become the most widely things share a basic biochemistry: if a evening, he cuts a rose from his garden spooks many people. Critics worry that planted fruit tree had human traders for his wife. Weekends, he works in his such crops carry risks not yet detected, planted fruit tree had human traders gene from a cold-water fish can help a for his wife. Weekends, he works in his such crops carry risks not yet detected, not carried it across the globe. Plunging Ahead yard and pores over clippings about and distrust the big agrochemical com- not carried it across the globe. tomato resist frost, it is because DNA is yard and pores over clippings about The varieties that have survived, G.M.O.’s in the news. panies that have produced the few in The varieties that have survived, Early discussions among other citrus a universal code that tomato cells know G.M.O.’s in the news. among the many that have since arisen For a man who takes pleasure in rou- wide use. And hostility toward the tech- among the many that have since arisen growers about what kind of disease re- how to read. Even the most distantly re- For a man who takes pleasure in rou- through natural mutation, are the prod- tine, the uncertainty that marked his nology, long ingrained in Europe, has through natural mutation, are the prod- search they should collectively support lated species — say, humans and bacte- tine, the uncertainty that marked his uct of human selection, with nearly all DNA quest was disquieting. It would deepened recently among Americans as uct of human selection, with nearly all did little to reassure Mr. Kress about his ria — share many genes whose func- DNA quest was disquieting. It would deepened recently among Americans as cost Southern Gardens millions of dol- organic food advocates, environmental- of Florida’s juice a blend of just two: the own genetic engineering project. tions have remained constant across cost Southern Gardens millions of dol- organic food advocates, environmental- tions have remained constant across lars just to perform the safety tests for a ists and others have made opposition to Hamlin, whose unremarkable taste and “The public will never drink G.M.O. billions of years of evolution. lars just to perform the safety tests for a ists and others have made opposition to billions of years of evolution. single gene in a single variety of orange. it a pillar of a growing movement for pale color are offset by its prolific yield orange juice,” one grower said at a con- “It’s not where a gene comes from single gene in a single variety of orange. it a pillar of a growing movement for orange juice,” one grower said at a con- “It’s not where a gene comes from Of his five researchers’ approaches, he healthier and ethical food choices. in the early season, and the dark, flavor- tentious 2008 meeting. “It’s a waste of that matters,” one researcher said. “It’s Of his five researchers’ approaches, he healthier and ethical food choices. tentious 2008 meeting. “It’s a waste of that matters,” one researcher said. “It’s had planned to narrow the field to the Mr. Kress’s boss worried about dam- ful, late-season Valencia. our money.” what it does.” had planned to narrow the field to the Mr. Kress’s boss worried about dam- our money.” what it does.” one that worked best over time. aging the image of juice long promoted Because oranges themselves are hy- “The public is already eating tons of Mr. Kress set the surveys aside. one that worked best over time. “The public is already eating tons of Mr. Kress set the surveys aside. But in 2010, with the disease spread- as “100 percent natural.” brids and most seeds are clones of the G.M.O.’s,” countered Peter McClure, a He took encouragement from other But in 2010, with the disease spread- G.M.O.’s,” countered Peter McClure, a He took encouragement from other ing faster than anyone anticipated, the “Do we really want to do this?” he de- mother, new varieties cannot easily be big grower. attempts to genetically modify foods ing faster than anyone anticipated, the “Do we really want to do this?” he de- big grower. attempts to genetically modify foods factor that came to weigh most was manded in a 2008 meeting at the compa- produced by crossbreeding — unlike, “This isn’t like a bag of Doritos,” that were in the works. There was even factor that came to weigh most was manded in a 2008 meeting at the compa- “This isn’t like a bag of Doritos,” that were in the works. There was even which could be ready first. ny’s headquarters on the northern rim say, apples, which breeders have re- snapped another. “We’re talking about another fruit, the “Arctic apple,” whose which could be ready first. snapped another. “We’re talking about another fruit, the “Arctic apple,” whose To fight C. liberibacter, Dean Gabriel of the Everglades. mixed into favorites like Fuji and Gala. a raw product, the essence of orange.” genes for browning were switched off, To fight C. liberibacter, Dean Gabriel a raw product, the essence of orange.” genes for browning were switched off, at the University of Florida had chosen Mr. Kress, now 61, had no particular But the vast majority of oranges in com- The genetically modified foods Amer- to reduce waste and allow the fruit to be at the University of Florida had chosen The genetically modified foods Amer- to reduce waste and allow the fruit to be a gene from a virus that destroys bacte- predilection for biotechnology. Known mercial groves are the product of a type icans have eaten for more than a decade more readily sold sliced. a gene from a virus that destroys bacte- mercial groves are the product of a type icans have eaten for more than a decade more readily sold sliced. ria as it replicates itself. Though such for working long hours, he rose through of genetic merging that predates the — corn, soybeans, some cottonseed oil, “The public is going to be more in- ria as it replicates itself. Though such of genetic merging that predates the — corn, soybeans, some cottonseed oil, “The public is going to be more in- viruses, called bacteriophages the ranks at fruit and juice companies Romans, in which a slender shoot of a canola oil and sugar — come mostly as formed about G.M.O.’s by the time we’re viruses, called bacteriophages Romans, in which a slender shoot of a canola oil and sugar — come mostly as formed about G.M.O.’s by the time we’re (“phage” means to devour), are harm- like Welch’s and Seneca Foods. On mov- favored fruit variety is grafted onto the invisible ingredients in processed foods ready,” Mr. Kress told his research di- (“phage” means to devour), are harm- favored fruit variety is grafted onto the invisible ingredients in processed foods ready,” Mr. Kress told his research di- less to humans, Mr. Irey sometimes ing here for the Southern Gardens job, sturdier roots of other species: lemon, like cereal, salad dressing and tortilla rector, Michael P. Irey, as they lined up less to humans, Mr. Irey sometimes sturdier roots of other species: lemon, like cereal, salad dressing and tortilla rector, Michael P. Irey, as they lined up urged Mr. Kress to consider the public just a few weeks before citrus greening for instance, or sour orange. And a seed- chips. And the few G.M.O.’s sold in the five scientists whom Southern Gar- urged Mr. Kress to consider the public for instance, or sour orange. And a seed- chips. And the few G.M.O.’s sold in the five scientists whom Southern Gar- relations hurdle that might come with was detected, he had assumed his big- less midseason orange recently adopted produce aisles — a Hawaiian papaya, dens would underwrite. And to the sci- relations hurdle that might come with less midseason orange recently adopted produce aisles — a Hawaiian papaya, dens would underwrite. And to the sci- such a strange-sounding source of the gest headache would be competition by Florida growers emerged after some squash, a fraction of sweet corn — entists, growers and juice processors at such a strange-sounding source of the by Florida growers emerged after some squash, a fraction of sweet corn — entists, growers and juice processors at DNA. “A gene from a virus,” he would from flavored waters, or persuading his breeders bombarded a seedy variety lack the iconic status of a breakfast a meeting convened by Minute Maid in DNA. “A gene from a virus,” he would breeders bombarded a seedy variety lack the iconic status of a breakfast a meeting convened by Minute Maid in ask pointedly, “that infects bacteria?” wife to tolerate Florida’s humidity. with radiation to disrupt its DNA, a drink that, Mr. Kress conceded, is “like Miami in early 2010, he insisted that just ask pointedly, “that infects bacteria?” with radiation to disrupt its DNA, a drink that, Mr. Kress conceded, is “like Miami in early 2010, he insisted that just But Mr. Kress’s chief concern was But the dwindling harvest that could technique for accelerating evolution motherhood” to Americans, who drink finding a gene that worked had to be his But Mr. Kress’s chief concern was technique for accelerating evolution motherhood” to Americans, who drink finding a gene that worked had to be his that Dr. Gabriel was taking too long to mean the idling of his juice processing that has yielded new varieties in dozens more of it per capita than anyone else. company’s priority. that Dr. Gabriel was taking too long to that has yielded new varieties in dozens more of it per capita than anyone else. company’s priority. perfect his approach. plant would also have consequences beof crops, including barley and rice. If various polls were to be believed, a The foes were formidable. C. libe- perfect his approach. of crops, including barley and rice. If various polls were to be believed, a The foes were formidable. C. libe- A second contender, Erik Mirkov of yond any one company’s bottom line. Its proponents argue that genetic en- third to half of Americans would refuse ribacter, the bacterium that kills citrus A second contender, Erik Mirkov of Its proponents argue that genetic en- third to half of Americans would refuse ribacter, the bacterium that kills citrus Texas A&M University, was further Florida is the second-largest producer gineering is one in a continuum of ways to eat any transgenic crop. One study’s trees by choking off their flow of nutri- Texas A&M University, was further gineering is one in a continuum of ways to eat any transgenic crop. One study’s trees by choking off their flow of nutri- along with trees he had endowed with a of orange juice in the world, behind Bra- humans shape food crops, each of which respondents would accept only certain ents — first detected when it destroyed along with trees he had endowed with a humans shape food crops, each of which respondents would accept only certain ents — first detected when it destroyed gene from spinach — a food, he re- zil. Its $9 billion citrus industry contrib- carries risks: even conventional cross- types: two-thirds said they would eat a citrus trees more than a century ago in gene from spinach — a food, he re- carries risks: even conventional cross- types: two-thirds said they would eat a citrus trees more than a century ago in minded Mr. Kress, that “we give to ba- utes 76,000 jobs to the state that hosts breeding has occasionally produced fruit modified with another plant gene, China — had earned a place, along with minded Mr. Kress, that “we give to ba- breeding has occasionally produced fruit modified with another plant gene, China — had earned a place, along with bies.” The gene, which exists in slightly the Orange Bowl. Southern Gardens, a toxic varieties of some vegetables. Be- but few would accept one with DNA anthrax and the Ebola virus, on the Ag- bies.” The gene, which exists in slightly toxic varieties of some vegetables. Be- but few would accept one with DNA anthrax and the Ebola virus, on the Ag- different forms in hundreds of plants subsidiary of U.S. Sugar, was one of the cause making a G.M.O. typically infrom an animal. Fewer still would know- riculture Department’s list of potential different forms in hundreds of plants cause making a G.M.O. typically infrom an animal. Fewer still would know- riculture Department’s list of potential and animals, produces a protein that at- few companies in the industry with the volves adding one or a few genes, each ingly eat produce that contained a gene agents of bioterrorism. Asian citrus and animals, produces a protein that at- volves adding one or a few genes, each ingly eat produce that contained a gene agents of bioterrorism. Asian citrus tacks invading bacteria. wherewithal to finance the development containing instructions for a protein from a virus. psyllids, the insects that suck the bacte- tacks invading bacteria. of a “transgenic” tree, which could take containing instructions for a protein from a virus. psyllids, the insects that suck the bacte- Even so, Dr. Mirkov faced skepticism of a “transgenic” tree, which could take whose function is known, they argue, it There also appeared to be an abiding ria out of one tree and inject them into Even so, Dr. Mirkov faced skepticism a decade and cost as much as $20 mil- from growers. “Will my juice taste like lion. spinach?” one asked. An emerging scientific consensus “Will it be green?” wondered another. held that genetic engineering would be “This gene,” he invariably replied, required to defeat citrus greening. “has nothing to do with the color or “People are either going to drink trans- taste of spinach. Your body makes very genic orange juice or they’re going to similar kinds of proteins as part of your drink apple juice,” one University of own defense against bacteria.” Florida scientist told Mr. Kress. When some of the scientist’s promis- And if the presence of a new gene in ing trees got sick in their first trial, Mr. citrus trees prevented juice from be- Kress agreed that he should try to im- coming scarcer and more expensive, prove on his results in a new generation Mr. Kress believed, the American public of trees, by adjusting the gene’s place- would embrace it. “The consumer will ment. But transgenic trees, begun as a support us if it’s the only way,” Mr. single cell in a petri dish, can take two Kress assured his boss. years before they are sturdy enough to His quest to save the orange offers a place in the ground and many more close look at the daunting process of ge- years to bear fruit. netically modifying one well-loved or- “Isn’t there a gene,” Mr. Kress asked ganism — on a deadline. In the past sev- Mr. Irey, “to hurry up Mother Nature?” eral years, out of public view, he has For a time, the answer seemed to lie considered DNA donors from all over with a third scientist, William O. Daw- the tree of life, including two vegetables, son at the University of Florida, who a virus and, briefly, a pig. A synthetic had managed to alter fully grown trees gene, manufactured in the laboratory, by attaching a gene to a virus that could also emerged as a contender. be inserted by way of a small incision in Trial trees that withstood the disease the bark. Genes transmitted that way in his greenhouse later succumbed in would eventually stop functioning, but the field. Concerns about public percep- Mr. Kress hoped to use it as a stopgap tion and potential delays in regulatory measure to ward off the disease in the scrutiny put a damper on some promis- 60 million citrus trees already in Flori- ing leads. But intent on his mission, Mr. da’s groves. Dr. Dawson joked that he Kress shrugged off signs that national hoped at least to save the grapefruit, campaigns against genetically modified whose juice he enjoyed, “preferably food were gaining traction. with a little vodka in it.” Only in recent months has he begun But his most promising result that ROBYN BECK/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE — GETTY IMAGES to face the full magnitude of the gap be- ROBYN BECK/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE — GETTY IMAGES year was doomed from the beginning: tween what science can achieve and OPPOSITION A rally against Monsanto, which dominates the crop biotechnology business, in Los Angeles in of the dozen bacteria-fighting genes he what society might accept. May was one of hundreds held that day. More information and photographs are at nytimes.com/national. had then tested on his greenhouse

suck the bacteria out of one tree and inject them disquieting. It would cost Southern Gardens into another as they feed on the sap of their millions of dollars just to perform the safety leaves, can carry the germ a mile without stop- tests for a single gene in a single variety of or- ping, and the females can lay up to 800 eggs in ange. Of his five researchers’ approaches, he their one-month life. had planned to narrow the field to the one that Mr. Kress’s DNA candidate would have to worked best over time. fight off the bacteria or the insect. As for pub- But in 2010, with the disease spreading fast- lic acceptance, he told his industry colleagues, er than anyone anticipated, the factor that came “We can’t think about that right now.” to weigh most was which could be ready first. To fight C. liberibacter, Dean Gabriel at the The ‘Creep Factor’ University of Florida had chosen a gene from a Trim, silver-haired and described by col- virus that destroys bacteria as it replicates it- leagues as tightly wound (he prefers “focused”), self. Though such viruses, called bacteriophag- Mr. Kress arrives at the office by 6:30 each es (“phage” means to devour), are harmless to morning and microwaves a bowl of oatmeal. humans, Mr. Irey sometimes urged Mr. Kress to He stocks his office cabinet with cans of peel- consider the public relations hurdle that might top Campbell’s chicken soup that he heats up come with such a strange-sounding source of for lunch. Arriving home each evening, he cuts the DNA. “A gene from a virus,” he would ask a rose from his garden for his wife. Weekends, pointedly, “that infects bacteria?” he works in his yard and pores over clippings But Mr. Kress’s chief concern was that Dr. about G.M.O.’s in the news. Gabriel was taking too long to perfect his ap- For a man who takes pleasure in routine, proach. the uncertainty that marked his DNA quest was A second contender, Erik Mirkov of Texas A&M University, was further along with trees bristled. “It’s a proof of concept.” he had endowed with a gene from spinach — a A similar caution dimmed his hopes for the food, he reminded Mr. Kress, that “we give to timely approval of a synthetic gene, designed babies.” The gene, which exists in slightly dif- in the laboratory of a fourth scientist, Jesse ferent forms in hundreds of plants and animals, Jaynes of Tuskegee University. In a simulation, produces a protein that attacks invading bacte- Dr. Jaynes’s gene consistently vanquished the ria. greening bacteria. But the burden of proving a Even so, Dr. Mirkov faced skepticism from synthetic gene’s safety would prolong the pro- growers. “Will my juice taste like spinach?” one cess. “You’re going to get more questions,” Mr. asked. Kress was told, “with a gene not found in na- “Will it be green?” wondered another. ture.” “This gene,” he invariably replied, “has And in the fall of 2010, an onion gene that nothing to do with the color or taste of spinach. discouraged psyllids from landing on tomato Your body makes very similar kinds of proteins plants was working in the Cornell laboratory as part of your own defense against bacteria.” of Mr. Kress’s final hope, Herb Aldwinckle. But When some of the scientist’s promising it would be some time before the gene could be trees got sick in their first trial, Mr. Kress agreed transferred to orange trees. that he should try to improve on his results in a Only Dr. Mirkov’s newly fine-tuned trees new generation of trees, by adjusting the gene’s with the spinach gene, Mr. Kress and Mr. Irey placement. But transgenic trees, begun as a sin- agreed, could be ready in time to stave off what gle cell in a petri dish, can take two years before many believed would soon be a steep decline in they are sturdy enough to place in the ground the harvest. In the fall of 2010, they were put to and many more years to bear fruit. the test inside a padlocked greenhouse stocked “Isn’t there a gene,” Mr. Kress asked Mr. with infected trees and psyllids. Irey, “to hurry up Mother Nature?” For a time, the answer seemed to lie with The Monsanto Effect a third scientist, William O. Dawson at the Uni- Mr. Kress’s only direct brush so far with the versity of Florida, who had managed to alter broader battle raging over genetically modified fully grown trees by attaching a gene to a virus food came in December 2010, in the reader com- that could be inserted by way of a small incision ments on a Reuters article alluding to Southern in the bark. Genes transmitted that way would Gardens’ genetic engineering efforts. eventually stop functioning, but Mr. Kress Some readers vowed not to buy such “fran- hoped to use it as a stopgap measure to ward off kenfood.” Another attributed a rise in allergies the disease in the 60 million citrus trees already to genetic engineering. And dozens lambasted in Florida’s groves. Dr. Dawson joked that he Monsanto, the St. Louis-based company that hoped at least to save the grapefruit, whose dominates the crop biotechnology business, juice he enjoyed, “preferably with a little vodka which was not even mentioned in the article. in it.” “If this trend goes on, one day, there will But his most promising result that year was be only Monsanto engineered foods available,” doomed from the beginning: of the dozen bac- read one letter warning of unintended conse- teria-fighting genes he had then tested on his quences. greenhouse trees, the one that appeared effec- Mr. Kress was unperturbed. Dozens of long- tive came from a pig. term animal feeding studies had concluded that One of about 30,000 genes in the animal’s ge- existing G.M.O.’s were as safe as other crops, netic code, it was, he ventured, “a pretty small and the National Academy of Sciences, the amount of pig.” World Health Organization and others had is- “There’s no safety issue from our stand- sued statements to the same effect. point — but there is a certain creep factor,” an But some of his researchers worried that the Environmental Protection Agency official ob- popular association between G.M.O.’s and Mon- served to Mr. Kress, who had included it on an santo — and in turn between Monsanto and the early list of possibilities to run by the agency. criticisms of modern agriculture — could turn “At least something is working,” Mr. Kress consumers against Southern Gardens’ trans- C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,017,Bs-4C,E1 C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,017,Bs-4C,E1C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,017,Bs-4C,E1 C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,017,Bs-4C,E1

THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 N 17 THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 THE NEW YORK TIMESN NATIONAL SUNDAY,17 JULY 28, 2013 N 17 THE NEWC YORKM Y KTIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY,Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,017,Bs-4C,E1 JULY 28, 2013 N 17

THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 N 17

FIELD TEST ShootsFIELD grown inTEST a laboratory Shoots to resist grown the disease in a citrus laboratory greening are tografted resist onto normalthe disease orange trees citrus in a test greening plot. The shoots are are graftedendowed with onto a gene normal from orange trees in a test plot. The shoots are endowed with a gene from spinach that produces a protein that attacks invading bacteria. Florida growers turned to transgenic trees after citrus greening began infecting millions of orange trees. FIELD TEST Shoots grown in a laboratory to resist the disease citrus greening are graftedspinachFIELD onto TEST normal that Shoots produces orange grown atrees protein in ina laboratory a that test attacksplot. to The resistinvading shoots the bacteria.diseaseare endowed citrus Florida withgreening growers a gene are turned from grafted to transgeniconto normal trees orange after trees citrus in greening a test plot. began The infecting shoots are millions endowed of orange with a trees. gene from spinachFIELD that TEST produces Shoots grown a protein in a that laboratory attacks toinvading resist the bacteria. disease Florida citrustrees, greeninggrowers the one that appearedturned are grafted effective tospinach transgenic onto that normal producestrees orange after a citrus protein trees greening in that a test attacks beganplot. invadingThe infecting shoots bacteria. millions are endowed Florida of orange with growers trees. a gene turned theyfrom believe to transgenic us?” he asked himself trees for after citrus greening began infecting millions of orange trees. came from a pig. the first time. “Will they believe we’re spinach that produces a protein that attacks invading bacteria. FloridaOne of about growers 30,000 genes turned in the ani- to transgenic trees after citrus greening began infecting millions of orange trees.doing this to eliminate chemicals and mal’s genetictrees, code, it the was, onehe ventured, that appeared effective we’re making sure it’s safe? Or will they believe us?” he asked himself for “a pretty smallcame amount from of pig.” a pig. they look at us and say, ‘That’s what the first time. “Will they believe we’re trees, the one that appeared effective “There’s trees, no safety the issue one from that our appeared effective they believe us?” he askedthey all say?’” himself for they believe us?” he asked himself for genicOne of oranges.about 30,000 genes in the ani- be against G.M.O.’s,” said Dr. Jaynes,The major who brands faced were rumored to be doing this to eliminate chemicals and cametrees, from the a pig. one that appeared effective standpoint came — but therefrom is a a pig. certain the they first believetime. “Will us?” they he asked believe himself we’re for the first time. “Will they believe we’re creep factor,”mal’s an Environmental genetic code, Protec- it was, he ventured, looking beyond Florida for their orange we’re making sure it’s safe? Or will Onecame of fromabout a 30,000pig. genes in the ani- tion Agency officialOne“The of observed about article to Mr.30,000 doesn’tgenes in thesay ani- ‘Monsanto’ any- such barriers doingwiththe a this first high-protein to time. eliminate “Willjuice theysweet chemicals — perhaps believe potato to Brazil, and we’re where grow- doing this to eliminate chemicals and mal’s genetic code, it was, he ventured, Kress, who“a had pretty included small it on an amount early of pig.” we’re making sure it’sers safe? had taken Or to abandoning will infected they look at us and say, ‘That’s what One of about 30,000 genes in the animal’swhere, genetic but code,the comments it was, he ventured, are all about Monsan- he had engineereddoing with this a synthetic to eliminategroves gene. to chemicals plant elsewhere. and Other experi- we’re making sure it’s safe? Or will list of possibilities“There’s to run by the no agency. safety issue from our they all say?’” “a prettymal’s smallgenetic amount code, ofit was,pig.” he ventured, “At least “a something pretty is working,”small amount Mr. of pig.” theywe’re look making at us and sure say,ments it’s ‘That’s that safe? Mr. Kress what Or viewed will as similar they look at us and say, ‘That’s what Kress bristled.standpointto,” “It’s aDr. proof Mirkovof — concept.” but theresaid. is a certain To Mr. Kressthey in all earlysay?’” 2011, anyto hiscomparison own had foundered. Pigs engi- The major brands were rumored to be “There’s“a pretty nosmall safety amount issue of pig.” from our A similar caution“There’s dimmed his no hopes safety issue from our they look at us andneered say, to produce‘That’s less-polluting what waste they all say?’” creep factor,”It had an not Environmental helped win Protec- hearts and minds for to Monsanto — whose large blocks of patents looking beyond Florida for their orange standpoint“There’s — but no safety there is issue a certain from our for the timelystandpoint approval of a —synthetic but there is a certain Thethey major all say?’” brands werehad rumored been euthanized to be after their devel- The major brands were rumored to be gene, designedtion in Agency the laboratory official of a observed to Mr. oper at a Canadian university had failed juice — perhaps to Brazil, where grow- creepstandpoint factor,” an — Environmental but there is Protec- a certain fourth scientist,creepG.M.O.’s, Jesse factor,” Jaynes ofMr. anTuske- Environmental Kress knew, Protec- that the first such he had to worklooking around,The beyond major and Florida brands whose toforwere find their thousandsinvestors. rumored orange A salmon to bemodified to looking beyond Florida for their orange Kress, who had included it on an early grow faster was still awaiting F.D.A. ap- ers had taken to abandoning infected tion Agency official observed to Mr. gee University.tion In a Agencysimulation, Dr. official Jay- observed to Mr. juicelooking — perhaps beyond to FloridaBrazil, wherefor their grow- orange juice — perhaps to Brazil, where grow- creep factor,” an Environmental Protec- nes’s genelist consistentlycrop of possibilities widely vanquished theadopted to run by theby agency. farmers was the soy- of employees worldwide dwarfedproval. the A study 750 pointing he to health risks groves to plant elsewhere. Other experi- Kress,tion who Agency had included official it observed on an early to Mr. greening bacteria.Kress, But who the burdenhad included of it on an early ers juice had — taken perhaps to abandoning to fromBrazil, G.M.O.’s where infected had been grow- discredited by ers had taken to abandoning infected list of possibilities to run by the agency. proving a syntheticbean“At leastgene’s engineered safety something would isby working,” Monsanto Mr. with a bacteria employed in Floridagroves to atplant peak elsewhere. harvestscientists, Other times but experi- was contributing— to a ments that Mr. Kress viewed as similar Kress, who had included it on an early prolong thelist process. of possibilities “You’re going to to run by the agency. ers had taken to abandoningsense among some infected consumers that the groves to plant elsewhere. Other experi- Kress bristled. “It’s a proof of concept.” to his own had foundered. Pigs engi- “Atlist least of possibilities something to is run working,” by the agency. Mr. get more questions,”gene“At Mr.least — Kress to something was tolerate told, isa working,”weed killer Mr. Monsanto also seemed far-fetched.mentsgroves that If itto Mr. wasplant Kress successful,elsewhere. viewedtechnology asOther is dangerous. Southsimilar experi-- ments that Mr. Kress viewed as similar “with a gene notA found similar in nature.” caution dimmed his hopes to his own had foundered.And while Pigs the engi- California labeling neered to produce less-polluting waste Kress “Atbristled. least “It’s something a proof isof working,”concept.” Mr. And in theKressmade. fall of 2010, bristled. an onion “It’sgene a proof of concept.” ern Gardens wouldments hope that Mr.to recoupKressmeasure viewed its had invest beenas similar defeated,- it had to his own had foundered. Pigs engi- for the timely approval of a synthetic spawned a ballot initiative in Washing- had been euthanized after their devel- AKress similar bristled. caution “It’s dimmed a proof his of concept.” hopes that discouragedA psyllids similar from caution landing dimmed his hopes neeredto his to produceown had less-polluting foundered. Pigs waste engineered to produce less-polluting waste on tomatogene, plants was designedStarting working in in thein the the laboratory mid-1990s, of asoybean farmers ment by charging a royalty for itston trees. State and But legislative its proposals in oper at a Canadian university had failed for theA timelysimilar approv cautional dimmed of a synthetic his hopes Cornell laboratoryfor the of Mr. timely Kress’s finalapproval of a synthetic hadneered been euthanized to produce after less-pollutingConnecticut, their Missouri, devel- waste New Mexico, had been euthanized after their devel- gene, designed in the laboratory of a hope, Herbfourth Aldwinckle.in the scientist, But United it would Jesse be States Jaynes overwhelmingly of Tuske- adopted business strategyoper atwas a Canadian aimed universityat savingVermont and had manythe failed other or states.- tooper find at investors. a Canadian A salmonuniversity modified had failed to for the timely approval of a synthetic some time gene, before the designed gene could bein the laboratory of a had been euthanizedIn after the heat their of last summer, devel- Mr. Kress gee University. In a simulation, Dr. Jay- PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES grow faster was still awaiting F.D.A. ap- fourthgene, scientist, designed Jesse in Jaynes the laboratory of Tuske- of a transferredfourth tothat orange trees.varietyscientist, Jesseof the Jaynes crop, of which Tuske- made it easier ange crop, whoseto findoper total investors. at aacreage Canadian A salmon was universitygardened a modified tiny more had savagely frac failedto - than his wife to find investors. A salmon modified to gee University. In a simulation, Dr. Jay- Only Dr.nes’s Mirkov’s gene newly consistently fine-tuned vanquished the grow faster was still awaitinghad ever seen. F.D.A. approval.grow faster A study was pointing still awaiting to health F.D.A. risks ap- fourth scientist, Jesse Jaynes of Tuske- trees with thegeefor spinach University. them gene, Mr.to Kress Incontrol a simulation, weeds. Dr. But Jay- the“The subsequentconsumer will support tion us if it’s of the the only crops way.” tothe find major investors. biotechnology A salmonDriving through modified com the Central- to Valley of and Mr. Ireygreening agreed, could bacteria. be ready in But the burden of proval. A study pointingCalifornia to health last October risks to speak at the from G.M.O.’s had been discredited by nes’s gene consistently vanquished the nes’s gene consistently vanquished RICKEthe KRESS, the president of Southern Gardens Citrus, who believes that thegrow faster was still awaiting F.D.A. approval. A study pointing to health risks gee University. In a simulation, Dr. Jay- time to stave off what many believed California Citrus Growers meeting, Mr. provingbroader a synthetic use of gene’sthe chemical safety would —only along way to save with Florida’s a entire dis citrus- croppanies is to alter the had orange pursued. trees’from DNA G.M.O.’s had been discredited by scientists, but was contributing to a greeningnes’s gene bacteria. consistently But the vanquished burden of the would soon greeningbe a steep decline bacteria. in the har- But the burden of proval. A study pointingKress considered to health how to risks answer critics. from G.M.O.’s had been discredited by prolong the process. “You’re going to Maybe even a blanket “G.M.O.” label sense among some consumers that the proving a synthetic gene’s safety would vest. In the provingfalltaste of 2010, they fora synthetic were Monsanto’s put to gene’s safetyaggressive would business tac- He urged scientists,hisfrom worried G.M.O.’s but wasresearchers had contributing been discredited to tolook a by scientists, but was contributing to a greening bacteria. But the burden of the test insideget amore padlocked questions,” greenhouse Mr. Kress was told, would be O.K., he thought, if it would technology is dangerous. prolongproving the a process.synthetic “You’re gene’s safety going would to stocked withprolong ticsinfected and trees the and a psyllids. process.growing tional “You’re varieties,suspicion going they prov of toed populara food system at the early successsensescientists, among of Flavr some but Savr wasconsumershelp tomatoes. contributing consumers that understand theIn tothat a he had sense among some consumers that the “with a gene not foundenough in nature.” that some stores rationed them, genetically engineered. What bothered 163-page petition, showing how the ap- nothing to hide. He could never prove And while the California labeling get more questions,” Mr. Kress was told, get more questions,” Mr. Kress was told, him was that a label seemed to lump all ples aretechnology equivalentsense in among nutritionalis dangerous. some con- consumers that the technology is dangerous. prolong the process. “You’re going to The Monsantodriven Effect by corporatebefore businessprofits missteps — bycombined their devel- to forge troduced in 1994 and engineeredthat to there stay were nofresh risks to genetically “with a gene not found in nature.” And in the fall of 2010,oper ended an oniontheir production. gene G.M.O.’s into one stigmatized category. tent to normalAnd apples, while how remote the was Californiamodifying a crop. labeling But he could try to ex- measureAnd while had been the California defeated, labelingit had get more questions,” Mr. Kress was told, “with a gene not found in nature.” the likelihoodtechnology of cross-pollination is dangerous. with Mr. Kress’sthata only consumer discouraged direct brush so farbacklash. psyllidsAnd he from was Environmental no landing longer alone in the activistsAnd when the E.P.A. longerinformed him thanin traditionalmeasure had varieties, been defeated,plain they the risks proved of it not haddoing so. spawned a ballot initiative in Washing- And“with in athe gene fall not of 2010,found an in onionnature.” gene with the broaderAnd battle in raging the over fall ge- of 2010,pursuit an of aonion genetically gene modified or- June 2012 that it would need to see test other apple varietiesAnd and whilethe potentially the CaliforniaSouthern Gardens labeling had lost 700,000 measure had been defeated, it had results for how large quantities of spin- bigger market for a healthful fruit. ton State and legislative proposals in that discouraged psyllids from landing netically modifiedonthatvandalized tomato food discouraged came plants in Decem- dozens psyllidswasange. working Citrusof fromfield growers landing in trials were the collectively and protested popular enoughspawned that some a ballot stores initiative rationedtrees tryingin Washing- to control them, the disease, more spawned a ballot initiative in Washing- And in the fall of 2010, an onion gene ber 2010, in the reader comments on a financing research into a greening-reach protein affected honeybees and Then he measure turned to the hadcomments. beenthan defeated, a quarter of its ittotal. had The forecast Cornell laboratory of Mr. Kress’s final mice, he gladly wrote out the $300,000 There wereton hundreds. State And and they legislativewere al- proposals in Connecticut, Missouri, New Mexico, on that tomato discouraged plants was psyllids working from in landing the Reuters articleonbrands tomato alluding tothat plants Southern used wassistant Monsanto’s working tree, and the in Agriculture thesoybeans De- or corn, before business spawnedmissteps a ballotby theirinitiativefor the comingdeveloper in springWashing- harvest was dis- ton State and legislative proposals in Gardens’ hope,genetic engineering Herb Aldwinckle. efforts. partment But hadit would also assigned be a team of check to have the protein made. most universally negative. Some were mal. The approval to use more pesticide Vermont and many other states. Cornell laboratory of Mr. Kress’s final Cornell laboratory of Mr. Kress’s final It was the largest single expense yet from parents,Connecticut,ton voicing State concerns Missouri,and that the legislative New proposals Mexico, in Connecticut, Missouri, New Mexico, on tomato plants was working in the Some readersintroduced vowed not to buy soonsuch scientists after, to whichit. Any solution was would engineered have to ended their production. on young trees had come through that In the heat of last summer, Mr. Kress hope, Herb Aldwinckle. But it would be “frankenfood.”some Another time attributed before a rise thesatisfied gene Mr. couldKress. Almost be daily, he in a project that had so far cost more nonbrowningVermont trait would and disguise many a rot- otherday. states. At his hotel that night, he slipped a Vermont and many other states. Cornell laboratory of Mr. Kress’s final hope, Herb Aldwinckle. But it would be Connecticut, Missouri, New Mexico, PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES some time before the gene could be in allergiestransferred toprevent genetic engineering. topests orange And from couldtrees. attacking smell the burning it. of infected than $5 million. If these tests raisedAnd no heten was apple In —no thoughthe longer heat transgenic of alone last apples summer, newin slidethe intoMr. pursuit his Kress standard talk. gardenedIn the heat more of savagely last summer, than Mr. his Kress wife hope, Herb Aldwinckle. But it would be dozens lambastedsome Monsanto, time before the St. thetrees, whichgene mingled could with be orange-blos- red flags, he would need to test the pro- rotten from Vermont infection would and still many turn otherOn the states. podium the next morning, he Only Dr. Mirkov’s newly fine-tunedPHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARDtein as PERRY/THE it appears inNEW the YORK pollen TIMES of trans- brown. Many wrote as part of a petition PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES had ever seen. transferredsome time to orange before trees. the gene could be Louis-basedtransferred companyIn that response, dominatesto orangesom trees.companies sweetness in the grove including just beyond McDon- of a geneticallygardened modifiedIn the more heat orange. savagely of lasttalked summer,Citrus than about his the growMr. growing wife Kress- use of pesti- gardened more savagely than his wife the crop biotechnology business, which Southern Gardens’ headquarters. genic orange blossoms. Then the agen-“Thedrive by consumer the Center for Food will Safety, support a cides: “We’re us using if it’s a lot ofthe chemicals, only way.” Driving through the Central Valley of Only Dr. Mirkov’s newly fine-tuned trees with the spinach gene, Mr. KressPHOTOGRAPHS BYcy RICHARD would want PERRY/THE to test the NEW juice. YORK TIMES group thathad opposes ever biotechnology. seen. had ever seen. transferred to orange trees. was not evenald’s, mentionedOnly Dr.Frito-Layin the article. Mirkov’s and newly H einz fine-tuned pledged not to use ers were collectivelygardened financing more savagely pureresearch and simple,” than he hisinto said. wife “We’re using trees with the spinach gene, Mr. Kress “The consumer“If this andtrend will goesMr. supporton, Irey one day, agreed, there us ifcould it’s bethe ready only in way.” “Seems excessive,” Dr. Mirkov said. “The“Apples consumer Drivingare supposed through to be awill natural, the support Centralmore than we’ve Valleyus everif it’s usedof before.” the only way.” CaliforniaDriving last through October the Central to speak Valley at the of Only Dr. Mirkov’s newly fine-tuned trees with the spinachA Growing gene, UrgencyMr. Kress But Mr. Kress and Mr. Irey RICKEshared a KRESS,healthy snack,” thehad presidentit warned.ever seen.“Genetically of Southern Gardens Citrus, who believes that the will be onlytime MonsantoG.M.O to engineered stave. ingredients of foodsf what many in believedcertain products, and a greening-resistant tree, and theT henAgriculture he stopped at the new slide. Un- California Citrus Growers meeting, Mr. and Mr. Irey agreed, could be ready in “The consumeravailable,” and read onewillMr. letter Irey support warning agreed, of us Incould if an it’s infection-filledbe theready only in greenhouse way.”sense of celebration. The path ahead engineeredCalifornia applesDriving are neither.” last through October the adorned, to Central speak it read atValley “Consumer the of Accept- California last October to speak at the trees with the spinach gene, Mr. Kress RICKE KRESS, the president of Southern Gardens Citrus, who believes that wasthe starting to clear. RICKEonly way KRESS,Others to save voiced the Florida’s president a general distrustentire of Southern of citrus crop Gardens is to alter Citrus, the orangewho believes trees’ DNAthat the time to stave off what many believed unintendedwouldtime consequences.some soon to European s tave be a ofsteepf what wheredeclinecountries many every in nontransgenic the believed prohibited har- tree had their cul- Department hadCalifornia also assigned Citrus Growers a teamance.” meeting, He lookedof scien out Mr.at the- audience. KressCalifornia considered Citrus howGrowers to answer meeting, critics. Mr. and Mr. Irey agreed, could be ready in Mr. Kress was unperturbed. Dozens showed symptoms of disease, Dr. Mir- Rather than wait for Dr. Mirkov’s 300 scientists’ California guarantees: “Too last many OctoberWhat to these speak growers at wanted the most, he onlyRICKE way KRESS, to save Florida’sthe presidentvest. entire In of thecitrus Southern fall crop of 2010, Gardensis to they alter Citrus, werethe orange put who to trees’believes DNA that the only waythings to were save presented Florida’s to us as entire innocu- citrus crop is to alter the orange trees’ DNA Maybe even a blanket “G.M.O.” label wouldtime soon to be stave a steep off decline what many in the believedhar- of long-termwould tivation.animal feeding soon studies be a hadsteepkov’s decline trees with in thethe spinach har- gene had trees to flower, which couldtists take toseveral it. Any KresssolutionCalifornia considered would Citrus how have G torowersknew, answersatisfied was meeting, reassurance critics. Mr. thatMr. he could Kress considered how to answer critics. vest. In the fall of 2010, they were put to only way to saveconcluded Florida’sthe that test existing entire inside G.M.O.’s citrus a were padlocked cropsurvived is to alter unscathedgreenhouse the fororange more than trees’ a years,DNA they agreed to try to graft his ous andMaybe years later even we discovered a blanket it help “G.M.O.” them should label the disease spread. wouldMaybe be even O.K., a he blanket thought, “G.M.O.” if it would label would soon be a steep decline in the har- as safe as othervest. crops, In and the the fall National of 2010,year. they Mr. Kress were would put soon to have 300 of spinach gene shoots to mature trees to was untrue,”Kress wrote one considered woman. “After howBut heto hadanswer to warn them:critics. “If we don’t stockedSome with infected of Mr. trees Kress’s and psyllids. scientists tional were varieties, still theyKress. prov edAlmost populartwo cancers daily, I don’t he feel likecould taking anysmell the burning help consumers understand that he had the vest.test insideIn the afall padlocked of 2010, they greenhouse were put to Academy ofthe Sciences, test the inside World Health a padlockedthem planted greenhouse in a field trial. But in the hasten the production of pollen — and, wouldMaybe genetically be O.K., even he a engineered. thought,blankethave consumer “G.M.O.” if What it would confidence, bothered label it doesn’t 163-page petition, showing how the ap- would be O.K., he thought, if it would tional varieties, they proved popular Organizationfuming and others about had issued whatspring they of 2012, hesaw asked as the Environ-theenoughtional lostfinally, that varieties,poten their some first- fruit, stores they for testing. provrationeded popularmore them, unnecessaryhelp consumers risks.” understandmatter whatthat we he come had up with.” nothing to hide. He could never prove stockedthe test with inside infected a padlocked trees and psyllids.greenhouse statements stockedto the same effect.with infectedmental trees Protection and psyllids. Agency, the first of of infected trees,Many insistedwould whichhim that should was be mingled O.K.,the that fruit bea he label thought, with seemed orange- if itto wouldlump all ples are equivalent in nutritional con- help consumers understand that he had enough that some stores rationed them, genetically engineered. Whatthree botheredfederal agencies that163-page would evalu-before petition, business showing missteps how by the their ap-approved, devel- it oughtgenetically to be labeled. engineered. What bothered 163-page petition, showing how the ap- that there were no risks to genetically stocked with infected trees and psyllids. tional varieties, they proved popular But someThe tialof his Monsanto researchersfor social worried Effectgood hijacked both byenough theWall that activof Opposition some- storesblossom rationed sweetness them,nothinghelpG.M.O.’s inconsumers to hide.the into Hegrove one understand could stigmatizedPlanting just never beyondthat prove category. he had tent to normal apples, how remote was nothing to hide. He could never prove before business missteps by their devel- thathim thegenetically was popular that association a label engineered. between seemed ate What to his lump trees, bothered forall guidance.ples The163-page are oper next equivalent ended petition, their in showing production. nutritional how con-the ap-That morning, him Mr. Krwasess drovethat to a label seemed to lump all ples are equivalent in nutritional con- modifying a crop. But he could try to ex- enough that some stores rationed them,G.M.O.’s and Monsanto — and in turn step was safety testing. And he felt thatbeforeEarly business one morning missteps a year ago, by Mr. theirwork devel- late.that He there should not were be surprised no risksOne to recent genetically sunny morning, Mr. Kress that there were no risks to genetically The Monsanto Effect G.M.O.’sTheists into Monsanto onewho stigmatized opposed Effect category. genetic engineeringtent to normal and apples, the howSouthern remote was Gardens’nothing headquarters.G.M.O.’sAnd to when hide. into the one He E.P.A. stigmatizedcould informed never category. prove him in the likelihood of cross-pollination with oper ended their production. betweenhim Monsanto wasMr. andthat Kress’s the acriticisms label only ofseemed directit could notto brush belump started so all fast far enough.ples oper And are Kress ended equivalent he checked was their the no production. Agriculture in longer nutritional Depart- alone con-by in the the hostility,modifying he told himself.a crop. But hedrove could to a try fenced to field, ex- some distance tent to normal apples, how remote was plainmodifying the risks a crop. of not But doing he could so. try to ex- before business missteps by their devel- Dr. Mirkov assured him that the ment’s Web site from home. The agency Mr. Irey that triedJune to there console 2012 were him that with noit would risks toneed genetically to see test other apple varieties and the potentially The Monsanto Effect And he was no longer alone in the modernAndG.M.O.’s agriculturewith whencorporations the into the — couldbroader oneE.P.A. turn stigmatized con- informedbattlethat failedraging category.him tooverin convince ge-the tent likelihoodpursuit toconsumers normal of cross-pollinationa apples, genetically how remote modified with was or- And when thefrom E.P.A. his office informed and far from him any in other the likelihood of cross-pollination with Southern Gardens had lost 700,000 Mr. Kress’s only direct brush so far oper ended their production. sumers againstMr. Southern Kress’s Gardens’ only directagency’s requirements brush so for far animal testsAndhad heopened was its 60-day no publiclonger comment alonegood in news:plain the modifyingthe the resultsdata risks on the for ahoneybeesof crop. nothow doing Butlargecitrus he so. tree.quantities could He unlockedtry toof theex-spin- gate and bigger market for a healthful fruit. plain the risks of not doing so. pursuit of a genetically modified or- transgenicJune 2012Andnetically oranges. thatwhen itmodified thewould E.P.A. need food informedto assesstocame see the in test safetyhim Decem- ofin theother proteinthe appleange. pro-pursuit likelihood periodvarieties Citrus ofon the of a g treesrowersand cross-pollinationgenetically modified theA werepotentiallyGrowing to produce modified collectively withand Urgency mice or- had comeJune back. 2012 The highest that itsigned would in, asneed required to bysee Agriculture test other apple varieties and the potentially trees trying to control the disease, more with the broader battle raging over ge- And he was no longer alone in the withof its the benefits.broader battle Induced manyraging by his gene, overdeveloping which ge- bore no re- countries,“Arctic apples” that did not brown. dose of theSouthern plain protein the E.P.A. risks Gardens wanted of not hadDepartment doing lost so. regulations 700,000 for a field trial Southern Gardens had lost 700,000 Mr. Kress’s only direct brush so far results“The articleber for doesn’t 2010,how say inlarge ‘Monsanto’ the quantities reader comments of spin- onbigger a financing market for research a healthful into fruit. a greening-re- achresults protein for how affected large quantities honeybees of spin- and biggerThen market he turned for a healthful to the comments. fruit. than a quarter of its total. The forecast neticallywith themodified broader food battle came raging in Decem- over ge-ange.pursuit Citrus of g rowers a genetically were collectively modified or-anywhere,June netically but 2012 the commentsthat modified it would are all food needsemblance came to tosee in anything Decem-test on theother listange. of apple His Citrus varieties own application, growers and he thewere imagined, potentially collectivelytested hadtrees produced tryingSouthern no ill effect.to control Gardens theof a geneticallydisease, had lost modified more 700,000 crop. trees trying to control the disease, more aboutach Monsanto,” proteinconcerns Dr. Mirkov affected said. about honeybees knownsafety allergens and and ownership toxins,Then would be he wouldof turned seeds take a similar to theform. comments.In an infection-filledBut the magnitudemice, of the he greenhouse opposition gladly wroteJust where in out the the previous ev $300,000 - few months, There were hundreds. And they were al- ber 2010, in the reader comments on a financing research into a greening-re- resultsReutersber for 2010, how article in large the alludingreader quantities comments to of Southern spin- on abiggersistantfinancing market tree, research for and a healthful the into Agriculture afruit. greening-re- De-than a achquarter protein of its affectedtotal. The honeybees forecast and Then he turned to the comments. forthan the a comingquarter spring of its total.harvest The was forecast dis- netically modified food came in Decem- ange. Citrus growers were collectivelymice,It had he not helpedgladly win wrote hearts and out theminimal. $300,000 There partmentwere hundreds.He skimmed had also throughAnd assigned they the company’s were a al- teamhad never of hittrees Mr.check Kress trying soto hard. have to “Willcontrol the Wholeprotein the Foods disease, made. had said more that because of most universally negative. Some were Reuters article alluding to Southern sistant tree, and the Agriculture De- mindsach for Gardens’G.M.O.’s,Reuters led protein Mr.governments Kress genetic article affected knew, that engineering alluding honeybees “It’sto delayspinach,” to efforts. Southern he or and insisted. prohibit “It’s Thenbeensistant cultivation he tree, turned and to theery the Agriculture nontransgenic comments. De-for the tree mice,coming had he spring gladlyshowed harvestcustomer wrote symptoms demand out was the it dis- would $300,000 avoid stock- There were hundreds. And they were al- mal.for theThe coming approval spring to use harvest more pesticide was dis- ber 2010, in the reader comments on a financing research into a greening-re- eaten for centuries.” than Ita wasquarter the oflargest its total. single The expense forecast yet from parents, voicing concerns that the Gardens’ genetic engineering efforts. partment had also assigned a team of thecheck firstmice, suchtoGardens’of Somehave crop he needed widelygladly thereaders genetic protein adopted wrotecrops: vowed by engineering made. out Zambia, not the to $300,000 buyefforts. for such mostinstance, There universallyscientistspartment were declined hundreds. to had negative.it. Any also solutionAnd of assigned Some disease, they would werewere a teamDr. al-havemal. Mirkov’s of Thecheck app rovaltreesto have to with theuseing proteinmore mostthe G.M.O. pesticidespinach made. foods and require la- most universally negative. Some were onmal. young The app treesroval had to come use more through pesticide that Reuters article alluding to Southern sistant tree, and the Agriculture De-farmers was the soybean engineered by Other concerns weighedfrom on Mr. parents,Kress voicing concerns that the forin the a projectcoming thatspring bels had onharvest them so farby 2018. was cost Hundreds dis- more of thou- nonbrowning trait would disguise a rot- Some readers vowed not to buy such scientists to it. Any solution would have MonsantoItcheck was“frankenfood.” with theSome ato bacteria have largest readers gene the — singleAnother proteinto tol- vowed thatexpense made. attributed spring:not to g rowersyet buy a in risesuch Floridamost didsatisfied scientistsnot universally Mr. to it. Kress. negative.Any solution Almost Some would daily, were have heon youngIt trees was hadthe largest comesands through ofsingle protesters expense that around the yet world from parents, voicing concerns that the day.on youngAt his hotel trees that had night, come he through slipped that a Gardens’ genetic engineering efforts. partment had also assigned a team oferate a weed shipmentskiller Monsanto also made.of G.M.O.like to talk corn about it, buteven the industry’s during a 2002 gene had survivedmal. thanunscathed The $5 app million.roval for toIfhad usethesemore joined more intests than a “Marchpesticide raised a Against no Mon- ten apple — though transgenic apples satisfied Mr. Kress. Almost daily, he in a projectin allergies that to had genetic so far engineering. cost more Andnonbrowningfromcould parents, smelltrait voicing would the burning disguiseconcerns ofa that rot- infected the in a project that had so far cost more nonbrowning trait would disguise a rot- new slide into his standard talk. “frankenfood.”Some readers Another vowed attributed not to buya rise such scientists to it. Any solution would have StartingIt “frankenfood.” inwas the mid-1990s,the largest soybean Another singletripling attributedexpense of pesticide yet applicationsa rise to satisfied kill Mr. Kress. Almost daily, day. heon At younghis hotel trees that had night,santo” come he — and throughslipped the Agriculture a that Depart- rotten from infection would still turn day. At his hotel that night, he slipped a farmersthan $5 in famine.million. the United If States these over- teststhe bacteria-carryingraised no psyllidten was, apple whiletrees, — which though mingled transgenicyear. with applesMr. orange-blos- Kress wouldred flags, soon he havewouldment need300 had issued ofto test themits final the report pro- for this ten apple — though transgenic apples in allergies to genetic engineering. And couldsatisfied smell Mr. the Kress. burning Almost of infected daily, he in dozens ain project allergies lambasted that to hadgenetic so Monsanto, farengineering. cost more the And St. nonbrowningcould smell trait the would burning disguise of a infected rot-new slidethan into $5 his million. standard If these talk. tests raised no newOn slidethe podium into his thestandard next morning, talk. he “frankenfood.” Another attributed a rise whelminglyred flags, adopted he would that variety need of the to withintest thelegal limits,pro- becomingrotten expensive som from sweetness infection in would the grove still just turn beyond day.tein At as his it hotel appears thatyear’s in night, the orange pollen he harvest slipped of showing trans- a a 9 per- brown. Many wrote as part of a petition trees, which mingled with orange-blos- crop, than whichLouis-based made$5 million. it”It’s easier for easy companyIf them these to forand tests someone thatworrisome. raised dominates One nowidelywho used tencan pesti- trees, applego down which — though to mingled transgenicplanted with orange-blos- in apples a fieldOn trial. thered podium Butflags, in he thethe would next springcent decline needmorning, from ofto test2012,last heyear, the attributable pro- rotten from infection would still turn talked about the growing use of pesti- dozensin allergies lambasted to genetic Monsanto, engineering. the St. And could smell the burning of infected dozens lambasted Monsanto, the St. newgenic slide orange into his blossoms. standard Thentalk. the agen- drive by the Center for Food Safety, a On the podium the next morning, he som sweetness in the grove just beyond controltein as weeds.the it appears crop But thebiotechnology subsequentin the pollencide business, had of stoppedtrans- working whichbrown. as the psyllidSouthern Many wrote Gardens’ as part headquarters. of a petition tein as it appearsto citrusin the greening. pollen of trans- brown. Many wrote as part of a petition cides: “We’re using a lot of chemicals, Louis-based company that dominates trees, which mingled with orange-blos- red Louis-basedflags,the grocery he would company store needevolved to and thattest resistance, buy the dominates pro-anything and Florida’srotten citrus somthey from sweetness need infection to in the he would grove asked still just the turnbeyond Environmentaltalked about the Protection growingBut use visiting Agency, of the pesti- field gave him some talked about the growing use of pesti- dozens lambasted Monsanto, the St. broadergenic useorange of the chemicalblossoms. — along Then the agen- drive by the Center for Food Safety, a Oncy wouldthe podium want to the test next the morning,juice. he groupdrive that by theopposes Center biotechnology. for Food Safety, a the crop biotechnology business, which Southernsom sweetness Gardens’ in headquarters. the grove just beyondwith atein distastewasthe as for notitcrop Monsanto’sappears even biotechnology mentioned aggres- in the growerpollen inbusiness,s’ the associationof article. trans- which was petitioningbrown.Southern Many Gardens’ wrote as headquarters.part of a petition cides: “We’regenic orange using blossoms. a lotpeace. of In chemicals,some Then rows were the the agen- trees with purecides: and “We’re simple,” using he said. a lot “We’re of chemicals, using Louis-based company that dominates sive business tactics and a growing sus- one company to lift the twice-a-season talked“Seems about excessive,” the growingno new Dr. gene use Mirkov in them, of pesti- sick said. with green- “Apples are supposed to be a natural, was not even mentioned in the article. cy wouldgenic“If wantorange this to trend testblossoms. the goes juice. on,Then one the day, agen- theregroupdrive that by opposes the Center biotechnology. for Food Safety, apure andcy simple,”would want he said. to test “We’re the juice. using group that opposes biotechnology. more than we’ve ever used before.” the crop biotechnology business, which Southern Gardens’ headquarters. picion of a foodwas system not driveneven by mentioned corpo- restrictions in the on sprayingarticle. young treesA —Growing Urgency cides: “We’re usinging. a Inlot others of chemicals, were the 300 juvenile healthy snack,” it warned. “Genetically pure and simple,” he said. “We’re using rate“Seems profitswill — combined beexcessive,” only to forgeMonsanto a Dr. con- Mirkovincreasingly engineered said. its only foods hope for“Apples an unin- are supposed to be a natural, But“Seems Mr. Kress excessive,” treesand with Mr. Dr. spinach IreyMirkov genes, shared allsaid. healthy. a In “Apples are supposed to be a natural, Then he stopped at the new slide. Un- “If this trend goes on, one day, there cy would“If thiswant trend to test goes the juice.on, one day, theregroup that opposes biotechnology. morepure than and we’ve simple,” ever heused said. before.” “We’re using more than we’ve ever used before.” was not even mentioned in the article. A Growing Urgency sumer backlash. Environmental activ- fected harvest. healthyA snack,”In Growing an it infection-filledwarned. Urgency “Genetically greenhouse sense of celebration.the middle The were path the trees ahead that carried engineeredhealthy snack,” apples it are warned. neither.” “Genetically will be only Monsanto engineered foods ists Butvandalized“Seems available,”Mr.will dozens Kressbe excessive,” onlyof field and read Monsantotrials Mr. and one Dr.Irey letter OthersMirkov engineered shared in warning the said. industrya foods of who knew“Apples of are supposed to be a natural, Then heBut stopped Mr. Kress at thehis and new immediate Mr. slide. Irey hopes: Un- 15shared mature Ham-a adorned, it read “Consumer Accept- “If this trend goes on, one day, there morewas than starting we’ve to ever clear. used before.” Others voiced a general distrust of Then he stopped at the new slide. Un- available,” read one letter warning of InA Growing an infection-filled Urgency greenhouse protestedsense unintendedbrands of celebration. that used Monsanto’sconsequences. The Mr. path Kress’s ahead project were turningengineeredhealthy towhere him.In applessnack,” everyan infection-filledare it nontransgenic warned.neither.” “Genetically greenhouse tree had sense of celebration.lins and Valencias, The path seven feet ahead tall, onto engineered apples are neither.” ance.” He looked out at the audience. will be only Monsanto engineered foods soybeansBut oravailable,” corn, Mr. introduced Kress soon read and after, one Mr.He letter Ireyagreed to shared warningspeak at thea fall of meeting of adorned,Then it he read stopped “Consumer atwhich the had new been Accept- slide. grafted Un- shoots of Dr. adorned, it read “Consumer Accept- was startingMr. Kressto clear. was unperturbed. DozensOthersshowed voiced symptoms a general of disease, distrust Dr. of Mir- wasRather starting than to wait clear. for Dr. Mirkov’s 300 scientists’Others voiced guarantees: a general “Too distrust many of What these growers wanted most, he unintendedavailable,” consequences. read one letter warning ofwhereIn every an nontransgenic infection-filled tree greenhouse had whichsense was unintendedengineered of celebration. to prevent consequences. pests Thecitrus path growers aheadin California, whereengineered where the everyapples nontransgenicare neither.” tree hadance.”adorned, He looked it readout at “ConsumertheMirkov’s audience. spinach gene Accept- trees. ance.” He looked out at the audience. fromRather attackingof long-term it.than wait animal for Dr. feedingMirkov’sgreening diseasestudies 300 had justhadscientists’ been detect-kov’s trees guarantees: with the “Too spinach many gene had trees to flower, whichThere could was good take reason several to believe that thingsscientists’ were presented guarantees: to us “Too as innocu- many knew, was reassurance that he could Mr. Kress was unperturbed. Dozens showedwhere symptoms every nontransgenic of disease, Dr. tree Mir- had was startingMr. Kress to clear. was unperturbed.ed. “We need to hear Dozens about the trans-Othersshowed voiced symptoms a general of disease, distrust Dr. of Mir-What theseRather growers than wait wtheanted trees for wouldDr. most, Mirkov’s pass he the E.P.A.’s 300 tests What these growers wanted most, he unintended consequences. In response, companies including Mc- thingssurvived were presented unscathed to us for as moreinnocu- than a ance.”years, He theylooked agreed out at the to tryaudience. to graft his ous and years later we discovered it of long-term animal feeding studies had kov’sshowed trees symptomswith the spinach of disease, gene Dr. had Mir-Donald’s,trees toRather concluded Frito-Layof flower, long-term andthan which Heinz that wait animal pledged could existing for Dr. feedinggenictake Mirkov’s solution,” G.M.O.’s several studies said 300 Ted were hadBatkin,scientists’ thekov’s as- trees guarantees: with the spinach “Too gene many hadknew, wastrees reassuranceto flower, whichwhen that they could hebloom couldtake next spring. several And he things were presented to us as innocu- helpknew, them was should reassurance the disease that he spread. could Mr. Kress was unperturbed. Dozens not to use G.M.O. ingredients in certain sociation’s director. But Mr.ous Kress and year.wor- years Mr. Kress later wewould discovered soon have it 300 of Whatspinach these gene growers shootswas gathering wtoanted mature the most, data trees the heAgriculture to was untrue,” wrote one woman. “After concluded that existing G.M.O.’s were survived unscathed for more than a years,as they safe agreed as other to crops, try ried to and that graft the he had his National nothing to calmthings theirsurvived were presented unscathed to forus as more innocu- thanhelp a themyears, should they the agreed Department disease to try would spread. to need graft to ensure his that ous and years later we discovered it But he had to warn them: “If we don’t of long-term animal feeding studies had kov’s trees with the spinach gene hadproducts,trees andconcluded someto flower, European thatwhich countries existing could take G.M.O.’s several were knew, was reassurance that he could two cancers I don’t feel like taking any help them should the disease spread. as safe as other crops, and the National year. Mr. Kress would soon have 300 of prohibitedspinachAcademy their gene cultivation. shoots of Sciences, to maturefears. the treesWorld to Healthwasous untrue,”them year. and planted Mr. yearswrote Kress laterin one awould field woman. we discoveredtrial.soon “After haveBut in 300 ittheBut of hehasten spinachhad to the warn gene production them:shootsthe trees “If to ofposed we maturepollen no don’t risk —totrees other and, plants.to was untrue,” wrote one woman. “After have consumer confidence, it doesn’t concluded that existing G.M.O.’s were survived unscathed for more than a years,as safe they as agreed other crops, to tryAnd and toan increasingly graftthe National his vocal movement KEEPING A THREAT IN CHECK In Southern Gardens’help groves, them trees shouldthat theWhen disease he had fruit, spread.the Food and Drug But he had to warn them: “If we don’t them planted in a field trial. But in the hastenSome ofOrganization Mr.the Kress’s production scientists and were of pollen others — had and, issuedtwo cancersspring I ofdon’t 2012, feel he like asked taking the any Environ- finally, their first fruit, for testing. moretwo cancersunnecessary I don’t risks.” feel like taking any matter what we come up with.” Academyas safe of as Sciences, other crops, the Worldand the Health National year. Mr. Kress would soon have 300 ofstill fumingspinachAcademy about whatgene they ofshoots saw Sciences, as the to tomature requirethe World any trees food Healthwith to geneticallywas themen- untrue,” plantedare infectedwrote in with a one field citrus woman. greeningtrial. But are “After marked, in havethe cutBut down consumerhasten he and had burned. the to confidence, warnproductionAdministration them: itof “If doesn’tpollen would we comparedon’t — and, its safe- have consumer confidence, it doesn’t spring of 2012, he asked the Environ- lostfinally, potentialstatements their for social first good fruit, to hijackedthe for same testing.gineered effect. ingredients more to carry unnecessarymental spring a Protection of 2012, risks.” he Agency, asked the the Environ- first of finally, their firstty fruit, and nutritional for testing. content to conven- moreMany unnecessary insisted that risks.” should the fruit be OrganizationAcademy of and Sciences, others the had World issued Health them planted in a field trial. But in theboth byhasten theOrganization activists the whoproduction opposed and ge- of others“G.M.O.” pollen label had — had and, made issued him uneasy.two cancers I don’t feel like taking anymatter what we come uptional with.” oranges. matter what we come up with.” three federal agencies that would15 evalu- have consumer confidence, it doesn’t approved, it ought to be labeled. mental Protection Agency, the first of netic engineeringBut andsome the corporations of his researchersSupporters ofworried one hotly Many contestedmental insisted Where Protection that Crops should Agency, the fruit the be first O ofRANGEES PRODUCED In his office is a list of groups to con- Many insisted that should the fruit be statements to the same effect. spring of 2012, he asked the Environ- finally,statements their first to fruit, the same for testing. effect. more unnecessary risks.” 5 Wall of Opposition Planting Organization and others had issued that failed to convince consumers of its California ballot initiative argued forate la- his trees, for guidance. The nextin 201matter11, in millions what of tons we. cometact up when with.” the first G.M.O. fruit in Flor- That morning, Mr. Kress drove to But some of his researchers worried three federal agencies that would evalu- thatBut the some popular of his association researchers between worriedapproved,Manythree it insistedought federalAre Thto agencies thatrbeeate labeled. shouldned that the would fruit evalu-be approved, it ought to be labeled. statements to the same effect. mental Protection Agency, the first ofbenefits.Wall In of many Opposition developing countries, beling as a matter of consumer rights PlantingWallEarly of one Opposition morningida are ready a year to pick: ago,environmental Mr. or- work late. He should not be surprised Planting ate his trees, for guidance. The next concerns aboutG.M.O.’s safety and and ownership Monsanto of and transparency — and in— but turn theirThat advertise-step morning, wasOnly safety in Mr.the last testing. Krdecadeess has And d citroverus he tofelt thatAreas known to be INFECTED ganizations, consumer advocates and One recent sunny morning, Mr. Kress that theBut popularsome of associationhis researchers between worried three federal agencies that would evalu- that the popular association betweenapproved,ate his it trees,ought to for be guidance. labeled. The next That morning, Mr. Kress drove to seeds Wallled betweengovernments of Opposition Monsantoto delay or pro- andments the often criticisms implied the of crops wereit could a notgreening be spreadstarted to the fast world’s enough. top BY CITPlantingRUUSKress GREENING ,checked with theothers. Agriculture Exactly what he Depart-would say when by the hostility, he told himself. drove to a fenced field, some distance G.M.O.’s and Monsanto — and in turn step was safety testing. And he felt that hibitEarly cultivationG.M.O.’s one of needed morning and crops: Monsanto Zam- a yearhazard: ago, — one and picturedMr. in a turn work child about That late.step to He morning,was orange-producin should safety Mr. nottesting.g countries be Kr ess surprised And, th he d rovehe felt to thatOne recentEarly sunny one morning, morninghe finally Mr. acontacted year Kress them, ago, he Mr. did not work late. He should not be surprised One recent sunny morning, Mr. Kress that the popular association between ate his trees, for guidance. The next seselectlected ment’s years of first Web site from home. The agency between Monsanto and the criticisms of it could not be started fast enough. bia,Kress for instance, modern checked declined agriculture the shipments Agriculture of —take could a joyful Depart- bite turn of a pest-resistant con-by the hostility, cobitDr. could Mirkov Unnot heited toldbeSta testarted assureds himself. and Braz ilfast. him enough. that thedroveobservata iontoKress. a fenced checked field, theknow. some Agriculture Whether distance anyone would Depart- drink the byMr. the Irey hostility, tried he to told console himself. him with fromdrove his to office a fenced and field,far from some any distance other G.M.O.’s and Monsanto — and in turn step was safety testing. And he felt thatG.M.O. cornEarlybetween even during one aMonsanto 2002 morning famine. and aof year corn, the on criticisms ago, which Mr. was emblazoned ofwork a late. He should not be surprised One recent sunnyjuice morning, from his geneticallyMr. Kress modified or- ment’ssumers Web site againstfrom home. Southern The agency Gardens’Mr. agency’s Irey tried requirements to console for him animal with tests had opened its 60-day public comment good news: the data on the honeybees citrus tree. He unlocked the gate and modernbetween agriculture Monsanto — and could the turn criticisms con- of Dr.it could Mirkov not be assured started himfast enough. that the ”It’sKress easymodern for checked someone agriculture who the can Agriculture go question — could mark Depart- turn and the con- captionby “Corn, theDr. hostility, Mirkov he told assured himself. him that from thedrove hisment’s officeto a Web fenced and site far field, anges,from from he home. some did any not know. other distanceThe agency Mr. Irey tried to console him with from his office and far from any other agency’s requirements for animal tests downhad to opened thetransgenic grocery itsstore 60-day andoranges. buy any- public engineered comment to grow its owngood pesticide.” news:toagency’s assess the thedatarequirements safety on the of honeybees the for proteinanimal pro-testscitrus period tree.had opened Heon the unlocked itstrees 60-dayBut modified the he had publicgate decided to and to commentproduce move ahead. andgood mice news: had the come data back. on the The honeybees highest signed in, as required by Agriculture sumers against Southern Gardens’ Dr. Mirkov assured him that thething ment’sthey needsumers toWeb be against site against G.M.O.’s,” from home. SouthernYet theThe gene agency that Gardens’ makes corn insect-Mr. Irey tried to console him with from his office and farLate from this summer any he other will plant sev- citrus tree. He unlocked the gate and modern agriculture — could turn con- duced byCACALCALIFORNAALIFORNIAALIFOR his gene, which bore no re- “Arctic apples” that did not brown. dose of the protein the E.P.A. wanted Department regulations for a field trial transgenic oranges. to assess the safety of the protein pro- saidperiod Dr. Jaynes, ontransgenic“The the who trees faced article suchoranges. modified barri-doesn’t resistant, to say produce he ‘Monsanto’ knew, came andfrom the mice sameto assess had 202 come12 the safetyback. The of the highest protein pro-signedIRAN period in, as on required the treeseral by hundredmodified Agriculture more youngto produce trees with the and mice had come back. The highest signed in, as required by Agriculture sumers against Southern Gardens’ agency’s requirements for animal tests had opened its 60-day public comment good news: the data on the honeybees 202000090909citrus tree. He unlocked the gate and duced by his gene, which bore no re- ers“Arctic with aanywhere, high-protein apples” sweetthat but potato did the nothe commentsbrown.soil bacterium long are used alldose by organic ofsemblanceduced the protein by his to theanything gene, E.P.A. which on wanted borethe list no Department ofre- “ArcticHis regulations own apples” application, thatspinach for did a gene, field nothe in brown. a trial newimagined, greenhouse. In testeddose had of the produced protein no the ill effect. E.P.A. wanted ofDepartment a genetically regulations modified crop. for a field trial “Thetransgenic article oranges. doesn’t say ‘Monsanto’ to assess the safety of the protein pro-had engineeredperiod“The withon athe synthetic article trees gene. doesn’tmodified food g sayrowers to produce‘Monsanto’ as a natural insecticide.and mice had comeFLORID A back. The highest signed in, as requiredtwo years, by if he Agriculture wins regulatory approv- semblance to anything on the list of ToHis Mr. aboutKress own in earlyMonsanto,” application, 2011, any com- Dr. he Mirkov Arguing imagined, that said. the Food testedand Drugknown hadAd-semblance produced allergens to 2005no anything ill and effect. toxins, on thewould list beof of a geneticallywouldHis take own modified a similar application,al, crop. they form. will be he ready imagined, to go into the testedBut the had magnitude produced no of ill the effect. opposition ofJust a genetically in the previousmodified crop. few months, anywhere, but the comments are all duced by his gene, which bore no re- “Arcticanywhere, apples” butthat did the not comments brown. are alldose of the protein the E.P.A. wanted DepartmentCHICHH NA regulations for a field trial “The article doesn’t say ‘Monsanto’ parison to Monsanto — whose large ministration should require labelsminimal. on He skimmed throughground. The the trees company’s could be the first to had never hit Mr. Kress so hard. “Will Whole Foods had said that because of about Monsanto,” Dr. Mirkov said. known allergens and toxins, would be blockswould of take patentsIt a had similar he had not to form. helped work food win containing hearts G.M.O.’s, and oneBut leader theknown of magnitude allergens of and the opposition toxins, YEMENYEM wouldM beJust would in theLaa tettakee 1800s previous a similarproduce few form. juice months,for sale in five years or so. But the magnitude of the opposition Just in the previous few months, anywhere, but the comments are all semblance to anything on the list of Hisabout own Monsanto,” application, Dr. Mirkov he imagined, said. tested had produced no ill effect. 199855 of a genetically modified crop. minimal. around,He and skimmedminds whose for thousands G.M.O.’s, through of em- theMr.the company’sKress Environmental knew, Working thathad Group, neverminimal. an“It’s hit spinach,” Mr. Kress he so insisted. hard. “Will “It’s beenWholeINDIAA FoodsHe skimmed had said through thatWhether because it the is his company’s transgenic of tree, or had never hit Mr. Kress so hard. “Will customerWhole Foods demand had it said would that avoid because stock- of Itabout had Monsanto,” not helped Dr. win Mirkov hearts said. and known allergens and toxins, would beployeeswould worldwideIt take had dwarfed a similar not the 750 helped heform.advocacy win group, hearts cited and “pink slime,But the magnitude of the opposition 1960s Just in the previoussomeone else’s,few he months, believed, Florida “It’s spinach,” he insisted. “It’s been the first such crop widely adopted by eaten for centuries.” ing most G.M.O. foods and require la- mindsIt for had G.M.O.’s, not helpedMr. Kress win knew, hearts that and minimal. employedHe inminds Florida skimmed for at peakG.M.O.’s, through harvest Mr.deadly the Kress melons, company’s knew, tainted turkeys that hadand BPA never“It’s spinach,” hit Mr. Kress he insisted. so hard. “It’s “Will beencustomerWhole demand Foods had it would saidgrowers thatavoid will soon because stock- have trees of that could customer demand it would avoid stock- eaten for centuries.” times — farmers seemed far-fetched. was the If it wassoybeanin our soup.”engineered by Other concerns weighed on Mr. Kress INDONESIA produce juice without fear of its being bels on them by 2018. Hundreds of thou- the first such crop widely adopted by “It’s spinach,” he insisted. “It’s been the first such crop widely adopted by eaten for centuries.” ing most1940 G.M.O.s foods sour, and or in require short supply. la- ing most G.M.O. foods and require la- minds for G.M.O.’s, Mr. Kress knew, that successful, Southern Gardens would Mr. Kress attributed the labelingthat spring: growers in Florida did not customer demand it would avoid stock- farmers was the soybean engineered by Other concerns weighed on Mr. Kress hope to recoupMonsantofarmers its investment was with by the charg-a bacteriasoybeancampaigns gene engineered to the — kind to oftol- tacticby any in-Other concerns weighed on Mr. Kressbels on them by 2018. HundredsFor a moment, of thou- alone in the field, he sandsbels on of them protesters by 2018. around Hundreds the of world thou- the first such crop widely adopted by eaten for centuries.” BRAZIL ing most G.M.O. foods and require la- that spring: growers in Florida did not ing a royaltyerate for its a trees.weed But killer its busi- Monsantodustry might also use to made. gain a competitive like to talk about it, but the industry’ssands of protesters aroundlet his mind the wander. world had joined in a “March Against Mon- Monsantofarmers with was a the bacteria soybean gene engineered — to tol- by Other concerns weighed on Mr. Kressness strategyMonsanto was aimed at with saving a the bacteriaedge: they gene were — financed to tol- largely that by spring: growers2004 in Florida SOUTHdid AFRICAnotbels on them by 2018. “MaybeHundreds we can use of thethou- technology to sands of protesters around the world orange crop, Startingwhose total acreage in thewas a mid-1990s,companies that soybean sell organic products,tripling of pesticide applications 19 to37 kill improve orange juice,” he could not help santo” — and the Agriculture Depart- erateMonsanto a weed killer with Monsantoa bacteria alsogene made. — to tol-likethat to talk spring: about g rowers it, but in the Florida industry’s did not erate a weed killer Monsanto also made. like to talk about it, but the industry’shadsands joined of in protesters a “March around Against the Mon- world had joined in a “March Against Mon- tiny fractionfarmers of the crops inthe major the bio- Unitedwhich stood States to gain over- if packagingthe im- bacteria-carrying psyllid was, while thinking. “Maybe we can find a way to ment had issued its final report for this Startingerate a weed in the killer mid-1990s, Monsanto soybean also made. triplinglike to of talk pesticide about applications it, but the industry’s to kill technology companiesStarting had pursued. in the mid-1990s,plying a hazard soybean drove customerstripling to of pesticide applications to santo” killhad — joined and thein a Agriculture “Marchhave oranges Against Depart- grow year-round, Mon- or get santo” — and the Agriculture Depart- the bacteria-carrying psyllid was, while He urgedwhelmingly his worried researchers adopted to thattheir ownvariety non-G.M.O. of alternatives.the within the He bacteria-carrying legal limits, becoming psyllid expensive was, whilement had issued its finaltwo report for every onefor we this get now on a tree.” year’sment orangehad issued harvest its final showing report a for9 per- this farmersStarting in the in United the mid-1990s, States over- soybean tripling of pesticide applications to killlook at the farmersearly success of in Flavr the Savr Uniteddid not aim States to hide anything over- from con- ProductionProductionn numbersumbers forforB Brazilrazil and thetheU Unitednited StaStatestes areares shownhownb byys statetate.santo” All otothershersa arere shoshown —wn byand coucountry.ntry the AgricultureThen he reined in Depart-those thoughts. within legal limits, becoming expensive tomatoes.crop, Introduced which in 1994 made and engi- it easier for them to and worrisome. One widely used pesti-year’s orange harvest showing a 9 percent decline from last year, attributable whelminglyfarmers adopted in the that United variety States of the over- the bacteria-carrying psyllid was, while whelmingly adoptedsumers, that butvariety he would of want the them to withinun- legalSources: U.N.limits, Food and A gbecomingriculture Organization, expensiveU.S. Department of Agriculturement, had issued its finalHe took report the clipboard for this down, signed year’s orange harvest showing a 9 per- neered to stay fresh longer than tradi- derstand how and why his oranges cidewere had Brazilianstopped Institute of workingGeography and Statistics, as theacademic psyllid papers THE NEW YORK TIMES out and locked the gate. to citrus greening. crop, which made it easier for them to andwithin worrisome. legal limits,One widely becoming used expensive pesti- controlcrop, which weeds. made But it easier the subsequent for them to and worrisome. One widely used pesti-centyear’s decline orange from harvestlast year, showing attributable a 9 percent decline from last year, attributable whelmingly adopted that variety of the evolved resistance, and Florida’s citrus But visiting the field gave him some control weeds. But the subsequent cideand had worrisome. stopped working One widely as the used psyllid pesti- broadercontrol use weeds. of the But chemical the subsequent — along cide had stopped working as the psyllidto citruscent declinegreening. from last year, attributable to citrus greening. crop, which made it easier for them to growers’ association was petitioning peace. In some rows were the trees with broader use of the chemical — along evolvedcide hadresistance, stopped and working Florida’s as the citrus psyllid withbroader a distaste use of for the Monsanto’s chemical —aggres- along evolved resistance, and Florida’s citrusButto citrus visiting greening. the field gave him some But visiting the field gave him some control weeds. But the subsequent sive business tactics and a growing sus- one company to lift the twice-a-season no new gene in them, sick with green- with a distaste for Monsanto’s aggres- growerevolveds’ association resistance, wasand Florida’s petitioning citrus with a distaste for Monsanto’s aggres- growers’ association was petitioningpeace.But In some visiting rows the were field the gave trees him with some peace. In some rows were the trees with broader use of the chemical — along picion of a food system driven by corpo- restrictions on spraying young trees — ing. In others were the 300 juvenile sive business tactics and a growing sus- onegrower companys’ association to lift the twice-a-season was petitioning sive business tactics and a growing sus- one company to lift the twice-a-seasonno newpeace. gene In some in them, rows sick were with the green-trees with no new gene in them, sick with green- with a distaste for Monsanto’s aggres- rate profits — combined to forge a con- increasingly its only hope for an unin- trees with spinach genes, all healthy. In picion of a food system driven by corpo- restrictionsone company on spraying to lift theyoung twice-a-season trees — picion of a food system driven by corpo- restrictions on spraying young treesing. —no In new others gene were in them, the sick 300 with juvenile greening. In others were the 300 juvenile sive business tactics and a growing sus- sumer backlash. Environmental activ- fected harvest. the middle were the trees that carried rate profits — combined to forge a con- increasinglyrestrictions its on only spraying hope for young an unin-trees — rate profits — combined to forge a con- increasingly its only hope for an unin-treesing. with In spinach others genes, were all the healthy. 300 juvenile In trees with spinach genes, all healthy. In picion of a food system driven by corpo- ists vandalized dozens of field trials and Others in the industry who knew of his immediate hopes: 15 mature Ham- sumer backlash. Environmental activ- fectedincreasingly harvest. its only hope for an unin- sumer backlash. Environmental activ- fected harvest. the trees middle with were spinach the trees genes, that all carriedhealthy. In the middle were the trees that carried rate profits — combined to forge a con- protested brands that used Monsanto’s Mr. Kress’s project were turning to him. lins and Valencias, seven feet tall, onto ists vandalized dozens of field trials and Othersfected inharvest. the industry who knew of ists vandalized dozens of field trials and Others in the industry who knewhis of the immediate middle werehopes: the 15 trees mature that Ham- carried his immediate hopes: 15 mature Ham- sumer backlash. Environmental activ- soybeans or corn, introduced soon after, He agreed to speak at the fall meeting of which had been grafted shoots of Dr. protested brands that used Monsanto’s Mr. Kress’sOthers project in the were industry turning who to knewhim. of protested brands that used Monsanto’s Mr. Kress’s project were turning to him.lins hisand immediate Valencias, hopes:seven feet 15 mature tall, onto Ham- lins and Valencias, seven feet tall, onto ists vandalized dozens of field trials and which was engineered to prevent pests citrus growers in California, where the Mirkov’s spinach gene trees. soybeans or corn, introduced soon after, He agreedMr. Kress’s to speak project at the were fall turning meeting to of him. soybeans or corn, introduced soon after, He agreed to speak at the fall meetingwhich oflins hadand beenValencias, grafted seven shoots feet oftall, Dr. onto which had been grafted shoots of Dr. protested brands that used Monsanto’s from attacking it. greening disease had just been detect- There was good reason to believe that whichsoybeans was engineered or corn, introduced to prevent soon pests after,citrusHe gagreedrowers to in speak California, at the fall where meeting the of which was engineered to prevent pests citrus growers in California, where Mirkov’s thewhich spinach had been gene grafted trees. shoots of Dr. Mirkov’s spinach gene trees. In response, companies including Mc- ed. “We need to hear about the trans- the trees would pass the E.P.A.’s tests fromwhich attacking was engineeredit. to prevent pestsgreeningcitrus disease growers had in California, just been detect- where the from attacking it. greening disease had just been detect-ThereMirkov’s was spinachgood reason gene to trees. believe that There was good reason to believe that Donald’s, Frito-Lay and Heinz pledged genic solution,” said Ted Batkin, the as- when they bloom next spring. And he Infrom response, attacking companies it. including Mc- ed. greening “We need disease to hear had about just the been trans- detect- In response, companies including Mc- ed. “We need to hear about the trans-the treesThere would was good pass reason the E.P.A.’s to believe tests that the trees would pass the E.P.A.’s tests not to use G.M.O. ingredients in certain sociation’s director. But Mr. Kress wor- was gathering the data the Agriculture Donald’s, Frito-Lay and Heinz pledged geniced. solution,” “We need said to Ted hear Batkin, about the the as- trans- Donald’s, Frito-Lay and Heinz pledged genic solution,” said Ted Batkin, thewhen as-the they trees bloom would next pass spring. the E.P.A.’s And he tests when they bloom next spring. And he In response, companies including Mc- products, and some European countries ried that he had nothing to calm their Department would need to ensure that not to use G.M.O. ingredients in certain sociation’sgenic solution,” director. saidBut TedMr. Batkin,Kress wor- the as- not to use G.M.O. ingredients in certain sociation’s director. But Mr. Kress wor-waswhen gathering they the bloom data next the spring.Agriculture And he was gathering the data the Agriculture Donald’s, Frito-Lay and Heinz pledged prohibited their cultivation. fears. the trees posed no risk to other plants. products,not to anduse G.M.O.some European ingredients countries in certainriedsociation’s that he had director. nothing But to Mr. calm Kress their wor- products, and some European countries ried that he had nothing to calm theirDepartmentwas gathering would the need data to theensure Agriculture that Department would need to ensure that Some of Mr. Kress’s scientists were And an increasingly vocal movement KEEPING A THREAT IN CHECK In Southern Gardens’ groves, trees that When he had fruit, the Food and Drug prohibitedproducts, their and cultivation. some European countriesfears.ried that he had nothing to calm their prohibited their cultivation. fears. the Departmenttrees posed nowould risk need to other to ensure plants. that the trees posed no risk to other plants. still fuming about what they saw as the to require any food with genetically en- are infected with citrus greening are marked, cut down and burned. Administration would compare its safe- Someprohibited of Mr. their Kress’s cultivation. scientists were Andfears. an increasingly vocal movement KEEPINGSome A ofTHREAT Mr. Kress’s IN CHECK scientistsIn Southern were Gardens’And an groves, increasingly trees vocalthat movementWhenthe hetrees hadKEEPING posed fruit, no theA THREATrisk Food to andother IN CHECK Drug plants.In Southern Gardens’ groves, trees that When he had fruit, the Food and Drug lost potential for social good hijacked gineered ingredients to carry a ty and nutritional content to conven- still fuming about what they saw as the to requireAnd anyan increasingly food with genetically vocal movement en- arestill KEEPINGinfected fuming Awith aboutTHREAT citrus what IN greening CHECKthey sawIn areasSouthern the marked,to Gardens’ require cut down any groves, and food burned. with trees genetically that Administrationen-When heare had infectedwould fruit, compare the with Food citrus its and safe- greening Drug are marked, cut down and burned. Administration would compare its safe- Some of Mr. Kress’s scientists were both by the activists who opposed ge- “G.M.O.” label had made him uneasy. tional oranges. lost potential for social good hijacked gineered ingredients to carry a lost potential for social good hijacked gineered ingredients to carry ty a andAdministration nutritional would content compare to conven- its safe- 15 ty and nutritional content to conven- still fuming about what they saw as the to require any food with genetically en- are infected with citrus greening are marked, cut down and burned. Where Crops ORANGEES PRODUCED In his office is a list of groups to con- both by the activists who opposed ge- “G.M.O.” label had made him uneasy. neticboth engineering by the activists and the who corporations opposed ge- “G.M.O.”Supporters label of had one made hotly him contesteduneasy.tional oranges. 5 tional oranges. lost potential for social good hijacked gineered ingredients to carry a 15 ty and nutritional content to conven- 15 in 20111, in millions of tons. Supporters of one hotly contested Wherethat failed Crops to convince consumers of its CaliforniaORANGEES ballotPRODU initiativeCED argued for la-In his officeWhere is a list Cropsof groups to con- ORANGEES PRODUCED tactIn when his office the first is a G.M.O.list of groups fruit in to Flor- con- neticboth engineering by the activists and the who corporations opposed ge- “G.M.O.” label had made him uneasy. netic engineering and the corporations5 Supporters of one hotly contestedtional oranges.Are Threatened 5 benefits. In many developing countries,15 belingin 201 as11, ain matter millions of o f consumertons. rights in 20111, in millions of tons. ida are ready to pick: environmental or- thatnetic failed engineering to convince and consumers the corporations of its CaliforniaSupporters ballot initiative of one argued hotly contestedfor la- ArthateWhereTh failedreate toCrops convincened consumers of its CaliforniaORANGE ballotES PRO initiativeDUCED argued fortact la- whenIn his the Aofficer firste Th is G.M.O. ar eatelist of fruit ngroupsed in Flor- to contact when the first G.M.O. fruit in Flor- concerns about safety and ownership of5 and transparency — but their advertise- Only in the last decade has citrus Areas known to be INFECTED ganizations, consumer advocates and benefits. In many developing countries, belingCalifornia as a matter ballot ofinitiative consumer argued rights for la- benefits. In many developing countries, belingin 201 as a11, matter in millions of consumerof tons. rightsida tactare readywhen tothe pick: first environmental G.M.O. fruit in or- Flor- ida are ready to pick: environmental orthat failed to convince consumers of its seedsAre ledTh governmentsreatened to delay or pro- ments often implied the crops were a greening spread to the world’s top others. Exactly what he would say when concerns about safety and ownership of andbeling transparency as a matter — but of their consumer advertise- rights Onlyconcerns in the last about decade safety has and cit rownershipus of andAre atransparencys known to be — INFE butC TEtheirD advertise-ganizations,ida are readyOnly consumer in to the pick: last advocates environmental decade has and cit or-rus BYAre CITaRUs USknown GREEN toIN bGe, withINFECTED ganizations, consumer advocates and benefits. In many developing countries, hibit cultivation of needed crops: Zam- hazard: one pictured a child about to orange-producing countries , th he he finally contacted them, he did not seeds led governments to delay or pro- mentsand oftentransparency implied — the but crops their wereadvertise- a greeningseedsOnly inledspread the governments last to decadethe world’s hasto delayt citopr us or pro- mentsBY CIT RU oftenUS GREEN impliedING, with the crops wereothers. aganizations, Exactlygreening what consumer spreadhe would to advocates thesay world’swhen and top seselectBYle CITcteRUdUS years GREEN of I Nfirst G, with others. Exactly what he would say when concerns about safety and ownership of bia, for instance, declined shipments of take aAre joyfulas k nownbite of to a b pest-resistante INFECTED cob United States and Brazil. know. Whether anyone would drink the hibit cultivation of needed crops: Zam- hazard:ments one often pictured implied a childthe crops about were to a orange-producinhibitgreening cultivation spreadg countries ofto neededthe world’s, th he crops: top Zam- hazard:seselectlecte done years pictured of first a child abouthe to finallyothers. Exactly contactedorange-producin what them, he wouldg hecountries did say not when, th he oseselectbservlectataedion years. of first he finally contacted them, he did not seeds led governments to delay or pro- G.M.O. corn even during a 2002 famine. of corn,BY CIT onRU US which GREEN wasING, with emblazoned a juice from his genetically modified or- bia,hibit for instance, cultivation declined of needed shipments crops: ofZam-takehazard: a joyful onebite pictured of a pest-resistant a child about cob to Unbia,itorange-producined forSta teinstance,s and Br gazdeclined countries il. shipments, th he of takeobserv a joyfulata ion. bite of a pest-resistant cobknow.he Whether finallyUn it contacted edanyoneState swould an them,d Br drink az heil . didthe not observata ion. know. Whether anyone would drink the ”It’s easy for someone who can go questionseselectle ct marked years and of the first caption “Corn, anges, he did not know. G.M.O.bia, cornfor instance, even during declined a 2002 shipments famine. ofof corn,take a on joyful which bite was of a emblazonedpest-resistant a cob G.M.O.United cornState evens and during Brazil. a 2002 famine. of corn, on which was emblazonedjuice aknow. from Whether his genetically anyone modifiedwould drink or- the juice from his genetically modified or- down to the grocery store and buy any- engineeredobserv toata iongrow. its own pesticide.” But he had decided to move ahead. ”It’sG.M.O. easy corn for even someone during who a 2002 can famine. go questionof corn, mark on and which the was caption emblazoned “Corn, a ”It’s easy for someone who can go question mark and the caption “Corn,anges,juice he fromdid not his know. genetically modified oranges, he did not know. thing they need to be against G.M.O.’s,” Yet the gene that makes corn insect- Late this summer he will plant sev- down ”It’sto the easy grocery for store someone and buy who any- can goengineeredquestion to mark grow andits own the pesticide.” caption “Corn, down to the grocery store and buy any- engineered to grow its own pesticide.” Butanges, he had heCACALCALIFORNAALIFORNIAALIFOR diddecided not know. to move ahead. But he had decided to move ahead. said Dr. Jaynes, who faced such barri- resistant, he knew, came from the same 202 12 IRAN eral hundred more young trees with the thing they need to be against G.M.O.’s,” Yetengineered the gene tothat grow makes its own corn pesticide.” insect- CACALCALIFORNAALIFORNIAALIFORthing they need to be against G.M.O.’s,” Yet the gene that makes corn insect-LateBut this he CACALCALIFORN summerhadAALIFORNIAALIFOR decided he willto move plant ahead. sev- Late this summer he will plant sev- down to the grocery store and buy any- ers with a high-protein sweet potato he soil bacterium long used by organic 202000090909 spinach gene, in a new greenhouse. In said Dr. Jaynes, who faced such barri- resistant,Yet thehe knew, gene camethat makes from the corn same insect- 202 said12 Dr. Jaynes, who faced such barri- resistant,IRAN he knew, came from the sameeral hundredLate this202 more12 summer young hetrees will with plant the sev- IRAN eral hundred more young trees with the thing they need to be against G.M.O.’s,” hadCACALCALIFORNAALIFORNIAALIFOR engineered with a synthetic gene. food growers as a natural insecticide. two years, if he wins regulatory approv- ers with a high-protein sweet potato he soil bacterium long used by organic ers with a high-protein sweet potato he soil20200009090 IRAN9 bacterium long used by organicspinach gene, in a newFLORID greenhouse.A In 202000090909 spinach gene, in a new greenhouse. In said Dr. Jaynes, who faced such barri- resistant, he knew, came from the same 202 12 eral hundred more young trees with the al, they will be ready to go into the had engineered with a synthetic gene. food growers as a natural insecticide. hadTo engineeredMr.FLO KressRIDA inwith early a synthetic 2011, any gene. com- foodArguing20200 g009rowers0909 that as the a natural Food and insecticide. Drug Ad-two years, if he wins2005 regulatory approv- two years, if he wins regulatory approv- ers with a high-protein sweet potato he soil bacterium long used by organic spinach gene, in FLO a newRIDA greenhouse. In CHICHH NA To Mr. Kress in early 2011, any com- Arguing that the Food and Drug Ad- parison 2005 to Monsanto — whose large ministration should require labels onal, they will be ready to go into the ground.al, they The will trees be ready could beto thego into first theto had engineered with a synthetic gene. food growers as a natural insecticide. To Mr. KressFLORID inA early 2011, any com- Arguing that the Food and Drug Ad-two years, if he wins2005 regulatory approv- YEMENYEMM Laatete 1800s blocks of patents he had to work food containing G.M.O.’s,CHICHH NA one leader ground. of The trees could be the first to CHICHH NA produce juice for sale in five years or so. parisonTo toMr. Monsanto Kress in early — whose 2011, any large com-ministrationArguing should that the require Food and labels Drug on Ad- parison to2005 Monsanto — whose large ministration should require labels onal, they will be ready to go into the 199855 ground. The trees could be the first to around, and whose thousands ofYEMENYEM M em- the EnvironmentalLa Workingatete 1800s Group, an YEMENYEMM INDIAA Laatete 1800s Whether it is his transgenic tree, or blocksparison of patents to Monsanto he had — whose to work largefood containing G.M.O.’s, one leader of blocks of patents he had to work food containing G.M.O.’s,CHICHH NA one leaderproduce ofground. juice The for treessale in could five years be the or firstso. to produce juice for sale in five years or so. ministration should require labels on ployees worldwide dwarfed the 750199 85 he5 advocacy group, cited “pink slime, 199855 1960s someone else’s, he believed, Florida around,blocks and of whose patents thousands he had of to em- workthe food Environmental containing WorkingG.M.O.’s, Group, one leader an of around, and whose thousands of YEMENYEM em-M theIND EnvironmentalIAA WorkingLaatete 1800s Group, anWhetherproduce itjuice is hisfor transgenicsale in five years tree, or so. INDIAA Whether it is his transgenic tree, or employed in Florida at peak harvest199855 deadly melons, tainted turkeys and BPA growers will soon have trees that could ployeesaround, worldwide and whose dwarfed thousands the 750 of he em-advocacythe Environmental group, cited Working “pink Group, slime, an ployees worldwide dwarfed the 750 he advocacy1960INDs IA A group, cited “pink slime,someoneWhether else’s, it is he his believed, transgenic Florida tree, or 1960s someone else’s, he believed, Florida times — seemed far-fetched. If it was in our soup.” INDONESIA produce juice without fear of its being employedployees in worldwide Florida at dwarfed peak harvest the 750 hedeadlyadvocacy melons, group,tainted turkeys cited “pink and BPA slime, employed in Florida at peak harvest deadly1960 melons,s tainted turkeys and BPAgrowerssomeone will soon else’s, have he tr believed,ees that could Florida growers will soon have trees that could successful, Southern Gardens would Mr. Kress attributed the labeling 1940s sour, or in short supply. timesemployed — seemed in Florida far-fetched. at peak If it harvestwas in ourdeadly soup.” melons, tainted turkeys and BPA times — seemed far-fetched. If it was in our soup.”INDONESIA producegrowers juice will without soon h fearave tr ofees its that being could INDONESIA produce juice without fear of its being hope to recoup its investment by charg- campaigns to the kind of tactic any in- For a moment, alone in the field, he successful,times — Southern seemed far-fetched. Gardens would If it was Mr.in our Kress soup.” attributed the labeling successful, Southern Gardens would Mr. Kress19IND 40ONE attributeds SIA the labelingsour,produce or in short juice supply. without fear of its being 1940s sour, or in short supply. ing a royalty for its trees. But its busi- dustry might use to gain a competitive BRAZIL let his mind wander. hopesuccessful, to recoup its Southern investment Gardens by charg- wouldcampaignsMr. Kressto the kind attributed of tactic the any labeling in- hope to recoup its investment by charg- campaigns to the1940 kinds of tactic any in-Forsour, a moment,or in short alone supply. in the field, he For a moment, alone in the field, he ness strategy wasBRA aimedZIL at saving the edge: they were financed largely by 2004 SOUTH AFRICA “Maybe we can use the technology to ing hopea royalty to recoup for its its trees. investment But its by busi- charg-dustrycampaigns might use to theto gain kind a of competitive tactic any in- ing a royalty for its trees. But its busi- dustry might use to gain a competitivelet hisFor mind a wander. moment, alone inBRA theZIL field, he let his mind wander. orange crop, whose2004 total acreage wasSOUTH a companiesAFRICA that sell organic products, 2004 1937 improve orange juice,” he could not help nessing strategy a royalty was for aimed its trees. at saving But its the busi-edge:dustry they might were use financed to gain largelya competitive by ness strategy was BRA aimedZIL at saving the edge: they were financed largely by“Maybelet his mind we can wander. use the technology to SOUTH AFRICA “Maybe we can use the technology to tiny fraction of the crops the major bio-1937 which stood to gain if packaging im- 1937 thinking. “Maybe we can find a way to orangeness crop, strategy whose was total aimed acreage at saving was a thecompanies that sell organic products, orange crop, whose20 total04 acreage was aSOUTHcompanies AFRICA that sell organic products,improve“Maybe orange we juice,” can use he couldthe technology not help to improve orange juice,” he could not help edge: they were financed largely by technology companies had pursued. plying a hazard drove customers to have oranges grow year-round, or get tinyorange fraction crop, of the whose crops total the acreagemajor bio- was awhich stood to gain if packaging im- tiny fraction of the crops the major bio-1937which stood to gain if packaging thinking. im-improve “Maybe orange we juice,” can findhe could a way not to help thinking. “Maybe we can find a way to companies that sell organic products, He urged his worried researchers to their own non-G.M.O. alternatives. He two for every one we get now on a tree.” technologytiny fraction companies of the hadcrops pursued. the major bio-plying a hazard drove customers to technology companies had pursued. plying a hazard drove customershave tothinking. oranges “Maybe grow year-round, we can find or a way get to have oranges grow year-round, or get which stood to gain if packaging im- look at the early success of Flavr Savr did not aim to hide anything from con- ProductionProductionn numbersumbers forforB Brazilrazil and thetheU Unitednited StaStatestes areares shownhownb byys statetate. All otothershersa arere shoshownwn by coucountry.ntry Then he reined in those thoughts. Hetechnology urged his companies worried researchers had pursued. to theirplying own non-G.M.O. a hazard d alternatives.rove customers He to He urged his worried researchers to their own non-G.M.O. alternatives. two Hehave for every oranges one we grow get year-round,now on a tree.” or get two for every one we get now on a tree.” ProductionProtomatoes.ductionn numbersumb Introduceders forforB Brazilrazil and in theth eU 1994 Unitednited and StaStatestes engi- areares shownhownb sumers,byys statetate. All butotothersher hesa arere would shoshownwn by want coucountry.ntr themy to un- Sources: U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, U.S. Department of Agriculture, He took the clipboard down, signed look atHe the urged early his success worried of researchersFlavr Savr todid theirnot aim own to non-G.M.O.hide anything alternatives. from con- He look at the early success of Flavr Savr did not aim to hide anything from con-Thentwo forhe reinedeveryProductionProduc tio oneinnn numbersthoseumb weers get thoughts. forfo rBnow Brazilrazil onand a theth tree.”eU Unitednited StaStatestes areares shownhownb byys statetate. All otothershersa arere shoshownwn by coucountry.ntry Then he reined in those thoughts. neered to stay fresh longer than tradi- derstand how and why his oranges were Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, academic papers THE NEW YORK TIMES out and locked the gate. tomatoes.look at Introducedthe early success in 1994 of and Flavr engi- Savrsumers,did not but aim he wouldto hide want anything them fromto un- con- Sources:tomatoes.ProductionProduc U.N.tio nnFood numbers umb Introduced anders A gforforiculturerB Brazilrazil inandOr g 1994anization,thetheU United nit anded U.S. StaStates engi- tesDepartment areares shownhowsumers, nbof by Aysg statericulturetate .but All, otothers heher sawould arere shoshownwn want by coucountry. themntry to un-He Then took he theSources: reined clipboard U.N. in Food those and down, Athoughts.griculture signed Org anization, U.S. Department of Agriculture, He took the clipboard down, signed Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, academic papers THE NEW YORK TIMES Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, academic papers neeredtomatoes. to stay Introduced fresh longer in 1994than and tradi- engi-derstandsumers, how but and he why would his wantoranges them were to un- neeredSources: toU.N. stay Food and fresh Agriculture longer Or g thananization, tradi- U.S. Departmentderstand of Agriculture how and, why his oranges wereout andHe locked took the the gate. clipboard down, signed THE NEW YORK TIMES out and locked the gate. neered to stay fresh longer than tradi- derstand how and why his oranges were Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, academic papers THE NEW YORK TIMES out and locked the gate. the first of three federal agencies that would Others in the industry who knew of Mr. evaluate his trees, for guidance. The next step Kress’s project were turning to him. He agreed was safety testing. And he felt that it could not to speak at the fall meeting of citrus growers be started fast enough. in California, where the greening disease had C M Y K Dr. MirkovNxxx,2013-07-28,A,017,Bs-4C,E1 assured him that the agency’s just been detected. “We need to hear about the requirements for animal tests to assess the safe- transgenic solution,” said Ted Batkin, the asso- ty of the protein produced by his gene, which ciation’s director. But Mr. Kress worried that he

bore no resemblance toTHE anything NEW YORK on TIMESthe list NATIONAL of had nothingSUNDAY, to JULY calm 28, their 2013 fears. N 17 known allergens and toxins, would be minimal. And an increasingly vocal movement to re- “It’s spinach,” he insisted. “It’s been eaten quire any food with genetically engineered in- for centuries.” gredients to carry a “G.M.O.” label had made Other concerns weighed on Mr. Kress that him uneasy. spring: growers in Florida did not like to talk Supporters of one hotly contested Califor- about it, but the industry’s tripling of pesticide nia ballot initiative argued for labeling as a mat- applications to kill the bacteria-carrying psyllid ter of consumer rights and transparency — but was, while within legal limits, becoming expen- their advertisements often implied the crops sive and worrisome. One widely used pesticide were a hazard: one pictured a child about to had stopped working as the psyllid evolved take a joyful bite of a pest-resistant cob of corn, resistance, and Florida’s citrus growers’ asso- on which was emblazoned a question mark and ciation was petitioning one company to lift the the caption “Corn, engineered to grow its own FIELD TEST Shoots grown in a laboratorytwice-a-season to resist restrictions the disease citruson spraying greening youngare grafted pesticide.” onto normal orange trees in a test plot. The shoots are endowed with a gene from spinach that produces a proteintrees that —attacks increasingly invading bacteria.its only Floridahope for growers an unin turned- to transgenicYet the treesgene after that citrus makes greening corn beganinsect-resis infecting- millions of orange trees. fected harvest. tant, he knew, came from the same soil bacte- trees, the one that appeared effective they believe us?” he asked himself for came from a pig. the first time. “Will they believe we’re One of about 30,000 genes in the ani- doing this to eliminate chemicals and mal’s genetic code, it was, he ventured, we’re making sure it’s safe? Or will “a pretty small amount of pig.” they look at us and say, ‘That’s what “There’s no safety issue from our they all say?’” standpoint — but there is a certain The major brands were rumored to be creep factor,” an Environmental Protec- looking beyond Florida for their orange tion Agency official observed to Mr. juice — perhaps to Brazil, where grow- Kress, who had included it on an early ers had taken to abandoning infected list of possibilities to run by the agency. groves to plant elsewhere. Other experi- “At least something is working,” Mr. ments that Mr. Kress viewed as similar Kress bristled. “It’s a proof of concept.” to his own had foundered. Pigs engi- A similar caution dimmed his hopes neered to produce less-polluting waste for the timely approval of a synthetic had been euthanized after their devel- gene, designed in the laboratory of a oper at a Canadian university had failed fourth scientist, Jesse Jaynes of Tuske- to find investors. A salmon modified to gee University. In a simulation, Dr. Jay- grow faster was still awaiting F.D.A. ap- nes’s gene consistently vanquished the proval. A study pointing to health risks greening bacteria. But the burden of from G.M.O.’s had been discredited by proving a synthetic gene’s safety would scientists, but was contributing to a prolong the process. “You’re going to sense among some consumers that the get more questions,” Mr. Kress was told, technology is dangerous. “with a gene not found in nature.” And while the California labeling And in the fall of 2010, an onion gene measure had been defeated, it had that discouraged psyllids from landing spawned a ballot initiative in Washing- on tomato plants was working in the ton State and legislative proposals in Cornell laboratory of Mr. Kress’s final Connecticut, Missouri, New Mexico, hope, Herb Aldwinckle. But it would be Vermont and many other states. some time before the gene could be In the heat of last summer, Mr. Kress transferred to orange trees. PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES gardened more savagely than his wife Only Dr. Mirkov’s newly fine-tuned had ever seen. trees with the spinach gene, Mr. Kress “The consumer will support us if it’s the only way.” Driving through the Central Valley of and Mr. Irey agreed, could be ready in California last October to speak at the RICKE KRESS, the president of Southern Gardens Citrus, who believes that the time to stave off what many believed California Citrus Growers meeting, Mr. would soon be a steep decline in the har- only way to save Florida’s entire citrus crop is to alter the orange trees’ DNA Kress considered how to answer critics. vest. In the fall of 2010, they were put to Maybe even a blanket “G.M.O.” label the test inside a padlocked greenhouse would be O.K., he thought, if it would stocked with infected trees and psyllids. tional varieties, they proved popular help consumers understand that he had enough that some stores rationed them, genetically engineered. What bothered 163-page petition, showing how the ap- nothing to hide. He could never prove him was that a label seemed to lump all ples are equivalent in nutritional con- The Monsanto Effect before business missteps by their devel- that there were no risks to genetically oper ended their production. G.M.O.’s into one stigmatized category. tent to normal apples, how remote was modifying a crop. But he could try to ex- Mr. Kress’s only direct brush so far And he was no longer alone in the And when the E.P.A. informed him in the likelihood of cross-pollination with plain the risks of not doing so. with the broader battle raging over ge- pursuit of a genetically modified or- June 2012 that it would need to see test other apple varieties and the potentially Southern Gardens had lost 700,000 netically modified food came in Decem- ange. Citrus growers were collectively results for how large quantities of spin- bigger market for a healthful fruit. trees trying to control the disease, more ber 2010, in the reader comments on a financing research into a greening-reach protein affected honeybees and Then he turned to the comments. than a quarter of its total. The forecast Reuters article alluding to Southern sistant tree, and the Agriculture De- mice, he gladly wrote out the $300,000 There were hundreds. And they were al- for the coming spring harvest was dis- Gardens’ genetic engineering efforts. partment had also assigned a team of check to have the protein made. most universally negative. Some were mal. The approval to use more pesticide Some readers vowed not to buy such scientists to it. Any solution would have It was the largest single expense yet from parents, voicing concerns that the on young trees had come through that “frankenfood.” Another attributed a rise satisfied Mr. Kress. Almost daily, he in a project that had so far cost more nonbrowning trait would disguise a rot- day. At his hotel that night, he slipped a in allergies to genetic engineering. And could smell the burning of infected than $5 million. If these tests raised no ten apple — though transgenic apples new slide into his standard talk. dozens lambasted Monsanto, the St. trees, which mingled with orange-blos- red flags, he would need to test the pro- rotten from infection would still turn On the podium the next morning, he Louis-based company that dominates som sweetness in the grove just beyond tein as it appears in the pollen of trans- brown. Many wrote as part of a petition talked about the growing use of pesti- the crop biotechnology business, which Southern Gardens’ headquarters. genic orange blossoms. Then the agen- drive by the Center for Food Safety, a cides: “We’re using a lot of chemicals, was not even mentioned in the article. cy would want to test the juice. group that opposes biotechnology. pure and simple,” he said. “We’re using “If this trend goes on, one day, there A Growing Urgency “Seems excessive,” Dr. Mirkov said. “Apples are supposed to be a natural, more than we’ve ever used before.” will be only Monsanto engineered foods But Mr. Kress and Mr. Irey shared a healthy snack,” it warned. “Genetically Then he stopped at the new slide. Un- available,” read one letter warning of In an infection-filled greenhouse sense of celebration. The path ahead engineered apples are neither.” adorned, it read “Consumer Accept- unintended consequences. where every nontransgenic tree had was starting to clear. Others voiced a general distrust of ance.” He looked out at the audience. Mr. Kress was unperturbed. Dozens showed symptoms of disease, Dr. Mir- Rather than wait for Dr. Mirkov’s 300 scientists’ guarantees: “Too many What these growers wanted most, he of long-term animal feeding studies had kov’s trees with the spinach gene had trees to flower, which could take several things were presented to us as innocu- knew, was reassurance that he could concluded that existing G.M.O.’s were survived unscathed for more than a years, they agreed to try to graft his ous and years later we discovered it help them should the disease spread. as safe as other crops, and the National year. Mr. Kress would soon have 300 of spinach gene shoots to mature trees to was untrue,” wrote one woman. “After But he had to warn them: “If we don’t Academy of Sciences, the World Health them planted in a field trial. But in the hasten the production of pollen — and, two cancers I don’t feel like taking any have consumer confidence, it doesn’t Organization and others had issued spring of 2012, he asked the Environ- finally, their first fruit, for testing. more unnecessary risks.” matter what we come up with.” statements to the same effect. mental Protection Agency, the first of Many insisted that should the fruit be But some of his researchers worried three federal agencies that would evalu- Wall of Opposition approved, it ought to be labeled. Planting that the popular association between ate his trees, for guidance. The next That morning, Mr. Kress drove to G.M.O.’s and Monsanto — and in turn step was safety testing. And he felt that Early one morning a year ago, Mr. work late. He should not be surprised One recent sunny morning, Mr. Kress between Monsanto and the criticisms of it could not be started fast enough. Kress checked the Agriculture Depart- by the hostility, he told himself. drove to a fenced field, some distance modern agriculture — could turn con- Dr. Mirkov assured him that the ment’s Web site from home. The agency Mr. Irey tried to console him with from his office and far from any other sumers against Southern Gardens’ agency’s requirements for animal tests had opened its 60-day public comment good news: the data on the honeybees citrus tree. He unlocked the gate and transgenic oranges. to assess the safety of the protein pro- period on the trees modified to produce and mice had come back. The highest signed in, as required by Agriculture “The article doesn’t say ‘Monsanto’ duced by his gene, which bore no re- “Arctic apples” that did not brown. dose of the protein the E.P.A. wanted Department regulations for a field trial anywhere, but the comments are all semblance to anything on the list of His own application, he imagined, tested had produced no ill effect. of a genetically modified crop. about Monsanto,” Dr. Mirkov said. known allergens and toxins, would be would take a similar form. But the magnitude of the opposition Just in the previous few months, It had not helped win hearts and minimal. He skimmed through the company’s had never hit Mr. Kress so hard. “Will Whole Foods had said that because of minds for G.M.O.’s, Mr. Kress knew, that “It’s spinach,” he insisted. “It’s been customer demand it would avoid stock- the first such crop widely adopted by eaten for centuries.” ing most G.M.O. foods and require la- farmers was the soybean engineered by Other concerns weighed on Mr. Kress bels on them by 2018. Hundreds of thou- Monsanto with a bacteria gene — to tol- that spring: growers in Florida did not sands of protesters around the world erate a weed killer Monsanto also made. like to talk about it, but the industry’s had joined in a “March Against Mon- Starting in the mid-1990s, soybean tripling of pesticide applications to kill santo” — and the Agriculture Depart- farmers in the United States over- the bacteria-carrying psyllid was, while ment had issued its final report for this whelmingly adopted that variety of the within legal limits, becoming expensive year’s orange harvest showing a 9 per- crop, which made it easier for them to and worrisome. One widely used pesti- cent decline from last year, attributable control weeds. But the subsequent cide had stopped working as the psyllid to citrus greening. broader use of the chemical — along evolved resistance, and Florida’s citrus But visiting the field gave him some with a distaste for Monsanto’s aggres- growers’ association was petitioning peace. In some rows were the trees with sive business tactics and a growing sus- one company to lift the twice-a-season no new gene in them, sick with green- picion of a food system driven by corpo- restrictions on spraying young trees — ing. In others were the 300 juvenile rate profits — combined to forge a con- increasingly its only hope for an unin- trees with spinach genes, all healthy. In sumer backlash. Environmental activ- fected harvest. the middle were the trees that carried ists vandalized dozens of field trials and Others in the industry who knew of his immediate hopes: 15 mature Ham- protested brands that used Monsanto’s Mr. Kress’s project were turning to him. lins and Valencias, seven feet tall, onto soybeans or corn, introduced soon after, He agreed to speak at the fall meeting of which had been grafted shoots of Dr. which was engineered to prevent pests citrus growers in California, where the Mirkov’s spinach gene trees. from attacking it. greening disease had just been detect- There was good reason to believe that In response, companies including Mc- ed. “We need to hear about the trans- the trees would pass the E.P.A.’s tests Donald’s, Frito-Lay and Heinz pledged genic solution,” said Ted Batkin, the as- when they bloom next spring. And he not to use G.M.O. ingredients in certain sociation’s director. But Mr. Kress wor- was gathering the data the Agriculture products, and some European countries ried that he had nothing to calm their Department would need to ensure that prohibited their cultivation. fears. the trees posed no risk to other plants. Some of Mr. Kress’s scientists were And an increasingly vocal movement KEEPING A THREAT IN CHECK In Southern Gardens’ groves, trees that When he had fruit, the Food and Drug still fuming about what they saw as the to require any food with genetically en- are infected with citrus greening are marked, cut down and burned. Administration would compare its safe- lost potential for social good hijacked gineered ingredients to carry a ty and nutritional content to conven- “G.M.O.” label had made him uneasy. tional oranges. both by the activists who opposed ge- 15 Where Crops ORANGEES PRODUCED netic engineering and the corporations Supporters of one hotly contested 5 In his office is a list of groups to con- that failed to convince consumers of its California ballot initiative argued for la- Are Threatened in 20111, in millions of tons. tact when the first G.M.O. fruit in Flor- benefits. In many developing countries, beling as a matter of consumer rights ida are ready to pick: environmental or- concerns about safety and ownership of and transparency — but their advertise- Only in the last decade has citrus Areas known to be INFECTED ganizations, consumer advocates and seeds led governments to delay or pro- ments often implied the crops were a greening spread to the world’s top BY CITRUUS GREENING, with others. Exactly what he would say when hibit cultivation of needed crops: Zam- hazard: one pictured a child about to orange-producing countries , th he seselectlected years of first he finally contacted them, he did not bia, for instance, declined shipments of take a joyful bite of a pest-resistant cob United States and Brazil. observata ion. know. Whether anyone would drink the G.M.O. corn even during a 2002 famine. of corn, on which was emblazoned a juice from his genetically modified or- ”It’s easy for someone who can go question mark and the caption “Corn, anges, he did not know. down to the grocery store and buy any- engineered to grow its own pesticide.” But he had decided to move ahead. thing they need to be against G.M.O.’s,” Yet the gene that makes corn insect- CACALCALIFORNAALIFORNIAALIFOR Late this summer he will plant sev- said Dr. Jaynes, who faced such barri- resistant, he knew, came from the same 202 12 IRAN eral hundred more young trees with the ers with a high-protein sweet potato he soil bacterium long used by organic 202000090909 spinach gene, in a new greenhouse. In had engineered with a synthetic gene. food growers as a natural insecticide. FLORIDA two years, if he wins regulatory approv- To Mr. Kress in early 2011, any com- Arguing that the Food and Drug Ad- 2005 al, they will be ready to go into the parison to Monsanto — whose large ministration should require labels on CHICHH NA ground. The trees could be the first to blocks of patents he had to work food containing G.M.O.’s, one leader of YEMENYEMM Laatete 1800s produce juice for sale in five years or so. 199855 around, and whose thousands of em- the Environmental Working Group, an INDIAA Whether it is his transgenic tree, or ployees worldwide dwarfed the 750 he advocacy group, cited “pink slime, 1960s someone else’s, he believed, Florida employed in Florida at peak harvest deadly melons, tainted turkeys and BPA growers will soon have trees that could times — seemed far-fetched. If it was in our soup.” INDONESIA produce juice without fear of its being successful, Southern Gardens would Mr. Kress attributed the labeling 1940s sour, or in short supply. hope to recoup its investment by charg- campaigns to the kind of tactic any in- For a moment, alone in the field, he ing a royalty for its trees. But its busi- dustry might use to gain a competitive BRAZIL let his mind wander. ness strategy was aimed at saving the edge: they were financed largely by 2004 SOUTH AFRICA “Maybe we can use the technology to orange crop, whose total acreage was a companies that sell organic products, 1937 improve orange juice,” he could not help tiny fraction of the crops the major bio- which stood to gain if packaging im- thinking. “Maybe we can find a way to technology companies had pursued. plying a hazard drove customers to have oranges grow year-round, or get He urged his worried researchers to their own non-G.M.O. alternatives. He two for every one we get now on a tree.” look at the early success of Flavr Savr did not aim to hide anything from con- ProductionProductionn numbersumbers forforB Brazilrazil and thetheU Unitednited StaStatestes areares shownhownb byys statetate. All otothershersa arere shoshownwn by coucountry.ntry Then he reined in those thoughts. tomatoes. Introduced in 1994 and engi- sumers, but he would want them to un- Sources: U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, U.S. Department of Agriculture, He took the clipboard down, signed neered to stay fresh longer than tradi- derstand how and why his oranges were Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, academic papers THE NEW YORK TIMES out and locked the gate. C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,017,Bs-4C,E1

THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 N 17

FIELD TEST Shoots grown in a laboratory to resist the disease citrus greening are grafted onto normal orange trees in a test plot. The shoots are endowed with a gene from spinach that produces a protein that attacks invading bacteria. Florida growers turned to transgenic trees after citrus greening began infecting millions of orange trees. trees, the one that appeared effective they believe us?” he asked himself for came from a pig. the first time. “Will they believe we’re One of about 30,000 genes in the ani- doing this to eliminate chemicals and mal’s genetic code, it was, he ventured, we’re making sure it’s safe? Or will “a pretty small amount of pig.” they look at us and say, ‘That’s what “There’s no safety issue from our they all say?’” standpoint — but there is a certain The major brands were rumored to be creep factor,” an Environmental Protec- looking beyond Florida for their orange tion Agency official observed to Mr. juice — perhaps to Brazil, where grow- Kress, who had included it on an early ers had taken to abandoning infected list of possibilities to run by the agency. groves to plant elsewhere. Other experi- “At least something is working,” Mr. ments that Mr. Kress viewed as similar Kress bristled. “It’s a proof of concept.” to his own had foundered. Pigs engi- A similar caution dimmed his hopes neered to produce less-polluting waste for the timely approval of a synthetic had been euthanized after their devel- gene, designed in the laboratory of a oper at a Canadian university had failed fourth scientist, Jesse Jaynes of Tuske- to find investors. A salmon modified to gee University. In a simulation, Dr. Jay- grow faster was still awaiting F.D.A. ap- nes’s gene consistently vanquished the proval. A study pointing to health risks greening bacteria. But the burden of from G.M.O.’s had been discredited by proving a synthetic gene’s safety would scientists, but was contributing to a prolong the process. “You’re going to sense among some consumers that the get more questions,” Mr. Kress was told, technology is dangerous. “with a gene not found in nature.” And while the California labeling And in the fall of 2010, an onion gene measure had been defeated, it had that discouraged psyllids from landing spawned a ballot initiative in Washing- on tomato plants was working in the ton State and legislative proposals in Cornell laboratory of Mr. Kress’s final Connecticut, Missouri, New Mexico, hope, Herb Aldwinckle. But it would be Vermont and many other states. some time before the gene could be In the heat of last summer, Mr. Kress transferred to orange trees. PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES gardened more savagely than his wife Only Dr. Mirkov’s newly fine-tuned had ever seen. trees with the spinach gene, Mr. Kress “The consumer will support us if it’s the only way.” Driving through the Central Valley of and Mr. Irey agreed, could be ready in California last October to speak at the RICKE KRESS, the president of Southern Gardens Citrus, who believes that the time to stave off what many believed California Citrus Growers meeting, Mr. would soon be a steep decline in the har- only way to save Florida’s entire citrus crop is to alter the orange trees’ DNA Kress considered how to answer critics. vest. In the fall of 2010, they were put to Maybe even a blanket “G.M.O.” label the test inside a padlocked greenhouse would be O.K., he thought, if it would stocked with infected trees and psyllids. tional varieties, they proved popular help consumers understand that he had enough that some stores rationed them, genetically engineered. What bothered 163-page petition, showing how the ap- nothing to hide. He could never prove him was that a label seemed to lump all ples are equivalent in nutritional con- The Monsanto Effect before business missteps by their devel- that there were no risks to genetically oper ended their production. G.M.O.’s into one stigmatized category. tent to normal apples, how remote was modifying a crop. But he could try to ex- Mr. Kress’s only direct brush so far And he was no longer alone in the And when the E.P.A. informed him in the likelihood of cross-pollination with plain the risks of not doing so. with the broader battle raging over ge- pursuit of a genetically modified or- June 2012 that it would need to see test other apple varieties and the potentially Southern Gardens had lost 700,000 netically modified food came in Decem- ange. Citrus growers were collectively results for how large quantities of spin- bigger market for a healthful fruit. trees trying to control the disease, more ber 2010, in the reader comments on a financing research into a greening-reach protein affected honeybees and Then he turned to the comments. than a quarter of its total. The forecast Reuters article alluding to Southern sistant tree, and the Agriculture De- mice, he gladly wrote out the $300,000 There were hundreds. And they were al- for the coming spring harvest was dis- Gardens’ genetic engineering efforts. partment had also assigned a team of check to have the protein made. most universally negative. Some were mal. The approval to use more pesticide Some readers vowed not to buy such scientists to it. Any solution would have It was the largest single expense yet from parents, voicing concerns that the on young trees had come through that “frankenfood.” Another attributed a rise satisfied Mr. Kress. Almost daily, he in a project that had so far cost more nonbrowning trait would disguise a rot- day. At his hotel that night, he slipped a in allergies to genetic engineering. And could smell the burning of infected than $5 million. If these tests raised no ten apple — though transgenic apples new slide into his standard talk. dozens lambasted Monsanto, the St. trees, which mingled with orange-blos- red flags, he would need to test the pro- rotten from infection would still turn On the podium the next morning, he Louis-based company that dominates som sweetness in the grove just beyond tein as it appears in the pollen of trans- brown. Many wrote as part of a petition talked about the growing use of pesti- the crop biotechnology business, which Southern Gardens’ headquarters. genic orange blossoms. Then the agen- drive by the Center for Food Safety, a cides: “We’re using a lot of chemicals, was not even mentioned in the article. cy would want to test the juice. group that opposes biotechnology. pure and simple,” he said. “We’re using “If this trend goes on, one day, there A Growing Urgency “Seems excessive,” Dr. Mirkov said. “Apples are supposed to be a natural, more than we’ve ever used before.” will be only Monsanto engineered foods But Mr. Kress and Mr. Irey shared a healthy snack,” it warned. “Genetically Then he stopped at the new slide. Un- available,” read one letter warning of In an infection-filled greenhouse sense of celebration. The path ahead engineered apples are neither.” adorned, it read “Consumer Accept- unintended consequences. where every nontransgenic tree had was starting to clear. Others voiced a general distrust of ance.” He looked out at the audience. Mr. Kress was unperturbed. Dozens showed symptoms of disease, Dr. Mir- Rather than wait for Dr. Mirkov’s 300 scientists’ guarantees: “Too many What these growers wanted most, he of long-term animal feeding studies had kov’s trees with the spinach gene had trees to flower, which could take several things were presented to us as innocu- knew, was reassurance that he could concluded that existing G.M.O.’s were survived unscathed for more than a years, they agreed to try to graft his ous and years later we discovered it help them should the disease spread. as safe as other crops, and the National year. Mr. Kress would soon have 300 of spinach gene shoots to mature trees to was untrue,” wrote one woman. “After But he had to warn them: “If we don’t Academy of Sciences, the World Health them planted in a field trial. But in the hasten the production of pollen — and, two cancers I don’t feel like taking any have consumer confidence, it doesn’t Organization and others had issued spring of 2012, he asked the Environ- finally, their first fruit, for testing. more unnecessary risks.” matter what we come up with.” statements to the same effect. mental Protection Agency, the first of Many insisted that should the fruit be But some of his researchers worried three federal agencies that would evalu- Wall of Opposition approved, it ought to be labeled. Planting that the popular association between ate his trees, for guidance. The next That morning, Mr. Kress drove to G.M.O.’s and Monsanto — and in turn step was safety testing. And he felt that Early one morning a year ago, Mr. work late. He should not be surprised One recent sunny morning, Mr. Kress between Monsanto and the criticisms of it could not be started fast enough. Kress checked the Agriculture Depart- by the hostility, he told himself. drove to a fenced field, some distance modern agriculture — could turn con- Dr. Mirkov assured him that the ment’s Web site from home. The agency Mr. Irey tried to console him with from his office and far from any other sumers against Southern Gardens’ agency’s requirements for animal tests had opened its 60-day public comment good news: the data on the honeybees citrus tree. He unlocked the gate and transgenic oranges. to assess the safety of the protein pro- period on the trees modified to produce and mice had come back. The highest signed in, as required by Agriculture “The article doesn’t say ‘Monsanto’ duced by his gene, which bore no re- “Arctic apples” that did not brown. dose of the protein the E.P.A. wanted Department regulations for a field trial anywhere, but the comments are all semblance to anything on the list of His own application, he imagined, tested had produced no ill effect. of a genetically modified crop. about Monsanto,” Dr. Mirkov said. known allergens and toxins, would be would take a similar form. But the magnitude of the opposition Just in the previous few months, It had not helped win hearts and minimal. He skimmed through the company’s had never hit Mr. Kress so hard. “Will Whole Foods had said that because of minds for G.M.O.’s, Mr. Kress knew, that “It’s spinach,” he insisted. “It’s been customer demand it would avoid stock- the first such crop widely adopted by eaten for centuries.” ing most G.M.O. foods and require la- farmers was the soybean engineered by Otherrium concernslong used weighed by onorganic Mr. Kress food bels on them by 2018. Hundreds of thou- Monsanto with a bacteria gene — to tol- thatgrowers spring: gasrowers a natural in Florida insecticide. did not sands of protesters around the world erate a weed killer Monsanto also made. like to talk about it, but the industry’s had joined in a “March Against Mon- Starting in the mid-1990s, soybean tripling Arguing of pesticide that applications the Food to killand santo” — and the Agriculture Depart- farmers in the United States over- theDrug bacteria-carrying Administration psyllid was,should while re- ment had issued its final report for this whelmingly adopted that variety of the withinquire legal labels limits, onbecoming food expensivecontaining year’s orange harvest showing a 9 per- crop, which made it easier for them to andG.M.O.’s, worrisome. one One leader widely usedof the pesti- En- cent decline from last year, attributable control weeds. But the subsequent cide had stopped working as the psyllid to citrus greening. broader use of the chemical — along evolvedvironmental resistance, andWorking Florida’s citrusGroup, But visiting the field gave him some with a distaste for Monsanto’s aggres- groweran advocacys’ association group, was cited petitioning “pink peace. In some rows were the trees with sive business tactics and a growing sus- oneslime, company deadly to lift melons, the twice-a-season tainted tur- no new gene in them, sick with green- picion of a food system driven by corpo- restrictions on spraying young trees — ing. In others were the 300 juvenile rate profits — combined to forge a con- increasinglykeys and its BPA only in hope our forsoup.” an unin- trees with spinach genes, all healthy. In sumer backlash. Environmental activ- fected harvest.Mr. Kress attributed the la- the middle were the trees that carried ists vandalized dozens of field trials and Othersbeling incampaigns the industry to who the knew kind of of his immediate hopes: 15 mature Ham- protested brands that used Monsanto’s Mr.tactic Kress’s any project industry were turning might to usehim. to lins and Valencias, seven feet tall, onto soybeans or corn, introduced soon after, He agreed to speak at the fall meeting of which had been grafted shoots of Dr. which was engineered to prevent pests citrusgain growers a competitive in California, edge: where thethey Mirkov’s spinach gene trees. from attacking it. greeningwere financed disease had largely just been by detect-compa- There was good reason to believe that In response, companies including Mc- ed.nies “We that need tosell hear organic about the products, trans- the trees would pass the E.P.A.’s tests Donald’s, Frito-Lay and Heinz pledged genic solution,” said Ted Batkin, the as- when they bloom next spring. And he not to use G.M.O. ingredients in certain sociation’swhich stooddirector. to But gain Mr. if Kress packaging wor- was gathering the data the Agriculture products, and some European countries riedimplying that he had a hazard nothing drove to calm custom their - Department would need to ensure that prohibited their cultivation. fears.ers to their own non-G.M.O. al- the trees posed no risk to other plants. Some of Mr. Kress’s scientists were Andternatives. an increasingly He did vocal not movementaim to hide KEEPING A THREAT IN CHECK In Southern Gardens’ groves, trees that When he had fruit, the Food and Drug still fuming about what they saw as the to require any food with genetically en- are infected with citrus greening are marked, cut down and burned. Administration would compare its safe- lost potential for social good hijacked gineeredanything ingredients from consumers, to carry but a he ty and nutritional content to conven- “G.M.O.” label had made him uneasy. tional oranges. both by the activists who opposed ge- would want them to understand 15 Where Crops ORANGEES PRODUCED In his office is a list of groups to con- netic engineering and the corporations Supportershow and why of one his hotly oranges contested were genetically en- produce “Arctic apples”5 that did not brown. that failed to convince consumers of its California ballot initiative argued for la- Are Threatened in 20111, in millions of tons. tact when the first G.M.O. fruit in Flor- benefits. In many developing countries, belinggineered. as a matter What of bothered consumer rightshim was that a label His own application, he imagined, would ida are ready to pick: environmental or- concerns about safety and ownership of andseemed transparency to lump — but alltheir G.M.O.’s advertise- into oneOnly stigma in the last- decadetake ahas similar citrus form. Areas known to be INFECTED ganizations, consumer advocates and seeds led governments to delay or pro- mentstized often category. implied the crops were a greening spread to theH world’se skimmed top throughBY CITtheRUUS company’s GREENING, with 163- others. Exactly what he would say when hibit cultivation of needed crops: Zam- hazard:And one when pictured the a childE.P.A. about informed to himorange-producin in June gpage countries petition,, th he showing seselecthowlecte dthe years apples of first are he finally contacted them, he did not bia, for instance, declined shipments of take a joyful bite of a pest-resistant cob United States and Brazil. observata ion. know. Whether anyone would drink the G.M.O. corn even during a 2002 famine. of 2012 corn, that on which it would was emblazonedneed to see a test results for equivalent in nutritional content to normal ap- juice from his genetically modified or- ”It’s easy for someone who can go questionhow large mark quantities and the caption of spinach “Corn, protein affected ples, how remote was the likelihood of cross- anges, he did not know. down to the grocery store and buy any- engineeredhoneybees to grow and its ownmice, pesticide.” he gladly wrote out the pollination with other apple varieties and the But he had decided to move ahead. thing they need to be against G.M.O.’s,” Yet the gene that makes corn insect- CACALCALIFORNAALIFORNIAALIFOR Late this summer he will plant sev- said Dr. Jaynes, who faced such barri- resistant,$300,000 he knew,check came to have from the same protein made.202 12 potentially bigger marketIRAN for a healthful fruit. eral hundred more young trees with the ers with a high-protein sweet potato he soil bacteriumIt was longthe largest used by single organic expense yet in a Then he turned to the20200 comments.0090909 There were spinach gene, in a new greenhouse. In had engineered with a synthetic gene. foodproject growers that as a had natural so farinsecticide. cost more than $5 million.FLO RIDAhundreds. And they were almost universally two years, if he wins regulatory approv- To Mr. Kress in early 2011, any com- ArguingIf these that tests the raised Food and no Drugred flags,Ad- he would need2005 negative. Some were from parents, voicing con- al, they will be ready to go into the parison to Monsanto — whose large ministration should require labels on CHICHH NA ground. The trees could be the first to blocks of patents he had to work foodto containingtest the protein G.M.O.’s, as one it leaderappears of in the pollen of cerns that the nonbrowningYEMENYEMM trait would Ladisguiseatete 1800s produce juice for sale in five years or so. 199855 around, and whose thousands of em- thetransgenic Environmental orange Working blossoms. Group, an Then the agency a rotten apple — though transgenicINDIAA apples rot- Whether it is his transgenic tree, or ployees worldwide dwarfed the 750 he advocacywould want group, to citedtest the “pink juice. slime, ten from infection would still1960 turns brown. Many someone else’s, he believed, Florida employed in Florida at peak harvest deadly melons, tainted turkeys and BPA growers will soon have trees that could times — seemed far-fetched. If it was in our soup.”“Seems excessive,” Dr. Mirkov said. wrote as part of a petition drive INDbyONE theSIA Center for produce juice without fear of its being successful, Southern Gardens would Mr. KressBut Mr. attributed Kress and the Mr. labeling Irey shared a sense Food Safety, a group that opposes biotechnology.1940s sour, or in short supply. hope to recoup its investment by charg- campaignsof celebration. to the kind The of tacticpath anyahead inwas starting to “Apples are supposed to be a natural, For a moment, alone in the field, he BRAZIL ing a royalty for its trees. But its busi- dustryclear. might use to gain a competitive healthy snack,” it warned. “Genetically engi- let his mind wander. ness strategy was aimed at saving the edge: they were financed largely by 2004 SOUTH AFRICA “Maybe we can use the technology to orange crop, whose total acreage was a companiesRather that than sell organic wait for products, Dr. Mirkov’s 300 trees neered apples are neither.”1937 improve orange juice,” he could not help tiny fraction of the crops the major bio- whichto flower, stood to which gain ifcould packaging take im-several years, they Others voiced a general distrust of scien- thinking. “Maybe we can find a way to technology companies had pursued. plyingagreed a hazard to try dtorove graft customers his spinach to gene shoots to tists’ guarantees: “Too many things were pre- have oranges grow year-round, or get He urged his worried researchers to their own non-G.M.O. alternatives. He two for every one we get now on a tree.” look at the early success of Flavr Savr didmature not aim treesto hide to anything hasten from the con-productionProductionPro ofduc pollentionn numbersumbers forforBsented Brazilrazil and thethtoeU United nitused StaStatesastes innocuous areares shownhownb byys statetat eand. All otothers heryearssa arere shoshown laterwn by coucountry. wentry Then he reined in those thoughts. tomatoes. Introduced in 1994 and engi- sumers,— and, but finally, he would their want first them fruit, to un- for testing.Sources: U.N. Food anddiscovered Agriculture Organization, it was U.S. Departmentuntrue,” of A gwrotericulture, one woman. He took the clipboard down, signed neered to stay fresh longer than tradi- derstand how and why his oranges were Brazilian Institute of Geo“Aftergraphy and two Statistics, cancers academic paperI don’ts feel like takingTHE NEW YORK any TIMES out and locked the gate. Wall of Opposition more unnecessary risks.” Early one morning a year ago, Mr. Kress Many insisted that should the fruit be ap- checked the Agriculture Department’s Web site proved, it ought to be labeled. from home. The agency had opened its 60-day That morning, Mr. Kress drove to work late. public comment period on the trees modified to He should not be surprised by the hostility, he C M Y K Nxxx,2013-07-28,A,017,Bs-4C,E1

THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013 N 17

FIELD TEST Shoots grown in a laboratory to resist the disease citrus greening are grafted onto normal orange trees in a test plot. The shoots are endowed with a gene from spinach that produces a protein that attacks invading bacteria. Florida growers turned to transgenic trees after citrus greening began infecting millions of orange trees. trees, the one that appeared effective they believe us?” he asked himself for came from a pig. the first time. “Will they believe we’re One of about 30,000 genes in the ani- doing this to eliminate chemicals and mal’s genetic code, it was, he ventured, we’re making sure it’s safe? Or will “a pretty small amount of pig.” they look at us and say, ‘That’s what “There’s no safety issue from our they all say?’” standpoint — but there is a certain The major brands were rumored to be creep factor,” an Environmental Protec- looking beyond Florida for their orange tion Agency official observed to Mr. juice — perhaps to Brazil, where grow- Kress, who had included it on an early ers had taken to abandoning infected list of possibilities to run by the agency. groves to plant elsewhere. Other experi- “At least something is working,” Mr. ments that Mr. Kress viewed as similar Kress bristled. “It’s a proof of concept.” to his own had foundered. Pigs engi- A similar caution dimmed his hopes neered to produce less-polluting waste for the timely approval of a synthetic had been euthanized after their devel- gene, designed in the laboratory of a oper at a Canadian university had failed fourth scientist, Jesse Jaynes of Tuske- to find investors. A salmon modified to gee University. In a simulation, Dr. Jay- grow faster was still awaiting F.D.A. ap- nes’s gene consistently vanquished the proval. A study pointing to health risks greening bacteria. But the burden of from G.M.O.’s had been discredited by proving a synthetic gene’s safety would scientists, but was contributing to a prolong the process. “You’re going to sense among some consumers that the get more questions,” Mr. Kress was told, technology is dangerous. “with a gene not found in nature.” And while the California labeling And in the fall of 2010, an onion gene measure had been defeated, it had that discouraged psyllids from landing spawned a ballot initiative in Washing- on tomato plants was working in the ton State and legislative proposals in Cornell laboratory of Mr. Kress’s final Connecticut, Missouri, New Mexico, hope, Herb Aldwinckle. But it would be Vermont and many other states. some time before the gene could be In the heat of last summer, Mr. Kress transferred to orange trees. PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES gardened more savagely than his wife Only Dr. Mirkov’s newly fine-tuned had ever seen. trees with the spinach gene, Mr. Kress “The consumer will support us if it’s the only way.” Driving through the Central Valley of and Mr. Irey agreed, could be ready in California last October to speak at the RICKE KRESS, the president of Southern Gardens Citrus, who believes that the time to stave off what many believed California Citrus Growers meeting, Mr. would soon be a steep decline in the har- only way to save Florida’s entire citrus crop is to alter the orange trees’ DNA Kress considered how to answer critics. vest. In the fall of 2010, they were put to Maybe even a blanket “G.M.O.” label the test inside a padlocked greenhouse would be O.K., he thought, if it would stocked with infected trees and psyllids. tional varieties, they proved popular help consumers understand that he had enough that some stores rationed them, genetically engineered. What bothered 163-page petition, showing how the ap- nothing to hide. He could never prove him was that a label seemed to lump all ples are equivalent in nutritional con- The Monsanto Effect before business missteps by their devel- that there were no risks to genetically oper ended their production. G.M.O.’s into one stigmatized category. tent to normal apples, how remote was modifying a crop. But he could try to ex- Mr. Kress’s only direct brush so far And he was no longer alone in the And when the E.P.A. informed him in the likelihood of cross-pollination with plain the risks of not doing so. with the broader battle raging over ge- pursuit of a genetically modified or- June 2012 that it would need to see test other apple varieties and the potentially Southern Gardens had lost 700,000 netically modified food came in Decem- ange. Citrus growers were collectively results for how large quantities of spin- bigger market for a healthful fruit. trees trying to control the disease, more ber 2010, in the reader comments on a financing research into a greening-reach protein affected honeybees and Then he turned to the comments. than a quarter of its total. The forecast Reuters article alluding to Southern sistant tree, and the Agriculture De- mice, he gladly wrote out the $300,000 There were hundreds. And they were al- for the coming spring harvest was dis- Gardens’ genetic engineering efforts. partment had also assigned a team of check to have the protein made. most universally negative. Some were mal. The approval to use more pesticide Some readers vowed not to buy such scientists to it. Any solution would have It was the largest single expense yet from parents, voicing concerns that the on young trees had come through that “frankenfood.” Another attributed a rise satisfied Mr. Kress. Almost daily, he in a project that had so far cost more nonbrowning trait would disguise a rot- day. At his hotel that night, he slipped a in allergies to genetic engineering. And could smell the burning of infected than $5 million. If these tests raised no ten apple — though transgenic apples new slide into his standard talk. dozens lambasted Monsanto, the St. trees, which mingled with orange-blos- red flags, he would need to test the pro- rotten from infection would still turn On the podium the next morning, he Louis-based company that dominates som sweetness in the grove just beyond tein as it appears in the pollen of trans- brown. Many wrote as part of a petition talked about the growing use of pesti- the crop biotechnology business, which Southern Gardens’ headquarters. genic orange blossoms. Then the agen- drive by the Center for Food Safety, a cides: “We’re using a lot of chemicals, was not even mentioned in the article. cy would want to test the juice. group that opposes biotechnology. pure and simple,” he said. “We’re using “If this trend goes on, one day, there A Growing Urgency “Seems excessive,” Dr. Mirkov said. “Apples are supposed to be a natural, more than we’ve ever used before.” will be only Monsanto engineered foods But Mr. Kress and Mr. Irey shared a healthy snack,” it warned. “Genetically Then he stopped at the new slide. Un- available,” read one letter warning of In an infection-filled greenhouse sense of celebration. The path ahead engineered apples are neither.” adorned, it read “Consumer Accept- unintended consequences. where every nontransgenic tree had was starting to clear. Others voiced a general distrust of ance.” He looked out at the audience. Mr. Kress was unperturbed. Dozens showed symptoms of disease, Dr. Mir- Rather than wait for Dr. Mirkov’s 300 scientists’ guarantees: “Too many What these growers wanted most, he of long-term animal feeding studies had kov’s trees with the spinach gene had trees to flower, which could take several things were presented to us as innocu- knew, was reassurance that he could concluded that existing G.M.O.’s were survived unscathed for more than a years, they agreed to try to graft his ous and years later we discovered it help them should the disease spread. as safe as other crops, and the National year. Mr. Kress would soon have 300 of spinach gene shoots to mature trees to was untrue,” wrote one woman. “After But he had to warn them: “If we don’t Academy of Sciences, the World Health them planted in a field trial. But in the hasten the production of pollen — and, two cancers I don’t feel like taking any have consumer confidence, it doesn’t Organization and others had issued spring of 2012, he asked the Environ- finally, their first fruit, for testing. more unnecessary risks.” matter what we come up with.” statements to the same effect. mental Protection Agency, the first of Many insisted that should the fruit be But some of his researchers worried three federal agencies that would evalu- Wall of Opposition approved, it ought to be labeled. Planting that the popular association between ate his trees, for guidance. The next That morning, Mr. Kress drove to G.M.O.’s and Monsanto — and in turn step was safety testing. And he felt that Early one morning a year ago, Mr. work late. He should not be surprised One recent sunny morning, Mr. Kress between Monsanto and the criticisms of it could not be started fast enough. Kress checked the Agriculture Depart- by the hostility, he told himself. drove to a fenced field, some distance modern agriculture — could turn con- Dr. Mirkov assured him that the ment’s Web site from home. The agency Mr. Irey tried to console him with from his office and far from any other sumers against Southern Gardens’ agency’s requirements for animal tests had opened its 60-day public comment good news: the data on the honeybees citrus tree. He unlocked the gate and transgenic oranges. to assess the safety of the protein pro- period on the trees modified to produce and mice had come back. The highest signed in, as required by Agriculture “The article doesn’t say ‘Monsanto’ duced by his gene, which bore no re- “Arctic apples” that did not brown. dose of the protein the E.P.A. wanted Department regulations for a field trial anywhere, but the comments are all semblance to anything on the list of His own application, he imagined, tested had produced no ill effect. of a genetically modified crop. about Monsanto,” Dr. Mirkov said. known allergens and toxins, would be would take a similar form. But the magnitude of the opposition Just in the previous few months, It had not helped win hearts and minimal. He skimmed through the company’s had never hit Mr. Kress so hard. “Will Whole Foods had said that because of minds for G.M.O.’s, Mr. Kress knew, that “It’s spinach,” he insisted. “It’s been customer demand it would avoid stock- the first such crop widely adopted by eaten for centuries.” ing most G.M.O. foods and require la- farmers was the soybean engineered by Other concerns weighed on Mr. Kress bels on them by 2018. Hundreds of thou- Monsanto with a bacteria gene — to tol- that spring: growers in Florida did not sands of protesters around the world erate a weed killer Monsanto also made. like to talk about it, but the industry’s had joined in a “March Against Mon- Starting in the mid-1990s, soybean tripling of pesticide applications to kill santo” — and the Agriculture Depart- farmers in the United States over- the bacteria-carrying psyllid was, while ment had issued its final report for this whelmingly adopted that variety of the within legal limits, becoming expensive year’s orange harvest showing a 9 per- crop, which made it easier for them to and worrisome. One widely used pesti- cent decline from last year, attributable control weeds. But the subsequent cide had stopped working as the psyllid to citrus greening. broader use of the chemical — along evolved resistance, and Florida’s citrus But visiting the field gave him some with a distaste for Monsanto’s aggres- growers’ association was petitioning peace. In some rows were the trees with sive business tactics and a growing sus- one company to lift the twice-a-season no new gene in them, sick with green- picion of a food system driven by corpo- restrictions on spraying young trees — ing. In others were the 300 juvenile rate profits — combined to forge a con- increasingly its only hope for an unin- trees with spinach genes, all healthy. In sumer backlash. Environmental activ- fected harvest. the middle were the trees that carried ists vandalized dozens of field trials and Others in the industry who knew of his immediate hopes: 15 mature Ham- protested brands that used Monsanto’s Mr. Kress’s project were turning to him. lins and Valencias, seven feet tall, onto soybeans or corn, introduced soon after, He agreed to speak at the fall meeting of which had been grafted shoots of Dr. which was engineered to prevent pests citrus growers in California, where the Mirkov’s spinach gene trees. from attacking it. greening disease had just been detect- There was good reason to believe that In response, companies including Mc- ed. “We need to hear about the trans- the trees would pass the E.P.A.’s tests Donald’s, Frito-Lay and Heinz pledged genic solution,” said Ted Batkin, the as- when they bloom next spring. And he not to use G.M.O. ingredients in certain sociation’s director. But Mr. Kress wor- was gathering the data the Agriculture products, and some European countries ried that he had nothing to calm their Department would need to ensure that prohibited their cultivation. fears. the trees posed no risk to other plants. Some of Mr. Kress’s scientists were And an increasingly vocal movement KEEPING A THREAT IN CHECK In Southern Gardens’ groves, trees that When he had fruit, the Food and Drug still fuming about what they saw as the to require any food with genetically en- are infected with citrus greening are marked, cut down and burned. Administration would compare its safe- lost potential for social good hijacked gineered ingredients to carry a ty and nutritional content to conven- “G.M.O.” label had made him uneasy. tional oranges. both by the activists who opposed ge- 15 Where Crops ORANGEES PRODUCED netic engineering and the corporations Supporters of one hotly contested 5 In his office is a list of groups to con- that failed to convince consumers of its California ballot initiative argued for la- Are Threatened in 20111, in millions of tons. tact when the first G.M.O. fruit in Flor- benefits. In many developing countries, beling as a matter of consumer rights ida are ready to pick: environmental or- concerns about safety and ownership of and transparency — but their advertise- Only in the last decade has citrus Areas known to be INFECTED ganizations, consumer advocates and seeds led governments to delay or pro- ments often implied the crops were a greening spread to the world’s top BY CITRUUS GREENING, with others. Exactly what he would say when hibit cultivation of needed crops: Zam- hazard: one pictured a child about to orange-producing countries , th he seselectlected years of first he finally contacted them, he did not bia, for instance, declined shipments of take a joyful bite of a pest-resistant cob United States and Brazil. observata ion. know. Whether anyone would drink the G.M.O. corn even during a 2002 famine. of corn, on which was emblazoned a juice from his genetically modified or- ”It’s easy for someone who can go question mark and the caption “Corn, anges, he did not know. down to the grocery store and buy any- engineered to grow its own pesticide.” But he had decided to move ahead. thing they need to be against G.M.O.’s,” Yet the gene that makes corn insect- CACALCALIFORNAALIFORNIAALIFOR Late this summer he will plant sev- said Dr. Jaynes, who faced such barri- resistant, he knew, came from the same 202 12 IRAN eral hundred more young trees with the ers with a high-protein sweet potato he soil bacterium long used by organic 202000090909 spinach gene, in a new greenhouse. In had engineered with a synthetic gene. food growers as a natural insecticide. FLORIDA two years, if he wins regulatory approv- To Mr. Kress in early 2011, any com- Arguing that the Food and Drug Ad- 2005 al, they will be ready to go into the parison to Monsanto — whose large ministration should require labels on CHICHH NA ground. The trees could be the first to blocks of patents he had to work food containing G.M.O.’s, one leader of YEMENYEMM Laatete 1800s produce juice for sale in five years or so. 199855 around, and whose thousands of em- the Environmental Working Group, an INDIAA Whether it is his transgenic tree, or ployees worldwide dwarfed the 750 he advocacy group, cited “pink slime, 1960s someone else’s, he believed, Florida employed in Florida at peak harvest deadly melons, tainted turkeys and BPA growers will soon have trees that could times — seemed far-fetched. If it was in our soup.” INDONESIA produce juice without fear of its being successful, Southern Gardens would Mr. Kress attributed the labeling 1940s sour, or in short supply. hope to recoup its investment by charg- campaigns to the kind of tactic any in- For a moment, alone in the field, he ing a royalty for its trees. But its busi- dustry might use to gain a competitive BRAZIL let his mind wander. ness strategy was aimed at saving the edge: they were financed largely by 2004 SOUTH AFRICA “Maybe we can use the technology to orange crop, whose total acreage was a companies that sell organic products, 1937 improve orange juice,” he could not help tiny fraction of the crops the major bio- which stood to gain if packaging im- thinking. “Maybe we can find a way to technology companies had pursued. plying a hazard drove customers to have oranges grow year-round, or get He urged his worried researchers to their own non-G.M.O. alternatives. He two for every one we get now on a tree.” look at the early success of Flavr Savr did not aim to hide anything from con- ProductionProductionn numbersumbers forforB Brazilrazil and thetheU Unitednited StaStatestes areares shownhownb byys statetate. All otothershersa arere shoshownwn by coucountry.ntry Then he reined in those thoughts. tomatoes. Introduced in 1994 and engi- sumers, but he would want them to un- Sources: U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, U.S. Department of Agriculture, He took the clipboard down, signed neered to stay fresh longer than tradi- derstand how and why his oranges were Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, academic papers THE NEW YORK TIMES out and locked the gate.

told himself. sumers that the technology is dangerous. Mr. Irey tried to console him with good And while the California labeling measure news: the data on the honeybees and mice had had been defeated, it had spawned a ballot ini- come back. The highest dose of the protein the tiative in Washington State and legislative pro- E.P.A. wanted tested had produced no ill effect. posals in Connecticut, Vermont, New Mexico, But the magnitude of the opposition had Missouri and many other states. never hit Mr. Kress so hard. “Will they believe In the heat of last summer, Mr. Kress gar- us?” he asked himself for the first time. “Will dened more savagely than his wife had ever they believe we’re doing this to eliminate chem- seen. icals and we’re making sure it’s safe? Or will Driving through the Central Valley of Cali- they look at us and say, ‘That’s what they all fornia last October to speak at the California say?’ ” Citrus Growers meeting, Mr. Kress considered The major brands were rumored to be look- how to answer critics. Maybe even a blanket ing beyond Florida for their orange juice — “G.M.O.” label would be O.K., he thought, if it perhaps to Brazil, where growers had taken to would help consumers understand that he had abandoning infected groves to plant elsewhere. nothing to hide. He could never prove that there Other experiments that Mr. Kress viewed as were no risks to genetically modifying a crop. similar to his own had foundered. Pigs engi- But he could try to explain the risks of not doing neered to produce less-polluting waste had been so. euthanized after their developer at a Canadian Southern Gardens had lost 700,000 trees try- university had failed to find investors. A salmon ing to control the disease, more than a quarter modified to grow faster was still awaiting F.D.A. of its total. The forecast for the coming spring approval. A study pointing to health risksfrom harvest was dismal. The approval to use more G.M.O.’s had been discredited by scientists, but pesticide on young trees had come through that was contributing to a sense among some con- day. At his hotel that night, he slipped a new slide into his standard talk. been grafted shoots of Dr. Mirkov’s spinach On the podium the next morning, he talked gene trees. about the growing use of pesticides: “We’re us- There was good reason to believe that the ing a lot of chemicals, pure and simple,” he said. trees would pass the E.P.A.’s tests when they “We’re using more than we’ve ever used be- bloom next spring. And he was gathering the fore.” data the Agriculture Department would need Then he stopped at the new slide. Un- to ensure that the trees posed no risk to other adorned, it read “Consumer Acceptance.” He plants. When he had fruit, the Food and Drug looked out at the audience. Administration would compare its safety and What these growers wanted most, he knew, nutritional content to conventional oranges. was reassurance that he could help them should In his office is a list of groups to contact the disease spread. But he had to warn them: “If when the first G.M.O. fruit in Florida are ready we don’t have consumer confidence, it doesn’t to pick: environmental organizations, con- matter what we come up with.” sumer advocates and others. Exactly what he would say when he finally contacted them, he Planting did not know. Whether anyone would drink the One recent sunny morning, Mr. Kress drove juice from his genetically modified oranges, he to a fenced field, some distance from his office did not know. and far from any other citrus tree. He unlocked But he had decided to move ahead. the gate and signed in, as required by Agricul- Late this summer he will plant several hun- ture Department regulations for a field trial of a dred more young trees with the spinach gene, in genetically modified crop. a new greenhouse. In two years, if he wins regu- Just in the previous few months, Whole latory approval, they will be ready to go into the Foods had said that because of customer de- ground. The trees could be the first to produce mand it would avoid stocking most G.M.O. juice for sale in five years or so. foods and require labels on them by 2018. Hun- Whether it is his transgenic tree, or some- dreds of thousands of protesters around the one else’s, he believed, Florida growers will world had joined in a “March Against Mon- soon have trees that could produce juice with- santo” — and the Agriculture Department had out fear of its being sour, or in short supply. issued its final report for this year’s orange For a moment, alone in the field, he let his harvest showing a 9 percent decline from last mind wander. year, attributable to citrus greening. “Maybe we can use the technology to im- But visiting the field gave him some peace. prove orange juice,” he could not help thinking. In some rows were the trees with no new gene “Maybe we can find a way to have oranges grow in them, sick with greening. In others were year-round, or get two for every one we get now the 300 juvenile trees with spinach genes, all on a tree.” healthy. In the middle were the trees that car- Then he reined in those thoughts. ried his immediate hopes: 15 mature Hamlins He took the clipboard down, signed out and and Valencias, seven feet tall, onto which had locked the gate. n C M Y K NYxx,2013-08-25,SR,001,Bs-4C,E1August 25, 2013

4 OPINION 6 THE GREAT DIVIDE 12 NEWS ANALYSIS 9 THE STONE America can’t win in Syria. Menace to the middle class. Monopoly started as a What is economics good for? BY EDWARD N. LUTTWAK BY DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN critique of capitalism BY ALEX ROSENBERG 4 OPINION 8 DRAFT AND TYLER CURTAIN Quiet: essential for clear Don’t ask writers what they’re and now celebrates it. 10 EDITORIAL thought. BY GEORGE PROCHNIK working on. BY MARK SLOUKA BY MARY PILON For mayor of New York.

IDEAS OPINION NEWS ANALYSIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013

Golden Rice: Lifesaver?

JES AZNAR FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

The fight over genetically modified crops has gone global. Is hysteria impeding science?

THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Foreign Policy by Whisper and Nudge F you follow the commentary on American foreign In the Arab world, you can only do so delbaum, the Johns Hopkins University foreign affairs policy toward Egypt and the broader Middle East expert. We were ready to overlook the internal behav- today, several themes stand out: People in the re- much without the will of the people. ior of states, both because we needed them as allies in I gion argue: “Whatever went wrong, the United the cold war and because, with the Russians poised on States is to blame.” Foreign policy experts argue: the other side, any intervention could escalate into a “Whatever President Obama did, he got it wrong.” There is actually a logic to all three positions. superpower confrontation. And the American public is saying: “We’re totally fed It starts with the huge difference between cold-war Post-cold-war foreign policy today is largely about up with that part of the world and can’t wait for the and post-cold-war foreign policy. During the cold war, “affecting the internal composition and governance of start of the N.F.L. season. How do you like those American foreign policy “was all about how we affect 49ers?” the external behavior of states,” said Michael Man- Continued on Page 11 C M Y K NYxx,2013-08-25,SR,006,Cs-4C,E1

6 SR THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 SR 7

THE GREAT DIVIDE DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN How Technology Wrecks the Middle Class

In the four years since the Great Recession offi- cially ended, the productivity of American workers — those lucky enough

to have jobs — has risen JEANNE DETALLANTE smartly. But the United States still has two million fewer jobs than before the David H. Autor is a downturn, the unemployment rate is professor of stuck at levels not seen since the early The Problem That economics at the 1990s and the proportion of adults who Massachusetts are working is four percentage points off Institute of its peak in 2000. Technology. David This job drought has spurred pundits Has Two Names Dorn is an to wonder whether a profound employ- assistant professor ment sickness has overtaken us. And IFTY years after Betty Friedan’s downtown Charleston swirling in my DISPATCH from there, it’s only a short leap to ask of economics at the “Feminine Mystique” and head, I was released after 40 minutes of whether that illness isn’t productivity it- BY PAMELA PAUL Center for countless principled-but-un- panicked phone calls. self. Have we mechanized and comput- wieldy hyphenated names later, For the most part, my two-name sta- The editor of The Monetary and erized ourselves into obsolescence? F the problem of married versus maiden tus doesn’t get in the way of major life New York Times Financial Studies Are we in danger of losing the “race names should be good and solved. But events even if it results from one. But Book Review. in Madrid. against the machine,” as the M.I.T. schol- many women are still caught in an in- ars Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew Mc- that doesn’t release me from other mi- Afee argue in a recent book? Are we be- between purgatory: why have to nor entanglements. Building security coming enslaved to our “robot over- choose? guards often usher me in to work ap- lords,” as the journalist Kevin Drum Like others wanting it both ways, I pointments with my married name em- warned in Mother Jones? Do “smart ma- held on to my professional name while blazoned on a temporary-ID card, or chines” threaten us with “long-term mis- also taking on my husband’s. For years, calls up to whomever I’m meeting ask- ery,” as the economists Jeffrey D. Sachs I’ve gone by both, fearing that at some ing if they’re expecting a person and Laurence J. Kotlikoff prophesied ear- point I will be called out or, worse, ar- they’ve never heard of. lier this year? Have we reached “the end rested. Though I moved my last name to Even on the home front, the double- of labor,” as Noah Smith laments in The my middle, this has left me in a muddle: identification system has its tripwires. Atlantic? Under what name do I travel? Who Which name should I use at my chil- Of course, anxiety, and even hysteria, Robot arms pays taxes? What if I, er, still haven’t dren’s schools? How do we register for about the adverse effects of technological welded a switched over my Social Security card? the school auction, and should I have change on employment have a venerable vehicle on the These are questions that for 10 years my credit cards changed as well? Can history. In the early 19th century a group assembly line I’ve been unable to answer. In an era in my husband get away with using my of English textile artisans calling them- at a General which identity theft is the ultimate Costco card, and how on earth do we selves the Luddites staged a machine- Motors plant crime, I skulk around on a regular basis straighten out matters with Zipcar? trashing rebellion. Their brashness in Lansing, fearing that somehow, my other-named My young children are all in a perma- earned them a place (rarely positive) in double is getting me in trouble. nent state of confusion about the bylines the lexicon, but they had legitimate rea- Mich., in 2010. BILL PUGLIANO/GETTY IMAGES Academics refer to us as “situational they see under one name and the family sons for concern. name users.” According to several stud- name we use at home. Isn’t our shared Economists have historically rejected ies, the number of women who keep name part of what unites us as a fam- what we call the “lump of labor” fallacy: here’s where the Luddites had a point. tasks happen to lie on opposite ends of quality of jobs for a significant subset of tasks that take advantage of human flex- tives; and even clerical workers who are their names after marriage peaked in ily? Why would I want to set myself the supposition that an increase in labor Although many 19th-century Britons the occupational skill distribution. workers. Demand for highly educated ibility. To take one prominent example, required to do more than type and file. productivity inevitably reduces employ- benefited from the introduction of newer At one end are so-called abstract tasks workers who excel in abstract tasks is ro- medical paraprofessional jobs — radiolo- Indeed, even as formerly middle-skill oc- the 1990s, falling from 23 percent to and better automated looms — unskilled that require problem-solving, intuition, bust, but the middle of the labor market, gy technician, phlebotomist, nurse tech- cupations are being “deskilled,” or roughly 18 percent a decade later. Wom- laborers were hired as loom operators, persuasion and creativity. These tasks where the routine task-intensive jobs lie, nician — are a rapidly growing category stripped of their routine technical tasks en are marrying, at older ages, on aver- I want it both ways. I kept my maiden Computerization creates jobs — but at the and a growing middle class could now af- are characteristic of professional, mana- is sagging. Workers without college edu- of relatively well-paid, middle-skill occu- (brokering stocks, for example), other age five years into their postcollegiate ford mass-produced fabrics — it’s un- gerial, technical and creative occupa- cation therefore concentrate in manual pations. While these paraprofessions do formerly high-end occupations are be- careers. They’ve already established name and took on my husband’s. upper and lower ends of the spectrum. likely that skilled textile workers bene- tions, like law, medicine, science, engi- task-intensive jobs — like food services, not typically require a four-year college coming accessible to workers with less professional reputations and networks fited on the whole. neering, advertising and design. People cleaning and security — which are nu- degree, they do demand some postsec- esoteric technical mastery (for example, of contacts who know them by their giv- ment because there is only a finite Fast-forward to the present. The multi- in these jobs typically have high levels of merous but offer low wages, precarious ondary vocational training. the work of the nurse practitioner, who en names. Setting aside the shoulds and apart? Recently, my 4-year-old rather amount of work to do. While intuitively trillionfold decline in the cost of comput- education and analytical capability, and job security and few prospects for up- These middle-skill jobs will persist, increasingly diagnoses illness and pre- the whys behind which name to pick, poignantly declared that he wished his appealing, this idea is demonstrably ing since the 1970s has created enormous they benefit from computers that facili- ward mobility. This bifurcation of job op- and potentially grow, because they in- scribes drugs in lieu of a physician). Law- the obvious answer for the ambivalent first name were Paul. On occasion, I find false. In 1900, for example, 41 percent of incentives for employers to substitute in- tate the transmission, organization and portunities has contributed to the histor- volve tasks that cannot readily be unbun- rence F. Katz, a labor economist at Har- is to use both. myself reading emotional tea leaves the United States work force was in agri- creasingly cheap and capable computers processing of information. ic rise in income inequality. dled without a substantial drop in quality. vard, memorably called those who fruit- What exactly does this mean? Offi- into which name my husband uses culture. By 2000, that share had fallen to for expensive labor. These rapid ad- On the other end are so-called manual Consider, for example, the frustration of fully combine the foundational skills of a cially, a passport is supposed to match a when referring to me. Shouldn’t the an- 2 percent, after the Green Revolution vances — which confront us daily as we tasks, which require situational adapt- OW can we help workers ride calling a software firm for technical sup- high school education with specific voca- person’s driver’s license, Social Securi- niversary dinner reservation be under transformed crop yields. But the em- check in at airports, order books online, ability, visual and language recognition, the wave of technological port, only to discover that the technician tional skills the “new artisans.” ty card, paycheck and tax returns. The our shared name? Why did he write a ployment-to-population ratio rose over pay bills on our banks’ Web sites or con- and in-person interaction. Preparing a change rather than be knows nothing more than the standard The outlook for workers who haven’t I.R.S. is pretty clear that if newlyweds check for me made out to “Pamela the 20th century as women moved from sult our smartphones for driving direc- meal, driving a truck through city traffic H swamped by it? One common answers shown on his or her computer finished college is uncertain, but not de- take their spouse’s names, they need to Paul”? home to market, and the unemployment tions — have reawakened fears that or cleaning a hotel room present mind- recommendation is that citizens should screen — that is, the technician is a void of hope. There will be job opportuni- change their Social Security card and Given my family history, I should rate fluctuated cyclically, with no long- workers will be displaced by machinery. bogglingly complex challenges for com- invest more in their education. Spurred mouthpiece reading from a script, not a ties in middle-skill jobs, but not in the tra- file taxes under the new name. This have this sorted by now. When my Will this time be different? puters. But they are straightforward for ditional blue-collar production and white- term increase. by growing demand for workers per- problem-solver. This is not generally a could cause problems processing a re- mother divorced my father nearly four A starting point for discussion is the humans, requiring primarily innate abil- productive form of work organization be- collar office jobs of the past. Rather, we Labor-saving technological change forming abstract job tasks, the payoff for turn or delay a refund. decades ago, she had established a ca- observation that although computers are ities like dexterity, sightedness and lan- college and professional degrees has cause it fails to harness the comple- expect to see growing employment necessarily displaces workers perform- But lining up all the paperwork can reer in advertising under her married ubiquitous, they cannot do everything. A guage recognition, as well as modest soared; despite its formidable price tag, mentarities between technical and inter- among the ranks of the “new artisans”: ing certain tasks — that’s where the be arduous. Moreover, you can get away name and kept it. So when my father re- gains in productivity come from — but computer’s ability to accomplish a task training. These workers can’t be re- higher education has perhaps never been personal skills. Simply put, the quality of licensed practical nurses and medical as- — most of the time — with letting a doc- married, to a woman with the same first over the long run, it generates new prod- quickly and cheaply depends upon a hu- placed by robots, but their skills are not a better investment. But it is far from a a service within any occupation will im- sistants; teachers, tutors and learning ument here or there go. For several name, his new wife couldn’t take his ucts and services that raise national in- man programmer’s ability to write pro- scarce, so they usually make low wages. comprehensive solution to our labor mar- prove when a worker combines routine guides at all educational levels; kitchen years after I married, I traveled blithely name — if she wanted to — unless she come and increase the overall demand cedures or rules that direct the machine Computerization has therefore fos- ket problems. Not all high school gradu- (technical) and nonroutine (flexible) designers, construction supervisors and wanted the same name as his ex. More- for labor. In 1900, no one could foresee to take the correct steps at each con- tered a polarization of employment, with ates — let alone displaced mid- and late- tasks. skilled tradespeople of every variety; ex- with a passport (professional name) over, I was briefly married while in my that a century later, health care, finance, tingency. Computers excel at “routine” job growth concentrated in both the high- career workers — are academically or Following this logic, we predict that pert repair and support technicians; and that didn’t match my driver’s license 20s to someone else. Then, too, I information technology, consumer elec- tasks: organizing, storing, retrieving and est- and lowest-paid occupations, while temperamentally prepared to pursue a the middle-skill jobs that survive will the many people who offer personal (married). tronics, hospitality, leisure and entertain- manipulating information, or executing jobs in the middle have declined. Surpris- four-year college degree. Only 40 percent combine routine technical tasks with ab- training and assistance, like physical This worked even post-9/11, as I trav- changed my name, only to change it ment would employ far more workers exactly defined physical movements in ingly, overall employment rates have of Americans enroll in a four-year college stract and manual tasks in which work- therapists, personal trainers, coaches eled in and out of Kennedy Airport. It right back a year later. Processing the than agriculture. Of course, as societies production processes. These tasks are largely been unaffected in states and cit- after graduating from high school, and ers have a comparative advantage — in- and guides. These workers will adeptly wasn’t until I took a reporting trip to paperwork lasted longer than the actual grow more prosperous, citizens often most pervasive in middle-skill jobs like ies undergoing this rapid polarization. more than 30 percent of those who enroll terpersonal interaction, adaptability and combine technical skills with interper- rural West Virginia, eight and a half marriage. choose to work shorter days, take longer bookkeeping, clerical work and repetitive Rather, as employment in routine jobs do not complete the degree within eight problem-solving. Along with medical sonal interaction, flexibility and adapt- months pregnant with my third child, For now, I continue to use the two- vacations and retire earlier — but that production and quality-assurance jobs. has ebbed, employment has risen both in years. paraprofessionals, this category includes ability to offer services that are uniquely that the disparity caused a problem. name system, feeling like a comical yet too is progress. Logically, computerization has re- high-wage managerial, professional and The good news, however, is that mid- numerous jobs for people in the skilled human. The boarding agent at the Charleston, suspect figure out of Dostoyevsky. So if technological advances don’t duced the demand for these jobs, but it technical occupations and in low-wage, dle-education, middle-wage jobs are not trades and repair: plumbers; builders; W.Va., airport took one look at my mis- Don’t ask me to reveal my secret alias threaten employment, does that mean has boosted demand for workers who in-person service occupations. slated to disappear completely. While electricians; heating, ventilation and air- This is an essay from The Great Divide, matched ticket and identification form now — if I ever decide to one day write workers have nothing to fear from perform “nonroutine” tasks that comple- So computerization is not reducing the many middle-skill jobs are susceptible to conditioning installers; automotive tech- a series on inequality, at nytimes.com/ and shuffled me into an ominous un- a detective novel, I’ll already have my “smart machines”? Actually, no — and ment the automated activities. Those quantity of jobs, but rather degrading the automation, others demand a mixture of nicians; customer-service representa- opinionator. marked room. Images of giving birth in pseudonym.

Can Golden Rice Save Lives?

tivist organizations like Greenpeace, manner of genetically modified crops licensed their patent rights to the agri- tinely wipe out a third of the harvest, ba- From Page 1 which they see as playing on misplaced that would benefit multinational corpora- business company that later became nanas that contain higher levels of iron any of the genetically engineered crops fears of genetic engineering in both the tions at the expense of poor farmers and Syngenta, on the condition that the tech- and corn that uses nitrogen more effi- in wide use today, designed to either developing and the developed worlds. consumers. nology and any improvements to it would ciently. Other groups are developing a withstand herbicides sold by Monsanto Some took to other channels to convey In a 2001 article, “The Great Yellow be made freely available to poor farmers pest-resistant black-eyed pea and a and other chemical companies or resist to American foodies and Filipino farm- Hype,” the author Michael Pollan, a critic in the developing world. With the compa- “Golden Banana” that would also deliver insect attacks, with benefits for farmers ers alike the broad scientific consensus of industrial agriculture, suggested that ny retaining the right to use it in devel- vitamin A. but not directly for consumers. that G.M.O.’s are not intrinsically more it might have been developed to “win an oped countries, potentially as an alterna- Beyond the fear of corporate control of And a looming decision by the Philip- risky than other crops and can be reli- argument rather than solve a public- tive to vitamin supplements, Syngenta agriculture, perhaps the most cited ob- pine government about whether to al- ably tested. health problem.” He cited biotechnology scientists later improved the amount of jection to G.M.O.’s is that they may hold low Golden Rice to be grown beyond its At stake, they say, is not just the fu- industry advertisements that featured beta carotene produced by substituting a four remaining field trials has added a ture of biofortified rice but also a ra- the virtues of the rice, which at the time gene from corn for the one from daffodil. new dimension to the debate over the tional means to evaluate a technology had to be ingested in large quantities to If the rice gains the Philippine govern- The rice could help prevent blindness. technology’s merits. whose potential to improve nutrition in deliver a meaningful dose of vitamin A. ment’s approval, it will cost no more than Not owned by any company, Golden developing countries, and developed But the rice has since been retooled: a other rice for poor farmers, who will be But detractors point to unknown risks. Rice is being developed by a nonprofit ones, may otherwise go unrealized. bowl now provides 60 percent of the daily free to save seeds and replant them, Mr. group called the International Rice Re- “There’s so much misinformation requirement of vitamin A for healthy Barry said. It has no known allergens or risks that may not be understood. The search Institute with the aim of provid- floating around about G.M.O.’s that is children. And Gerard Barry, the Golden toxins, and the new proteins produced by decision to grow or eat them relies, like Mothers with ing a new source of vitamin A to people taken as fact by people,” said Michael D. Rice project leader at the International the rice have been shown to break down many other decisions, on a cost-benefit masks made both in the Philippines, where most Purugganan, a professor of genomics Rice Research Institute — and, it must be quickly in simulated gastric fluid, as re- analysis. households get most of their calories and biology and the dean for science at said, a former Monsanto employee — quired by World Health Organization How food consumers around the world from baby weigh that calculation will probably have bathtubs from rice, and eventually in many other New York University, who sought to calm suggests that attempts to discredit Gold- guidelines. A mouse feeding study is un- places in a world where rice is eaten ev- health-risk concerns in a primer on GMA en Rice discount the suffering it could al- der way in a laboratory in the United far-reaching consequences. Such crops, protested ery day by half the population. Lack of News Online, a media outlet in the Philip- leviate if successful. He said, too, that States. The potential that the Golden Scientific American declared in an edito- Golden Rice in the vital nutrient causes blindness in a pines: “The genes they inserted to make critics who suggest encouraging poor Rice would cross-pollinate with other va- rial last week, will make it to people’s Quezon City, quarter-million to a half-million children the vitamin are not some weird manufac- families to simply eat fruits and vegeta- rieties, sometimes called “genetic con- plates “only with public support.” the Philippines, each year. It affects millions of people in tured material,” he wrote, “but are also bles that contain beta carotene disregard tamination,” has been studied and found Greenpeace, for one, dismisses the in June. Asia and Africa and so weakens the im- found in squash, carrots and melons.” the expense and logistical difficulties that to be limited, because rice is typically benefits of vitamin supplementation mune system that some two million die Mr. Purugganan, who studies plant ERIK DE CASTRO/REUTERS would thwart such efforts. self-pollinated. And its production of beta through G.M.O.’s and has said it will con- each year of diseases they would other- evolution, does not work on genetically Identified in the infancy of genetic en- carotene does not appear to provide a tinue to oppose all uses of biotechnology wise survive. engineered crops, and until recently had Some proponents of G.M.O.’s say that stand up and shout, ‘No more lies — no high-minded purpose, Golden Rice has gineering as having the potential for the competitive advantage — or disadvan- in agriculture. As Daniel Ocampo, a cam- The destruction of the field trial, and not participated in the public debates more critical questions, like where bio- more fear-mongering,’” said Nina V. drawn suspicion from biotechnology biggest impact for the world’s poor, beta- tage — that could affect the survival of paigner for the organization in the Philip- the reasons given for it, touched a nerve over the risks and benefits of G.M.O.’s. technology should fall as a priority in the Fedoroff, a professor at the King Ab- skeptics beyond the demonstrators who carotene-producing rice was initially wild varieties with which it might mix. pines, put it, “We would rather err on the among scientists around the world, But having been raised in a middle-class efforts to address the root causes of hun- dullah University of Science and Technol- forced their way into the field trial. Many funded by the Rockefeller Foundation If Golden Rice is a Trojan horse, it now side of caution.” spurring them to counter assertions of family in Manila, he felt compelled to ger and malnutrition and how to prevent ogy in Saudi Arabia and a former science countries ban the cultivation of all geneti- and the European Union. In a decade of has some company. The Bill and Melinda For others, the potential of crops like the technology’s health and environ- weigh in on Golden Rice. “A lot of the crit- a few companies from controlling it, adviser to the American secretary of cally modified crops, and after the rice’s work culminating in 1999, two academic Gates Foundation, which is supporting Golden Rice to alleviate suffering is all mental risks. On a petition supporting icism of G.M.O.’s in the Western world would be easier to address were they not state, who helped spearhead the petition. media debut early in the last decade, scientists, Ingo Potrykus and Peter the final testing of Golden Rice, is also that matters. “This technology can save Golden Rice circulated among scientists suffers from a lack of understanding of lumped together with unfounded fears by “We’re talking about saving millions of Vandana Shiva, an Indian environmen- Beyer, finally switched on the production underwriting the development of crops lives,” one of the petition’s signers, Javier and signed by several thousand, many how really dire the situation is in devel- those who oppose G.M.O.’s. lives here.” talist, called it a “Trojan horse” whose of beta carotene by adding daffodil and tailored for sub-Saharan Africa, like cas- Delgado of Mexico, wrote. “But false vented a simmering frustration with ac- oping countries,” he said. “It is long past time for scientists to Precisely because of its seemingly purpose was to gain public support for all bacteria DNA to the rice’s genome. They sava that can resist the viruses that rou- fears can destroy it.” C M Y K NYxx,2013-08-25,SR,001,Bs-4C,E1

4 OPINION 6 THE GREAT DIVIDE 12 NEWS ANALYSIS 9 THE STONE America can’t win in Syria. Menace to the middle class. Monopoly started as a What is economics good for? C M Y K BY EDWARDNYxx,2013-08-25,SR,001,Bs-4C,E1 N.C LUTTWAKM Y K BY DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORNNYxx,2013-08-25,SR,001,Bs-4C,E1 BY ALEX ROSENBERG critique of capitalism AND TYLER CURTAIN 4 OPINION 8C DRAFTM Y K NYxx,2013-08-25,SR,001,Bs-4C,E1 Quiet: essential for clear Don’t ask writers what they’re and now celebrates it. 10 EDITORIAL 4 OPINION 6 THE GREAT DIVIDE 12 NEWS ANALYSIS 9 THE STONE 4 OPINION 6 THE GREATthought. DIVIDE BY GEORGE PROCHNIK 12 NEWSworking ANALYSIS on. BY MARK SLOUKA BY MARY PILON 9 THE STONE For mayor of New York. America can’t win in Syria. Menace to the middle class. What is economics good for? America can’t win in Syria. Menace to the middle class. 4 OPINION 6 THE GREAT DIVIDEMonopoly startedWhat12 NEWS as is ANALYSIS aeconomics good for? 9 THE STONE BY EDWARD N. LUTTWAKMonopoly BYstarted DAVID H. AUTORas a AND DAVID DORN BY ALEX ROSENBERG BY EDWARD N. LUTTWAK BY DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN America can’t win in Syria. Menace to the middlecritique class. of capitalismBY ALEX ROSENBERG What is economics good for? IDEAS OPINION4 OPINION NEWS ANALYSIScritique of capitalism8 DRAFT Monopoly started as a SUNDAY, AUGUSTAND TYLER 25, 2013 CURTAIN 4 OPINION 8 DRAFT BY EDWARD N. LUTTWAK BY DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN AND TYLER CURTAIN BY ALEX ROSENBERG Quiet: essential for clear Don’t ask writers what they’re and now celebratescritique it. of capitalism 10 EDITORIAL Quiet: essential for clear Don’t ask writers what they’re and4 OPINION now celebrates it. 8 DRAFT 10 EDITORIAL AND TYLER CURTAIN thought. BY GEORGE PROCHNIK working on. BY MARK SLOUKA BY MARY PILON For mayor of New York. thought. BY GEORGE PROCHNIK working on. BY MARK SLOUKA BY MARYQuiet: PILON essential for clear Don’t ask writers what they’re Forand mayor now of Newcelebrates York. it. 10 EDITORIAL thought. BY GEORGE PROCHNIK working on. BY MARK SLOUKA BY MARY PILON For mayor of New York.

IDEAS OPINION NEWS ANALYSIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 IDEAS OPINION NEWS ANALYSIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013

IDEAS OPINION NEWS ANALYSIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013

Golden Rice: Lifesaver? Golden Rice:GoldenGolden Rice: Rice: Lifesaver?Lifesaver?Lifesaver?

C M Y K NYxx,2013-08-25,SR,001,Bs-4C,E1

4 OPINION 6 THE GREAT DIVIDE 12 NEWS ANALYSIS 9 THE STONE America can’t win in Syria. Menace to the middle class. What is economics good for? C M Y K Monopoly startedNYxx,2013-08-25,SR,001,Bs-4C,E1 as a BY EDWARD N. LUTTWAK BY DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN critique of capitalism BY ALEX ROSENBERG 4 OPINION 8 DRAFT AND TYLER CURTAIN 4 OPINION 6 THE GREAT DIVIDE 12 NEWS ANALYSIS 9 THE STONE Quiet: essential for clear Don’t ask writers what they’re and now celebrates it. 10 EDITORIAL America can’t win in Syria. C M YMenaceK to the middle class.NYxx,2013-08-25,SR,001,Bs-4C,E1 Monopoly started as a What is economics good for? thought. BY GEORGE PROCHNIK working on. BY MARK SLOUKABY EDWARD N. LUTTWAKBY MARY PILONBY DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN critique of capitalism For mayor ofBY New ALEX ROSENBERG York. 4 OPINION 4 OPINION 8 DRAFT 6 THE GREAT DIVIDE 12 NEWS ANALYSIS 9 THE STONE AND TYLER CURTAIN America can’t win in Syria. Menace to the middle class. What is economics good for? and Monopolynow celebrates started as a it. 10 EDITORIAL Quiet: essential for clear Don’t ask writers what they’re BY ALEX ROSENBERG BY EDWARD N. LUTTWAK BY DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN critique of capitalism thought. BY GEORGE PROCHNIK4 OPINION working on. BY MARK8 DRAFT SLOUKA BY MARY PILON AND TYLER CURTAIN For mayor of New York. Quiet: essential for clear Don’t ask writers what they’re and now celebrates it. 10 EDITORIAL IDEAS OPINION NEWS ANALYSIS thought. BY GEORGE PROCHNIK working on. BY MARK SLOUKA BY MARY PILON For mayor of NewSUNDAY, York. AUGUST 25, 2013

IDEAS OPINION NEWS ANALYSIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 IDEAS OPINION NEWS ANALYSIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013

Golden Rice: GoldenLifesaver? Rice: Golden Rice:Lifesaver? Lifesaver?

JES AZNAR FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

The fight over genetically modified crops has gone global. Is hysteria impeding science?

NE bright morning this month, 400 protesters gineered crops. They are driving the desire among some Ameri- Genetically smashed down the high fences surrounding a field in cans for mandatory “G.M.O.” labels on food with ingredients engineered the Bricol region of the Philippines and uprooted the made from crops whose DNA has been altered in a laboratory. Golden Rice genetically modified rice plants growing inside. O And they have motivated similar attacks on trials of other ge- grown in a facility Had the plants survived long enough to flower, they would netically modified crops in recent years: grapes designed to in Los Baños, NEWS ANALYSIS have betrayed a distinctly yellow tint in the otherwise white fight off a deadly virus in France, wheat designed to have a low- part of the grain. That is because the rice is endowed with a er glycemic index in Australia, sugar beets in Oregon designed Laguna Province, BY AMY HARMON gene from corn and another from a bacterium, making it the in the Philippines. to tolerate a herbicide, to name a few. JES AZNAR FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES JES AZNAR FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES A national only variety in existence to produce beta carotene, the source of JES AZNAR FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES “We do not want our people, especially our children, to be correspondent for The vitamin A. Its developers call it “Golden Rice.” The fight over genetically modified crops has gone used inglobal. these Is hysteria experiments,” impeding science? a farmer who was a leader of the New York Times. The concerns voiced by the participants in the Aug. 8 act of JES AZNAR FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES The fight NEover bright morningprotest genetically this month, told 400 the protesters Philippine gineeredmodified crops. They newspaper are driving the desirecrops among Remate. some Ameri- hasGenetically gone The fight over geneticallyvandalism — that modified Golden Rice couldcrops pose has unforeseen gone risks smashed to down the high fences surrounding a field in cans for mandatory “G.M.O.” labels on food with ingredients engineered the Bricol region of the Philippines and uprooted the made from crops whose DNA has been altered in a laboratory. Golden Rice genetically modifiedBut rice plants Golden growing inside. Rice, which appeared on the cover of Time Maga- human health and the environment, that it would ultimatelyO And they have motivated similar attacks on trials of other ge- grown in a facility Had the plants survived long enough to flower, they would global. Is hysteria impedingnetically modified crops in recent science? years: grapes designed to in Los Baños, NEWS ANALYSIS have betrayed a distinctlyzine yellow in tint in2000 the otherwise before white fight it off was a deadly virusquite in France, ready wheat designed for to have prime a low- time, is unlike global. Isprofit hysteria big agrochemical impeding companies science? — are a familiar refrainpart of the in grain. That is because the riceThe is endowed withfight a over geneticallyLaguna modified Province, crops has gone BY AMY HARMON er glycemic index in Australia, sugar beets in Oregon designed gene from corn and another from a bacterium, making it the to tolerate a herbicide, to name a few. in the Philippines. A national only variety in existence to produce beta carotene, the source of the long-running controversy over the merits of genetically en- “WeContinued do not want our people, on especially Page our children, 6 to be correspondent for The vitamin A. Its developers call it “Golden Rice.” used in these experiments,” a farmer who was a leader of the New York Times. The concerns voiced by the participants in the Aug. 8 act of NE bright morning this month, 400 pro- global.protesta toldbacterium, the Philippine newspaperIs hysteria Remate. making impeding it the only science?variety in ex- NE bright morning this vandalism month, — that Golden 400 Rice could protesters pose unforeseen risks to gineered crops. They are driving the desire among some Ameri- Genetically NE bright morning this month, 400 protesters gineered crops. They are driving the desirehuman health andamong the environment, some that it would Ameri- ultimately But Golden Rice, which appeared on the cover of Time Maga- smashedtesters down smashed the high downfencesprofit big surrounding the agrochemical high companies — arefencesa a field familiar refrain in in zineistencecans in 2000Genetically before for it was quite mandatoryto ready produce for prime time, is“G.M.O.” unlike beta carotene, labels on food the withsource ingredients of the long-running controversy over the merits of genetically en- Continued on Page 6 engineered smashed down the high fences surrounding a field in cans for mandatory “G.M.O.” labels on food with ingredients engineered thesurrounding Bricol region of a the field PhilippinesNE in thebright andBicol morninguprooted region the this month,vitaminmade from 400 A. crops Its protesters developerswhose DNAgineered has call been itcrops. “Golden altered They in are Rice.”a laboratory. driving the desireGolden among Rice some Ameri- the Bricol region of the Philippines and uprooted the madeO fromgenetically crops whose modified DNA rice has plants been growingaltered in inside. a laboratory. Genetically smashed down the high fencesAnd Goldensurrounding they haveRice amotivated field in similar attacks on trials of other ge- genetically modified rice plants growing inside. OAndof thethey Philippineshave motivated and similar uprooted attacks onthe trials genetically of otherTHOMAS ge- L. FRIEDMAN The concerns voicedcans by for the mandatory participants “G.M.O.” in labels ongrown food within a facility ingredients engineered O Had the plants survived longTHOMAS enough to L. flower, FRIEDMAN they would neticallygrown in modified a facility crops in recent years: grapes designed to Had the plants survived long enough to flower, they would neticallymodified modified rice plants crops in growing recent the years: inside. Bricol grapes region designed of the Philippines to the Aug. and 8uprooted act of vandalismthe made from— that crops Golden whose DNA Rice has beenin altered Los Baños, in a laboratory. Golden Rice NEWS ANALYSIS have betrayed a distinctly yellow tintgenetically in theForeign otherwise modified Policy whiterice by plants Whisperfight ingrowing Los off and a Baños, deadly inside. Nudge virus in France, wheat designed to have a low- NEWS ANALYSIS have betrayed a distinctly yellow tint in the otherwise white fight off a deadly virus in France, wheat designed to have a low- And they have motivated similar attacks on trials of other ge- part of the grain. That is becauseOF you follow the the commentary rice on isAmerican endowed foreign In the with Arab world, a you can only do so delbaum, the Johns Hopkins University foreign affairs Laguna Province, grown in a facility Had the plants sur- could pose unforeseen risks to human health part of the grain. That is because the riceBY is AMY endowed HARMON with a Hadpolicy toward the Egypt plants and the broader survived Middle East long enougher Laguna toglycemic flower, expert.Province, index they We were ready would in toAustralia, overlook the internalnetically behav- sugar modifiedbeets in Oregon crops in designed recent years: grapes designed to BY AMY HARMON geneer glycemic from corn index and in another Australia, fromtoday, sugar several a themes bacterium, beets stand out: Peoplein Oregonin the making re- much designed itwithout the the will of the people. ior of states, both because we needed them as allies in in the Philippines. in Los Baños, NEWS ANALYSIS haveI gion argue: betrayed “Whatever went a wrong, distinctly the United yellow tint to in tolerate the otherwise athe herbicide,cold war and because, white with to the name Russians poised a onfew. gene from corn and another from a bacterium, making it the vivedStates is to blame.” long Foreign policyenough experts argue: to flow- andin thethe Philippines. environment,the other side, any intervention could escalate fightthat into aoff it a woulddeadly virusultimately in France, wheat designed to have a low- A nationalForeignonlyto tolerate variety ain herbicide, existence Policy to to name produce“Whatever a few. Presidentby beta Obama carotene, did,Whisper he got it wrong.” the sourceThere is actually ofa logic to all threeand positions. Nudge superpower confrontation. Laguna Province, A national only variety in existence to produce beta carotene, the source of partAnd the ofAmerican the public grain.is saying: “We’re That totally fed is It because starts with the huge the difference rice between“We iscold-war doendowed notPost-cold-war want with foreign our policy a today people, is largely about especially our children, to be er, they would haveand post-cold-war be foreign- policy.profit During the cold war,big agrochemicaler companiesglycemic index — in areAustralia, a fa- sugar beets in Oregon designed correspondent for The vitamin“WeBY A. AMY do Its not HARMONdevelopers want our call people, upit with“Golden that especially part of the worldRice.” and can’t our wait for children, the to be “affecting the internal composition and governance of correspondent for The vitamin A. Its developers call it “Golden Rice.” genestart of the from N.F.L. season. corn How do and you like another those American fromforeign policy a “was bacterium, allused about how wein affect these making experiments,” it the a farmer who was a leader of the in the Philippines. F you follow theNew commentary York Times. on AmericanusedThe concernsin foreignthese experiments,” voiced by thetrayed49ers?” aparticipants farmer a whodistinctly in was the aAug. leader theyellow external8 act of behavior ofthe of states,”miliar said Michael Man- refraindelbaum, Continuedin the the onJohns Page 11long-runningto Hopkins tolerate University a herbicide, controversy foreign to name affairs a few. New York Times. The concerns voiced by the participants in the Aug. 8 act of A nationalIn theonly Arab variety world, in existence you canto produce only beta doprotest carotene, so told the the source Philippine of newspaper Remate. JES AZNAR FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES policy toward Egypt and the broadervandalismprotest Middle told —East the that Philippine Golden Rice newspaper could pose Remate. unforeseen risks to expert. We were ready“We to overlook do not wantthe internal our people, behav- especially our children, to be vandalism — that Golden Rice couldtoday, pose several unforeseen themes stand risks out: to Peoplecorrespondent in the re- for The vitamintint in A. the Its developersotherwise call white it “Golden over Rice.”But the Golden merits Rice, ofwhich genetically appeared onengineered the cover of Timecrops. Maga- humanBut healthGolden andRice, the whichmuch environment, appeared without on that the theThe itcover wouldfightwill ofover Timeof ultimately genetically the Maga- people. modified cropsior has of states,gone both becauseused in we these needed experiments,” them as allies a farmer in who was a leader of the human health and the environment,gion argue: that it “Whateverwould ultimately went wrong, theNew United York Times. partThe concernsof the voicedgrain. by That the participants is Theyzine inin are the2000the Aug.driving beforecold 8 war act it theandwasof because,desirequite ready among with for the prime Russianssome time, Amer poised is unlike- on I profitzine bigin 2000 agrochemical before it was companies quite ready — are for aprime familiarglobal. time, refrain Is ishysteria unlike in impeding science? protest told the Philippine newspaper Remate. vandalism — that Golden Rice could pose unforeseen risks to profit big agrochemical companiesStates — is areto blame.” a familiar Foreign refrain policy in the experts long-running argue: controversybecause over the merits the ofrice genetically is en en-- icans forthe mandatoryother side,Continued any “G.M.O.” interventionBut on Golden Page labels 6 couldRice, whichescalate on foodappeared into a on the cover of Time Maga- the long-running controversy“Whatever over the merits President of genetically Obama did,en- he got it wrong.” ThereContinuedhuman is actually on health Page a logic 6 and to all the three environment, positions. that it would ultimately NE bright morning this month, 400 protesters gineered crops. Theysuperpower are driving the desire confrontation. among zinesome Ameri- in 2000Genetically before it was quite ready for prime time, is unlike And the American public is saying: “We’redowed totally with fed a geneIt starts fromprofit withsmashed bigcorn the down agrochemical huge and the high difference anotherfences surrounding companies between from a field in —cold-warcans with are for amandatory familiaringredients “G.M.O.” refrain labels on made in food with ingredientsfrom cropsengineered whose DNA the Bricol region of the Philippines and uprooted the made from crops whosePost-cold-war DNA has been altered foreign in a laboratory. policyGolden today Rice is largely about and post-cold-warthe long-runninggenetically foreign modified rice contpolicy. plantsroversy growing During inside. ov theer the cold merits war, of genetically en- Continued on Page 6 up with that part of the world and can’t wait for the O And they have motivated“affecting similar attacks the oninternal trials of other composition ge- grown in aand facility governance of Had the plants survived long enough to flower, they would American foreign policy “was all about how wenetically affect modified crops in recent years: grapes designed to in Los Baños, start of the N.F.L. season. How do you like thoseNEWS ANALYSIS have betrayed a distinctly yellow tint in the otherwise white fight off a deadly virus in France, wheat designed to have a low- part of the grain. That is because the rice is endowed with a Laguna Province, 49ers?” BY AMY HARMONthe external behavior of states,” said Michaeler glycemic Man- index in Australia, sugar beets in OregonContinued designed on Page 11 gene from corn and another from a bacterium, making it the to tolerate a herbicide, to name a few. in the Philippines. A national only variety in existence to produce beta carotene, the source of “We do not want our people, especially our children, to be correspondent for The vitamin A. Its developers call it “Golden Rice.”THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN used in these experiments,” a farmer who was a leader of the THOMAS L. FRIEDMANNew York Times. The concerns voiced by the participants in the Aug. 8 act of protest told the Philippine newspaper Remate. vandalism — that Golden Rice could pose unforeseen risks to human health and the environment, that it would ultimately But Golden Rice, which appeared on the cover of Time Maga- profit big agrochemical companies — are a familiar refrain in zine in 2000 before itTHOMAS was quite ready for L.prime FRIEDMAN time, is unlike Foreign Policy by WhisperForeign andthe long-running PolicyNudge controversy over the merits byof genetically Whisperen- Continued on Pageand 6 Nudge F you follow the commentary on American foreign Foreign Policy by Whisperdelbaum, the Johns and Hopkins UniversityNudge foreign affairs F you follow the commentary on American foreign delbaum,In the Johns Arab Hopkins THOMASworld, University L. FRIEDMAN you can foreign only affairs do so In the Arabpolicy toward world, Egypt you and can the broaderonly do Middle so East expert. We were ready to overlook the internal behav- policy toward Egypt and the broader Middle East expert. We were ready to overlook the internal behav- today, several themes stand out: People in the re- ior of states, both because we needed them as allies in today, several themes stand out: People in the re- F you follow the commentaryior of states,much on American both without because foreign we the needed will them of the as allies people. in delbaum, the Johns Hopkins University foreign affairs much gionwithout argue: the “Whatever will of went the wrong, people. the UnitedForeign Policy by WhisperIn the Arab and world, Nudge youthe can cold waronly and do because, so with the Russians poised on gion argue: “Whatever went wrong, the United I policy toward Egypt andthe coldthe broaderwar and Middlebecause, East with the Russians poised on expert. We were ready to overlook the internal behav- I States is to blame.” Foreign policyF you experts follow the commentary argue: on American foreign In the Arab world, you can only do so delbaum, the Johns Hopkinsthe Universityother foreignside, affairs any intervention could escalate into a today, several themes stand out: People in the re- ior of states, both because we needed them as allies in States is to blame.” Foreign policy experts argue: “Whatever President Obama did, hepolicy got toward it Egypt wrong.” and thethe broader other MiddleThere side, East is any actually intervention a logic to could muchall three escalate positions.without intoexpert. a Wethe were readywill to overlook of the the internal people. behav- “Whatever President Obama did, he got it wrong.” There is actually a logic to all three gionpositions. argue:today, several “Whatever themes stand out: wentPeople in wrong,the re- much the without United the will of the people. ior of states, both becausesuperpower we needed them asconfrontation. allies in the cold war and because, with the Russians poised on And the American public isI saying:I “We’region argue: totally “Whatever fed wentsuperpower wrong, theIt Unitedstarts confrontation. with the huge difference betweenthe cold-war cold war and because, with the Russians poised on It starts with the huge differenceStates between isStates to is cold-war toblame.” blame.” Foreign Foreign policy experts policy argue: experts argue: the other side, any interventionPost-cold-war could escalate into foreigna policythe other today side, is largely any intervention about could escalate into a And the American public is saying: “We’re totally fed Post-cold-war foreignThere is actually policy a logic to today all three positions. is largely about up with that part of the world and“Whatever can’t President wait for Obama the did, he gotand it wrong.” post-cold-war foreign policy.There During is actually thesuperpower cold a logic war, confrontation. to all “affectingthree positions. the internal composition and governance of up with that part of the world and can’t wait for the and post-cold-war foreign policy.“Whatever DuringAnd the the PresidentcoldAmerican war, public is Obama saying: “We’re did, totally he fed got It itstarts wrong.” with the huge difference between cold-war Post-cold-war foreign policy today is largely about superpower confrontation. start of the N.F.L. season. How do you like those“affectingAmerican the internaland foreign post-cold-war composition policy foreign “was policy. and Duringall about governancethe cold war,how we of affect American foreign policy “was allAnd about the uphow American with we that partaffect ofpublic the world is and saying: can’t wait for “We’re the totally fed It starts with the“affecting huge the differenceinternal composition between and governance cold-war of start of the N.F.L. season. How do you like those 49ers?” start of the N.F.L. season. How do youthe like external those American behavior foreign policy of “was states,” all about how said we affect Michael Man- Continued onPost-cold-war Page 11 foreign policy today is largely about 49ers?” the external behavior of states,”up said with Michael49ers?” that part Man- of the world and can’t theContinued wait external for behavior the on ofPage states,”and 11 saidpost-cold-war Michael Man- foreign policy.Continued onDuring Page 11 the cold war, “affecting the internal composition and governance of start of the N.F.L. season. How do you like those American foreign policy “was all about how we affect 49ers?” the external behavior of states,” said Michael Man- Continued on Page 11 JES AZNAR FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

The fight over genetically modified crops has gone global. Is hysteria impeding science?

6 SR THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 SR 7

THE GREAT DIVIDE DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN How Technology Wrecks the Middle Class

In the four years since the Great Recession offi- cially ended, the productivity of American work- C M Y K NYxx,2013-08-25,SR,006,Cs-4C,E1 ers — those lucky enough to have jobs — has risen JEANNE DETALLANTE smartly. But the United States still has two million fewer jobs than before the 6 SR THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 SR 7 David H. Autor is a downturn, the unemployment rate is C M Y K NYxx,2013-08-25,SR,006,Cs-4C,E1 professor of stuck at levels not seen since the early The Problem That economics at the 1990s and the proportion of adults who Massachusetts are working is four percentage points off its peak in 2000. THE GREAT DIVIDE DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN Institute of 6 SR THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 SR 7 Technology. David This job drought has spurred pundits Has Two Names Dorn is an to wonder whether a profound employ- assistant professor ment sickness has overtaken us. And IFTY years after Betty Friedan’s downtown Charleston swirling in my DISPATCH from there, it’s only a short leap to askTHE GREAT DIVIDE DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN of economics at the How Technology “Feminine Mystique” and head, I was released after 40 minutes of whether that illness isn’t productivity it- BY PAMELA PAUL Center for countless principled-but-un- panicked phone calls. self. Have we mechanized and comput- wieldy hyphenated names later, For the most part, my two-name sta- The editor of The Monetary and erized ourselves into obsolescence? F the problem of married versus maiden tus doesn’t get in the way of major life New York Times Financial Studies Are we in danger of losing the “race How Technology names should be good and solved. But events even if it results from one. But Book Review. in Madrid. against the machine,” as the M.I.T. schol- Wrecks the many women are still caught in an in- ars Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew Mc- that doesn’t release me from other mi- Afee argue in a recent book? Are we be- between purgatory: why have to nor entanglements. Building security coming enslaved to our “robot over- Wrecks the choose? guards often usher me in to work ap- lords,” as the journalist Kevin Drum Middle Class Like others wanting it both ways, I pointments with my married name em- warned in Mother Jones? Do “smart ma- held on to my professional name while blazoned on a temporary-ID card, or chines” threaten us with “long-term mis- In the four years since also taking on my husband’s. For years, calls up to whomever I’m meeting ask- ery,” as the economists Jeffrey D. SachsMiddle Class the Great Recession offi- I’ve gone by both, fearing that at some ing if they’re expecting a person and Laurence J. Kotlikoff prophesied ear- cially ended, the produc- point I will be called out or, worse, ar- they’ve never heard of. In the four years since tivity of American work- lier this year? Have we reached “the end the Great Recession offi- rested. Though I moved my last name to Even on the home front, the double- ers — those lucky enough my middle, this has left me in a muddle: identification system has its tripwires. of labor,” as Noah Smith laments in The cially ended, the produc- to have jobs — has risen Atlantic? tivity of American work- Under what name do I travel? Who Which name should I use at my chil- JEANNE DETALLANTE ers — those lucky enough smartly. But the United States still has Of course, anxiety, and even hysteria, two million fewer jobs than before the Robot arms pays taxes? What if I, er, still haven’t dren’s schools? How do we register for to have jobs — has risen JEANNE DETALLANTE about the adverse effects of technological smartly. But the United States still has David H. Autor is a downturn, the unemployment rate is welded a switched over my Social Security card? the school auction, and should I have change on employment have a venerable two million fewer jobs than before the professor of stuck at levels not seen since the early vehicle on the These are questions that for 10 years my credit cards changed as well? Can The Problem That history. In the early 19th century a groupDavid H. Autor is a downturn, the unemployment rate is economics at the 1990s and the proportion of adults who professor of stuck at levels not seen since the early assembly line I’ve been unable to answer. In an era in my husband get away with using my of English textile artisans calling them- Massachusetts are working is four percentage points off The Problem That economics at the 1990s and the proportion of adults who its peak in 2000. at a General which identity theft is the ultimate Costco card, and how on earth do we are working is four percentage points off Institute of selves the Luddites staged a machine-Massachusetts This job drought has spurred pundits crime, I skulk around on a regular basis straighten out matters with Zipcar? its peak in 2000. Technology. David Motors plant Has Two Names trashing rebellion. Their brashness Institute of to wonder whether a profound employ- fearing that somehow, my other-named My young children are all in a perma- Technology. David This job drought has spurred pundits Dorn is an in Lansing, Has Two Names earned them a place (rarely positive) in ment sickness has overtaken us. And Dorn is an to wonder whether a profound employ- assistant professor double is getting me in trouble. nent state of confusion about the bylines IFTY years after Betty Friedan’s downtown Charleston swirling in my DISPATCH from there, it’s only a short leap to ask Mich., in 2010. the lexicon, but they had legitimate rea-assistant professor ment sickness has overtaken us. And IFTY years after Betty Friedan’s downtown Charleston swirling inthey my seeDISPATCH under one name and the family “Feminine Mystique” and head, I was released after 40 minutes of from there, it’s only a short leap to ask of economics at the BILL PUGLIANO/GETTY IMAGES Academics refer to us as “situational BY PAMELA PAUL sons for concern. of economics at the whether that illness isn’t productivity it- “Feminine Mystique” and head, I was released after 40 minutes of countless principled-but-un- panicked phone calls. whether that illness isn’t productivity it- Center for name users.” According to several stud- name BYwe PAMELA use at PAUL home. Isn’t our shared Economists have historically rejected Center for self. Have we mechanized and comput- countless principled-but-un- panicked phone calls. wieldy hyphenated names later, For the most part, my two-name sta- The editor of The self. Have we mechanized and comput- Monetary and erized ourselves into obsolescence? wieldy hyphenatedies, names the number later, ofFor womenthe most part, who my keep two-namename sta- The part editor of of what The unites us as a fam- F here’s where the Luddites had a point. tasks happen to lie on opposite ends of quality of jobs for a significant subset of tasks that take advantage of human flex- tives; and even clerical workers who are what we call the “lump of labor” fallacy:Monetary and erized ourselves into obsolescence? F the problem of married versus maiden tus doesn’t get in the way of major life New York Times Financial Studies Are we in danger of losing the “race the problem of married versus maiden tus doesn’t get in the way of majorily? life WhyNew York would Times I want to set myself Financial AlthoughStudies Are many we in 19th-centurydanger of losing the Britons “race the occupational skill distribution. workers. Demand for highly educated ibility. To take one prominent example, required to do more than type and file. their names after marriage peaked in names should be good and solved. But events even if it results from one. But Book Review. the supposition that an increase in labor in Madrid. against the machine,” as the M.I.T. schol- names should be good and solved. But events even if it results from one. But Book Review. in Madrid.benefited against from the the machine,” introduction as the M.I.T. of newer schol- At one end are so-called abstract tasks workers who excel in abstract tasks is ro- medical paraprofessional jobs — radiolo- Indeed, even as formerly middle-skill oc- the 1990s, falling from 23 percent to many women are still caught in an in- productivity inevitably reduces employ- ars Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew Mc- many women are still caught in an inthat doesn’t release me from other mi- that doesn’t release me from other mi- ars Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew Mc- bust, but the middle of the labor market, roughly 18 percent a decade later. Wom- between purgatory: why have to nor entanglements. Building security and betterAfee automated argue in a recent looms book? — Areunskilled we be- that require problem-solving, intuition, gy technician,Afee argue phlebotomist, in a recent book? nurse Are tech- we be- cupations are being “deskilled,” or between purgatory: why have to nor entanglements. Building security laborers coming were hiredenslaved as to loom our “robot operators, over- persuasion and creativity. These tasks where the routine task-intensive jobs lie, nician —coming are a enslavedrapidly growing to our “robotcategory over- stripped of their routine technical tasks choose? en are marrying,guards at older often ages, usher on me aver- in to workI ap-want it both ways. I kept my maiden choose? guards often usher me in to work ap- and a growinglords,” asmiddle the journalist class could Kevin now Drum af- are characteristic of professional, mana- is sagging. Workers without college edu- of relativelylords,” well-paid, as the journalist middle-skill Kevin occu- Drum (brokering stocks, for example), other Like others wantingage it both five ways, years I intopointments their with postcollegiate my married name em- Like others wanting it both ways, I pointments with my married name em- Computerization creates jobs — but at the held on to my professional name while blazoned on a temporary-ID card, or ford mass-producedwarned in Mother fabrics Jones? Do — “smart it’s ma- un- gerial, technical and creative occupa- cation therefore concentrate in manual pations.warned While in these Mother paraprofessions Jones? Do “smart do ma- formerly high-end occupations are be- careers. They’ve already established name and took on my husband’s. held on to my professional name while blazoned on a temporary-ID card, or chines” threaten us with “long-term mis- also taking on my husband’s. For years, calls up to whomever I’m meeting ask- also taking on my husband’s. For years, calls up to whomever I’m meeting ask- likely that skilled textile workers bene- task-intensive jobs — like food services, not typicallychines” require threaten a us four-year with “long-term college mis- coming accessible to workers with less I’ve gone by both, fearing that at some ing if they’re expecting a person upper and lower ends of the spectrum. ery,” as the economists Jeffrey D. Sachs tions, like law, medicine, science, engi- professional reputations and networks I’ve gone by both, fearing that at some ing if they’re expecting a person fited on theand whole.Laurence J. Kotlikoff prophesied ear- neering, advertising and design. People cleaning and security — which are nu- degree, ery,” they as do the demand economists some Jeffrey postsec- D. Sachs esoteric technical mastery (for example, point I will be called out or, worse, ar- they’ve never heard of. and Laurence J. Kotlikoff prophesied ear- of contacts who know them by their giv- point I will be called out or, worse, ar- they’ve never heard of. lier this year? Have we reached “the end in these jobs typically have high levels of merous but offer low wages, precarious ondary vocational training. the work of the nurse practitioner, who rested. Though I moved my last name to Even on the home front, the double-apart? Recently, my 4-year-old rather ment because there is only a finite Fast-forwardof labor,” toas theNoah present. Smith laments The inmulti- The lier this year? Have we reached “the end my middle, this has leften me names. in a muddle: Settingidentification aside the systemshoulds has and its tripwires. rested. Though I moved my last name to Even on the home front, the double- amount of work to do. While intuitively trillionfoldAtlantic? decline in the cost of comput- education and analytical capability, and job security and few prospects for up- Theseof middle-skilllabor,” as Noah jobs Smith will laments persist, in The increasingly diagnoses illness and pre- Under what name dothe I travel? whys Who behindWhich which name name should to I use pick, at my poignantly chil- declared that he wished his my middle, this has left me in a muddle: identification system has its tripwires. Robot arms appealing, this idea is demonstrably ing since theOf course,1970s anxiety,has created and even enormous hysteria, they benefit from computers that facili- ward mobility. This bifurcation of job op- and potentiallyAtlantic? grow, because they in- scribes drugs in lieu of a physician). Law- pays taxes? What if I,the er, obvious still haven’t answerdren’s for schools? the ambivalentHow do we registerfirst for name were Paul. On occasion, I find Under what name do I travel? Who Which name should I use at my chil- about the adverse effects of technological welded a the school auction, and should I have Robot arms false. In 1900, for example, 41 percent of incentives for employers to substitute in- tate the transmission, organization and portunities has contributed to the histor- volve tasksOf thatcourse, cannot anxiety, readily and evenbe unbun- hysteria, rence F. Katz, a labor economist at Har- switched over my Socialis toSecurity use both. card? myself reading emotional tea leaves pays taxes? What if I, er, still haven’t dren’s schools? How do we register for change on employment have a venerable about the adverse effects of technological vehicle on the These are questions that for 10 years my credit cards changed as well? Can welded a switched over my Social Security card? the school auction, and should I have the United States work force was in agri- creasinglyhistory. cheap In the and early capable 19th century computers a group processing of information. ic rise in income inequality. dled without a substantial drop in quality. vard, memorably called those who fruit- I’ve been unable to answer.What In an exactly era in my does husband this get mean? away withOffi- usinginto my which name my husband uses change on employment have a venerable assembly line vehicle on the These are questions that for 10 years my credit cards changed as well? Can culture. By 2000, that share had fallen to for expensiveof English labor. textile artisans These calling rapid them- ad- On the other end are so-called manual Consider, for example, the frustration of fully combine the foundational skillsat a General of a which identity theft cially, is the a ultimatepassportCostco is supposed card, and to how match on earth a dowhen we referring to me. Shouldn’t the an- selves the Luddites staged a machine- history. In the early 19th century a group assembly line I’ve been unable to answer. In an era in my husband get away with using my 2 percent, after the Green Revolution vances — which confront us daily as we tasks, which require situational adapt- OW can we help workers ride calling a software firm for technical sup- high school education with specificMotors voca- plant crime, I skulk around on a regular basis straighten out matters with Zipcar?niversary dinner reservation be under trashing rebellion. Their brashness of English textile artisans calling them- person’s driver’s license,My young Socialchildren Securi-are all in a perma- at a General which identity theft is the ultimate Costco card, and how on earth do we check in at airports, order books online, ability, visual and language recognition, the wave of technological port, only to discover that the technician tional skills the “new artisans.” in Lansing, fearing that somehow, my other-named transformed crop yields. But the em- earned them a place (rarely positive) in selves the Luddites staged a machine- double is getting me inty trouble. card, paychecknent and state tax of confusion returns. about The the bylinesour shared name? Why did he write a Motors plant crime, I skulk around on a regular basis straighten out matters with Zipcar? pay bills theon lexicon, our banks’ but they Web had legitimatesites or con-rea- and in-person interaction. Preparing a change rather than be knows nothingtrashing more rebellion. than Their the standard brashness The outlook for workers who Mich., haven’t in 2010. ployment-to-population ratio rose over BILL PUGLIANO/GETTY IMAGES Academics refer to I.R.S.us as “situational is pretty clearthey see that under if one newlyweds name and the familycheck for me made out to “Pamela in Lansing, fearing that somehow, my other-named My young children are all in a perma- sult our sons smartphones for concern. for driving direc- meal, driving a truck through city traffic answersearned shown them on a his place or (rarely her computer positive) in finished college is uncertain, but not de- name users.” According to several stud- name we use at home. Isn’t our shared the 20th century as women moved from Economists have historically rejected swamped by it? One common take their spouse’s names, they need to Paul”? double is getting me in trouble. nent state of confusion about the bylines H the lexicon, but they had legitimate rea- ies, the number of women who keep name part of what unites us as a fam- Mich., in 2010. here’s where the Luddites had a point. tasks happen to lie on opposite ends of quality of jobs for a significant subset of tasks that take advantage of human flex- tives; and even clerical workers who are home to market, and the unemployment tions —what have we call reawakened the “lump of labor” fears fallacy: that or cleaning a hotel room present mind- recommendation is that citizens should screen — that is, the technician is a void of hope. There will be job opportuni- BILL PUGLIANO/GETTY IMAGES Academics refer to us as “situational they see under one name and the family sons for concern. their names after marriagechange peaked their in Socialily? Why Security would I card want and to set myselfGiven my family history, I should workers thewill supposition be displaced that an byincrease machinery. in labor Althoughbogglingly many complex 19th-century challenges Britons the for occupational com- skill distribution. workers. Demand for highly educated mouthpieceibility. reading To take from one prominent a script, example, not a requiredties in tomiddle-skill do more than jobs, type andbut file.not in the tra- name users.” According to several stud- name we use at home. Isn’t our shared rate fluctuated cyclically, with no long- invest more in their education.workers who excel Spurred in abstract tasks is ro- medicalEconomists paraprofessional have historically jobs — radiolo- rejectedIndeed, even as formerly middle-skill oc- the 1990s, falling from 23 percent to have this sorted by now. When my productivity inevitably reduces employ- benefited from the introduction of newer At one end are so-called abstract tasks file taxes under the new name. This ies, the number of women who keep name part of what unites us as a fam- term increase. Will this time be different? andputers. better automated But they looms are — straightforward unskilled that require for problem-solving,by growing intuition, demand bust, for but workers the middle per- of the labor market, problem-solver.whatgy technician, we call This the phlebotomist, is“lump not of generally labor” nurse fallacy: tech- a cupationsditionalhere’s are whereblue-collar being the “deskilled,”Luddites production had or and a point. white-tasks happenroughly to lie 18 percent on opposite a decade ends later. of Wom-quality of jobs for a significant subset of tasks that take advantage of human flex- tives; and even clerical workers who are could cause problems processing a re- mother divorced my father nearly four their names after marriage peaked in ily? Why would I want to set myself Labor-saving technological change A starting point for discussion is the laborershumans, were requiring hired as loom primarily operators, innatepersuasion abil- and forming creativity. abstract These tasks job tasks,where thethe routine payoff task-intensive for jobs lie, productivethenician suppositionform — areof worka rapidly that organization an growing increase category in be- laborstrippedcollarAlthough of office their many routine jobs of 19th-centurytechnical the past. tasks Rather, Britons wethe occupationalen are skillmarrying, distribution. at older ages, on aver-workers.I want Demand it both for ways. highly I educated kept my maidenibility. To take one prominent example, required to do more than type and file. turn or delay a refund. decades ago, she had established a ca- the 1990s, falling from 23 percent to necessarily displaces workers perform-Computerizationobservationcreates that although jobs — computers but at the are andities a growing like middle dexterity, class could sightedness now af- are and characteristic lan- college of professional, and mana- professionalis sagging. degrees Workers haswithout college edu- cause itproductivity of fails relatively to well-paid, harnessinevitably middle-skill thereduces comple- employ-occu- (brokeringexpectbenefited stocks, to from see for the example), growingintroduction other employment of newer At one endage are five so-called years into abstract their postcollegiate tasks workers who excel in abstract tasks is ro- medical paraprofessional jobs — radiolo- Indeed, even as formerly middle-skill oc- ford mass-produced fabrics — it’s un- gerial, technical and creative occupa- cation therefore concentrate in manual pations. While these paraprofessions do formerlyand better high-end automated occupations looms are — be- unskilled careers. They’ve alreadyBut established liningbust, up namebut all the middle and paperwork took of the on labor can my market, husband’s.reer in advertisinggy technician, under phlebotomist, her married nurse tech- roughly 18 percent a decade later. Wom- ubiquitous, they cannot do everything. A guage recognition, as well as modest soared; despite its formidable price tag, mentarities between technical and inter- among the ranks of the “new artisans”:that require problem-solving, intuition, cupations are being “deskilled,” or ing certain tasks — that’s where the upper and lower ends of the spectrum. likely that skilled textile workers bene- tions, like law, medicine, science, engi- task-intensive jobs — like food services, not typically require a four-year college cominglaborers accessible were to hired workers as with loom less operators, persuasionprofessional and creativity. reputations Thesebe arduous. and tasks networks Moreover,where the routine you can task-intensive get away jobsname lie, and keptnician it. So — when are a myrapidly father growing re- category stripped of their routine technical tasks en are marrying, at older ages, on aver- I want it both ways. I kept my maiden gains in productivity come from — but computer’s ability to accomplish a task fitedtraining. on the whole. These workers can’tneering, be re- advertisinghigher and education design. People has perhapscleaning and never security been — which are nu- personal degree,skills. theySimply do demandput, the some quality postsec- of esotericlicensedand technicala growing practical mastery middle nurses (for class example, and could medical now af- as-are characteristicof contacts of whoprofessional, know them mana- by their giv-is sagging. Workers without college edu- of relatively well-paid, middle-skill occu- (brokering stocks, for example), other age five years into their postcollegiate merous but offer low wages,Computerization precarious ondarycreates vocational jobs training. — but at thethe work of the nurse practitioner, who — most of the timeapart? — with Recently, letting my 4-year-olda doc- rathermarried, to a woman with the same first over the long run, it generates new prod- quickly andment cheaply because depends there is only upon a a finite hu- Fast-forwardplaced by torobots, the present. but The their multi- skillsin are these not jobs typicallya better have highinvestment. levels of But it is far from a a service within any occupation will im- sistants;ford mass-produced teachers, tutors fabrics and — it’s learning un- gerial, technicalen names. and Setting creative aside the occupa- shoulds andcation therefore concentrate in manual pations. While these paraprofessions do formerly high-end occupations are be- careers. They’ve already established name and took on my husband’s. trillionfold decline in the cost of comput- education and analytical capability, and job security and few prospects for up- These middle-skill jobs will persist, increasingly diagnoses illness and pre- the whys behind whichument name hereto pick, or poignantly there go. declared For severalthat he wishedname, his his new wife couldn’t take his ucts and services that raise national in- man programmer’samount of work ability to do. While to write intuitively pro- scarce, so they usually make low wages. comprehensive solution to our labor mar- upperprove and when lower a workendser of combines the spectrum. routine guideslikely thatat all skilled educational textile workers levels; bene- kitchentions, like law, medicine, science, engi- task-intensive jobs — like food services, not typically require a four-year college coming accessible to workers with less professional reputations and networks appealing, this idea is demonstrably ing since the 1970s has created enormous they benefit from computers that facili- ward mobility. This bifurcation of job op- and potentially grow, because they in- scribes drugs in lieu of a physician). Law- the obvious answer foryears the ambivalent after I married,first name I traveled were Paul. blithely On occasion, Iname find — if she wanted to — unless she come and increase the overall demand cedures or rules that direct the machine incentivesComputerization for employers to substitute has therefore in- tate the fos- transmission,ket problems. organization Not and all portunitieshigh school has contributedgradu- to the histor- (technical)volve and tasks that nonroutine cannot readily (flexible) be unbun- rencedesigners,fited F. Katz, on the a constructionlabor whole. economist at supervisors Har- andneering, advertising and design. People cleaningmyself and reading security emotional — which tea are leaves nu- degree, they do demand some postsec- esoteric technical mastery (for example, of contacts who know them by their giv- false. In 1900, for example, 41 percent of is to use both. with a passport (professional name) wanted the same name as his ex. More- for labor. In 1900, no one could foresee to take the United correct States steps work force at was each in agri- con- creasinglytered a cheap polarization and capable of computers employment,processing with of information.ates — let alone displacedic rise inmid- income and inequality. late- tasks. mentdled without because a substantial there is drop only in quality. a finitevard,skilled memorablyFast-forward tradespeople called to thosethe ofpresent. who every fruit- The variety; multi- ex-in these jobs Whattypically exactly have does high this levels mean? of Offi-merousinto but which offer name low wages, my husband precarious uses ondary vocational training. the work of the nurse practitioner, who en names. Setting aside the shoulds and apart? Recently, my 4-year-old rather for expensive labor. These rapid ad- On the other end are so-called manual Consider, for example, the frustration of fully combine the foundational skills of a job security and few prospects for over, up- I was briefly married while in my increasingly diagnoses illness and pre- poignantly declared that he wished his that a century later, health care, finance, tingency.culture. Computers By 2000, that excel share at had “routine” fallen to job growth concentrated in both the high- career workers — are academically or Followingamount this of work logic, to we do. Whilepredict intuitively that perttrillionfold repair declineand support in the costtechnicians; of comput- andeducation andcially, analytical a passport capability,is supposedthat didn’t andto match match a when my referring driver’s to me. license Shouldn’t the an- These middle-skill jobs will persist, the whys behind which name to pick, 2 percent, after the Green Revolution vances — which confront us daily as we tasks, which require situational adapt- OW can we help workers ride appealing,calling a software this ideafirm for is technical demonstrably sup- highing school since education the 1970s with has specific created voca- enormous they benefitperson’s from computersdriver’s license, that(married). Social facili- Securi-ward niversarymobility. dinnerThis bifurcation reservation of be job under 20sop- to someoneand potentially else. Then, grow, too,because I they in- scribes drugs in lieu of a physician). Law- the obvious answer for the ambivalent first name were Paul. On occasion, I find information technology, consumer elec- tasks: organizing, storing, retrieving and checkest- in andat airports, lowest-paid order books occupations, online, while temperamentally prepared to pursue a the middle-skill jobs that survive will tionalthe skills many the “new people artisans.” who offer personal transformed crop yields. But the em- ability, visual and language recognition, the wave of technological false.port, Inonly 1900, to discover for example, that the 41 technician percent of incentives for employers to substitute in- tate the transmission,ty card, paycheck organization and tax returns. and Theportunitiesour shared has contributed name? Why to did the he histor- write a volve tasks that cannot readily be unbun- rence F. Katz, a labor economist at Har- is to use both. myself reading emotional tea leaves manipulatingployment-to-population information, ratio or executing rose over payjobs bills inon theour banks’middle Web have sites declined. or con- and Surpris- in-person interaction.four-year Preparing college degree. a Onlychange 40 percent rather than be combine knowsroutine nothing technical more thantasks the with standard ab- trainingThe outlook and for workers assistance, who haven’t like physical This worked evencheck post-9/11, for me made as I outtrav- to “Pamelachanged my name, only to change it tronics, hospitality, leisure and entertain- the United States work force was in agri- creasingly cheap and capable computers processingI.R.S. of information. is pretty clear that if newlywedsic rise in income inequality. dled without a substantial drop in quality. vard, memorably called those who fruit- What exactly does this mean? Offi- into which name my husband uses the 20th century as women moved from sult our smartphones for driving direc- meal, driving a truck through city traffic swamped by it? One common answers shown on his or her computer finished college is uncertain, but not de- eled in and out Paul”? of Kennedy Airport. It right back a year later. Processing the ment would employ far more workers exactly defined physical movements in ingly, overall employment rates have of Americans enroll inH a four-year college stract and manual tasks in which work- therapists,for expensive personal labor. These trainers, rapid coaches ad- On the othertake theirend arespouse’s so-called names, manual they need to Consider, for example, the frustration of fully combine the foundational skills of a when referring to me. Shouldn’t the an- culture. By 2000, that share had fallen to cially, a passport is supposed to match a home to market, and the unemployment tions — have reawakened fears that or cleaning a hotel room present mind- recommendation is that citizens should screen — that is, the technician is a void of hope. There will be job opportuni- change their Social Security card and Given my family history, I should than agriculture. Of course, as societies production processes. These tasks are largely been unaffected in states and cit- after graduating from high school, and ers have2 a percent, comparative after the advantage Green Revolution — in- andvances guides. — which These confront workers us daily will as adeptly we tasks, which require situationalwasn’t adapt- until I took OW a reporting can we help trip workers to ridepaperwork lastedcalling longer a software than firm the foractual technical sup- high school education with specific voca- niversary dinner reservation be under rate fluctuated cyclically, with no long- workers will be displaced by machinery. bogglingly complex challenges for com- invest more in their education. Spurred mouthpiece reading from a script, not a ties in middle-skill jobs, but not in the tra- file taxes under the new name. This have this sorted by now. When my person’s driver’s license, Social Securi- Will this time be different? ditionalcheck blue-collar in at airports, production order and white-books online, ability, visual and language recognition,rural West Virginia,the eight wave and of a technological half marriage. port, only to discover that the technician tional skills the “new artisans.” grow more prosperous, citizens often most pervasiveterm increase. in middle-skill jobs like ies undergoing this rapid polarization.puters. But theymore are straightforward than 30 percent for byof those growing who demand enroll for workers per- terpersonaltransformedproblem-solver. interaction, crop This adaptability yields. is not generallyBut the and a em- combine technical skills with interper- could cause problems processing a re- mother divorced my father nearly four ty card, paycheck and tax returns. The our shared name? Why did he write a A starting point for discussion is the humans, requiring primarily innate abil- forming abstract job tasks, the payoff for productive form of work organization be- collarpay office bills jobs on ofour the banks’ past. Rather,Web sites we or con- choose to work shorter days, take longer bookkeeping,Labor-saving clerical work technological and repetitive change Rather, as employment in routine jobs do not complete the degree within eight problem-solving.ployment-to-population Along with ratio medical rose over sonal interaction, flexibility and adapt-and in-personturn or interaction. delay a refund. Preparingmonths a pregnantdecades withchange ago, my she third rather had established child, than a beca-For now, I knows continue nothing to use more the than two- the standard The outlook for workers who haven’t I.R.S. is pretty clear that if newlyweds check for me made out to “Pamela observation that although computers are ities like dexterity, sightedness and lan- college and professional degrees has cause it fails to harness the comple- expect to see growing employment necessarily displaces workers perform- the 20th century as women moved from sult our smartphones for driving direc- meal, drivingBut a truck lining through up all the thatcity paperwork traffic the disparity can reer caused inswamped advertising a by problem. underit? One her common marriedname system,answers feeling shownlike a oncomical his or heryet computer finished college is uncertain, but not de- take their spouse’s names, they need to Paul”? vacations and retire earlier — but that production and quality-assurance jobs. ubiquitous,has ebbed, they cannotemployment do everything. has Arisenguage both recognition, in years. as well as modest soared; despite its formidable price tag, paraprofessionals,mentarities betweenthis category technical includesand inter- amongability the toranks offer of theservices “new artisans”: that are uniquely H ing certain tasks — that’s where the home to market, and the unemployment tions — have reawakened fears that or cleaningbe a arduous. hotel room Moreover, present you can mind- get awayrecommendationname and kept is it. that So when citizens my father should re- screen — that is, the technician is a void of hope. There will be job opportuni- Given my family history, I should too is progress. Logically,gains in computerization productivity come from has — but re- computer’shigh-wage ability managerial, to accomplish professional a task training. and These workersThe good can’t news, be re- however,higher education is that has mid- perhaps never been numerouspersonal jobs forskills. people Simply put, in the quality skilled of licensedhuman. practical nurses and medical as- The boarding agent at the Charleston, suspect figure out of Dostoyevsky. change their Social Security card and rate fluctuated cyclically, with no long- workers will be displaced by machinery. bogglingly — complex most of the challenges time — with for letting com- a doc-investmarried, more into a their woman education. with the same Spurred first mouthpiece reading from a script, not a ties in middle-skill jobs, but not in the tra- over the long run, it generates new prod- quickly and cheaply depends upon a hu- placed by robots, but their skills are not a better investment. But it is far from a a service within any occupation will im- sistants; teachers, tutors and learning file taxes under the new name. This have this sorted by now. When my So if technological advances don’t duced the demand for these jobs, but it technical occupations and in low-wage, dle-education, middle-wage jobs are not trades and repair: plumbers; builders; Will this time be different? puters. Butument they are here straightforward or thereW.Va., go. For forairport severalby took growingname, one his demandlook new at wife formy couldn’t workersmis- take per-Don’t his ask me problem-solver.to reveal my Thissecret is notalias generally a ditional blue-collar production and white- ucts and services that raise national in- man programmer’s ability to write pro- scarce, so they usually make low wages. comprehensive solution to our labor mar- termprove increase. when a worker combines routine guides at all educational levels; kitchen could cause problems processing a re- mother divorced my father nearly four in-person service occupations. years after I married, matchedI traveled blithely ticket andname identification— if she wanted to form — unlessnow she — if I ever decide to one day write threaten employment, does that mean has boostedcome and demand increase for the workers overall demand who cedures or rules that direct the machine Computerizationslated has totherefore disappear fos- ket completely. problems. Not While all high school gradu- electricians;(technical)Labor-saving heating, and ventilation technologicalnonroutine and (flexible) changeair- designers,ThisA is starting constructionan essay point from supervisors for discussionThe andGreat is Divide, the humans, requiring primarily innate abil- forming abstract job tasks, the payoff for productive form of work organization be- collar office jobs of the past. Rather, we decades ago, she had established a ca- with a passport (professional name) wanted the same name as his ex. More- turn or delay a refund. workers have nothing to fear from perform for“nonroutine” labor. In 1900, tasks no one that could comple- foresee to takeSo thecomputerization correct steps at eachis not con- reducingtered a thepolarizationmany of employment, middle-skill with jobsates are — susceptiblelet alone displaced to mid- and late- conditioningnecessarilytasks. installers; displaces automotive workers perform-tech- skilleda observation series tradespeople on that inequality, of everyalthough variety; atcomputers nytimes.com/ex- are ities like dexterity, sightednessand and shuffled lan- college me into and an professional ominous degrees un- a has detective novel,cause I’ll it fails already to harness have my the comple- expect to see growing employment over, I was briefly married while in my But lining up all the paperwork can reer in advertising under her married that a century later, health care, finance, tingency. Computers excel at “routine” job growth concentrated in both the high- career workers — are academically or ing Following certain tasks this logic, — that’s we predict where that thepert ubiquitous,repair and support they cannot technicians; do everything. and A guage recognition,that didn’t as match well my as driver’s modest licensesoared; despite its formidable price tag, mentarities between technical and inter- among the ranks of the “new artisans”: “smart machines”? Actually, no — and ment the automated activities. Those quantity of jobs, but rather degrading the automation, others demand a mixture of nicians; customer-service representa- opinionator. marked room. Images20s to of someone giving else.birth Then, in too,pseudonym. I be arduous. Moreover, you can get away name and kept it. So when my father re- information technology, consumer elec- tasks: organizing, storing, retrieving and est- and lowest-paid occupations, while temperamentally prepared to pursue a gainsthe middle-skill in productivity jobs that come survive from will— butthe computer’s many people ability who offer to accomplish personal a task training. These(married). workers can’t be re- higher education has perhaps never been personal skills. Simply put, the quality of licensed practical nurses and medical as- This worked even post-9/11, as I trav- changed my name, only to change it — most of the time — with letting a doc- married, to a woman with the same first tronics, hospitality, leisure and entertain- manipulating information, or executing jobs in the middle have declined. Surpris- four-year college degree. Only 40 percent overcombine the long routine run, technical it generates tasks withnew ab- prod-trainingquickly and and assistance, cheaply likedepends physical upon a hu- placed by robots, but their skills are not a better investment. But it is far from a a service within any occupation will im- sistants; teachers, tutors and learning therapists, personal trainers, coaches eled in and out of Kennedy Airport. It right back a year later. Processing the ument here or there go. For several name, his new wife couldn’t take his ment would employ far more workers exactly defined physical movements in ingly, overall employment rates have of Americans enroll in a four-year college uctsstract and and services manual thattasks raise in which national work- in- man programmer’s ability to write pro- scarce, so they usually make low wages. comprehensive solution to our labor mar- prove when a worker combines routine guides at all educational levels; kitchen than agriculture. Of course, as societies production processes. These tasks are largely been unaffected in states and cit- after graduating from high school, and ers have a comparative advantage — in- and guides. These workers will adeptly wasn’t until I took a reporting trip to paperwork lasted longer than the actual years after I married, I traveled blithely name — if she wanted to — unless she come and increase the overall demand cedures or rules that direct the machine Computerization has therefore fos- ket problems. Not all high school gradu- (technical) and nonroutine (flexible) designers, construction supervisors and grow more prosperous, citizens often most pervasive in middle-skill jobs like ies undergoing this rapid polarization. more than 30 percent of those who enroll terpersonal interaction, adaptability and combine technical skills with interper- rural West Virginia, eight and a half marriage. with a passport (professional name) wanted the same name as his ex. More- for labor. In 1900, no one could foresee to take the correct steps at each con- tered a polarizationmonths pregnant of employment, with my thirdwith child,ates — Forlet alone now, Idisplaced continue tomid- use and the late- two- tasks. skilled tradespeople of every variety; ex- choose to work shorter days, take longer bookkeeping, clerical work and repetitive Rather, as employment in routine jobs do not complete the degree within eight problem-solving. Along with medical sonal interaction, flexibility and adapt- that didn’t match my driver’s license over, I was briefly married while in my that a century later, health care, finance,abilitytingency. to offer services Computers that are excel uniquely at “routine” job growth thatconcentrated the disparity in both caused the high- a problem.careername workers system, — feeling are academicallylike a comical yet or Following this logic, we predict that pert repair and support technicians; and vacations and retire earlier — but that production and quality-assurance jobs. has ebbed, employment has risen both in years. paraprofessionals, this category includes 20s to someone else. Then, too, I too is progress. Logically, computerization has re- high-wage managerial, professional and The good news, however, is that mid- informationnumerous jobs technology, for people consumer in the skilled elec-human.tasks: organizing, storing, retrieving and est- and lowest-paidThe boarding occupations, agent at the while Charleston,temperamentallysuspect figure prepared out of to Dostoyevsky. pursue a the middle-skill jobs that survive will the many people who offer personal (married). So if technological advances don’t duced the demand for these jobs, but it technical occupations and in low-wage, dle-education, middle-wage jobs are not tronics,trades hospitality, and repair: leisure plumbers; and builders; entertain- manipulating information, or executing jobs in the middleW.Va., airport have declined. took one lookSurpris- at my mis-four-yearDon’t college ask me degree. to reveal Only my 40secret percent alias combine routine technical tasks with ab- training and assistance, like physical This worked even post-9/11, as I trav- changed my name, only to change it threaten employment, does that mean has boosted demand for workers who in-person service occupations. slated to disappear completely. While mentelectricians; would heating, employ ventilation far more and workers air- Thisexactly is an essay defined from The physical Great Divide, movements in ingly, overallmatched employment ticket and ratesidentification have formof Americansnow — if enrollI ever indecide a four-year to one day college write stract and manual tasks in which work- therapists, personal trainers, coaches eled in and out of Kennedy Airport. It right back a year later. Processing the workers have nothing to fear from perform “nonroutine” tasks that comple- So computerization is not reducing the many middle-skill jobs are susceptible to thanconditioning agriculture. installers; Of course, automotive as societies tech- a seriesproduction on inequality, processes. at nytimes.com/ These tasks are largely beenand unaffected shuffled me in states into an and ominous cit- un-after a graduating detective novel, from I’ll high already school, have and my ers have a comparative advantage — in- and guides. These workers will adeptly wasn’t until I took a reporting trip to paperwork lasted longer than the actual Can Golden Rice Save Lives?ment the automated activities. Those quantity of jobs, but rather degrading the automation, others demand a mixture of nicians; customer-service representa- marked room. Images of giving birth in pseudonym. “smart machines”? Actually, no — and grow more prosperous, citizens oftenopinionator.most pervasive in middle-skill jobs like ies undergoing this rapid polarization. more than 30 percent of those who enroll terpersonal interaction, adaptability and combine technical skills with interper- rural West Virginia, eight and a half marriage. choose to work shorter days, take longer bookkeeping, clerical work and repetitive Rather, as employment in routine jobs do not complete the degree within eight problem-solving. Along with medical sonal interaction, flexibility and adapt- months pregnant with my third child, For now, I continue to use the two- tivist organizations like Greenpeace, manner of genetically modified crops licensed their patent rights to the agri- tinely wipe out a third of the harvest, ba- that the disparity caused a problem. name system, feeling like a comical yet From Page 1 vacations and retire earlier — but that production and quality-assurance jobs. has ebbed, employment has risen both in years. paraprofessionals, this category includes ability to offer services that are uniquely which they see as playing on misplaced too is progress. thatLogically, would benefit computerization multinational has corpora- re- high-wagebusiness managerial, company professional that later and becameThe goodnanas news, however,that contain is that higher mid- levels of numerous iron jobs for people in the skilled human. The boarding agent at the Charleston, suspect figure out of Dostoyevsky. any of the genetically engineered crops fears of genetic engineering in both the So if technological advances don’t tionsduced at thethe demandexpense for of these poor jobs, farmers but it andtechnicalSyngenta, occupations on the and condition in low-wage, that thedle-education, tech- and middle-wage corn that jobs uses are nitrogen not more tr effi-ades and repair: plumbers; builders; W.Va., airport took one look at my mis- Don’t ask me to reveal my secret alias in wide use today, designed to either developing and the developed worlds. threaten employment, does that mean consumers.has boosted demand for workers who in-personnology service and occupations.any improvements to it slatedwould to disappearciently. Other completely. groups While are developingelectricians; a heating, ventilation and air- This is an essay from The Great Divide, matched ticket and identification form now — if I ever decide to one day write withstand herbicides sold by Monsanto Some took to other channels to convey workers have nothing to fear from performIn a 2001 “nonroutine” article, “Thetasks that Great comple- Yellow Sobe computerization made freely isavailable not reducing to poor the farmersmany middle-skillpest-resistant jobs are susceptible black-eyed to pea andconditioning a installers; automotive tech- a series on inequality, at nytimes.com/ and shuffled me into an ominous un- a detective novel, I’ll already have my “smart machines”? Actually, no — and ment the automated activities. Those quantity of jobs, but rather degrading the automation, others demand a mixture of nicians; customer-service representa- opinionator. marked room. Images of giving birth in pseudonym. and other chemical companies or resist to American foodiesCan and FilipinoGolden farm- Rice Save Lives? Hype,” the author Michael Pollan, a critic in the developing world. With the compa- “Golden Banana” that would also deliver ers alike the broad scientific consensus of industrial agriculture, suggested that ny retaining the right to use it in devel- vitamin A. insect attacks, with benefits for farmers tivist organizations like Greenpeace, manner of genetically modified crops licensed their patent rights to the agri- tinely wipe out a third of the harvest, ba- but not directly for consumers. that G.M.O.’s are not intrinsicallyFrom Page 1 more which they see as playing on misplaced thatit mightwould benefit have multinational been developed corpora- to business“win an companyoped that countries, later became potentiallynanas as that an contain alterna- higher levelsBeyond of iron the fear of corporate control of And a looming decision by the Philip- risky than otherany ofcrops the genetically and can engineered be reli- crops fears of genetic engineering in both the tionsargument at the expense rather of poor than farmers solve and a Syngenta, public- on thetive condition to vitamin that the tech- supplements,and corn that Syngenta uses nitrogenagriculture, more effi- perhaps the most cited ob- ably tested. in wide use today, designed to either developing and the developed worlds. consumers.health problem.” He cited biotechnologynology and any scientistsimprovements later to it would improvedciently. the Other amount groups of are developingjection to a G.M.O.’s is that they may hold pine government about whether to al- pest-resistant black-eyed pea and a At stake, theywithstand say, herbicidesis not just sold theby Monsanto fu- Some took to other channels to convey industryIn a 2001 article, advertisements “The Great Yellow that featuredbe made freely betaavailable carotene to poor farmers produced by substituting a low Golden Rice to be grown beyond its and other chemical companies or resist to American foodies and Filipino farm- Hype,” the author Michael Pollan, a critic in the developing world. With the compa- “Golden Banana” that would also deliver four remaining field trials has added a ture of biofortifiedinsect attacks, rice with but benefits also afor ra- farmers ers alike the broad scientific consensus ofthe industrial virtues agriculture, of the rice, suggested which that at theny retaining time thegene right fromto use cornit in devel- for the vitaminone from A. daffodil. new dimension to the debate over the tional means but to not evaluate directly for a consumers. technology that G.M.O.’s are not intrinsically more Can Golden Riceit hadmight toSave have be been ingested developed in tolarge Lives?“win anquantitiesoped countries, to potentiallyIf the rice as an gains alterna- the PhilippineBeyond the feargovern- of corporateThe control rice of could help prevent blindness. risky than other crops and can be reli- argument rather than solve a public- tive to vitamin supplements, Syngenta agriculture, perhaps the most cited ob- technology’s merits. whose potentialAnd to aimp loomingrove decision nutrition by the in Philip- deliver a meaningful dose of vitamin A. ment’s approval, it will cost no more than pine government about whether to al- ably tested. health problem.” He cited biotechnology scientists later improved the amount of jection to G.M.O.’s is that theyBut may holddetractors point to unknown risks. Not owned by any company, Golden developing countries,low Golden Rice and to be developed grown beyond its At stake, they say, is not just the fu- tivist organizationsindustry likeBut advertisementsthe Greenpeace, rice has since that featured been retooled:beta carotene a producedother riceby substituting for poor a farmers, who will be manner of genetically modified crops licensed their patent rights to the agri- tinely wipe out a third of the harvest, ba- From Page 1 Rice is being developed by a nonprofit ones, may otherwisefour remaining go unrealized. field trials has added a ture of biofortified rice but also a ra- which they see as theplayingbowl virtues now on of misplaced theprovides rice, which 60 atpercent the time of thegene daily from corn forfree the to one save from daffodil.seeds andThe replant rice them, could Mr. help prevent blindness. that would benefit multinational corpora- business company that later became nanas that contain higher levels of iron group called the International Rice Re- “There’s sonew muchdimension misinformation to the debate over the tional means to evaluate a technology any of the genetically engineered crops fears of genetic engineeringhadrequirement to be ingested in both in of thelarge vitamin quantities A to for healthyIf the rice gainsBarry the Philippine said. It govern- has no known allergens or risks that may not be understood. The tions at the expense of poor farmers and Syngenta, on the condition that the tech- and corn that uses nitrogen more effi- technology’s merits. whose potential to improve nutrition in developing and thedeliver developed a meaningful worlds. dose of vitamin A. ment’s approval, it will cost no more than consumers. nology and any improvements to it would ciently. Other groups are developing a search Institute with the aim of provid- floating around about G.M.O.’s that is developing countries, and developed in wide use today, designed to either children. And Gerard Barry, theother Golden rice for poortoxins, farmers, and who the will new be proteinsBut detractors produced by pointdecision to unknown to grow risks. or eat them relies, like Not owned by any company, Golden Some took to other Butchannels the rice to has convey since been retooled: a In a 2001 article, “The Great Yellow be made freely available to poor farmers pest-resistant black-eyed pea and a taken as fact by people,” said Michael D. ones, may otherwise go unrealized. withstand herbicides sold by Monsanto bowlRice now project provides 60 leader percent at of the the daily Internationalfree to save seedsthe and rice replant have them, been Mr. shown to break down many other decisions, on a cost-benefit Mothers with ing a new source of vitamin A to people Rice is being developed by a nonprofit to American foodies and Filipino farm- Hype,” the author Michael Pollan, a critic in the developing world. With the compa- “Golden Banana” that would also deliver Purugganan, group a professor called the International of genomics Rice Re- “There’s so much misinformation and other chemical companies or resist requirementRice Research of vitamin Institute A for — healthy and, it Barrymust said. be It hasquickly no known in allergens simulated or gastricrisks that fluid, may notas re-be understood.analysis. The masks made both in the Philippines, where most floating around about G.M.O.’s that is insect attacks, with benefits for farmers ers alike the broadchildren. scientific And consensus Gerard Barry, the Golden toxins, and the new proteins produced by decision to grow or eat them relies, like of industrial agriculture, suggested that ny retaining the right to use it in devel- vitamin A. and biology andsearch the Institute dean with for sciencethe aim of atprovid- said, a former Monsanto employee — quired by World Health Organization How food consumers around the world from baby households get most of their calories Mothers with ing a new source of vitamin A to people taken as fact by people,” said Michael D. but not directly for consumers. that G.M.O.’s are notRice intrinsically project leader more at the International the rice have been shown to break down many other decisions, on a cost-benefit it might have been developed to “win an oped countries, potentially as an alterna- Beyond the fear of corporate control of from rice, and eventually in many other Newmasks York made University,both in the who Philippines, sought to where calm most Purugganan, a professor of genomics And a looming decision by the Philip- risky than other cropsRicesuggests Research and can that Institute be attemptsreli- — and, it tomust discredit be quickly Gold- in simulatedguidelines. gastric fluid, A mouse as re- feedinganalysis. study is un- weigh that calculation will probably have argument rather than solve a public- tive to vitamin supplements, Syngenta agriculture, perhaps the most cited ob- bathtubs How food consumers around the world places in a world where rice is eaten ev- health-riskfrom baby concernshouseholds in a get primer most of on their GMA calories and biology and the dean for science at pine government about whether to al- ably tested. said,en Rice a former discount Monsanto the employee suffering — it couldquired al- by Worldder Health way Organization in a laboratory in the United far-reaching consequences. Such crops, health problem.” He cited biotechnology scientists later improved the amount of jection to G.M.O.’s is that they may hold protested from rice, and eventually in many other New York University, who sought to calm At stake, they say,suggests is not that just attempts the fu- to discredit Gold- guidelines. A mouse feeding study is un- weigh that calculation will probably have industry advertisements that featured beta carotene produced by substituting a ery day by half the population. Lack of Newsbathtubs Online, a media outlet in the Philip- low Golden Rice to be grown beyond its leviate if successful. He said, too, that States. The potential far-reaching that the consequences. Golden SuchScientific crops, American declared in an edito- places in a world where rice is eaten ev- health-risk concerns in a primer on GMA ture of biofortifieden riceRice discount but also the a suffering ra- it could al- der way in a laboratory in the United the virtues of the rice, which at the time gene from corn for the one from daffodil. Golden Rice in the vital nutrient causes blindness in a pines:protested “The genes they inserted to make News Online, a media outlet in the Philip- four remaining field trials has added a leviatecritics if successful. who suggest He said, encouraging too, that States. poor The potentialRice would that the cross-pollinate Golden Scientific with American other va-declared rialin an lastedito- week, will make it to people’s ery day by half the population. Lack of tional means to evaluate a technology had to be ingested in large quantities to If the rice gains the Philippine govern- The rice could help prevent blindness. Quezon City, Golden Rice in the vital nutrient causes blindness in a pines: “The genes they inserted to make new dimension to the debate over the criticsfamilies who to suggest simply encouraging eat fruits poor and Ricevegeta- would cross-pollinaterieties, sometimeswith other va- calledrial last “genetic week, will con- make it plates to people’s “only with public support.” quarter-million to a half-million children the vitamin are not some weird manufac- whose potential to improve nutrition in deliver a meaningful dose of vitamin A. ment’s approval, it will cost no more than Quezontured material,”City, quarter-million he wrote, to “buta half-million are also children the vitamin are not some weird manufac- technology’s merits. familiesbles that to simply contain eat fruits beta and carotene vegeta- disregardrieties, sometimestamination,” called “genetic has con- been platesstudied “only and with foundpublic support.”Greenpeace, for one, dismisses the But detractors point to unknown risks. the Philippines, each year. It affects millions of people in the Philippines, each year. It affects millions of people in tured material,” he wrote, “but are also Not owned by any company, Golden developing countries,bles that and contain developed beta carotene disregard tamination,” has been studied and found Greenpeace, for one, dismisses the But the rice has since been retooled: a other rice for poor farmers, who will be in June. Asia and Africa and so weakens the im- foundin June.in squash, Asia carrots and Africa and and melons.” so weakens the im- found in squash, carrots and melons.” Rice is being developed by a nonprofit ones, may otherwisethethe goexpense unrealized.expense and logistical and logistical difficulties difficulties that to be that limited, becauseto be limited, rice is typically becausebenefits rice is of typically vitamin supplementationbenefits of vitamin supplementation bowl now provides 60 percent of the daily free to save seeds and replant them, Mr. mune system that some two million die Mr. Purugganan,mune system who that studies some two plant million die Mr. Purugganan, who studies plant group called the International Rice Re-ERIK DEERIK CASTRO/REUTERS DE“There’s CASTRO/REUTERS so muchwouldwould thwart misinformation thwart such efforts. such efforts. self-pollinated. Andself-pollinated. its production of And beta its throughproduction G.M.O.’s of and beta has saidthrough it will con- G.M.O.’s and has said it will con- requirement of vitamin A for healthy Barry said. It has no known allergens or risks that may not be understood. The each year of diseases they would other- evolution, does not work on genetically floating around aboutIdentified G.M.O.’s in the that infancy is of genetic en- carotene does notcarotene appear to does provide not a appeartinue to to oppose provide all uses a of biotechnologytinue to oppose all uses of biotechnology children. And Gerard Barry, the Golden toxins, and the new proteins produced by decision to grow or eat them relies, like each year of diseases they would other- evolution, does not work on genetically search Institute with the aim of provid- Identified in the infancy of genetic en- in agriculture. As Daniel Ocampo, a cam- wise survive. engineered crops, and until recently had hasSome been proponents altered of G.M.O.’s in saya laboratory. that stand up andAnd shout, ‘No more lies — no lation. Lack of high-mindedthe vital purpose,nutrient Goldentaken causes as Rice fact has by people,”gineering said as Michaelhaving the D. potential for the competitive advantage — or disadvan- Rice project leader at the International the rice have been shown to break down many other decisions, on a cost-benefit wise survive. engineered crops, and until recently had Somenot participated proponents in the of public G.M.O.’s debates say thatmore criticalstand questions, up and like shout, where ‘No bio- moremore lies fear-mongering,’” — no saidMothers Nina with V. ing a new sourcehigh-minded of vitamindrawn A purpose, suspicionto people Golden from biotechnology Rice has biggestgineering impact asfor thehaving world’s the poor, potential beta- tage for —the that couldcompetitive affect the survival advantage of paigner — or for the disadvan- organization inin the agriculture. Philip- As Daniel Ocampo, a cam- The destruction of the field trial, and Purugganan, a professor of genomics Rice Research Institute — and, it must be quickly in simulated gastric fluid, as re- analysis. The destruction of the field trial, and not participatedthe reasons in the given public for it, touched debates a nervemoreover critical the risks questions, and benefits like of G.M.O.’s. where bio-technologythey morehave should fear-mongering,’”fallmotivated as a priority in similarthe saidFedoroff, attacks Nina a professor V. at themasks King made Ab- bothblindness in the drawn Philippines, in a suspicionquarter-millionskeptics where beyond most from the demonstrators biotechnology to a half- who carotene-producingbiggest impact ricefor the was world’s initially poor,wild beta- varieties withtage which — it thatmight couldmix. affectpines, the put survivalit, “We would of ratherpaigner err on the for the organization in the Philip- and biology and the dean for science at said, a former Monsanto employee — quired by World Health Organization How food consumers around the world the reasons given for it, touched a nerve over the risksamong and benefits scientists ofaround G.M.O.’s. the world,technologyBut having should been raised fall in as a middle-classa priority in effortsthe to Fedoroff,address the root a professorcauses of hun- at thedullah King University Ab- of Science andfrom Technol- baby households getskeptics most of beyondforced their their calories the way demonstrators into the field trial. Many who fundedcarotene-producing by the Rockefeller Foundation rice was initiallyIf Golden Ricewild is a Trojanvarieties horse, with it now whichside it of might caution.” mix. pines, put it, “We would rather err on the on trials of other genetically modi- frommillion rice, and eventuallychildren in each many otheryear. NewIt affects York University, who sought to calm has some company. The Bill and Melinda For others, the potential of crops like suggests that attempts to discredit Gold- guidelines. A mouse feeding study is un- weigh that calculation will probably have spurring them to counter assertions of family in Manila, he felt compelled to ger and malnutrition and how to prevent ogy in Saudi Arabia and a formerbathtubs science countries ban the cultivation of all geneti- and the European Union. In a decade of If Golden Rice is a Trojan horse, it now side of caution.” among scientists around the world, But having beenthe raised technology’s in a healthmiddle-class and environ-effortsweigh to in addresson Golden Rice.the root “A lot causesof the crit- of hun-a fied few companiesdullahcrops University fromin recent controlling of Science years: it, adviser and grapes Technol- to the American secretary of placesmillions in a worldforced of where people theircally rice way modifiedis ineaten into Asia crops, ev-the field andhealth-risk after trial. Africa the Many rice’s concerns workfunded in a culminating primer by on the inGMA 1999, Rockefeller two academic FoundationGates Foundation, which is supporting Golden Rice to alleviate suffering is all en Rice discount the suffering it could al- der way in a laboratory in the United far-reaching consequences. Such crops, spurring them to counter assertions of family in Manila,mental he risks. felt On compelled a petition supporting to gericism and ofmalnutrition G.M.O.’s in the and Western how worldto preventwould be ogyeasier in to Saudiaddress Arabia were they and not a formerstate, who science helped spearhead theprotested petition. ery day by halfcountries the population.media ban the debut Lack cultivation early of in News the of lastall Online, geneti- decade, a mediascientists,and outlet the in IngoEuropean the Philip- Potrykus Union. and PeterIn a decadethe final of testinghas of Goldensome Rice,company. is also Thethat Bill matters. and Melinda“This technology canFor save others, the potential of crops like leviate if successful. He said, too, that States. The potential that the Golden Scientific American declared in an edito- the technology’s health and environ- weigh in on GoldenGolden Rice.Rice circulated “A lot of among the crit- scientistsa fewsuffers companies from a lack of from understanding controlling of lumpeddesigned it, togetheradviser withto to unfoundedfight the Americanoff fears a by deadly “We’re secretary talkingvirus ofabout savingGolden millions Rice of in the andvital nutrientsocally weakens causes modifiedVandana blindness the crops, Shiva, immune in and ana Indian afterpines: system environmen- the “The rice’s genes Beyer,theywork inserted finally culminating switched to make on inthe 1999,production two academicunderwriting theGates development Foundation, of crops whichlives,” isone supportingof the petition’s signers,Golden Javier Rice to alleviate suffering is all critics who suggest encouraging poor Rice would cross-pollinate with other va- rial last week, will make it to people’s and signed by several thousand, many how really dire the situation is in devel- those who oppose G.M.O.’s. lives here.” Quezon City, quarter-million to a half-milliontalist, called children it a “Trojanthe horse” vitamin whose are notof some beta weird carotene manufac- by adding daffodil and tailored for sub-Saharan Africa, like cas- Delgado of Mexico, wrote. “But false families to simply eat fruits and vegeta- rieties, sometimes called “genetic con- plates “only with public support.” mental risks. On a petition supporting icism of G.M.O.’svented in a simmering the Western frustration world with ac-wouldoping be countries,” easier to he addresssaid. were they notin“It isFrance, longstate, past who timewheat helped for scientists designedspearhead to Precisely theto petition.have because of its seemingly that somemedia two debutpurpose million early was todie ingain each the public last supportyear decade, for of all bacteriascientists, DNA to the Ingo rice’s Potrykusgenome. They andsava Peter that can resistthe the final viruses testing that rou- of Goldenfears can Rice, destroy is it.” also that matters. “This technology can save Golden Rice circulated among scientists suffers from a lack of understanding of lumped together with unfounded fears by “We’re talking about saving millions of the Philippines, each year. It affectsVandana millions Shiva, of people an Indian in tured environmen- material,” he Beyer, wrote, “butfinally are switched also on the production underwriting the development of crops lives,” one of the petition’s signers, Javier bles that contain beta carotene disregard tamination,” has been studied and found Greenpeace, for one, dismisses the a lower glycemic index in Australia, diseases they would otherwise survive. benefits of vitamin supplementation and signed by several thousand, many how really dire the situation is in devel- those who oppose G.M.O.’s. lives here.” in June. Asia and Africatalist, and so called weakens it a the “Trojan im- horse”found in squash, whose carrotsof beta and melons.” carotene by adding daffodil and tailored for sub-Saharan Africa, like cas- Delgado of Mexico, wrote. “But false the expense and logistical difficulties that to be limited, because rice is typically sugar beets in Oregon designed to mune systemThe that destruction some two million of diethe fieldMr. trial, Purugganan, who studies plant ERIK DE CASTRO/REUTERS would thwart such efforts. self-pollinated. And its production of beta through G.M.O.’s and has said it will con- vented a simmering frustration with ac- oping countries,” he said. “It is long past time for scientists to Precisely because of its seemingly purpose was to gain public support for all bacteria DNA to the rice’s genome. They sava that can resist the viruses that rou- fears can destroy it.” tolerate a herbicide, to name a few. eachand year the of diseases reasons they givenwould otherfor it, touchedevolution, does a not work on genetically Identified in the infancy of genetic en- carotene does not appear to provide a tinue to oppose all uses of biotechnology wise survive. engineered crops, and until recently had Some proponents of G.M.O.’s say that stand up and shout, ‘No more lies — no high-minded purpose, Golden Rice has gineering as having the potential for the competitive advantage — or disadvan- in agriculture. As Daniel Ocampo, a cam- “We do not want our people, especially our nerve amongThe destruction scientists of the around field trial, the and world,not participated spur- in the public debates more critical questions, like where bio- more fear-mongering,’” said Nina V. drawn suspicion from biotechnology biggest impact for the world’s poor, beta- tage — that could affect the survival of paigner for the organization in the Philip- children, to be used in these experiments,” a ring themthe reasons to counter given for it,assertions touched a nerve of theover technol the risks- and benefits of G.M.O.’s. technology should fall as a priority in the Fedoroff, a professor at the King Ab- skeptics beyond the demonstrators who carotene-producing rice was initially wild varieties with which it might mix. pines, put it, “We would rather err on the among scientists around the world, But having been raised in a middle-class efforts to address the root causes of hun- dullah University of Science and Technol- forced their way into the field trial. Many funded by the Rockefeller Foundation If Golden Rice is a Trojan horse, it now side of caution.” farmer who was a leader of the protest told the ogy’s healthspurring and them environmental to counter assertions risks. of familyOn a peti in Manila,- he felt compelled to ger and malnutrition and how to prevent ogy in Saudi Arabia and a former science countries ban the cultivation of all geneti- and the European Union. In a decade of has some company. The Bill and Melinda For others, the potential of crops like Philippine newspaper Remate. tion supportingthe technology’s Golden health Rice and environ-circulatedweigh among in on Golden Rice. “A lot of the crit- a few companies from controlling it, adviser to the American secretary of cally modified crops, and after the rice’s work culminating in 1999, two academic Gates Foundation, which is supporting Golden Rice to alleviate suffering is all mental risks. On a petition supporting icism of G.M.O.’s in the Western world would be easier to address were they not state, who helped spearhead the petition. media debut early in the last decade, scientists, Ingo Potrykus and Peter the final testing of Golden Rice, is also that matters. “This technology can save But Golden Rice, which appeared on the scientistsGolden and Rice signed circulated by among several scientists thousand,suffers many from a lack of understanding of lumped together with unfounded fears by “We’re talking about saving millions of Vandana Shiva, an Indian environmen- Beyer, finally switched on the production underwriting the development of crops lives,” one of the petition’s signers, Javier cover of Time Magazine in 2000 before it was ventedand a simmering signed by several frustration thousand, many with activisthow really or dire- the situation is in devel- those who oppose G.M.O.’s. lives here.” talist, called it a “Trojan horse” whose of beta carotene by adding daffodil and tailored for sub-Saharan Africa, like cas- Delgado of Mexico, wrote. “But false quite ready for prime time, is unlike any of the ganizationsvented a like simmering Greenpeace, frustration withwhich ac- theyoping see countries,” as he said. “It is long past time for scientists to Precisely because of its seemingly purpose was to gain public support for all bacteria DNA to the rice’s genome. They sava that can resist the viruses that rou- fears can destroy it.” genetically engineered crops in wide use today, playing on misplaced fears of genetic engineer- designed to either withstand herbicides sold by ing in both the developing and the developed Monsanto and other chemical companies or re- worlds. Some took to other channels to convey sist insect attacks, with benefits for farmers but to American foodies and Filipino farmers alike not directly for consumers. the broad scientific consensusthat G.M.O.’s are And a looming decision by the Philippine not intrinsically more risky than other crops government about whether to allow Golden and can be reliably tested. Rice to be grown beyond its four remaining field At stake, they say, is not just the future of trials has added a new dimension to the debate biofortified rice but also a rational means to over the technology’s merits. evaluate a technology whose potential to im- Not owned by any company, Golden Rice prove nutrition in developing countries, and de- is being developed by a nonprofit group called veloped ones, may otherwise go unrealized. the International Rice Research Institute with “There’s so much misinformation floating the aim of providing a new source of vitamin A around about G.M.O.’s that is taken as fact by to people both in the Philippines, where most people,” said Michael D. Purugganan, a profes- households get most of their calories from rice, sor of genomics and biology and the dean for and eventually in many other places in a world science at New York University, who sought to where rice is eaten every day by half the popu- calm health-risk concerns in a primer on GMA C M Y K NYxx,2013-08-25,SR,006,Cs-4C,E1

6 SR THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 SR 7

THE GREAT DIVIDE DAVID H. AUTOR AND DAVID DORN How Technology Wrecks the Middle Class

In the four years since the Great Recession offi- cially ended, the productivity of American workers — those lucky enough to have jobs — has risen JEANNE DETALLANTE smartly. But the United States still has two million fewer jobs than before the David H. Autor is a downturn, the unemployment rate is professor of stuck at levels not seen since the early The Problem That economics at the 1990s and the proportion of adults who Massachusetts are working is four percentage points off Institute of its peak in 2000. Technology. David This job drought has spurred pundits Has Two Names Dorn is an to wonder whether a profound employ- assistant professor ment sickness has overtaken us. And IFTY years after Betty Friedan’s downtown Charleston swirling in my DISPATCH from there, it’s only a short leap to ask of economics at the “Feminine Mystique” and head, I was released after 40 minutes of whether that illness isn’t productivity it- BY PAMELA PAUL Center for countless principled-but-un- panicked phone calls. self. Have we mechanized and comput- wieldy hyphenated names later, For the most part, my two-name sta- The editor of The Monetary and erized ourselves into obsolescence? F the problem of married versus maiden tus doesn’t get in the way of major life New York Times Financial Studies Are we in danger of losing the “race names should be good and solved. But events even if it results from one. But Book Review. in Madrid. against the machine,” as the M.I.T. schol- many women are still caught in an in- ars Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew Mc- that doesn’t release me from other mi- Afee argue in a recent book? Are we be- between purgatory: why have to nor entanglements. Building security coming enslaved to our “robot over- choose? guards often usher me in to work ap- lords,” as the journalist Kevin Drum Like others wanting it both ways, I pointments with my married name em- warned in Mother Jones? Do “smart ma- held on to my professional name while blazoned on a temporary-ID card, or chines” threaten us with “long-term mis- also taking on my husband’s. For years, calls up to whomever I’m meeting ask- ery,” as the economists Jeffrey D. Sachs I’ve gone by both, fearing that at some ing if they’re expecting a person and Laurence J. Kotlikoff prophesied ear- point I will be called out or, worse, ar- they’ve never heard of. lier this year? Have we reached “the end rested. Though I moved my last name to Even on the home front, the double- of labor,” as Noah Smith laments in The my middle, this has left me in a muddle: identification system has its tripwires. Atlantic? Under what name do I travel? Who Which name should I use at my chil- Of course, anxiety, and even hysteria, Robot arms pays taxes? What if I, er, still haven’t dren’s schools? How do we register for about the adverse effects of technological welded a switched over my Social Security card? the school auction, and should I have change on employment have a venerable vehicle on the These are questions that for 10 years my credit cards changed as well? Can history. In the early 19th century a group assembly line I’ve been unable to answer. In an era in my husband get away with using my of English textile artisans calling them- at a General which identity theft is the ultimate Costco card, and how on earth do we selves the Luddites staged a machine- Motors plant crime, I skulk around on a regular basis straighten out matters with Zipcar? trashing rebellion. Their brashness in Lansing, fearing that somehow, my other-named My young children are all in a perma- earned them a place (rarely positive) in double is getting me in trouble. nent state of confusion about the bylines the lexicon, but they had legitimate rea- Mich., in 2010. BILL PUGLIANO/GETTY IMAGES Academics refer to us as “situational they see under one name and the family sons for concern. name users.” According to several stud- name we use at home. Isn’t our shared Economists have historically rejected ies, the number of women who keep name part of what unites us as a fam- what we call the “lump of labor” fallacy: here’s where the Luddites had a point. tasks happen to lie on opposite ends of quality of jobs for a significant subset of tasks that take advantage of human flex- tives; and even clerical workers who are their names after marriage peaked in ily? Why would I want to set myself the supposition that an increase in labor Although many 19th-century Britons the occupational skill distribution. workers. Demand for highly educated ibility. To take one prominent example, required to do more than type and file. productivity inevitably reduces employ- benefited from the introduction of newer At one end are so-called abstract tasks workers who excel in abstract tasks is ro- medical paraprofessional jobs — radiolo- Indeed, even as formerly middle-skill oc- the 1990s, falling from 23 percent to and better automated looms — unskilled that require problem-solving, intuition, bust, but the middle of the labor market, gy technician, phlebotomist, nurse tech- cupations are being “deskilled,” or roughly 18 percent a decade later. Wom- laborers were hired as loom operators, persuasion and creativity. These tasks where the routine task-intensive jobs lie, nician — are a rapidly growing category stripped of their routine technical tasks en are marrying, at older ages, on aver- I want it both ways. I kept my maiden Computerization creates jobs — but at the and a growing middle class could now af- are characteristic of professional, mana- is sagging. Workers without college edu- of relatively well-paid, middle-skill occu- (brokering stocks, for example), other age five years into their postcollegiate ford mass-produced fabrics — it’s un- gerial, technical and creative occupa- cation therefore concentrate in manual pations. While these paraprofessions do formerly high-end occupations are be- careers. They’ve already established name and took on my husband’s. upper and lower ends of the spectrum. likely that skilled textile workers bene- tions, like law, medicine, science, engi- task-intensive jobs — like food services, not typically require a four-year college coming accessible to workers with less professional reputations and networks fited on the whole. neering, advertising and design. People cleaning and security — which are nu- degree, they do demand some postsec- esoteric technical mastery (for example, of contacts who know them by their giv- ment because there is only a finite Fast-forward to the present. The multi- in these jobs typically have high levels of merous but offer low wages, precarious ondary vocational training. the work of the nurse practitioner, who en names. Setting aside the shoulds and apart? Recently, my 4-year-old rather amount of work to do. While intuitively trillionfold decline in the cost of comput- education and analytical capability, and job security and few prospects for up- These middle-skill jobs will persist, increasingly diagnoses illness and pre- the whys behind which name to pick, poignantly declared that he wished his appealing, this idea is demonstrably ing since the 1970s has created enormous they benefit from computers that facili- ward mobility. This bifurcation of job op- and potentially grow, because they in- scribes drugs in lieu of a physician). Law- the obvious answer for the ambivalent first name were Paul. On occasion, I find false. In 1900, for example, 41 percent of incentives for employers to substitute in- tate the transmission, organization and portunities has contributed to the histor- volve tasks that cannot readily be unbun- rence F. Katz, a labor economist at Har- is to use both. myself reading emotional tea leaves the United States work force was in agri- creasingly cheap and capable computers processing of information. ic rise in income inequality. dled without a substantial drop in quality. vard, memorably called those who fruit- What exactly does this mean? Offi- into which name my husband uses culture. By 2000, that share had fallen to for expensive labor. These rapid ad- On the other end are so-called manual Consider, for example, the frustration of fully combine the foundational skills of a cially, a passport is supposed to match a when referring to me. Shouldn’t the an- 2 percent, after the Green Revolution vances — which confront us daily as we tasks, which require situational adapt- OW can we help workers ride calling a software firm for technical sup- high school education with specific voca- person’s driver’s license, Social Securi- niversary dinner reservation be under transformed crop yields. But the em- check in at airports, order books online, ability, visual and language recognition, the wave of technological port, only to discover that the technician tional skills the “new artisans.” ty card, paycheck and tax returns. The our shared name? Why did he write a ployment-to-population ratio rose over pay bills on our banks’ Web sites or con- and in-person interaction. Preparing a change rather than be knows nothing more than the standard The outlook for workers who haven’t I.R.S. is pretty clear that if newlyweds check for me made out to “Pamela the 20th century as women moved from sult our smartphones for driving direc- meal, driving a truck through city traffic H swamped by it? One common answers shown on his or her computer finished college is uncertain, but not de- take their spouse’s names, they need to Paul”? home to market, and the unemployment tions — have reawakened fears that or cleaning a hotel room present mind- recommendation is that citizens should screen — that is, the technician is a void of hope. There will be job opportuni- change their Social Security card and Given my family history, I should rate fluctuated cyclically, with no long- workers will be displaced by machinery. bogglingly complex challenges for com- invest more in their education. Spurred mouthpiece reading from a script, not a ties in middle-skill jobs, but not in the tra- file taxes under the new name. This have this sorted by now. When my Will this time be different? puters. But they are straightforward for ditional blue-collar production and white- term increase. by growing demand for workers per- problem-solver. This is not generally a could cause problems processing a re- mother divorced my father nearly four A starting point for discussion is the humans, requiring primarily innate abil- productive form of work organization be- collar office jobs of the past. Rather, we Labor-saving technological change forming abstract job tasks, the payoff for turn or delay a refund. decades ago, she had established a ca- observation that although computers are ities like dexterity, sightedness and lan- college and professional degrees has cause it fails to harness the comple- expect to see growing employment necessarily displaces workers perform- But lining up all the paperwork can reer in advertising under her married ubiquitous, they cannot do everything. A guage recognition, as well as modest soared; despite its formidable price tag, mentarities between technical and inter- among the ranks of the “new artisans”: ing certain tasks — that’s where the be arduous. Moreover, you can get away name and kept it. So when my father re- gains in productivity come from — but computer’s ability to accomplish a task training. These workers can’t be re- higher education has perhaps never been personal skills. Simply put, the quality of licensed practical nurses and medical as- — most of the time — with letting a doc- married, to a woman with the same first over the long run, it generates new prod- quickly and cheaply depends upon a hu- placed by robots, but their skills are not a better investment. But it is far from a a service within any occupation will im- sistants; teachers, tutors and learning ument here or there go. For several name, his new wife couldn’t take his ucts and services that raise national in- man programmer’s ability to write pro- scarce, so they usually make low wages. comprehensive solution to our labor mar- prove when a worker combines routine guides at all educational levels; kitchen years after I married, I traveled blithely name — if she wanted to — unless she come and increase the overall demand cedures or rules that direct the machine Computerization has therefore fos- ket problems. Not all high school gradu- (technical) and nonroutine (flexible) designers, construction supervisors and wanted the same name as his ex. More- for labor. In 1900, no one could foresee to take the correct steps at each con- tered a polarization of employment, with ates — let alone displaced mid- and late- tasks. skilled tradespeople of every variety; ex- with a passport (professional name) over, I was briefly married while in my that a century later, health care, finance, tingency. Computers excel at “routine” job growth concentrated in both the high- career workers — are academically or Following this logic, we predict that pert repair and support technicians; and that didn’t match my driver’s license 20s to someone else. Then, too, I information technology, consumer elec- tasks: organizing, storing, retrieving and est- and lowest-paid occupations, while temperamentally prepared to pursue a the middle-skill jobs that survive will the many people who offer personal (married). tronics, hospitality, leisure and entertain- manipulating information, or executing jobs in the middle have declined. Surpris- four-year college degree. Only 40 percent combine routine technical tasks with ab- training and assistance, like physical This worked even post-9/11, as I trav- changed my name, only to change it ment would employ far more workers exactly defined physical movements in ingly, overall employment rates have of Americans enroll in a four-year college stract and manual tasks in which work- therapists, personal trainers, coaches eled in and out of Kennedy Airport. It right back a year later. Processing the than agriculture. Of course, as societies production processes. These tasks are largely been unaffected in states and cit- after graduating from high school, and ers have a comparative advantage — in- and guides. These workers will adeptly wasn’t until I took a reporting trip to paperwork lasted longer than the actual grow more prosperous, citizens often most pervasive in middle-skill jobs like ies undergoing this rapid polarization. more than 30 percent of those who enroll terpersonal interaction, adaptability and combine technical skills with interper- rural West Virginia, eight and a half marriage. choose to work shorter days, take longer bookkeeping, clerical work and repetitive Rather, as employment in routine jobs do not complete the degree within eight problem-solving. Along with medical sonal interaction, flexibilityNews and Online, adapt- a media outlet in themonths Philippines: pregnant witha meaningful my third child, dose of Forvitamin now, IA. continue to use the two- vacations and retire earlier — but that production and quality-assurance jobs. has ebbed, employment has risen both in years. paraprofessionals, this category includes ability to offer services that“The are uniquely genes they inserted to makethat the the vitamin disparity causedBut a the problem. rice hasname since system, been feelingretooled: like a comicalbowl yet too is progress. Logically, computerization has re- high-wage managerial, professional and The good news, however, is that mid- numerous jobs for people in the skilled human. The boarding agent at the Charleston, suspect figure out of Dostoyevsky. So if technological advances don’t duced the demand for these jobs, but it technical occupations and in low-wage, dle-education, middle-wage jobs are not trades and repair: plumbers; builders; are not some weird manufacturedW.Va., material,” airport took onenow look provides at my mis- 60 percentDon’t ask of me the to revealdaily myrequire secret- alias threaten employment, does that mean has boosted demand for workers who in-person service occupations. slated to disappear completely. While electricians; heating, ventilation and air- This is an essay from Thehe Great wrote, Divide, “but are also found in squash,matched carrots ticket and identificationment of vitamin form A fornow healthy — if I ever children. decide to And one Ge-day write workers have nothing to fear from perform “nonroutine” tasks that comple- So computerization is not reducing the many middle-skill jobs are susceptible to conditioning installers; automotive tech- a series on inequality, at and nytimes.com/ melons.” and shuffled me intorard an Barry, ominous the un- Goldena detective Rice project novel, I’llleader already at the have my “smart machines”? Actually, no — and ment the automated activities. Those quantity of jobs, but rather degrading the automation, others demand a mixture of nicians; customer-service representa- opinionator. Mr. Purugganan, who studiesmarked plant room. evolu Images- International of giving birth Ricein pseudonym.Research Institute — and, it tion, does not work on genetically engineered must be said, a former senior scientist and ex- crops, and until recently had not participated in ecutive at Monsanto — suggests that attempts the public debates over the risks and benefits to discredit Golden Rice discount the suffering of G.M.O.’s. But having been raised in a mid- it could alleviate if successful. He said, too, that dle-class family in Manila, he felt compelled to critics who suggest encouraging poor families weigh in on Golden Rice. “A lot of the criticism to simply eat fruits and vegetables that contain Can Golden Rice Save Lives? of G.M.O.’s in the Western world suffers from beta carotene disregard the expense and logis- a lack of understanding of how really dire the tical difficulties that would thwart such efforts. tivist organizations like Greenpeace, manner of genetically modified crops licensed their patent rights to the agri- tinely wipe out a third of the harvest, ba- From Page 1 which they see as playing on misplaced that would benefit multinationalsituation corpora- is in developingbusiness company countries,” that laterhe said. became nanasIdentified that contain in higherthe infancy levels of ironof genetic engi- any of the genetically engineered crops fears of genetic engineering in both the tions at the expense of poor farmersSome and proponentsSyngenta, of on G.M.O.’s the condition say thatthat the more tech- neeringand corn as that having uses nitrogen the potential more effi- for the biggest in wide use today, designed to either developing and the developed worlds. consumers. critical questions,nology like and anywhere improv biotechnologyements to it would impactciently. Otherfor the groups world’s are poor, developing beta-carotene-pro a - withstand herbicides sold by Monsanto Some took to other channels to convey In a 2001 article, “The should Great Yellowfall as a bepriority made freely in the available efforts to to poor address farmers ducingpest-resistant rice was black-eyed initially pea funded and a by the Rock- and other chemical companies or resist to American foodies and Filipino farm- Hype,” the author Michael Pollan, a critic in the developing world. With the compa- “Golden Banana” that would also deliver insect attacks, with benefits for farmers ers alike the broad scientific consensus of industrial agriculture, suggestedthe root causes that ny of retaining hunger theand right malnutrition to use it in devel-and efellervitamin A.Foundation and the European Union. but not directly for consumers. that G.M.O.’s are not intrinsically more it might have been developedhow to to“win prevent an oped a few countries, companies potentially from as ancontrol alterna-- In Beyonda decade the fear of ofwork corporate culminating control of in 1999, two And a looming decision by the Philip- risky than other crops and can be reli- argument rather than solveling ait, public-would betive easier to vitamin to address supplements, were they Syngenta not academicagriculture, scientists, perhaps the Ingo most citedPotrykus ob- and Peter pine government about whether to al- ably tested. health problem.” He cited lumpedbiotechnology togetherscientists with unfounded later improved fears the by amount those of jection to G.M.O.’s is that they may hold low Golden Rice to be grown beyond its At stake, they say, is not just the fu- industry advertisements that featured beta carotene produced by substituting a four remaining field trials has added a ture of biofortified rice but also a ra- the virtues of the rice, whichwho at opposethe time G.M.O.’s.gene from corn for the one from daffodil. new dimension to the debate over the tional means to evaluate a technology had to be ingested in large quantities“It is longto pastIf the time rice gainsfor scientists the Philippine to standgovern- The rice could help prevent blindness. technology’s merits. whose potential to improve nutrition in deliver a meaningful dose ofup vitamin and shout,A. ment’s‘No more approv liesal, it —will no cost more no more fear- than But detractors point to unknown risks. Not owned by any company, Golden developing countries, and developed But the rice has since beenmongering,’ retooled: a ” saidother Nina rice forV. Fedoroff, poor farmers, a professor who will be Rice is being developed by a nonprofit ones, may otherwise go unrealized. bowl now provides 60 percent of the daily free to save seeds and replant them, Mr. group called the International Rice Re- “There’s so much misinformation requirement of vitamin Aat forthe healthyKing AbdullahBarry said. University It has no knownof Science allergens and or risks that may not be understood. The search Institute with the aim of provid- floating around about G.M.O.’s that is children. And Gerard Barry,Technology the Golden in toxins,Saudi and Arabia the new and proteins a former produced sci by- Beyer,decision finally to grow orswitched eat them relies,on the like production of Mothers with ing a new source of vitamin A to people taken as fact by people,” said Michael D. Rice project leader at theence International adviser tothe the rice American have been secretary shown to break of state, down betamany carotene other decisions, by adding on a cost-benefit daffodil and bacteria analysis. masks made both in the Philippines, where most Purugganan, a professor of genomics Rice Research Institute — whoand, it helped must be spearheadquickly in the simulated petition. gastric “We’re fluid, talk as re-- DNA to the rice’s genome. They licensed their households get most of their calories and biology and the dean for science at said, a former Monsanto employee — quired by World Health Organization How food consumers around the world from baby ing about saving millions of lives here.” patentweigh that rights calculation to the will agribusiness probably have company that bathtubs from rice, and eventually in many other New York University, who sought to calm suggests that attempts to discredit Gold- guidelines. A mouse feeding study is un- health-risk concerns in a primer on GMA en Rice discount the suffering itPrecisely could al- becauseder way inof a its laboratory seemingly in the high- United laterfar-reaching became consequences. Syngenta, Such on the crops, condition that protested places in a world where rice is eaten every day by half the population. Lack of News Online, a media outlet in the Philip- leviate if successful. He said,minded too, purpose, that States. Golden The potentialRice has that drawn the Goldensus- theScientific technology American anddeclared any in animprovements edito- to it Golden Rice in rial last week, will make it to people’s the vital nutrient causes blindness in a pines: “The genes they inserted to make critics who suggest encouragingpicion from poor biotechnologyRice would cross-pollinate skeptics beyond with other the va- would be made freely available to poor farm- Quezon City, quarter-million to a half-million children the vitamin are not some weird manufac- families to simply eat fruits and vegeta- rieties, sometimes called “genetic con- plates “only with public support.” the Philippines, each year. It affects millions of people in tured material,” he wrote, “but are also bles that contain beta carotenedemonstrators disregard tamination,”who forced has their been studiedway into and foundthe ersGreenpeace, in the developing for one, world. dismisses With the the company in June. Asia and Africa and so weakens the im- found in squash, carrots and melons.” the expense and logistical difficultiesfield trial. that Manyto becountries limited, becauseban the rice cultivation is typically retainingbenefits of the vitamin right to supplementation use it in developed coun- mune system that some two million die Mr. Purugganan, who studies plant ERIK DE CASTRO/REUTERS would thwart such efforts. of all geneticallyself-pollinated. modified crops,And its productionand after of the beta tries,through potentially G.M.O.’s and ashas ansaid alternative it will con- to vitamin each year of diseases they would other- evolution, does not work on genetically Identified in the infancyrice’s of genetic media en- debutcarotene early does in the not last appear decade, to provide Van - a supplements,tinue to oppose all Syngenta uses of biotechnology scientists later im- wise survive. engineered crops, and until recently had Some proponents of G.M.O.’s say that stand up and shout, ‘No more lies — no high-minded purpose, Golden Rice has gineering as having the potential for the competitive advantage — or disadvan- in agriculture. As Daniel Ocampo, a cam- The destruction of the field trial, and not participated in the public debates more critical questions, like where bio- more fear-mongering,’” said Nina V. drawn suspicion from biotechnology biggest impact for the world’sdana poor, Shiva, beta- antage Indian — that environmentalist, could affect the survival called of provedpaigner forthe the amount organization of beta in the carotenePhilip- produced the reasons given for it, touched a nerve over the risks and benefits of G.M.O.’s. technology should fall as a priority in the Fedoroff, a professor at the King Ab- skeptics beyond the demonstrators who carotene-producing rice it was a “Trojan initially horse”wild varieties whose withpurpose which itwas might to mix. gain bypines, substituting put it, “We would a gene rather from err on corn the for the one among scientists around the world, But having been raised in a middle-class efforts to address the root causes of hun- dullah University of Science and Technol- forced their way into the field trial. Many funded by the Rockefellerpublic Foundation support forIf Golden all manner Rice is a Trojanof genetically horse, it now fromside of daffodil. caution.” spurring them to counter assertions of family in Manila, he felt compelled to ger and malnutrition and how to prevent ogy in Saudi Arabia and a former science countries ban the cultivation of all geneti- and the European Union. modifiedIn a decade crops of hasthat some would company. benefit The multinational Bill and Melinda ForIf others,the rice the potentialgains ofthe crops Philippine like govern- the technology’s health and environ- weigh in on Golden Rice. “A lot of the crit- a few companies from controlling it, adviser to the American secretary of cally modified crops, and after the rice’s work culminating in 1999, two academic Gates Foundation, which is supporting Golden Rice to alleviate suffering is all mental risks. On a petition supporting icism of G.M.O.’s in the Western world would be easier to address were they not state, who helped spearhead the petition. media debut early in the last decade, scientists, Ingo Potrykuscorporations and Peter atthe the final expense testing of of poor Golden farmers Rice, is and also ment’sthat matters. approval, “This technologyit will cost can no save more than other Golden Rice circulated among scientists suffers from a lack of understanding of lumped together with unfounded fears by “We’re talking about saving millions of Vandana Shiva, an Indian environmen- Beyer, finally switched on consumers.the production underwriting the development of crops ricelives,” for one poor of the farmers, petition’s signers, who will Javier be free to save and signed by several thousand, many how really dire the situation is in devel- those who oppose G.M.O.’s. lives here.” talist, called it a “Trojan horse” whose of beta carotene by adding daffodilIn a 2001 and article,tailored “The for sub-Saharan Great Yellow Africa, Hype,” like cas- seedsDelgado and of replant Mexico, wrote.them, “ButDr. Barry false said. It has vented a simmering frustration with ac- oping countries,” he said. “It is long past time for scientists to Precisely because of its seemingly purpose was to gain public support for all bacteria DNA to the rice’s thegenome. author They Michaelsava that Pollan, can resist a critic the virusesof industrial that rou- nofears known can destroy allergens it.” or toxins, and the new pro- agriculture, suggested that it might have been teins produced by the rice have been shown to developed to “win an argument rather than break down quickly in simulated gastric fluid, as solve a public-health problem.” He cited bio- required by World Health Organization guide- technology industry advertisements that fea- lines. A mouse feeding study is under way in a tured the virtues of the rice, which at the time laboratory in the United States. The potential had to be ingested in large quantities to deliver that the Golden Rice would cross-pollinate with other varieties, sometimes called “genetic con- G.M.O.’s is that they may hold risks that may tamination,” has been studied and found to be not be understood. The decision to grow or eat limited, because rice is typically self-pollinated. them relies, like many other decisions, on a cost- And its production of beta carotene does not ap- benefit analysis. pear to provide a competitive advantage — or How food consumers around the world weigh disadvantage — that could affect the survival of that calculation will probably have far-reaching wild varieties with which it might mix. consequences. Such crops, Scientific American If Golden Rice is a Trojan horse, it now has declared in an editorial last week, will make it to some company. The Bill and Melinda Gates people’s plates “only with public support.” Foundation, which is supporting the final test- Greenpeace, for one, dismisses the benefits ing of Golden Rice, is also underwriting the of vitamin supplementation through G.M.O.’s development of crops tailored for sub-Saharan and has said it will continue to oppose all uses Africa, like cassava that can resist the viruses of biotechnology in agriculture. As Daniel Oc- that routinely wipe out a third of the harvest, ampo, a campaigner for the organization in the bananas that contain higher levels of iron and Philippines, put it, “We would rather err on the corn that uses nitrogen more efficiently. Other side of caution.” groups are developing a pest-resistant black- For others, the potential of crops like Gold- eyed pea and a “Golden Banana” that would en Rice to alleviate suffering is all that matters. also deliver vitamin A. “This technology can save lives,” one of the peti- Beyond the fear of corporate control of ag- tion’s signers, Javier Delgado of Mexico, wrote. riculture, perhaps the most cited objection to “But false fears can destroy it.” n C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,001,Bs-4C,E3January 5, 2014

Late Edition Today, rain, patchy freezing rain at first, high 44. Tonight, rain, rising temperatures. Tomorrow, a.m. shower, windy, high 50 early, then falling. Weather map, Page 14.

VOL. CLXIII . . No. 56,372 © 2014 The New York Times NEW YORK, SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 $6 beyond the greater New York metropolitan area. $5.00 Power Vacuum NEW YORK STATE In Middle East IS SET TO LOOSEN Lifts Militants MARIJUANA LAWS Absent U.S., Sectarian Strife Engulfs Region MEDICAL CANNABIS PLAN

This article is by Ben Hubbard, In Turnaround, Cuomo Robert F. Worth and Michael R. Gordon. Joins National Trend BEIRUT, Lebanon — The im- of Easier Access ages of recent days have an eerie familiarity, as if the horrors of the past decade were being played By SUSANNE CRAIG back: masked gunmen recaptur- and JESSE McKINLEY ing the Iraqi cities of Falluja and Ramadi, where so many Ameri- ALBANY — Joining a growing can soldiers died fighting them. group of states that have loos- Car bombs exploding amid the el- ened restrictions on marijuana, egance of downtown Beirut. The Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New charnel house of Syria’s wors- York plans this week to announce ening civil war. an executive action that would al- But for all its echoes, the blood- low limited use of the drug by shed that has engulfed Iraq, Leb- those with serious illnesses, state anon and Syria in the past two officials say. weeks exposes something new The shift by Mr. Cuomo, a and destabilizing: the emergence Democrat who had long resisted of a post-American Middle East legalizing medical marijuana, in which no broker has the power, comes as other states are taking or the will, to contain the region’s increasingly liberal positions on DANIEL BEREHULAK FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES sectarian hatreds. it — most nota- Amid this vacuum, fanatical Is- bly Colorado, An 8-Month-Old Afghan, Aging Fast From Malnutrition lamists have flourished in both where thou- A boy named Samiullah is among the rising number of victims taxing hospitals and confounding experts in Afghanistan. Page 6. Iraq and Syria under the banner sands have of Al Qaeda, as the two countries’ flocked to buy conflicts amplify each other and the drug for rec- foster ever-deeper radicalism. reational use WASHINGTON MEMO Behind much of it is the bitter ri- since it became Banished for Questioning the Gospel of Guns valry of two great oil powers, legal on Jan. 1. Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose rul- Mr. Cuomo’s 50 Years Later, could no longer do business with in the gun industry, to which, he ers — claiming to represent Shi- plan will be far Andrew M. By RAVI SOMAIYA InterMedia Outdoors, the compa- said, he has devoted nearly his ite and Sunni Islam, respectively more restrictive Cuomo ny that publishes Guns & Ammo entire adult life. — cynically deploy a sectarian than the laws in War on Poverty BARRY, Ill. — The byline of and co-produces his TV show, if His experience sheds light on agenda that makes almost any Colorado or Cal- Dick Metcalf, one of the country’s he continued to work there. He the close-knit world of gun jour- sort of accommodation a heresy. ifornia, where medical marijuana Is a Mixed Bag pre-eminent gun journalists, has was let go immediately. nalism, where editors and report- “I think we are witnessing a is available to people with condi- gone missing. It has been re- “I’ve been vanished, disap- ers say there is little room for nu- turning point, and it could be one tions as mild as backaches. It will moved from Guns & Ammo mag- peared,” Mr. Metcalf, 67, said in ance in the debate over gun laws. of the worst in all our history,” allow just 20 hospitals across the azine, where his widely-read col- an interview last month on his Moderate voices that might said Elias Khoury, a Lebanese state to prescribe marijuana to By ANNIE LOWREY umn once ran on the back page. gun range here, about 100 miles broaden the discussion from novelist and critic who lived patients with cancer, glaucoma through his own country’s 15- WASHINGTON — To many He no longer stars on a popular north of St. Louis, surrounded by within are silenced. When writ- or other diseases that meet year civil war. “The West is not Americans, the war on poverty television show about firearms. snow-blanketed fields and tower- ers stray from the party line pro- standards to be set by the New there, and we are in the hands of declared 50 years ago by Presi- Gun companies have stopped fly- ing grain elevators. “Now you York State Department of Health. moting an absolutist view of an two regional powers, the Saudis dent Lyndon B. Johnson has ing him around the world and see him. Now you don’t.” While Mr. Cuomo’s measure unfettered right to bear arms, and Iranians, each of which is fa- largely failed. The poverty rate sending him the latest weapons He is unsure of his next move, falls well short of full legalization, their publications — often under natical in its own way. I don’t see has fallen only to 15 percent from to review. but fears he has become a pariah it nonetheless moves New York, 19 percent in two generations, In late October, Mr. Metcalf Continued on Page 20 how they can reach any entente, long one of the nation’s most pu- and 46 million Americans live in wrote a column that the maga- any rational solution.” nitive states for those caught us- households where the govern- zine titled “Let’s Talk Limits,” The drumbeat of violence in re- ing or dealing drugs, a significant ment considers their income which debated gun laws. “The cent weeks threatens to bring step closer to policies being em- scarcely adequate. fact is,” wrote Mr. Metcalf, who back the worst of the Iraqi civil braced by marijuana advocates But looked at a different way, has taught history at Cornell and war that the United States and lawmakers elsewhere. touched off with an invasion and the federal government has suc- Yale, “all constitutional rights are New York hopes to have the in- then spent billions of dollars and ceeded in preventing the poverty regulated, always have been, and frastructure in place this year to thousands of soldiers’ lives to rate from climbing far higher. need to be.” begin dispensing medical mari- overcome. There is broad consensus that The backlash was swift, and juana, although it is too soon to With the possible withdrawal the social welfare programs cre- say when it will actually be avail- fierce. Readers threatened to of American forces in Afghani- ated since the New Deal have cancel their subscriptions. Death able to patients. hugely improved living condi- threats poured in by email. His Continued on Page 8 Mr. Cuomo’s shift comes at an tions for low-income Americans. television program was pulled interesting political juncture. In At the same time, in recent dec- from the air. neighboring New Jersey, led by ades, most of the gains from the Just days after the column ap- Militants Advance in Iraq Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican private economy have gone to peared, Mr. Metcalf said, his edi- Sunni militants linked to Al whose presidential prospects are those at the top of the income lad- tor called to tell him that two ma- Qaeda made gains in Falluja and talked about even more often der. jor gun manufacturers had said KRISTEN SCHMID FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES another town west of Baghdad in than Mr. Cuomo’s, medical mari- Half a century after Mr. John- “in no uncertain terms” that they Dick Metcalf was fired after a nuanced column in Guns & Ammo. heavy fighting. Page 8. Continued on Page 17 son’s now-famed State of the Un- ion address, the debate over the government’s role in creating opportunity and ending deprivation has flared anew, with inequality as acute as it was in the Roaring On Hawaii, a Lonely Quest for Fact Twenties and the ranks of the poor and near-poor at record highs. Programs like unemploy- Debate on Genetically Modified Crops Entangles a Novice Politician ment insurance and food stamps are keeping millions of families By AMY HARMON were: living things whose DNA has been And University of Hawaii biologists afloat. Republicans have sought altered, often with the addition of a gene urged the Council to consider the global to cut both programs, an illustra- KONA, Hawaii — From the moment the bill to ban genetically engineered from a distant species, to produce a de- scientific consensus, which holds that ex- Continued on Page 4 crops on the island of Hawaii was intro- sired trait. But he could see why almost isting genetically engineered crops are duced in May 2013, it garnered more vo- all of his colleagues had been persuaded no riskier than others, and have provided cal support than any the County Council of the virtue of turning the island into some tangible benefits. here had ever considered, even the pe- what the bill’s proponents called a “Are we going to just ignore them?” rennially popular bids to decriminalize “G.M.O.-free oasis.” Mr. Ilagan wondered. marijuana. “You just type ‘G.M.O.’ and everything Urged on by Margaret Wille, the ban’s Public hearings were dominated by you see is negative,” he told his staff. Op- sponsor, who spoke passionately of the recitations of the ills often attributed to posing the ban also seemed likely to ruin need to “act before it’s too late,” the genetically modified organisms, or anyone’s re-election prospects. Council declined to form a task force to G.M.O.s: cancer in rats, a rise in child- Yet doubts nagged at the councilman, look into such questions before its No- hood allergies, out-of-control super- who was serving his first two-year term. vember vote. But Mr. Ilagan, 27, sought weeds, genetic contamination, overuse of The island’s papaya farmers said that an answers on his own. In the process, he pesticides, the disappearance of butter- engineered variety had saved their fruit found himself, like so many public and flies and bees. from a devastating disease. A study re- business leaders worldwide, wrestling Like some others on the nine-member porting that a diet of G.M.O. corn caused with a subject in which popular beliefs UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL Council, Greggor Ilagan was not even tumors in rats, mentioned often by the often do not reflect scientific evidence. JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES President Lyndon B. Johnson sure at the outset of the debate exactly ban’s supporters, turned out to have At stake is how to grow healthful food Papaya genetically modified to resist a visiting Appalachia in 1964. what genetically modified organisms been thoroughly debunked. Continued on Page 18 virus became one part of a controversy.

INTERNATIONAL 6-12 OBITUARIES 21-23 SUNDAY BUSINESS SPORTSSUNDAY SUNDAY REVIEW

THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 N 19 18 N THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014

He heard many times that there were no independent studies of the safety of genetically modified organisms. But On Hawaii, a Lonely Quest for Facts About G.M.O.s Biofortified, which received no funding from industry, listed more than a hun- with others on the team, awarded the dred such studies, including a 2010 com- From Page 1 2002 Humboldt Prize for the most signif- prehensive review sponsored by the most efficiently, at a time when a warm- icant contribution to United States agri- European Union, that found “no scien- ing world and a growing population culture in five years. tific evidence associating G.M.O.s with make that goal all the more urgent. Japanese as well as American reg- higher risks for the environment or for Scientists, who have come to rely on ulators had approved the papaya. And food and feed safety than conventional liberals in political battles over stem- because the virus was spread by in- plants and organisms.” It echoed simi- cell research, climate change and the sects, which growers had sought to con- lar statements by the World Health Or- teaching of evolution, have been dis- trol with pesticide sprays, the Rainbow ganization, the National Academy of mayed to find themselves at odds with had reduced the use of chemicals. Sciences, the Royal Society of Medicine their traditional allies on this issue. Mr. Ilagan took their point. “If we as a and the American Association for the Some compare the hostility to G.M.O.s body pass this,” he said, thinking aloud Advancement of Science. to the rejection of climate-change sci- at the second public hearing in July, “it A blog post on the website of NPR, a ence, except with liberal opponents in- shows we think all G.M.O.s are wrong.” news source Mr. Ilagan trusted, cata- stead of conservative ones. loged what it called “Top Five Myths of “These are my people, they’re lefties, Superweeds and Rats Genetically Modified Seeds, Busted.” I’m with them on almost everything,” No. 1 was a thing he had long believed: said Michael Shintaku, a plant patholo- Instructed by the chairman not to ap- “Seeds from G.M.O.s are sterile.” gist at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, plaud, the residents who packed the One of the more alarming effects of who testified several times against the County Council chamber in Kona on G.M.O.s that Ms. Wille had cited was bill. “It hurts.” July 3 erupted in frequent silent cheers, suicides among farmers in India, pur- But, supporters of the ban warned, signaled by a collective waving of hands portedly driven into debt by the high scientists had not always correctly as- and wiggling of fingers. cost of patented, genetically modified sessed the health and environmental A few, like Richard Ha, an island cotton seeds. risks of new technology. “Remember farmer who hoped that the diseases af- Biotechnology companies, she said, DDT?” one proponent demanded. flicting his bananas and tomatoes might “come in and give it away cheap, and Ms. Wille’s bill would ban the cultiva- be solved with a genetic modification, then raise prices.” tion of any genetically engineered crop were there to testify against the ban. Monsanto’s cotton, engineered with a on the island, with the exception of the Ranchers also were opposed; they gene from bacteria to ward off certain two already grown there: corn recently wanted the option to grow the geneti- insects, had “pushed 270,000 farmers to cally modified corn and soybeans for planted by an island dairy to feed its suicide” since the company started sell- PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES cattle feed that are common elsewhere. cows, and papaya. Field tests to study ing it in India in 2002, the activist Van- But a vast majority were there in sup- new G.M.O. crops would also be prohib- Greggor Ilagan initially thought a ban on genetically modified organisms was a good idea. dana Shiva said in a Honolulu speech port. Some were members of G.M.O. ited. Penalties would be $1,000 per day. Ms. Wille attended. Free Hawaii Island, a mix of food activ- Like three-quarters of the voters on ists and entrepreneurs, who argued that But in Nature, a leading academic Hawaii Island, known as the Big Island, the organisms were bad for human journal, Mr. Ilagan found an article with Mr. Ilagan supported President Obama health, the island’s ecosystem and eco- the subhead “GM Cotton Has Driven in the 2012 election. When he took office Farmers to Suicide: False.” conscious business. Others, veterans of PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES himself a month later, after six years in the campaign for a partial ban already According to the Nature article, peer- the Air National Guard, he planned to Mr. Ilagan with Alberto Belmes, one of the growers of genetically modified papayas whose views helped change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. in place here, reminded the Council of reviewed research in 2011 found that focus on squatters, crime prevention the precedents for Ms. Wille’s bill: In suicides among farmers were no more and the inauguration of a bus line in his 2008, organic Kona coffee farmers suc- numerous after the new seeds were inin their fields by accident. But he found district on the island’s eastern rim. cessfully lobbied for a ban on any culti- troduced than before. And a 2012 study scourge of the world’s poor. there was no evidence that Monsanto He had also promised himself that he vation of genetically modified coffee. found that farmers’ profits rose because That did not mean genetically engi- had ever initiated such a lawsuit. would take a stance on all topics, never The presence of a G.M.O. crop, they ar- of reduced losses from pest attacks. neered food could never cause harm. “I’m still trying to voice this out,” he registering a “kanalua” vote — the Ha- gued, would hurt their reputation and “There’s farmers committing suicide But the risks of such crops could be reli- said, “but to me it just seems symbolic. waiian term for “with reservation.” their ability to charge a premium. because of the whole debt issue, but it’s ably tested, and they had so far proved Like doing something that seems good, But with the G.M.O. bill, he often de- At the same time, the county had not because of the G.M.O. issue,” Mr. safe. “With scientists, we never say but not really achieving what you want spaired of assembling the information banned the cultivation of genetically en- Ilagan said he concluded in mid-August. anything is 100 percent certain one way to achieve.” he needed to definitively decide. Every gineered taro, a root vegetable cultivat- Still, it was hard not to be spooked by or another,” Dr. Suzuki said. “We weigh Ms. Haskin took his hand. “You have time he answered one question, it ed for centuries in Hawaii. material emailed by constituents and conclusions on accumulated knowledge to vote for this bill,” she pleaded. “What seemed, new ones arose. Popular opin- In the three minutes allotted to each circulated on Facebook: images of to- or evidence — but often this is not satis- about all the pesticides being sprayed ion masqueraded convincingly as sci- speaker at the July hearing, some told matoes with syringes stuck in them and factory for some.” on our food?” ence, and the science itself was hard to personal tales of all manner of illness, of pears and apples stapled together, The conversation, he noticed, had grasp. People who spoke as experts including children’s allergies, cured af- warnings of children harmed by parents turned again. lacked credentials, and G.M.O. critics Silencing the Scientists ter going on a “non-G.M.O.” diet. One serving genetically modified food. The discounted those with credentials as be- woman took the microphone “on behalf specter of genetic contamination still On Oct. 1, Mr. Ilagan voted to block ing pawns of biotechnology companies. Emotional Testimony of Mother Earth and all sentient be- haunted him. And his mother, who had the bill from moving out of committee, “It takes so much time to find out ings.” Nomi Carmona encouraged Coun- always served papaya at home, had shortly after a day of what Ms. Wille The Council meeting on Oct. 15 start- what’s true,” he complained. cil members to visit the website of her stopped because of her new concerns and Brenda Ford, another Council ed with public testimony that lasted So many emails arrived in support of group, Babes Against Biotech, where about the Rainbow variety. member who was a proponent of the more than seven hours. the ban that, as a matter of environ- analyses of Monsanto’s campaign con- ban, had described as expert testimony. Again, Mr. Ilagan found himself mental responsibility, the Council clerks tributions are intermingled with pic- Learning From a Researcher At the hearing on Sept. 23, he had touched by the emotion of the crowd. A suspended the custom of printing them tures of bikini-clad women. grown increasingly uneasy as his fellow mother brought her 8-year-old to testify. out for each Council member. But Mr. The Rainbow papaya is genetically modified to resist a Many of the most impassioned speak- The scientists at the national agricul- Council members declined to call sev- Mr. Brewer, the eco-hostel owner, was Ilagan had only to consult his inbox to virus that devastated other papaya varieties on Hawaii. ers came from Mr. Ilagan’s district of ture research center here were not ac- eral University of Hawaii scientists who in the audience with his wife, who is be reminded of the prevailing opinion. Margaret Wille, the sponsor of the ban on G.M.O.s, spoke of the need to “act before it’s too late.” Puna, known for its anti-establishment customed to local Council representa- had flown from Oahu, instead allotting deaf, signing so she could follow the de- “Do the right thing,” one Chicago spirit. “These chemical companies think tives dropping by unannounced. 45 minutes to Jeffrey Smith, a self- bate. Invoking the Hawaiian word for woman wrote, “or no one will want to they’re going to win,” one woman said. But one day in August, Mr. Ilagan re- styled expert on G.M.O.s with no scien- “land,” several speakers — not neces- take a toxic tour of your poisoned para- lette,” a movie he produced based on his ning genetically modified organisms. “Hell, no, they’re never going to win called, when he turned up in search of tific credentials. sarily of Hawaiian descent — begged dise.” book of the same title that had been Ms. Wille assured her colleagues that, here.” someone who could answer questions One University of Hawaii at Manoa shown at one of the island’s “March upon the bill’s passage, she would sup- for “our aina” to be preserved. “Our is- Organic farmers worried that their about genetic contamination, he found a biologist, Richard Manshardt, respond- Against Monsanto” events, appeared at port the formation of such a group. But land can be the uncontaminated seed- Distrust on the Left crops would be contaminated also made molecular biologist willing to help. ed to a question from Ms. Ford about the hearing by Skype from Arizona. it was better not to delay, she said: “I bed for the world,” one said. an impression on the councilman, “It’s kind of a loaded term,” the coun- the effect on honeybees of corn engi- Margaret Wille, 66, had the island’s He praised the Council for stepping in want to draw a line in the sand until we Those in favor of the bill outnum- though he felt that the actress Roseanne neered to resist pests: none, he said, be- best interests at heart when she pro- cilman remembered the scientist, Jon where he believes that federal regula- can take a closer look.” bered those opposed by more than five Barr, who owns an organic macadamia cause the protein it produced affected posed the ban, Mr. Ilagan knew. Suzuki, saying. “What they’re talking tory agencies have failed, and suggest- to one. nut farm here, could have been kinder about is cross-pollination, which is only certain insect groups, and was not She majored in cultural anthropology ed that the Rainbow papaya could harm Lukas Kambic, a biology major at the to the papaya farmers in the room. something that happens all the time toxic to bees. Angry Voters at Bennington College in Vermont and people because of a protein produced by University of Hawaii at Hilo, sought to “Everybody here is very giving,” she “I don’t agree with the professor,” practiced public advocacy law in Maine within species.” the viral gene added to it, adding that no The response to Mr. Ilagan’s vote was use his own experience to counter the had told them. “They will bend over Ms. Ford told her colleagues. before moving a decade ago to the is- The councilman knew little about how human or animal feeding studies had swift and unambiguous. anecdotes others voiced that night. “My backwards to help you burn those papa- food was grown. He enlisted in the Air Many University of Hawaii scientists ever been conducted on the fruit. He was mocked on Facebook and pil- mom ate organic food exclusively and land, where her brothers once owned a yas and grow something decent.” health food store. National Guard immediately after high had already registered their opposition Mr. Ilagan was genuinely curious to loried in letters from constituents. “You did yoga all the time, and she died of a More striking to Mr. Ilagan was the school and abandoned his first semester to the bill, in written and oral testimony hear the author’s take on his own latest have been influenced by the contrived brain aneurysm,” Mr. Kambic said. “Ac- And her bill, like much anti-G.M.O. warning of Derek Brewer, 29, an Army of community college classes when he and letters in the local papers. realization: Each genetically modified arguments from the pro-G.M.O. inter- cording to the logic of people here, she action, was inspired by distrust of the veteran who served in Iraq and Afghan- decided to run for the Council seat. If the ban passed, local farmers could organism was different, and came with ests,” one letter read. “Many of my fel- was killed by organic food and yoga.” seed-producing biotechnology compa- istan before coming to Hawaii to help Dr. Suzuki gave him a tutorial on not take advantage of projects under- its own set of trade-offs. low Puna residents will seriously con- The room was silent. nies, which had backed a state measure found an eco-hostel. “We don’t fully un- plant reproduction, Mr. Ilagan recalled, way at the university and elsewhere, “I don’t see a blanket ban,” he told his sider more progressive candidates for Knowing that the final vote on the to prevent local governments from reg- derstand genetics,” Mr. Brewer said, his explaining that with the wind, insects they noted, including drought-tolerant staff that week. “It seems like it should the next Council term.” ban was yet to come, Mr. Ilagan voted ulating their activity. dark hair tied back in a ponytail. “Once and animals spreading pollen and crops and higher-yield pineapple plants. be a case-by-case thing.” “Greggor, what do you think you’re “no” after the hearing. Then nearly That bill, which passed the State Sen- you change something like this, there is seeds, cross-pollination can never be Genetic engineering is a precise tech- “Aloha, Mr. Smith,” Mr. Ilagan said doing?” his campaign manager, Kareen 1,000 people quickly signed a petition ate but stalled in the House, appeared no taking it back.” entirely avoided. nique that “itself is not harmful,” the when he had his turn. “Or is it Dr. Haskin, 70, a close family friend, asked demanding that he change his vote at largely aimed at other Hawaiian is- What really stuck with Mr. Ilagan But, Mr. Ilagan learned, by stagger- dean of the school’s College of Tropical Smith?” him. “The main thing I told people was the final hearing, scheduled for Nov. 18. lands, which were used by companies were the descriptions of tumorous rats. ing planting times and ensuring a rea- Agriculture and Human Resources, Ma- you would listen to them.” For the first time in his career as coun- like Monsanto, Syngenta and Dow as a Reading testimony submitted before “No, Jeffrey’s fine,” Mr. Smith said sonable distance between crops, it is ria Gallo, wrote in one op-ed. cilman, he began to consider voting nursery for seeds. On Kauai, for in- the hearing, he had blanched at gro- over Skype. He told her that though a vocal minor- usually possible to avoid large-scale But Ms. Wille had largely dismissed “kanalua” — yes, with reservation. stance, activists had been talking about tesque pictures of the animals fed Mon- “In your world,” Mr. Ilagan asked, “is ity supported the ban, many other con- mingling. Also, plants have different the opinions of university researchers, In early November, he sought to es- how to limit the companies’ pesticide santo’s corn, modified with a gene from there any room for any G.M.O.?” stituents knew little about the complex fertilization methods: The Rainbow pa- citing Monsanto contributions to the cape with a friend to a condo in Kona, use. bacteria to tolerate an herbicide. Ac- Mr. Smith replied that there was not. issue. “I have to do what’s right for paya, for instance, was largely self- university. In 2012, she noted, the com- only to be accosted at the pool by a vot- The companies had no corporate cording to the French researcher who In the afternoon, Dr. Gonsalves, who them, too.” fertilizing. If it is planted about 12 feet pany made a one-time donation of er demanding answers. presence here on the Big Island, which performed the study, they developed led the development of the Rainbow pa- He told Ms. Haskin what he had away from other varieties, the chance of $600,000 for student scholarships at the lacks the large parcels of land they pre- more tumors and died earlier than paya, was given time to respond to Mr. learned about health and environmental And on Nov. 14, Mr. Brewer, the vet- College of Tropical Agriculture and Hu- ferred. Still, Ms. Wille said at a “March The idea of the ban was popular, but not universally so, as pro-G.M.O. T-shirts made clear. those in the control group. cross-pollination is exceedingly low. Smith’s allegations. He laid to rest a lin- aspects of genetic engineering. But as eran who runs an eco-hostel, visited man Resources, an amount that the col- Against Monsanto” rally last spring, if “Are we all going to get cancer?” Mr. “But what about the papaya contam- gering question about papaya safety he had found often happened in con- him in his office. They discussed Mr. lege said represented about 1 percent of the island allowed farmers to grow ge- Ilagan wondered. inating” — Mr. Ilagan recalls correcting that had troubled Mr. Ilagan. versations about G.M.O.s, the subject Brewer’s conviction that cross-pollina- netically modified crops, the companies himself — “cross-pollinating with a its annual budget that year. He explained that any papaya in- quickly shifted. “We don’t want corpo- tion by G.M.O.s would do unknown collected 354,000 signatures for a peti- ences investment in research and the proposal for a G.M.O. ban in May. could gain a foothold. “This represents pineapple?” “It is sad that our state has allowed fected by the ringspot virus contains the rations to own all the seeds,” she said. harm to the environment and detract tion asserting that G.M.O.s endanger deployment of genetically modified There were only around 200 of them nothing less than a takeover of our is- Sifting Through Claims This was the part he had trouble ex- our university departments of agricul- protein Mr. Smith had mentioned as po- Mr. Ilagan was as opposed as Ms. from the island’s image. public health. In the Philippines, pro- crops, particularly in the developing land,” she told the crowd. “There’s a on an island with a population of about plaining to himself. Was the virus gene ture to become largely dependent upon tentially dangerous in the genetically Haskin was to big businesses control- “We need all the votes we can get to testers, citing safety concerns, ripped world, where hunger raises the stakes. The next week, when his legislative saying, ‘If you control the seed, you con- 185,000, but many lived in his district. from the papaya also in Ms. Barr’s mac- funding grants from the multinational modified Rainbow. Moreover, plant vi- ling a market, in part by using patents override” a possible veto by the mayor, up a test field of rice genetically engi- assistant alerted him that the rat study trol the food; if you control the food, you “Just as many on the political right They wanted to be sure he understood adamia nuts and the organic coffee chemical corporations,” Ms. Wille told ruses do not infect people. “Everyone that prohibit farmers from replanting or Mr. Brewer said. “Do you think you can neered to address Vitamin A deficiency encountered near-universal scorn from control the people.’” discount the broad scientific consensus that genetically modified papayas, the farmer’s beans? reporters, suggesting that the universi- was eating virus-infected papaya in the selling their seeds. But banning crops vote for this bill, Greggor?” among the world’s poor. A new chil- that human activities contribute to glo- only commercially grown G.M.O. fruit scientists after its release in autumn Ms. Wille, chairwoman of the Coun- Dr. Suzuki paused. ty’s professors were largely a “mouth- 1990s,” Dr. Gonsalves said. “And now because they were made with genetic Mr. Ilagan still had questions of his dren’s book turned its heroine into a bal warming, many progressive advoca- in the United States, account for three- 2012, doubt about much of what Mr. Ila- cil’s Agriculture Committee, warned her “With plants of different species — piece for the G.M.O. biotech industry.” you want to do feeding studies?” engineering would not change the pat- own. One scientist he had spoken to said crusader against genetic modification: cy groups disregard, reject or ignore the quarters of the 30 million pounds har- gan had heard began to prick at his colleagues that what mattered was not it’s kind of like how you don’t cross a cat She did, however, rely on the opinion of With one member absent, only one ent laws, he told her. the built-in pesticide in corn should not “These fruits and vegetables are not decades of scientific studies demon- vested annually here. mind. the amount of food produced, but its “Come to find out, the kind of rats with a dog and expect to have off- a specialist in organic agriculture prac- other Council member joined Mr. Ilagan Mr. Ilagan had been alarmed by testi- worry him, because many plants con- natural,” she declares. strating the safety and wide-reaching “They’re treating us like we’re crimi- quality and the sustainability of how it they used would get tumors anyway,” spring,” he said. tices at the university, Hector Valen- in opposing the bill. The Council de- mony from farmers who said they could tain their own natural pesticides. “I still And bills were proposed in some 20 benefits” of genetically engineered nals,” said Ross Sibucao, the head of the was grown. he told his staff. “And the sample size “Duh!” exclaimed Mr. Ilagan. “I zuela, who supported the bill. ferred a decision on creating a task be sued by Monsanto and other patent- want to track that down,” he told his states to require “G.M.O.” labels on crops, Pamela Ronald, a professor of growers’ association. “My focus is on protecting our soil was too small for any conclusive re- should have realized that.” Mr. Smith, known for “Genetic Rou- force to discuss the implications of ban- holders when patented seeds ended up staff. “What is an example of a natural foods with ingredients made from ge- plant pathology at the University of Cal- Another Council member favored raz- and the farms and properties that are sults.” In the following weeks, Mr. Ilagan pesticide?” netically engineered crops (about three- ifornia, Davis, wrote on the blog of the ing every genetically modified papaya not G.M.O.,” she said, noting also that Sensitive to the accusation that her sometimes called Dr. Suzuki with his Maybe, he thought, he would join the quarters of processed foods now have nonprofit Biology Fortified. tree on the island. there was a marketing opportunity for bill was antiscience, Ms. Wille had cir- question du jour. For instance, do weeds long-promised task force, which would such ingredients, mostly corn syrup, And other scientists, including two But under Ms. Wille’s bill, the mod- non-G.M.O. products. culated material to support it. But in al- near genetically modified crops turn weigh the implications of banning corn oil and soy meal and sugar). Nobel Prize winners, wrote an opinion ified papaya, known as the Rainbow, Such sentiments echoed well beyond most every case, Mr. Ilagan and his into “superweeds” because of a rogue G.M.O.s on the island and report back to The legislation is backed by the fast- article for the journal Science last fall ti- was grandfathered in, as long as farm- Hawaii, as Mr. Ilagan’s early research staff found evidence that seemed to un- gene? the Council. growing organic food industry, which tled “Standing Up for G.M.O.s.” ers registered with the county and paid confirmed. dermine the claims. The scientist, he recalled, helped him The final hearing on the bill was not sees such labeling as giving it a compet- As he traversed the island and the In- a $100 annual fee. College students, eco-conscious shop- A report, in an obscure Russian jour- understand that “superweeds” were unlike the first. Superweeds were men- itive advantage. It has also become a ternet, Mr. Ilagan agreed with constitu- “You’re exempted,” Mr. Ilagan re- pers and talk show celebrities like nal, about hamsters that lost the ability weeds that had evolved resistance to a tioned. Indian suicides. Contamination. rallying cry among activists who want ents that there was good reason to sus- assured Mr. Sibucao. Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Oz and Bill Maher to reproduce after three generations as widely used herbicide — most likely Ms. Wille urged a vote for the ban. to change the industrial food system. pect that companies like Monsanto Even so, Mr. Sibucao replied, the bill warned against consuming food made a result of a diet of genetically modified faster than they would have if farmers “To do otherwise,” she said, “would be Rachel Maddow declared the narrow would place profit above public safety. would stigmatize any genetically mod- with genetically modified ingredients. soybeans had been contradicted by had not used it so much on crops geneti- to ignore the cries from round the world failure of ballot initiatives to require He, too, wished for more healthful food ified food, making the Rainbow harder Mr. Maher’s audience, in turn, recently many other studies and deemed bogus cally engineered to tolerate it. and on the mainland.” G.M.O. labeling in California and Wash- to be grown more sustainably. to sell. hissed at a commentator who defended by mainstream scientists. Biotechnology firms were already “Mr. Ilagan?” the Council member ington a “big loss for liberal politics.” But even a national ban on such Many of the island’s papaya farmers, genetic modification as merely an ex- Mr. Ilagan discounted the correla- selling seeds that tolerated other, less leading the meeting asked when it came Whole Foods has pledged that by 2018 crops, it seemed to him, would do little descendants of immigrants who came tension of traditional breeding. tions between the rise in childhood al- benign herbicides, Mr. Ilagan learned. time for the final vote. it will replace some foods containing ge- to solve the problems of an industrial to work on sugar plantations, have links New applications of the technology, lergies and the consumption of G.M.O.s, But that was a different problem from “No,” he replied. netically modified ingredients and label food system that existed long before to the Philippines, as does Mr. Ilagan, so far used mostly on corn, soybeans, cited by Ms. Wille and others, after the specter conjured by a woman at one The ban was approved, 6 to 3. others; signs in Trader Joe’s proclaim, their invention. Nor was it likely to di- who immigrated from there as a child. cotton, canola and sugar beets to make reading of the common mistake of con- of the hearings, who said that “G.M.O.s The mayor signed the bill on Dec. 5. “No G.M.O.s Sold Here.” General Mills minish the market power of the “Big As the plantations faded in the 1980s, them more resistant to weeds and fusing correlation for causation. (One are cross-pollinating with weeds that At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. announced last week that it would stop Ag” companies, which also dominate some began growing papayas. But after pests, have drawn increased scrutiny. A graph, illustrating the weakness of con- now can’t be controlled.” Wille’s motion to create a committee to using genetically modified ingredients sales of seeds that are not genetically an outbreak of Papaya ringspot virus in recent Organic Consumers Association clusions based on correlation, charted Asked about the danger of moving study the impact of banning genetically bulletin, for instance, pictures the first in its Cheerios. modified, and the pesticides used on the mid-’90s, only the Rainbow, en- the lock-step rise in organic food sales genes among species where they had modified organisms on the island was genetically modified animal to be sub- But the groundswell against geneti- both. The arguments for rejecting them, dowed with a gene from the virus itself and autism diagnoses.) not originated, Dr. Suzuki explained not seconded, and she withdrew it. mitted for regulatory approval (a fast- cally modified food has rankled many he concluded, ultimately relied on the that effectively gave it immunity, had Butterflies were disappearing, but that for millenniums, humans had bred Stunned, Mr. Ilagan briefly considered er-growing salmon) jumping from a riv- scientists, who argue that opponents of premise that they are unsafe. saved the crop, they told him. Mr. Ilagan learned that it was not a tox- crops of the same species to produce de- making his own motion to form a task er to attack a bear, with the caption “No G.M.O.s have distorted the risks associ- Making up his mind about that alone If Mr. Ilagan worried about big bio- in produced by modified plants that sired traits. But with the advent of ge- force. But he could see he would not Frankenfish!” In a 2013 New York ated with them and underplayed the would prove difficult enough. technology companies, the farmers told harmed them, as he had thought. In- netic engineering, it became possible to have enough support. Times poll, three-quarters of Americans risks of failing to try to use the technol- him, the Rainbow should reassure him. stead, the herbicide used in conjunction borrow a feature from elsewhere on the It was time to move on. A fast-grow- surveyed expressed concern about ogy to improve how food is grown. Wad- Developed primarily by scientists at ac- with some genetically modified crops The Rainbow Papaya tree of life. An example Mr. Ilagan later ing subdivision in his district needed a G.M.O.s in their food, with most of those ing into a debate that has more typically ademic institutions, it was a model for (as well as some that were not) meant learned about was the rice being tested community park. Last week, Mr. Ilagan worried about health risks. pitted activists against industry, some The papaya farmers appeared, pac- how the technology could benefit small the milkweed on which they hatched in the Philippines. Modified with genes turned his focus to drumming up sup- As Ms. Wille’s bill was debated here have argued that opposition from even ing restlessly, outside Mr. Ilagan’s office farmers. Its lead developer, the Hawai- was no longer found on most Midwest- from bacteria and corn, it can provide port for the bond issue he would need throughout 2013, activists elsewhere small pockets of an American elite influ- shortly after Ms. Wille introduced the ian-born Dennis Gonsalves, was, along ern farms. Vitamin A, the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamber listened to a discussion about the ban. from the county to plan and design it. C MC YMKCYMK Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,001,Bs-4C,E3Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,001,Bs-4C,E3Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,001,Bs-4C,E3 C MCYMKY K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,001,Bs-4C,E3Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,001,Bs-4C,E3

LateLate Edition EditionLate Edition Late EditionLate EditionToday,Today,rain, patchyrain,Today, patchy freezingrain, freezing patchy rain freezing rain rain at first, high 44. Tonight, rain, ris- Today, rain,Today, patchyrain, freezing patchy freezing rain at rainfirst, highat first, 44. Tonight,high 44. Tonight,rain, ris- rain, ris- C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,001,Bs-4C,E3ing temperatures. Tomorrow, a.m. at first, highat first, 44. highTonight, 44. Tonight,rain, ris-rain,ing ris- temperatures.ing temperatures. Tomorrow, Tomorrow,a.m. a.m. shower, windy, high 50 early, then ing temperatures.ing temperatures. Tomorrow, Tomorrow,a.m. shower,a.m. windy,shower, high windy, 50 early, high 50then early, then falling. Weather map, Page 14. shower, shower,windy, high windy, 50 early,high 50 then early,falling. then Weatherfalling. Weather map, Page map, 14. Page 14. falling. falling. Weather Weather map, Page map, 14. Page 14. Late Edition VOL. CLXIII . . No. 56,372 © 2014 The New York Times NEW YORK, SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 $6 beyond the greater New York metropolitan area. $5.00 VOL. CLXIIIVOL. CLXIII . . No. 56,372 . . No. 56,372 © 2014 The© New 2014 York The Times New York Times NEW YORK,NEW YORK,SUNDAY, SUNDAY, JANUARY JANUARY 5, 2014 5, 2014 $6 beyond the$6 greaterbeyond New the greater York metropolitan New York metropolitan area. area. $5.00 $5.00 Today, rain, patchy freezing rain at first, high 44. Tonight, rain, ris- VOL. CLXIIIVOL. CLXIII . . No. 56,372 . . No. 56,372 © 2014 The© New 2014 York The Times New York Times NEW YORK,NEW YORK, SUNDAY, SUNDAY, JANUARY JANUARY 5, 2014 5, 2014 $6 beyond $6the beyond greater theNew greater York metropolitan New York metropolitan area. area. $5.00 $5.00 ing temperatures. Tomorrow, a.m. C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,001,Bs-4C,E3 shower, windy, high 50 early, then PowerPower VacuumPower Vacuum VacuumNEW YORK STATE falling. Weather map, Page 14. PowerPower Vacuum Vacuum NEW NEWYORK YORK STATE STATE VOL. CLXIII . . No. 56,372 In© 2014 NEWMiddleIn The New Middle NEWYorkYORKIn Times Middle EastYORK STATE East STATENEW East YORK, SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 $6 beyond the greater New York metropolitan area. $5.00 In MiddleIn Middle East East IS SETIS SET LateTOIS Edition TOLOOSENSET LOOSEN TO LOOSEN Lifts Militants Today, rain, patchy freezing rain ISLifts SETISLifts TOMilitantsSET LOOSEN TO Militants LOOSENat first, high 44. Tonight, rain, ris- Power Vacuum LiftsLifts Militants Militants ing temperatures. Tomorrow, a.m. NEW YORK STATE MARIJUANAshower,MARIJUANA windy, MARIJUANAhigh 50 LAWSearly, thenLAWS LAWS falling. Weather map, Page 14. In Middle East AbsentAbsentMARIJUANA U.S.,Absent U.S.,MARIJUANA Sectarian SectarianU.S., LAWS Sectarian LAWS IS SET TO LOOSEN AbsentAbsent U.S., U.S.,Sectarian SectarianStrife Engulfs Region Lifts Militants VOL. CLXIII . . No. 56,372 © 2014 The New York Times NEW YORK, SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 Strife EngulfsStrife$6 beyond Engulfs Region the greater New MEDICALRegion York metropolitanMEDICAL CANNABIS area.MEDICAL CANNABIS PLANCANNABIS$5.00 PLAN PLAN Strife StrifeEngulfs Engulfs Region RegionMEDICALMEDICAL CANNABIS CANNABIS PLAN PLAN MARIJUANA LAWS Absent U.S., Sectarian This articleThis article is byThis Benis articleby Hubbard, Ben is Hubbard, by BenIn Hubbard, Turnaround, Cuomo Robert F. Worth and Michael R. In Turnaround,In Turnaround, Cuomo Cuomo This articleThis is article by Ben is Hubbard,by Ben Hubbard,RobertPower F.Robert Worth Vacuum F.and Worth Michaeland Michael R. NEW R. YORK STATE Strife Engulfs Region MEDICAL CANNABIS PLAN GordonIn. Turnaround,In Turnaround, Cuomo CuomoJoins National Trend Robert F.Robert Worth F.and Worth Michaeland Michael R. Gordon R.In. GordonMiddle. East Joins NationalJoins National Trend Trend Gordon.Gordon. BEIRUT,BEIRUT,Joins Lebanon NationalJoinsBEIRUT, Lebanon — National The Lebanon — Trend im- The im- —Trend Theof im-Easier Access ages of recent days have an eerie IS SETof EasierTO ofLOOSEN EasierAccess Access This article is by Ben Hubbard, In Turnaround, Cuomo BEIRUT,BEIRUT, Lebanon Lebanon — The im-— Theages im- of recentages of days recent have days an eeriehave an eerie Robert F. Worth and Michael R. familiarity, asofLifts if Easier the horrorsof Militants Easier Access of the Access ages of recentages of days recent have days an haveeerie anfamiliarity, eerie familiarity, as if the horrorsas if the of horrors the of the Gordon. Joins National Trend past decade were being played familiarity,familiarity, as if the ashorrors if the horrorsof the pastof the decadepast were decade being were played being playedByMARIJUANA SUSANNE CRAIG LAWS back: masked gunmen recaptur- By SUSANNEBy SUSANNE CRAIG CRAIG BEIRUT, Lebanon — The im- of Easier Access past decadepast decadewere being were played being playedback: maskedback: gunmenmasked gunmenrecaptur- recaptur-and JESSE McKINLEY ages of recent days have an eerie ing the IraqiAbsent Bycities SUSANNE U.S.,ofBy Falluja SUSANNE SectarianCRAIG and CRAIG and JESSEand McKINLEY JESSE McKINLEY back: maskedback: maskedgunmen gunmen recaptur- recaptur-ing the Iraqiing the cities Iraqi of Fallujacities of and Falluja and familiarity, as if the horrors of the Ramadi, whereand JESSE so manyand McKINLEY JESSE Ameri- McKINLEYALBANYALBANY — Joining — Joining a growing a growing past decade were being played ing the Iraqiing the cities Iraqi of citiesFalluja of andFallujaRamadi, andStrife Ramadi, where Engulfs so where many Region so Ameri- many Ameri- ALBANY — Joining a growing By SUSANNE CRAIG can soldiers died fighting them. groupMEDICAL of states CANNABIS that have PLAN loos- back: masked gunmen recaptur- Ramadi,Ramadi, where so where many so Ameri- many Ameri-canALBANY soldierscanALBANY — soldiersdied Joining fighting — died aJoining growing fightingthem. a growing group them. ofgroup states of that states have that loos- have loos- and JESSE McKINLEY Car bombs exploding amid the el- ened restrictions on marijuana, ing the Iraqi cities of Falluja and can soldierscan soldiers died fighting died fighting them. Car them.group bombs ofgroupCar statesexploding bombs of that states exploding amid have that the loos- amid el- have the ened loos- el- restrictionsened restrictions on marijuana, on marijuana, egance of downtown Beirut. The Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New Ramadi, where so many Ameri- ALBANY — Joining a growing Car bombsCar exploding bombs exploding amid the amid el- theeganceened el-This restrictions ofenedegance article downtown restrictions is of by downtown onBen Beirut. marijuana, Hubbard, on The Beirut. marijuana,Gov. The AndrewGov. AndrewM. Cuomo M. of Cuomo New of New charnel house of Syria’s wors- YorkIn plans Turnaround, this week to announce Cuomo can soldiers died fighting them. group of states that have loos- egance ofegance downtown of downtown Beirut. TheBeirut.charnelGov. TheRobert Andrew Gov.charnel house F. Worth Andrew M. of house Cuomoand Syria’s Michael M. of ofCuomo wors- Syria’s New R. of York wors- New plansYork this plans week this to announce week to announce Car bombs exploding amid the el- ened restrictions on marijuana, ening civil war. an executive action that would al- charnel charnel house of house Syria’s of Syria’s wors- ening wors-YorkGordon planscivilYorkening. war. this plans civil week war.this to weekannounce to announceanJoins executive Nationalan executive action Trend that action would that al- would al- egance of downtown Beirut. The Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New But for all its echoes, the blood- low limited use of the drug by ening civilening war. civil war. anBut executiveBEIRUT, foran allBut executive its action Lebanon for echoes, all that itsaction — the echoes,would The blood- that im- al- the would blood-low al- limitedlow use limited of the use drug of the by drug by charnel house of Syria’s wors- York plans this week to announce shed that has engulfed Iraq, Leb- those withof serious Easier illnesses, Access state But for allBut its for echoes, all its theechoes, blood- the blood-shedlowages limitedthat oflowshed hasrecent limited usethatengulfed days ofhas have the use engulfedIraq, an drug of eerie Leb- the byIraq, drugthose Leb- by withthose serious with illnesses, serious illnesses, state state ening civil war. an executive action that would alanon andfamiliarity, Syria in as the if the past horrors two of theofficials say. But for all its echoes, the blood- low limited use of the drug by shed thatshed has that engulfed has engulfed Iraq, Leb- Iraq,anonthose Leb- andwiththoseanon Syriaserious with and in illnesses, Syriaserious the past in illnesses, thestate two pastofficials state two say.officials say. weeks exposespast decade something were being new played The shift by Mr. Cuomo, a shed that has engulfed Iraq, Leb- those with serious illnesses, state anon andanon Syria and in Syria the past in the two pastweeksofficials two exposes officialsweekssay. exposessay. something something new newTheBy SUSANNE shiftThe by CRAIG shift Mr. by Cuomo, Mr. Cuomo, a a and destabilizing:back: masked the gunmenemergence recaptur-Democrat who had long resisted anon and Syria in the past two officials say. weeks exposesweeks exposes something something new and newThe destabilizing: shiftandThe destabilizing: by shift Mr.the emergence by Cuomo, Mr.the emergence Cuomo, a Democrat and a JESSEDemocrat who McKINLEY had wholong had resisted long resisted of a post-Americaning the Iraqi cities Middle of Falluja East andlegalizing medical marijuana, weeks exposes something new The shift by Mr. Cuomo, a and destabilizing:and destabilizing: the emergence the emergenceofDemocrat aRamadi, post-AmericanDemocratof who wherea post-American had so who many Middlelong had resisted Ameri- Eastlong Middle resistedlegalizing ALBANY East legalizing — Joining medical a growing medical marijuana, marijuana, and destabilizing: the emergence Democrat who had long resisted in which no broker has the power, comes as other states are taking of a post-Americanof a post-American Middle EastMiddlein legalizing East whichcan soldiers legalizinginno which broker medical died no has fighting broker medical the marijuana, power, them.has marijuana, thegroup power,comes of as statescomes other that asstates haveother are loos- states taking are taking of a post-American Middle East legalizing medical marijuana, or the will, to contain the region’s increasingly liberal positions on in whichin no which broker no has broker the power,has the power,orcomes theCar will, bombsascomesor other tothe explodingcontain will,as states other to the amidcontain are states region’s thetaking el-the are region’sened takingincreasingly restrictionsincreasingly liberal on marijuana, positions liberal positions on on in which no broker has the power, comes as other states are taking DANIEL BEREHULAK FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES sectarianegance hatreds. of downtown Beirut. Theit —Gov. most Andrew nota- M. Cuomo of New or the will, to contain the region’s increasingly liberal positions on orDANIEL the BEREHULAKwill,orDANIEL theto contain will,FORBEREHULAK THE to NEW thecontain FOR YORK region’s THE TIMES NEWthe YORKregion’ssectarianincreasingly TIMES increasinglysectarian hatreds. liberal hatreds. positions liberal positions on it — on mostit — nota- most nota- Amid thischarnel vacuum, house fanatical of Syria’s Is- wors-bly York Colorado, plans this week to DANIELannounce BEREHULAK FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES sectarian hatreds. it — most nota- DANIEL BEREHULAKDANIEL BEREHULAK FOR THE NEW FOR YORK THE TIMESNEW YORKsectarian TIMES sectarian hatreds. hatreds. it Amid — most thisit —Amid nota-vacuum, most this nota- vacuum,fanatical fanaticalIs- bly Is- Colorado,bly Colorado, An 8-Month-OldAn 8-Month-Old Afghan, Afghan, Aging Aging Fast Fast From From Malnutrition Malnutrition lamists haveening civil flourished war. in both wherean executive thou- action that would al- Amid this vacuum, fanatical Is- bly Colorado, An 8-Month-Old Afghan, Aging Fast From Malnutrition An 8-Month-OldAmid thisAmid vacuum, this Afghan, vacuum, fanatical Aging fanatical Is- lamists blyFast Is- From Colorado, haveblylamists flourishedMalnutrition Colorado, have flourished in both inlowwhere both limited where use thou- of the thou- drug by A boy named Samiullah is among the rising number of victims taxing hospitals and confounding experts in Afghanistan. Page 6. Iraq and SyriaBut for under all its theechoes, banner the blood-sands have lamists have flourished in both where thou- An 8-Month-OldAn 8-Month-Old Afghan, Afghan,A boyAging namedA Agingboy Fast Samiullah named From Fast Samiullah is FromMalnutrition among isMalnutrition the among rising the number rising number of victims of taxingvictims hospitals taxing hospitals and confounding and confounding expertslamists inexperts Afghanistan.lamists have in flourished haveAfghanistan. flourishedPage in 6. both Page inIraq where both6.shed and thatwhereIraq Syria thou-has and underengulfed Syria thou- the Iraq,under banner Leb- the thosebannersands with serioussands have illnesses, have state Iraq and Syria under the banner A boy named Samiullah is among theof rising Al Qaeda, number as ofthe victims two countries’ taxing hospitalsflocked and confounding to buy experts in Afghanistan. Page 6. sands have Iraq andIraq Syria and under Syria the under banner the bannerofsands Alanon Qaeda, andsandsof Al haveas Syria Qaeda, the in two have theas countries’ the past two two countries’officialsflocked say. flocked to buy to buy of Al Qaeda, as the two countries’ flocked to buy A boy namedA boy namedSamiullah Samiullah is among is amongthe rising the number rising number of victims of victimstaxing hospitals taxing hospitals and confounding and confounding experts experts in Afghanistan. in Afghanistan. Page 6. Page 6. conflicts amplify each other and the drug for rec- of Al Qaeda,of Al as Qaeda, the two as countries’the two countries’conflictsflockedweeks flockedconflicts amplify to exposes buy to each amplify something buy other each new and othertheThe and drug shift thefor by drugrec- Mr. for Cuomo, rec- a conflicts amplify each other and the drug for rec- foster ever-deeper radicalism. reational use conflictsconflicts amplify amplify each other each and otherfosterthe andand drug destabilizing: ever-deeperthefoster for drug rec- ever-deeper for the rec- radicalism.emergence radicalism.Democratreational whoreational had use long resisted use foster ever-deeper radicalism. reational use WASHINGTON MEMO WASHINGTON MEMO Behind muchof a post-Americanof it is the bitter Middle ri- East legalizing medical marijuana, WASHINGTONWASHINGTON MEMO MEMO foster ever-deeperfoster ever-deeper radicalism. radicalism.Behind muchBehind of muchit is the of bitterit is the sinceri- bitter since it becameri- it becamesince it became Behind much of it is the bitter ri- since it became valry reational of in two which reational great no usebroker oil powers,has use the power, comes as other states are taking valry of two great oil powers, WASHINGTONWASHINGTON MEMO MEMO Banished for Questioning the GospelBehind muchof ofGuns it is the bitterBanished ri- valry of valry twofor great of Questioning two oil great powers, oillegal powers, onlegal Jan. on 1.the Jan.legal 1. onGospel Jan. 1. of Guns legal on Jan. 1. BanishedBanished for Questioningfor Questioning the theGospel GospelBehind of much Guns ofof it is theGuns bittersince orri- the it sincewill, became to itcontain became the region’s increasingly liberal positions on Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose rul- Mr. Cuomo’s Iran andIran Saudi and Iran SaudiArabia, and Arabia, whoseSaudi whose Arabia,rul- rul- whoseMr. Cuomo’sMr.rul- Cuomo’s BanishedBanished for forQuestioning Questioning the theGospel Gospel of Gunsof Gunsvalry ofvalry DANIEL two BEREHULAK of great two FOR oil greatTHE powers, NEW YORK oil TIMES powers,legalsectarian on legalJan. hatreds. 1. on Jan. 1.could no longerit do — business most nota- Mr.with Cuomo’sin the gun industry, to which, he ers — claiming to represent Shi- plan will be far Andrew M. could no longer do business with in50 the gunYears industry, Later, to which, he ers —ers claiming — claiming to represent to represent Shi- Shi-plan will be far Andrew M. 50 Years Later, could no couldlonger no do longer business do businesswith inIran with the and gunIranin Saudi industry,the and gunArabia, Saudi industry, to whosewhich,Arabia, to rul-he whose which, rul- Mr.heAmid Cuomo’sers thisMr. — vacuum, claiming Cuomo’s fanaticalInterMedia to represent Is- Outdoors,blyplan Shi- Colorado, willthe plancompa- be far willsaid, beAndrew far he hasAndrew devoted M. nearly M. his ite and Sunni Islam, respectively more restrictive Cuomo 50 Years50 Years Later,An 8-Month-OldLater, Afghan, Aging FastInterMedia From Malnutrition Outdoors, the compa- said, he has devoted nearly his ite Byand iteRAVI Sunni and SOMAIYA Sunni Islam, Islam, respectively respectivelymore restrictive Cuomo couldBy RAVI noBycould longer SOMAIYARAVI no SOMAIYA Bydo longer RAVI business SOMAIYAdo business with InterMediain with the guninInterMedia the industry,Outdoors, gun industry, Outdoors, to the which, compa- to the hewhich, compa-said,ers he — he claiming erssaid, has — devoted heclaiming to has represent devoted nearly to represent Shi- his nearlyplan Shi- hislamists willplanite behave and willfar flourishedSunni beAndrew farnyIslam, that in Andrew both publishesrespectively M. wheremore Guns M. restrictive & thou-more Ammo restrictiveentireCuomo adult life.Cuomo — cynically deploy a sectarian than the laws in 50 Years50 Years Later, Later, ny that publishes Guns & Ammo entire adult life. BARRY,— cynically— Ill. cynically — The deploy byline deploy a ofsectarian a sectarianthan the laws in agenda that makes almost any A boy named SamiullahInterMediaInterMedia is among Outdoors, the Outdoors, rising the compa- number the compa- ofnysaid, victims that he publishessaid, ny taxing has that hedevoted hospitals publishes hasGuns devoted nearly& and AmmoGuns confounding his nearly War& Ammoentireite his and on experts adult Sunniiteentire Poverty andlife. in Islam, adultAfghanistan. Sunni life. respectively Islam, Page respectively 6. moreIraq restrictive andmore— Syria cynically restrictive underCuomo and deploythe banner co-producesCuomo a sectariansandsthan his TVthe show, havethanlaws the ifin lawsHis in experience sheds light on Colorado or Cal- War onBy RAVIPovertyBy SOMAIYA RAVI SOMAIYABARRY,BARRY, Ill. — Ill. The — byline The byline of and of co-produces his TV show, if His experience sheds light onDickagenda Metcalf,agenda one thatof Al of Qaeda, makesthe that country’s makesas almost the two almost countries’ any anyColoradoflocked or toCal- buy sort of accommodation a heresy. WarWar on Poverty on Povertyny that nypublishesBARRY, that publishes Guns Ill. —& GunsAmmo The byline& Ammoandentire of co-produces adultentireand life. co-produces adult his life. TV show, his TV if show,—His cynically if experience— His cynically deploy experience sheds adeploy sectarian light sheds a on sectarian lightthan on thethanagenda laws the in thatlaws he makesin continued almost toColorado work any there.Colorado or Cal- He the or Cal- close-knit world of gun jour- ifornia, where medical marijuana Dick Metcalf,Dick Metcalf, one of one the ofcountry’s the country’she continued to work there. He the close-knit world of gun jour-pre-eminentsort ofsort accommodation gunconflicts of journalists,accommodation amplify hasa eachheresy.was a other heresy. let go andifornia, immediately.the drugwhere for medical rec- marijuananalism, where editors and report- “I think we are witnessing a is available to people with condi- WarWar on Poverty on PovertyBARRY,BARRY, Ill. — The Ill. — byline The of bylineand of co-producesandDick co-producesMetcalf, his TVone show, hisof the TV ifcountry’s show,he His continued if experienceheHis continued to experience work sheds to there. lightwork sheds He on there. lightIstheagenda a He on close-knitMixed agendathe that close-knit makes world thatBag of almost makes world gun jour- of anyalmost gun Colorado jour- any Coloradosort or Cal-of accommodation or Cal- a heresy.ifornia, whereifornia, medical where marijuanamedical marijuana pre-eminent gun journalists, has gone missing.“I thinkfoster It we has are ever-deeper been witnessing re- radicalism.“I’ve a been reational vanished, usedisap- ers say there is little room for nu- turning point, and it could be one tions as mild as backaches. It will IsDick a MixedMetcalf,Dick Metcalf, one of Bag the one country’s of the country’spre-eminentpre-eminent gun journalists, gun journalists, haswas letwas go has letimmediately. gowas immediately. let go immediately.nalism,nalism,sort where of accommodationwhere sortnalism,editors of editors accommodation andwhere report- and editorsa heresy. report- and a heresy. report-“I think “I we think are witnessing we are witnessingis aavailableis available a to ispeople available to people with to condi-with people condi- with condi- Is a MixedIs a Mixed BagWASHINGTONgone Bag he missing. continuedMEMOhe It continued has to work been to there. re- work He there.the He close-knitthe close-knit world of world gun jour- of gun jour- movedturning fromifornia, Gunspoint,Behind & whereifornia, andAmmo much it couldmedicalmag-of where it is bethepeared,” medical marijuanaone bitter ri- Mr. marijuana Metcalf,since it 67,became said in ance in the debate over gun laws. of the worst in all our history,” allow just 20 hospitals across the pre-eminentpre-eminent gun journalists, gun journalists, has gone has missing.gone missing. It has been It has re- “I’ve been “I’ve re- been been vanished, vanished, disap- disap-ers sayers there“I say think thereis little“I we is think roomlittle are we witnessingroomfor arenu- for witnessing nu- a turning a point,turning and point, it could and be it couldonetions beastions onemild as as mild backaches. as backaches. It will It will movedwas from let Guns gowas immediately. let& Ammo goBanished immediately. mag- nalism,for whereQuestioningnalism,“I’ve editors where been andeditors vanished, report- and the report- disap- Gospelers say there of is little Gunsazine, roomof where the for is worst nu-hisavailablevalry widely-read inis of available all twoto our people greatcol- history,” to oilanwith people interviewpowers, condi- with legal last condi- monthon Jan. tions on1. his as mildModerate as backaches. voices thatIt will might said Elias Khoury, a Lebanese state to prescribe marijuana to Is a IsMixed a Mixed Bag Baggone missing.gone missing. It has Itbeen has re- beenmoved re- frommoved Guns from & AmmoGuns & mag- Ammopeared,” mag- Mr. Metcalf, 67, said in ance inturning Bythe ANNIE debate turningpoint, LOWREY over and point, gun it could laws.and beit could one beof one theIran worstandof Saudi the in worst Arabia, all our inwhose history,” all ourrul-allow history,” allowjust 20 just hospitals 20 hospitals across across the the novelist and critic who lived “I’ve been“I’ve vanished, been vanished, disap- disap-peared,”ers say there erspeared,” Mr. say Metcalf,is therelittle Mr. room is Metcalf, 67, little said for room nu- in67, saidforance nu- in in theance debate in the over debate gun umnover laws.said once gun Elias rantionslaws. on as Khoury, the tionsmild back asas page. a backaches. mild Lebanese asgun backaches. range It will here, It Mr. about will Cuomo’s 100allow miles justbroaden 20 hospitals the discussionacross the from patients with cancer, glaucoma azine,azine, where where his widely-read his widely-read col- col-an interview last could month no longer on his do businessModerate with voicesin the gun that industry, might to which, hesaiders Elias — saidclaiming Khoury, Elias to represent Khoury, a Lebanese Shi- astate Lebanese to prescribe marijuana to through his own country’s 15- movedBy ANNIE frommoved LOWREY Guns from & GunsAmmo & mag- Ammo peared,”mag- peared,”azine, Mr. Metcalf, where Mr. his Metcalf, 67, widely-read said 67, in saidan col- interview in an interview last month last on month his WASHINGTON onModerateof his the worstofModerate the— voices To in worst many all voicesthatour in history,”allHe might our that no longer history,” mightallow stars just onallow 20 a popularhospitals just 20 hospitalsnorth across of St. the across Louis,planstate surrounded the will to be state prescribe far by toAndrew within prescribe marijuana are M. silenced. marijuana to When to writ- or other diseases that meet By ANNIEBy LOWREY ANNIE50 LOWREY Yearsumn once Later, ran on the back page. ance in theance debate in the over debate gun over laws. gun laws. novelistnovelist ite and and criticandSunni criticIslam, who respectively who lived livedpatients with cancer, glaucoma year civil war. “The West is not azine, whereazine, his where widely-read his widely-read column col- onceumn ran once on the ran back onBy RAVI the page. gun backSOMAIYA range gun page. range here, here, aboutInterMedia about 100 miles Outdoors, 100 milesbroaden Americans,the compa-said the the Elias said,said war discussion Khoury, on he Elias poverty has devoted Khoury, a from Lebanese television nearly a Lebanese his show aboutnovelist firearms. and snow-blanketed critic whomore patientsfields lived restrictive and patients withtower- cancer,Cuomo ers with stray glaucoma cancer, from the glaucoma party line pro- standards to be set by the New He noan longer interview an stars interview on last a month popular last on month his onModerate his Moderategun voices range here, voices that about might that 100 mightbroaden miles broaden the discussion the discussion fromthrough state from — his cynically to ownstate prescribe country’s to deploy prescribe marijuana a sectarian 15- marijuana to to there, and we are in the hands of By ANNIEBy LOWREY ANNIE LOWREYWASHINGTONWASHINGTON — To many— To many He no longerHe no stars longer on stars a popular onnorth a popular of St. Louis, nysurrounded that publishes by Gunswithindeclared & Ammonovelist are 50 years silenced.entire novelist and ago adult by criticWhen Presi- andlife. writ-who criticGun lived whocompanies through lived have through hisstopped own fly- his country’s ing own grain country’s or 15- elevators. otherthanor the 15- other “Nowdiseases laws in diseases you that that meet meet York State Department of Health. umn onceumn WASHINGTON ran once on the ran back on the— page. To back many page.gun rangegun here, range about BARRY, here, 100 about Ill. miles — 100 The north milesbroaden byline of broadenSt.north of theLouis, of discussion St. surrounded the Louis, discussion surrounded from by within from by arewithin silenced. are silenced. When writ- Whenyear civil patients writ-agenda war.patients with“The that makes cancer,West with is almost cancer, glaucoma not any glaucoma or othermoting diseases an absolutist that viewmeet of an two regional powers, the Saudis Americans, the war on povertyWartelevision ontelevision Poverty show show about about firearms. firearms.snow-blanketed fieldsand co-producesand tower- his TVdent show, Lyndon if B. JohnsonHis experience has shedsing light him on aroundyear civil theyear war.world civil “The and war. Westsee “The him. is Now not Weststandards youColorado is don’t.” not to or be Cal- set by the New While Mr. Cuomo’s measure WASHINGTONWASHINGTON — To many — To manyAmericans,He no longerHeAmericans, the no stars war longer on the on poverty stars awar popular on poverty a popularnorth of northtelevisionSt. Louis, of St.Dick surrounded showLouis, Metcalf, about surrounded one by firearms.of thesnow-blanketed country’s by snow-blanketed fields and fields tower-ers and stray tower-ersthrough strayfrom throughers thefrom his stray party ownthe hisfrom partyline country’s own pro-the line party country’s pro- 15- lineor pro- 15-sort other ofor accommodation diseases other diseases that a heresy. meet that standards meet standards to be setunfettered to by be the set right New by theto bear New arms, and Iranians, each of which is fa- declared 50 years ago by Presi- Gun companies have stopped fly- within arewithin silenced.he continuedare silenced. When to work writ- Whenlargely there. writ- failed. He Thethe close-knitpoverty rate world ofsending gunthere, jour- himthere, and the we and latest there,are we weaponsin are andthe in handswe the are Hehands of inis unsuretheYork of handsifornia, Stateof his of Departmentwherenext move, medical of marijuana Health. falls well short of full legalization, Americans,Americans, the war onthe poverty war on povertydeclaredtelevisiontelevision declared50 showyears ago50 about show years by firearms.Presi- aboutago by firearms. Presi-Gun companiesGun companies havepre-eminent stopped have gun fly-stoppeding journalists, graining fly- grain elevators. hasing elevators. grain “Now elevators. “Now you you moting “Nowmotingyear youan absolutistcivil anyear war. absolutist civil “The view war. Westviewof “The an ofis West notan isstandards not“I thinkstandards to we be are set to witnessing by be the set New by a theYork New StateYork Department Statetheir Department publications of Health. of — Health. often under natical in its own way. I don’t see dent Lyndon B. Johnson has Is aing Mixed himsnow-blanketed around Bagsnow-blanketed the worldfields and and fields tower- and tower-ers strayers from straywas the let from goparty immediately. the line party pro-has line fallen pro- onlynalism, tomoting 15 percent where an from absolutisteditors toand review. two viewreport- regional two of an regional powers,two regional powers, the Saudis but powers,the fears Saudis he theWhile has is Saudis availablebecome Mr. a Cuomo’stopariah people with measure condi- it nonetheless moves New York, declareddeclared 50 years 50 ago years by Presi- ago by Presi-dentGun LyndoncompaniesGundent B. companiesLyndon Johnson have B.stopped Johnson hashave stoppedfly- hasing fly- him ing around him gone the around world missing. the and see world It hashim.see and beenNow him. re-you Nowsee don’t.”him. you“I’ve Now don’t.” been you vanished,don’t.”unfettered19 percent unfettered disap-there, in right twoandersthere, generations, saywe right to thereareand bear to in weis the bearlittle arms, are hands roomin arms, Inthe for of late hands nu- York October, turningof State York Mr. point, Department MetcalfState and Departmentit could of Health.be one of Health.tionsWhile as mild Mr.asWhile backaches. Cuomo’s Mr. ItContinued Cuomo’s will measure on measure Page 20 how they can reach any entente, largely failed. The poverty rate sendinging him grain theing elevators. latest grain weapons elevators. “Now you “Nowmoting you moting an absolutist an absolutist view of view an of an unfettered right to bearand Iranians, and arms, Iranians, eachand Iranians, ofeach which of which eachis fa- ofis fallswhichfa- well is fa-short of full legalization, long one of the nation’s most pu- dent Lyndondent LyndonB. Johnson B. Johnson has haslargelying him failed.inglargely around him The failed. aroundpoverty the The world rate thepoverty and world ratesending and sending him the moved him latest the from weapons latest Guns He weapons& Ammois Heunsure ismag- unsure of peared,”his ofnext his Mr. move,next Metcalf, move,theirand 67, 46 said publicationstwo million in regional Americansancetwo in — regional powers,the often livedebate in under powers, the over wrote Saudis gun the laws. a column Saudisof the that worst the maga- in all our history,” allowfalls just well 20falls short hospitals well of full shortacross legalization, of the full legalization, any rational solution.” nitive states for those caught us- has fallen only to 15 percent from to review.see him.see Now him. you Now don’t.” you don’t.” unfetteredunfettered He right is unsure to right bear of tohis arms, bearnext move,their arms, publicationstheir publications — often —under oftennatical natical under inWhile its ownin its Mr.While way. own Cuomo’s Iway. Mr.don’t I Cuomo’s don’tsee measure see measure largely failed.largely The failed. poverty The povertyrate ratehassending fallen sendinghas himonly fallen theto 15 him latestonly percent the to weapons 15 latest from percent weapons tofrom review.to review.azine, where hisbut widely-read fears he hascol- becomean interview a pariah last monthhouseholds onand his Iranians, whereModerateand the Iranians, eachgovern- voices of whicheach thatzine of is which fa- titledmight is “Let’s fa-said TalkEliasnatical Limits,” Khoury, in its own a Lebanese way.it I nonethelessdon’tstateit nonethelesssee to prescribe it moves nonetheless moves marijuana New York,New moves to York, New York, The drumbeat of violence in re- ing or dealing drugs, a significant By ANNIE LOWREYHe is unsureHe is ofunsure his next of his move, next move,buttheir fears publicationstheirbut he hasfears publications become he — has often abecome pariah — under often a pariah underContinued on Page 20 how theyfallsnovelist can well fallsreach short and well anyof critic shortfull entente, legalization, who of full lived legalization, cent weeks threatens to bring 19 percent19 percent in two19 in percentgenerations, two generations, in two generations,In lateIn October, late October, Mr.umn Metcalf Mr. once Metcalf ran on the back page. gun range here, aboutment 100 naticalconsiders miles Continued inbroadennatical their its own incomeContinued in on the way.its Page own discussion I don’t 20on way.which Page see I don’t from debated 20how see they gunhow laws.can they reach “The can any reach entente, anylong entente,patients onelong of one the with of nation’s cancer,the nation’s most glaucoma mostpu- pu- step closer to policies being em- has fallenhas only fallen to 15 only percent to 15 percentfrom fromto review.to review. but fearsbut heIn fears has late become he October, has becomea pariah Mr. a Metcalf pariah any rationalit nonethelessthrough solution.”it nonetheless his own moves country’s New moves York, 15- New York, long one of the nation’s most pu- back the worst of the Iraqi civil and 46 million Americans live inWASHINGTONwrote a — column To many that theHe no maga- longer stars on a popular north of St. Louis, surroundedscarcelyhow adequate.by theywithinhow can they arereach silenced.can any reach entente, Whenfact any is,” writ-entente, wroteany rational Mr. Metcalf,any solution.” rational who solution.”nitiveor states other for diseases those caught that meet us- braced by marijuana advocates 19 percent19 percentin two generations, in two generations,andIn 46 late millionand In October, 46 Americans late million October, Mr. Americans live Metcalf Mr.in live Metcalfwrote in a wrote column a that column the that maga- the maga- ContinuedContinued on Page on 20 Page 20 longyear one civillong of the war. one nation’s“The of the West nation’smost is not pu- mostnitive pu- statesnitive for states those for caught those us- caught us- war that the United States households where the govern-Americans,zine the war titled on poverty “Let’s Talktelevision Limits,” show about firearms. snow-blanketed fields andBut tower- looked aters a differentstray from way, the partyhas line taughtThe pro- historydrumbeatThe drumbeat at Cornell Theof violence drumbeat andof violence in re- of violencein re- standards in re- to be set by the New and lawmakers elsewhere. and 46 million Americans live in householdshouseholds where the where govern- the govern-zine titledzine “Let’s titled Talk “Let’s Limits,” Talk Limits,” any rationalany rationalsolution.” solution.” there, and we are in the hands ingof oring dealing or dealing drugs,ing or drugs, dealinga significant a significantdrugs, a significant touched off with an invasion and and 46 million Americans livewrote in awrote column a column thatdeclared the that maga- 50 the years maga- ago by Presi- Gun companies have stopped fly- ing grain elevators. the “Now federal you government has suc- Yale,cent “all constitutional weeksnitive states threatensnitive rights for states arethose to for bring caught those us-caughtYork us- State Department of Health. New York hopes to have the in- ment considersment considersment their considers incometheir income their incomewhichwhich debated debated gun laws. gun laws. “The “The The drumbeatmotingThe andrumbeat of absolutist violence of viewviolence in re- of ancent in re-two weeks regionalcent threatens weeks powers, threatens the to Saudis bringstep to closer bring to policies being em- then spent billions of dollars and householdshouseholds where the where govern- the govern-zine titledzine “Let’s titled Talk “Let’sdent Limits,”Lyndon Talk B. Limits,” Johnson haswhich debateding him gun around laws. the “Theworld and see him. Now you don’t.”ceeded in preventing the poverty regulated,back thealwaysing worstor havedealinging of been, or the drugs,dealing and Iraqi a drugs, significant civil a significantstepWhile closer Mr.step Cuomo’s to closer policies measure to being policies em- being em- frastructure in place this year to scarcelyscarcely adequate. adequate. fact is,” wrote Mr. Metcalf, who cent weeksunfetteredcent threatens weeks right threatens to to bear bring arms, to back bringand the Iranians,back worst the each of worst the of which Iraqi of theis civil fa-braced Iraqi civil by marijuana advocates thousands of soldiers’ lives to ment considersment considers their income their incomewhich debatedwhichscarcely debated gunadequate. largely laws. gun failed. “The laws. The fact “The poverty is,” fact wroterate is,” Mr. sending wrote Metcalf, Mr. him Metcalf, who the latest who weapons He is unsure of his ratenext from move, climbing far higher. needwar to be.” step that closer thestep Unitedto closer policies to States policies being em- beingfallsbraced em- well short bybraced marijuanaof full bylegalization, marijuana advocates advocates begin dispensing medical mari- But looked at a different way, has taught history at Cornell and their publications — often underwar natical thatwar in its the own that Unitedway. the I don’t United States seeand lawmakers States elsewhere. overcome. scarcelyscarcely adequate. adequate. But lookedBut at looked a different athas a fallen differentway, only toway,has 15 percent taughthas from history taughtto at review.history Cornell at and Cornell and but fears he has becomeThere a pariahback is broad the consensusback worst the of that worst the Iraqi of the The civil Iraqi backlash civil was swift, and it and nonetheless lawmakersand moves lawmakers elsewhere. New York, elsewhere. juana, although it is too soon to fact is,” fact wrote is,” Mr. wrote Metcalf, Mr. Metcalf, who who Continued on Page 20touchedtouchedbraced offhow with they braced byoff anwithcan marijuana invasion reach byan marijuanainvasion any advocatesand entente, and advocates With the possible withdrawal the federalthe federal governmentthe government federal has government suc-19 has percent suc-Yale, in has two “all Yale,suc- generations, constitutional “all constitutional rightsIn late rights are October, are Mr. Metcalf the socialwar welfare thatwar programs the that United cre- the United States States touched off with an invasionNewlong YorkandNew one of hopesYork the nation’shopes to have to most thehave pu-in- the in- say when it will actually be avail- But lookedBut at looked a different at a different way, way,has taughthas history taught athistory Cornell at andCornell and Yale, “all constitutional rights are C M Y Kfierce.then Readers spentandany lawmakers billions rational threatenedand lawmakers of solution.” elsewhere.dollars Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,001,Bs-4C,E3 to andelsewhere. New York hopes to have the inof American forces in Afghani- ceeded in preventing the povertyand 46 millionregulated, Americans always live in have wrotebeen, aand column that the maga- ated sincetouched the New touchedoff Dealwith have offan withinvasion an invasion and then and spentthen billions spent of billions dollars of and frastructuredollarsnitive and states in placefor those this caught year us-to able to patients. the federalthe government federal government has suc- has ceededsuc-Yale, “all inYale,ceeded preventingconstitutional “all in constitutional preventing the rights poverty the are rights povertyregulated, are regulated, always have always been, have and been, and cancelthousands their subscriptions.New The of York drumbeat soldiers’New hopes Death York of livestoviolence hopes have to thetoin re-have in- thefrastructure in- frastructure in place thisin place year this to year to rate fromrate climbingfrom climbing far higher. far householdshigher. need where to be.”the govern- zine titled “Let’s Talk Limits,” hugelythen imp rovedspentthen living billions spent condi- ofbillions dollarsthreats of anddollars pouredthousands and in bythousands email. of soldiers’ His of soldiers’ lives begin to livesing dispensing or todealing drugs, medical a significant mari- Continued on Page 8 Mr. Cuomo’s shift comes at an ceeded inceeded preventing in preventing the poverty the povertyregulated,regulated,rate always from climbing havealwaysment been, haveconsiders far and higher. been, theirneed and income to be.”need to be.” overcome.frastructurecent weeksfrastructure in threatens place inthis place to year bring this to yearbegin to dispensingbegin dispensing medical medical mari- mari- ThereThere is broad is broad consensus consensus that that The backlash was swift,which debatedand gun laws. “The tions forthousands low-incomethousands of Americans. soldiers’ of soldiers’ livestelevision to lives overcome. program to overcome. was pulled juana,step although closer to it policies is too being soon em- to interesting political juncture. In rate fromrate climbing from climbing far higher. far higher.need to be.”needThere to is be.” broadscarcely consensus adequate. thatThe backlashThe backlashfact was is,” swift, wrote was and Mr. swift, Metcalf, and who At the same time, in recent dec- Withbegin theback possible dispensing thebegin worst dispensing withdrawal of medical the Iraqi medical mari- civil braced juana, mari- by although juana, marijuana although it advocates is too it soon is too to soon to Late Edition the socialthe social welfare welfare programs programs cre- cre-fierce. Readers threatened to overcome.overcome. from the air. Withwar the thatWith possible the the United possible withdrawal States say withdrawal when it will actually be avail- neighboring New Jersey, led by There isThere broad isconsensus broad consensus that that the social welfareBut programs looked at afierce. cre- different Readersfierce. way, Readershas threatened taught threatenedhistory to at Cornell to and ades, most of the gains from the of Americanjuana, although forcesjuana, although in it Afghani- is too it soon is too to soonandsay lawmakers towhensay it will elsewhere.when actually it will beactually avail- be avail- Today, rain, patchy freezing rain ated sinceThe the backlashNewThe Deal backlash washave swift, was and swift, and Just daysof after Americantouched theof column off American with forces ap- an invasion in forces Afghani- and in Afghani- Militants Advance in Iraq Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican the social welfare programs created sinceated the since New theDealthe New have federal Dealcancel government havecancel their hassubscriptions.their suc- subscriptions.Yale, Death “all constitutional Death rights are private economyWith the haveWith possible gone the to possible withdrawal withdrawal able toableNew patients. toYork patients.able hopes to to patients. have the inat first, high 44. Tonight, rain, ris- the social welfare programs cre-fierce. fierce. Readers Readers threatened threatened to to cancel their subscriptions. Death peared, Mr.sayContinued Metcalf when saysaid, it on willwhen his Page edi-actually it 8will actuallybe avail- be avail- Sunni ing militants temperatures. linked Tomorrow, to a.m. Al whose presidential prospects are hugelyhugely improved improved living livingcondi-ceeded condi- in threatspreventing poured the poverty in by email. His of Americanof American forces in forces Afghani- in Afghani-thenContinued spent billionsContinued on Pageof dollars 8on Pageand Mr. 8 Cuomo’s shift comes at an ated sinceated the since New the Deal New have Deal havecancel theirhugely subscriptions. improved living Death condi-threats pouredthreats in pouredregulated, by email. in always by His email. have been, His and those at the top of the income lad- tor called toable tell himto patients. ablethat twoto patients. ma- frastructureMr. Cuomo’s inMr. place Cuomo’sshift this comesyear shift to at comes an at an Qaeda madeshower, gains windy, in high Falluja 50 early, and then talked about even more often tions for low-incomecancel Americans.their subscriptions. Death thousands of soldiers’ lives to falling. Weather map, Page 14. tions for low-income Americans.rate from televisionclimbing far higher. program wasneed pulledto be.” der. interestingbegin dispensing political medical juncture.KRISTEN mari- InSCHMID FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES hugely imphugelyroved imp livingroved condi- living condi-threats threatstions poured for pouredin low-income by email. in by Americans. His email.television His television program program was pulled was pulled ContinuedContinued on Page on 8jor Page gun 8 manufacturersMr.overcome. Cuomo’sMr. had Cuomo’s shift said comes shift at comes an interestingat an interesting political political juncture. juncture. In In another town west of Baghdad in than Mr. Cuomo’s, medical mari- At the same time, in recent dec-There is broad consensus that The backlash was swift, and Half a century after Mr. John- neighboringjuana, although New Jersey,it is too soonled by to tions fortions low-income for low-income Americans. Americans.At the sameAt the time, same in recent time, in dec- recentfrom thedec-from air. the fromair. the air. “in no uncertaininteresting Withterms”interesting the that political possible they political juncture.Dick withdrawal Metcalf juncture. In wasneighboring fired In afterneighboring a Newnuanced Jersey, Newcolumn led Jersey, in by Guns led & Ammo. by heavy fighting. Page 8. Continued on Page 17 ades, mosttelevision of thetelevision gains program from program wasthethe social pulled was welfare pulled programs cre- son’s now-famed State ofVOL. the Un- CLXIII . . No. 56,372 © 2014 The New York Times NEWsay YORK, when SUNDAY, it will actually JANUARY be 5,avail- 2014 $6 beyond the greater New York metropolitan area. $5.00 ades, mostades, of the most gains of the from gains the fromJust thedays after the columnfierce. ap- Readers threatened to MilitantsMilitantsof American Advance Advance forces in Iraq in in Afghani- IraqGov. ChrisGov. ChrisChristie, Christie, a Republican a Republican At the sameAt the time, same in recenttime, in dec- recent dec-from thefrom air. the air. ated since the NewJust Deal dayshaveJust after days the aftercolumn the ap-column ap- ion address, the debate over the neighboringneighboringMilitants New Jersey, NewAdvance ledJersey, by in able Iraq led to by patients.Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican privateprivate economy economyprivate have economy gonehave togone have to peared, gone to Mr. Metcalf said,cancel his theiredi- subscriptions. Death whose presidential prospects are ades, mostades, of themost gains of the from gains the from theJust daysJust after days the after hugelycolumn the imp columnap-rovedpeared, living ap- condi- Mr.peared, Metcalf Mr.threats said,Metcalf poured his said,edi- in byhis email. edi- His government’sMilitants roleMilitants in Advancecreating op-Advance in Iraq inSunni IraqGov.Sunni militants Chris Gov.Continued militantsSunni Christie, Chris linked militantson Christie, linked aPage toRepublican Al8 to linkeda Republican Al whose toMr. AlCuomo’s presidentialwhose shift presidential comes prospects at an prospects are are those thoseat the attop thethose of topthe at ofincome the the top income lad- of the lad- incometor called lad- to tell him that two ma- talked about even more often private economyprivate economy have gone have to gone topeared, peared,Mr. Metcalf Mr. Metcalfsaid,tions hisfor said, low-incomeedi- histor edi- called Americans.tor to calledtell himtelevision to thattell himtwo program thatma- two was ma- pulled portunity and ending deprivation QaedaQaedawhose made madepresidentialgainswhoseQaeda gainsin presidential madeFalluja in prospects Fallujagains and inprospects and areFallujainterestingtalked andare about talked political even about juncture. more even In often morePower often Vacuum der. KRISTENSunni SCHMID FOR militantsSunni THE NEW militants YORK linked TIMES to linked Al to Al than Mr. Cuomo’s, medical mari- NEW YORK STATE those at thosethe top at of the the top income of the lad-incomeder. lad- der. At the samejor time, gun in manufacturers recent dec- had said has flaredKRISTEN anew, SCHMID withKRISTEN inequality FOR SCHMIDTHE NEW FOR YORK THE TIMES NEWanother YORK TIMES town west of Baghdad in neighboringthan Mr.than Cuomo’s, New Mr. Jersey, Cuomo’s, medical led by mari-medical mari- Halftor a century calledtor to after called tell Mr.him to John- tellthat him two that ma- twojor ma- gun manufacturersjor gun manufacturersfrom the had air. said had said Qaeda madeQaeda gains made in gainsFalluja in andFallujaanothertalked and abouttowntalkedanother west even abouttown of Baghdad morewest even of often moreBaghdad in often in der. der. Half a centuryHalf a after century Mr.ades, afterJohn- most “inMr. of theno John- uncertaingains from theterms” thatJust theydays afterDick the Metcalf column ap- was fired after a nuancedas acute column as it was in Guns in the Roaring & Ammo. heavy fighting.MilitantsOn Page Advance 8.Hawaii, in Iraq Gov.aContinued LonelyChris Christie, on Page a Republican 17Quest forIn Middle Fact East son’s now-famedjor gun jor manufacturers State gun of manufacturers the Un- had said had“in said no uncertain“in no uncertain terms” that terms” they thatDick theyKRISTEN MetcalfDick SCHMIDKRISTEN wasMetcalf FOR SCHMID firedTHE NEW was FOR after YORK THE fired TIMESaNEW nuanced after YORKanother TIMES a nuanced column anothertown incolumn west Guns town of Baghdadin&west GunsAmmo. of Baghdad & in Ammo.heavythan in Mr. fighting.thanheavy Cuomo’s, Mr. fighting. Page Cuomo’s, medical 8. Page medicalmari- 8. mari- ContinuedContinued on Page 17on Page 17 IS SET TO LOOSEN Half a centuryHalf a centuryafter Mr. after John- Mr. John-son’s now-famedson’s now-famed Stateprivate of the State Un-economy of the haveUn- gone to peared, Mr. Metcalf said, his edi- Twenties and the ranks of the Sunni militants linked to Al whose presidential prospects are ion address,“in no theuncertain“in debate no uncertain terms”over thosethe thatterms” at theythe topthat ofDick theythe income MetcalfDick lad- Metcalf was fired was after fired a nuanced after a nuanced column column in Guns in & Guns Ammo. &poor Ammo. andheavy near-poor fighting.heavy at recordfighting. Page 8. Page 8. ContinuedContinued on Page on 17 Page 17 Lifts Militants son’s now-famedson’s now-famed State of theState Un- of theion Un- address,ion address,the debate the over debate the over the tor called to tell him that two ma- Qaeda made gains in Falluja and talked about even more often government’s role in creatingder. op- highs. Programs likeKRISTEN unemploy- SCHMID FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES than Mr. Cuomo’s, medical mari- MARIJUANA LAWS ion address,ion address, the debate the over debate the overgovernment’s the government’s role in creating role in creatingop- op- jor gun manufacturers had said Debateanother on town Genetically west of Baghdad inModified Crops Entangles a Novice Politician portunity and ending deprivationHalf a century after Mr. John- “in no uncertain terms” that they Dick Metcalf was firedment after insurance a nuanced and column food stamps in Guns & Ammo. heavy fighting. Page 8. Continued on Page 17 Absent U.S., Sectarian government’sgovernment’s role in creating role in creating opportunity opportunity and ending and deprivationson’s ending now-famed deprivation State of the Un- are keeping millions of families has flared anew, with inequality By AMY HARMON were: living things whose DNA has been AndStrife University Engulfs Region of Hawaii biologists portunityportunity and ending and deprivation ending deprivationhas flaredhas anew, flared with anew, inequalityion address,with inequality the debate over the afloat. Republicans have sought By AMY HARMON MEDICAL CANNABIS PLAN as acute as it was in the Roaring On Hawaii, a Lonely Quest for Fact altered, often with the addition of a gene urged the Council to consider the global has flaredhas anew, flared with anew, inequality with inequalityas acute as itacute was asin theit wasgovernment’s Roaring in the Roaring role in creating op- On OnHawaii, Hawaii, a Lonely a Lonelyto cut bothQuest programs, Quest an illustra- for forFactKONA, HawaiiFact — From the moment Twenties and the ranks of the the bill to ban genetically engineered from a distant species, to produce a de- scientificThis article consensus, is by Ben Hubbard, which holds that ex- as acuteas as acute it was as in it the was Roaring in the RoaringTwentiesTwenties and the ranks andOn portunitythe of theranksOn Hawaii, and of endingthe Hawaii, deprivation a Lonely a Lonely Quest Quest for forFact FactContinued on Page 4 KONA, Hawaii papaya farmers said Inthat Turnaround, an en- Cuomo poor and near-poor at recordhas flared anew, with inequality crops on the island of Hawaii was intro- sired trait. But he could see why almost istingRobert genetically F. Worth and Michael engineered R. crops are TwentiesTwenties and the ranks and the of ranksthe of thepoor andpoor near-poor and near-poor at record at record no Gordonriskier. than others, and haveJoins provided National Trend highs. Programs like unemploy-as acute as it was in the Roaring On Hawaii, a Lonely Quest forducedr o Factinm May the 2013, moment it garnered themore vo- all of his colleagues had been persuaded gineered variety had saved their poor andpoor near-poor and near-poor at record at recordhighs. Programshighs. Programs like unemploy- like unemploy-Debate on Genetically Modified Crops Entangles a Novice Politician of the virtue of turning the island into someBEIRUT, tangible Lebanon benefits. — The im- of Easier Access Twenties and the ranks ofDebate the Debate on Genetically on Genetically Modified Modified Crops Crops Entangles Entangles a Novice acal Novicesupport Politician than anyPolitician the County Council ages of recent days have an eerie ment insurance and food stamps bill to ban genetically fruit“Are from we going a devastating to just ignore disease. them?” highs. Programshighs. Programs like unemploy- like unemploy-ment insurancement insurance and foodpoor andstamps and food near-poor stamps at record here had ever considered, even the pe- what the bill’s proponents called a familiarity, as if the horrors of the are keeping millionsDebate ofDebate families on Genetically on Genetically Modified Modified Crops Crops Entangles Entangles a Novice a Novice Politician Politician Mr.past Ilagan decade wondered. were being played are keepingare millionskeeping of millions families of families rennially popular bids to decriminalize “G.M.O.-free oasis.” By SUSANNE CRAIG ment insurancement insurance and food and stamps food stamps highs. Programs like unemploy-By AMY HARMON were: living things whose DNA has been And University engineered of Hawaii biologists crops on A studyback: masked reporting gunmen recaptur- that a diet of afloat. Republicans have sought By AMY HARMONBy AMYDebate HARMON on Geneticallywere: livingwere: thingsModified living whose things DNACrops whose has DNA beenEntangles has beenAnd F a University NoviceAnd University ofPolitician Hawaii of biologists Hawaii biologists “You just type ‘G.M.O.’ and everything Urged on by Margaret Wille, theand JESSEban’s McKINLEY are keepingare keeping millions millionsof families of familiesafloat. Republicansafloat. Republicans havement sought insurance have sought and food stamps altered, often with the addition of a gene urged the Councilthemarijuana. island to consider of Hawaii the global was in- G.Ming .O.the Iraqi corn cities of causedFalluja and tumors in to cut both programs,By AMY an illustra- ByHARMON AMY HARMONKONA,KONA, Hawaiiwere: Hawaii — living Fromwere: — thingsFrom the living moment thewhose things moment DNA whose has DNA altered,been has oftenbeenaltered,And with Universityoften theAnd withaddition University the of additionof Hawaii a gene of Hawaii biologistsof a urgedgene biologists theurged CouncilPublic the hearingstoCouncil consider wereto considerthe dominated global the byglobalyou see is negative,” he told his staff. Op- sponsor,Ramadi, wherewho sospoke many passionately Ameri- ALBANY of — the Joining a growing afloat. Republicansafloat. Republicans have sought have soughtto cut bothto programs,cut both programs, anare illustra- keeping anmillions illustra- of familiesKONA, Hawaii — From thefrom moment a distant species, to produce a de- scientific consensus, which holds that ex- group of states that have loos- the bill to ban genetically engineeredBy AMY HARMON from a distantfromwere: a species, distant living things tospecies, produce whose to DNA produce a de- has been ascientific de- troducedAndscientific consensus,recitations University inconsensus, of whichM the ofa y Hawaii ills 2013,holds oftenwhich biologiststhat it attributed holdsgar ex-- that to ex-posing the ban also seemed likely to ruin rats,needcan soldiers tomentioned “act died before fighting them.it’soften too late,”by thethe ContinuedKONA, KONA, Hawaiion Page Hawaii— 4 afloat. From — Republicans the From moment the the have bill moment sought the toaltered, ban bill altered,often genetically to ban with often genetically the engineered with addition the engineered addition of a gene of a geneurged theurged Council the Councilto consider to consider the global the global Car bombs exploding amid the el- ened restrictions on marijuana, to cut bothto cut programs, both programs, an illustra- an illustra- ContinuedContinued on Page 4on Page 4 sired trait. But healtered, could oftensee whywith thealmost addition istingof a gene geneticallyurged the engineered Council to consider crops arethe global anyone’s re-election prospects. Council declined to form a taskGov. Andrew force M.to Cuomo of New to cut bothcrops programs, cropson the an on illustra-island cropsfromthe island of aon distantfromHawaii theKONA, of island aHawaii species, distantwas Hawaii of intro- was Hawaii species, to — intro- produce From was to the produceintro-sired amoment de- trait. asiredscientific de- But trait. hescientific consensus,could But hesee consensus, could why which seealmost holds whywhich thatalmost holdsisting ex- thatnered geneticallyisting geneticallyex- more genetically engineered modifiedvocal engineered cropssupport organisms, are crops or are ban’segance supporters, of downtown Beirut. Theturned out to the bill the to ban bill to genetically ban genetically engineered engineered the bill to ban geneticallyall of engineered his colleaguesfrom had a distant been persuaded species, to produceno riskier a de-no riskier thanscientific others, G.M.O.s:than consensus, others, and cancer have and which in providedhave rats, holds provided a risethat inex- child- Yet doubts nagged at the councilman, lookcharnel into house such of questions Syria’s wors- beforeYork plans its this No- week to announce ContinuedContinued on Page on 4 Page 4 ducedduced in May in 2013,siredMay it2013,trait. garneredsired itBut garnered trait. he more couldBut more vo-he see could vo-why see almostall why of his almost allistingcolleagues of his geneticallyisting colleagues had genetically been engineered had persuaded been engineered persuaded crops are cropsno are riskier than others, and have provided ening civil war. an executive action that would al- crops oncrops the island on the of island HawaiiContinued of wasHawaii intro- on wasPage intro- 4duced in May 2013, it garneredof more the virtuevo- of turningsired trait. the But island he could into see whysome almost tangibleistingthan benefits.hood geneticallyany allergies, the engineeredCounty out-of-control Council crops are super- who was serving his first two-year term. havevember been vote. thoroughly But Mr. Ilagan, debunked. 27, sought cal support than any thecrops County on the Council island of Hawaii wasof theintro- virtueofno theriskier of virtue no turning than riskier of others, theturning than island and others, the have into island and provided havesome into provided tangiblesome benefits.tangible benefits. But for all its echoes, the blood- low limited use of the drug by duced induced May 2013,in May it garnered2013, it garnered morecal vo- support morecalall vo- thanofsupport his allany colleagues ofthan the his County anycolleagues had the Council beenCounty had persuaded beenCouncil persuadedall of his colleagues had been persuaded no riskier than others, and have provided The island’s papaya farmers said that an answersshed that onhas hisengulfed own. Iraq, In Leb- the those process, with serious he illnesses, state here had ever considered,duced even in May the 2013, pe- it garneredwhat whatmore the vo- bill’s the bill’s proponents proponents called called a a “Are we“Are goinghere weweeds, going tohad just genetic to ever ignore just contamination, ignore considered, them?” them?” overuse of And University of Hawaii here hadhereof ever the had considered, virtueof ever the of considered,virtue turning even of the turning the even pe- island the the into pe- island whatsome intoof thetangible the some virtue bill’s tangible benefits. of turning proponents benefits. the island called into a somepesticides, tangible“Are we benefits. the going disappearance to just ignore of butter- them?”engineered variety had saved their fruit foundanon himself,and Syria in like the pastso many two officials public say. and cal supportcal supportthan any than the anyCounty the CouncilCounty Council cal support than any the“G.M.O.-free County Council oasis.” Mr. Ilagan wondered. weeks exposes something new The shift by Mr. Cuomo, a renniallyrennially popular what popular bids thewhat to bids bill’s decriminalize the to decriminalize proponents bill’s proponents called“G.M.O.-free a called“G.M.O.-free “Arewhat a oasis.” we the“Are going oasis.” bill’s we to proponents going just ignore to just called them?” ignore Mr. a Ilagan them?”even“AreMr.flies wondered. weIlaganthe and going perennially bees. wondered. to just ignore popular them?” from a devastating disease. A study re- biologistsbusiness leaders urged worldwide, the Council wrestling to here hadhere ever had considered, ever considered, even the even pe- therennially pe- here popular had ever bids considered, to decriminalize “You even just the pe-type ‘G.M.O.’ and everything Urged on by Margaret Wille, the ban’s and destabilizing: the emergence Democrat who had long resisted marijuana.marijuana. marijuana.“G.M.O.-free “G.M.O.-freerennially oasis.” popular oasis.” bids to decriminalize“You justMr.“You “G.M.O.-freetype Ilagan just‘G.M.O.’Mr. wondered. typeIlagan oasis.” and‘G.M.O.’ wondered. everything and everythingUrgedMr. onIlaganUrged Likeby wondered.Margaret some on by others Margaret Wille, on the the nine-memberWille, ban’s the ban’sporting that a diet of G.M.O. corn caused withof a a post-American subject in Middle which East popularlegalizing beliefs medical marijuana, renniallyrennially popular popular bids to bids decriminalize to decriminalize you see is negative,” he told his staff. Op-UNITED PRESSsponsor, INTERNATIONAL whobids spoke to passionatelydecriminalize of the mari- consideroftenin which do not no broker reflectthe has scientifictheglobal power, evidence.comes scientific as other states are taking JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES PublicPublic hearings hearings weremarijuana. were dominated dominated by by you see isyou negative,”Urged see“You is onjust negative,”Urged heby type toldMargaret on‘G.M.O.’ his byhe staff. Margarettold andWille, his Op-everything staff.the Wille, sponsor,ban’s Op- the Urgedban’s sponsor, whoCouncil, on spoke by whoGreggor Margaret passionately spoke Ilagan Wille, passionately wasthe of ban’s notthe even of thetumors in rats, mentioned often by the marijuana.marijuana. Public“You just hearings“You type just ‘G.M.O.’ weretype ‘G.M.O.’ and dominated everything and everything by Ator the stake will, to is contain how theto region’sgrow healthfulincreasingly food liberal positions on posing the ban alsoyou seemed see is negative,” likelyPresident to he ruin toldLyndon his needstaff. B. JohnsonOp- to “actsponsor,juana. before who it’s spoke too passionately late,” the of the DANIEL BEREHULAK FOR THE NEW YORK TIMESconsensus, which holds that ex- Papaya genetically modified to resist a recitationsrecitations of therecitationsyou of illssee the oftenyouis ills negative,”Public of see often attributed the is hearings ills negative,” attributed he often told to were attributedhis he to dominatedstaff.toldposing his Op- to staff. by theposingsponsor, Op- ban also thesponsor, who banseemed spokealso who likelyseemed passionately spoke to ruinlikely passionately to ofneed ruin the to of need “actsure the atbefore to the “act outset it’s before oftoo the it’slate,” debate too the exactly late,” theban’s supporters, turned out to have sectarian hatreds. it — most nota- Public hearingsPublic hearings were dominated were dominated by by recitations of the ills oftenanyone’s attributed re-election to posing prospects. the banvisiting also seemed Appalachia likelyCouncil to in ruin 1964. declined needwhat to to “act form genetically before a task it’s modifiedforce too late,” to organisms the been thoroughly debunked. Amid thisContinued vacuum, fanatical on Page Is- bly 18 Colorado, virus became one part of a controversy. genetically modified organisms, or anyone’sanyone’s needre-election to re-election “act prospects. before prospects. it’s too late,”AnCouncil the8-Month-Old declinedCouncilPublic Afghan, declined to formhearings Aging a to task formFast forceFrom awere task toMalnutrition force to istinglamists havegenetically flourished in both engineeredwhere thou- recitationsrecitations of the ills of oftenthe ills attributed often genetically attributed to geneticallyposing to modified theposing ban modified thealso organisms, ban seemed also organisms, seemedlikely or to likelyruin or to ruinanyone’sneed re-election to “act prospects. before look it’s too into late,” suchCouncil questionsthe declined before to form its a task No- force to G.M.O.s: cancer in rats,genetically a rise in modified child- organisms,Yet doubtsYet doubts or nagged nagged at the at councilman, the councilman, Alook boy named into lookSamiullah such into questionsis among such the questions rising before number its beforeof victims No- taxing its No- hospitals and confounding experts in Afghanistan. Page 6. Iraq and Syria under the banner sands have genetically modified organisms,G.M.O.s: or G.M.O.s: anyone’s cancer anyone’s in re-election cancer rats, a inre-election rise rats,prospects. in a child- rise prospects. in child- CouncilYetYet doubts Councildoubts declined nagged nagged declined to form at thethe to a councilman, task formcouncilman, force a task to forcelookdominated into to such questionsby recitations before its No-of cropsof Al Qaeda, are as no the tworiskier countries’ thanflocked others, to buy genetically modifiedhood organisms, allergies, or out-of-controlG.M.O.s: cancer super- in rats,who a rise was in child-serving his first two-year term. vembervember vote. vote.But Mr. But Ilagan, Mr. Ilagan, 27, sought 27, sought hood allergies,hoodYet doubts allergies, out-of-controlYet naggeddoubts out-of-control naggedat the super- councilman, at the super-who councilman, waswho lookservingwho was into was look his serving suchserving first into questions two-year his his such first questions two-year two-year beforeterm. term. its beforeterm. No- vember itsvember No- vote. vote. But Mr. But Ilagan, Mr. Ilagan, 27, sought 27, sought conflicts amplify each other and the drug for rec- G.M.O.s:G.M.O.s: cancer in cancer rats, ina rise rats, in a child- rise in childhood allergies, out-of-control super- INTERNATIONALanswers 6-12 on the his own.ills InOBITUARIESoften the process,attributed 21-23 he to SUNDAY BUSINESS andfoster haveSPORTSSUNDAY ever-deeper provided radicalism. some tangi- SUNDAY REVIEW weeds,weeds, genetic genetic contamination, contamination, overuse overuse of Theof island’sThe island’s papayavemberThe papaya farmers island’s vember vote. farmers papaya Butsaid vote. Mr.that saidfarmers But Ilagan,an that Mr. said an 27,Ilagan, that sought answersan 27, answers sought answers on his on own. his on own. his In Intheown. the process, In process, the process, he he he reational use hood allergies,hood allergies, out-of-control out-of-control super- super-weeds,who was geneticwhoweeds, serving was contamination,genetic servinghis firstcontamination, histwo-year first overuse two-year overuseterm. of of term.The island’s papaya farmers saidfound that himself, anWASHINGTON like MEMO so many public and Behind much of it is the bitter ri- since it became pesticides, the disappearance of butter- engineered variety had saved their fruit found foundgenetically himself, himself, like like somodified somany many public publicorgan and and- blevalry benefits. of two great oil powers, weeds, geneticweeds, contamination,genetic contamination, overusepesticides, overuseof pesticides,The theof island’s disappearanceThepesticides, the island’spapaya disappearance the farmerspapaya disappearanceof butter- farmerssaid of butter-that engineered of said butter-an thatengineeredanswers an engineeredvarietyanswers on had variety hisvarietyCambodia saved own. on had had his their In savedsaved own. theBans fruit process,their Intheir Protests the fruit fruit process, he found he himself,Phil EverlyBanished like soDies many at for 74 public Questioning and A Marriott the Gospel for the Hip of CrowdGuns Colts and Saints Winlegal onThrillers Jan. 1. Maureen Dowd PAGE 1 flies and bees. from a devastating disease. A study re- businessbusiness leadersbusiness leaders worldwide, leaders worldwide, worldwide, wrestling wrestling wrestling Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose rul- Mr. Cuomo’s flies and bees. flies and bees. from a devastatingfoundfrom himself, afound devastating disease. Prime himself, like Minister Aso disease. study many like Hun A so re- publicstudy manySen took re- and public a moreisms, business and or The G. leaders Myounger.O.s: worldwide,of cancerthe duo the in Everly wrestling could no longer Indo businessan attempt with toin attractthe gun industry, a younger to which, he ers —In claiming the N.F.L. to represent playoffs, Shi- the Colts stormed pesticides,pesticides, the disappearance the disappearance of butter- of butter-fliesengineered andengineered bees. variety hadvariety saved had their saved fruit their fromfruit a devastating disease. Awith study 50 a subject re- Yearswith in aLater, subject which in popular which popular beliefs beliefs “Are we going to planjust will ignore be far Andrew M. Like some others on theLike nine-member some others on theporting nine-member that a dietporting of G.M.O. that acorn diet of caused G.M.O. corn causedwith a subjectwith a in subject which in popular By which RAVI SOMAIYA popularbeliefs beliefsInterMedia Outdoors, the compa- said, he has devoted nearly his ite and Sunni Islam, respectively more restrictive Cuomo UNITED PRESSLike INTERNATIONAL someLike others some on others the nine-member on the nine-memberporting thatportingbusiness a diet thatbusiness of leaders G.M.O.a dietaggressive leadersof worldwide,corn G.M.O. posture caused worldwide, corn toward wrestling caused critics, wrestling evict- Brothers sang the higher note in harmo- crowd, MarriottJIM WILSON/THE International NEW YORK TIMES is trying from 28 points down to beat the Chiefs, flies andUNITEDflies bees. PRESS and INTERNATIONAL bees. from a devastatingfrom a devastating disease. disease. A study A re- study re- often do notoften rats,reflect do anotscientific rise reflect in scientificevidence. childhood evidence. al - ny that publishes GunsJIM & Ammo WILSON/THEentire NEW adult YORKlife. TIMES them?”— cynically M deployr. Ilagan a sectarian wondered.than the laws in UNITED PRESSUNITED INTERNATIONAL PRESSCouncil, INTERNATIONAL Greggor IlaganCouncil, was Greggor not even Ilagantumors was not in even rats, mentionedtumors in rats, often mentioned by the often by theoften do notoften reflect do not scientific reflect scientific evidence. evidence. JIM WILSON/THEJIM WILSON/THENEW YORK TIMES NEW YORK TIMES Council, Council,porting Greggor thatporting Greggor Ilagan a diet that was Ilaganof a G.M.O. diet not wasof even cornG.M.O. not caused tumors even corn caused intumorswith rats, a mentionedsubject inwith rats, aing subjectin mentioned protesters which often in by popular from which often the a square popular by beliefsWar the and onban- beliefsAt Povertystake isnies how that toBARRY, growinfluenced Ill.healthful — a The generation bylinefood of ofand rock co-producesto his shed TV show,its boring if His image experience and making sheds light a on agenda45-44. that The makes Saints almost defeated any Colorado the Eagles, or Cal- Like someLike others some on othersPresident the nine-member on Lyndonthe nine-member B. Johnson sure at the outset of the debate exactly ban’s supporters, turned out toAt have stake is how to grow healthfulDick Metcalf, onefood of the country’s Papaya genetically modified to resist a sort of accommodation a heresy. U(D5E71D)x+z!#!_!#!& UNITED PRESSUNITED INTERNATIONAL PRESSPresident INTERNATIONAL President Lyndon Lyndon B. Johnson B. Johnsonsure at the outset of the debate exactly ban’s supporters, turned outning to all demonstrations. have At stakelergies,PAGE Atis 9 howstake out-of-controlsingers to is grow how and songwriters.healthfultoJIM grow WILSON/THE super healthful foodJIM Papaya WILSON/THE- NEW PAGEYORK hePapayafood continued genetically TIMESNEW22 YORK togeneticallyturn work TIMES toward there. modified He flash. modifiedthe close-knit to resist worldto resist ofa gunPAGE jour- a 1 Urged26-24, on on a last-second by Mar fieldgaretifornia, goal. where Wille, PAGE medical 1 marijuana Council, Council,President Greggor Greggor IlaganLyndon was Ilagan B. notJohnson was sure even not at the evensuretumors outset at thetumors in of rats, outset the in mentioned debate of rats, the mentionedexactly debate often exactly by ban’s often the bysupporters,ban’soften the do supporters, oftennot turned reflect do not outscientific turned reflect to havescientific out evidence. to have evidence. pre-eminent gun journalists, has Papaya genetically modified to resist“I think a we are witnessing a visiting Appalachia in 1964.visiting Appalachiawhat genetically in 1964. modifiedwhat genetically organisms modifiedbeen organismsthoroughly debunked.been thoroughly debunked. Is aContinued Mixed ContinuedonBag Page 18on Page 18 viruswas virusbecame let go became immediately. one one part part of ofanalism, controversy.a controversy. where editors and report- is available to people with condi- PresidentPresident Lyndon Lyndon B. Johnson B. Johnsonvisitingsure at Appalachiasurethevisiting outset at the Appalachia of outset in the 1964. debate of in the 1964. exactly debatewhat exactly geneticallywhatban’s geneticallysupporters,ban’s modified supporters, modified turned organisms turnedout organisms to been outhave tothoroughly havebeenAt thoroughlystake debunked.At is stakehow debunked. to is growhow to healthful grow healthful food weeds, foodPapayaContinued genetic PapayageneticallyContinued ongone Page missing.geneticallycontamina 18on modified ItPage has been 18 modified - re-to resistvirus“I’ve to been becamea resist virus vanished, becameaone disap- parters one ofsay therea part controversy. is little of rooma controversy. for nu-theturning ban’s point, andsponsor, it could be one whotions as mildspoke as backaches. It will moved from Guns & Ammo mag- peared,” Mr. Metcalf, 67, said in ance in the debate over gun laws. of the worst in all our history,” allow just 20 hospitals across the visitingvisiting Appalachia Appalachia in 1964. in 1964.what geneticallywhat genetically modified modified organisms organismsbeen thoroughlybeen thoroughly debunked. debunked. ContinuedContinued on Page on 18 Page 18 tion,virus overuse becamevirusazine, became oneof where pesticides,part his one widely-read of apart controversy. col- of aan controversy. interview last month on his Moderate voices that mightpassionatelysaid Elias Khoury, of a Lebanese the needstate to to prescribe “act marijuana to By ANNIE LOWREY umn once ran on the back page. gun range here, about 100 miles broaden the discussion from novelist and critic who lived patients with cancer, glaucoma INTERNATIONAL 6-12 OBITUARIES 21-23 SUNDAY BUSINESS SPORTSSUNDAY SUNDAY REVIEW through his own country’s 15- WASHINGTONthe disappearance— To many He no longer of stars butter on a popularnorth of St. Louis, surrounded by within are silenced. When writ-before it’s too late,” theor other Council diseases that meet INTERNATIONAL 6-12 OBITUARIES 21-23 SUNDAY BUSINESS SPORTSSUNDAY SUNDAY REVIEW year civil war. “The West is not INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL 6-12 6-12 OBITUARIESOBITUARIES 21-23 21-23 SUNDAYSUNDAY BUSINESS BUSINESS Americans,SPORTSSUNDAY the war on povertySPORTSSUNDAYtelevision show about firearms. snow-blanketedSUNDAY fieldsSUNDAY andREVIEW tower- ers REVIEW stray from the party line pro- standards to be set by the New there, and we are in the hands of Cambodia Bans Protests Phil Everly Dies at 74 A Marriott for the Hip Crowddeclared 50flies years agoColts and by Presi- andbees. SaintsGun companies Win have Thrillers stopped fly- ing grainMaureen elevators. “NowDowd you declinedPAGE to 1form a task force to lookYork into State Departmentsuch of Health. moting an absolutist view of an two regional powers, the Saudis INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL 6-12 6-12 OBITUARIESOBITUARIES 21-23 21-23 SUNDAYSUNDAY BUSINESS BUSINESS SPORTSSUNDAYSPORTSSUNDAY dent Lyndon B. JohnsonSUNDAY has SUNDAYing REVIEW him around REVIEW the world and see him. Now you don’t.” While Mr. Cuomo’s measure Cambodia Bans ProtestsPrime Minister HunPhil Sen tookEverly a more Dies atThe 74 younger of the duo theA Everly Marriott forIn thean attempt Hip to Crowd attract a youngerColts andIn Saints the N.F.L. Win playoffs, Thrillers the Colts stormedMaureen Dowd unfettered rightPAGE to bear 1 arms, and Iranians, each of which is fa- Cambodia Bans Protests Phil Everly Dies at 74 A Marriott for the Hip Crowd largely failed.Colts The povertyLike and rate Saintssomesending Winothers him the Thrillers latest on weapons the Henine-member is Maureenunsure of his next Dowdmove, questions beforePAGE 1 itsPAGE November 1 vote.falls wellBut short M of fullr. legalization, Cambodia Bans Protests Phil Everly Dies at 74 A Marriott for the Hip Crowd Colts and Saints Win Thrillers Maureentheir Dowd publications — often under natical in its own way. I don’t see Prime Minister Hun Sen tookaggressive a more postureThe toward younger critics, ofevict- the duoBrothers the Everly sang the higher noteIn an in attempt harmo- to attractcrowd, Marriott a younger International ishas tryingIn fallen the only N.F.L. to 15from percent playoffs, 28 from points theto down review. Colts to beatstormed the Chiefs, but fears he has become a pariah it nonetheless moves New York, CambodiaCambodia Bans Protests Bans ProtestsPrime MinisterPhilPrime Everly MinisterHunPhil Sen EverlyDies Huntook atSena moreDies 74 took at a more74 The youngerAThe Marriott ofyounger theA duoMarriott of forthe the Everlythe duo for Hipthe the Everly Crowd HipIn Crowd an attemptColtsIn an to attempt and attractColts Saints to aand youngerattract SaintsWin a younger Thrillers Win19 percent Thrillers IninCouncil, two the generations, N.F.L.MaureenIn Greggorthe playoffs, N.F.L.MaureenIn lateDowd playoffs,the Ilagan October, Colts Dowd Mr. thestormed was Metcalf Colts not stormedPAGE even 1 PAGEsure 1 at Ilagan,Continued 27,on Page sought 20 how answers they can reach onany entente,his own.long one Inof the the nation’s most pu- ing protesters from a square and ban- nies that influenced a generation of rock to shed its boring image and making a 45-44. The Saints defeated the Eagles, any rational solution.” aggressiveaggressive posture posture toward toward critics, critics, evict- evict-BrothersBrothers sang the sang higher the higher note in note harmo- in harmo-crowd,crowd, Marriott Marriott International International is trying is tryingandfrom 46 million 28from points Americans 28 points down live in down to wrotebeat to a the columnbeat Chiefs, the that theChiefs, maga- U(D5E71D)x+z!#!_!#!& nitive states for those caught us- Prime MinisterPrime Minister Hun Sen Hun took Sen a more took a moreTheaggressive youngerThe posture younger ofning the allduo toward demonstrations.of thethe Everlyduocritics, the evict- Everly PAGEInBrothers an 9 attemptInsingers sang an attemptto theand attract highersongwriters. to a attract younger note in a harmo-youngerPAGE 22 Incrowd, theturn N.F.L. toward MarriottIn the playoffs, flash. N.F.L. International playoffs, the Colts households theis stormedPAGE trying Colts the1 where stormed outset 26-24,the govern-from on aof 28last-second the zinepoints titleddebate down “Let’sfield goal. Talktoexactly beat Limits,”PAGE the what1 Chiefs, genetically process, he found himself,The drumbeat of like violence so in re- manying or dealing public drugs, a significant ing protesters from a square and ban- nies that influenced a generation of rock to shed its boring image and making a ment45-44. considers The their Saints income defeatedwhich the debated Eagles, gun laws. “The cent weeks threatens to bring step closer to policies being em- aggressiveaggressive posture towardposture critics, toward evict- critics,ing protesters evict-Brothersing protesters fromBrothers sang a square thefrom sang higher aand square the ban- note higher and in harmo- ban-notenies in harmo-thatcrowd, niesinfluenced that Marriottcrowd, influenced a generation Marriott International a generation Internationalof rock is trying of rockto is shed trying itsfromto boring shed 28 pointsitsfrom image boring 28 down andpoints image making to downbeat and thea tomaking beatChiefs, the45-44. a Chiefs, The45-44. Saints The defeated Saints defeated the Eagles, the Eagles, back the worst of the Iraqi civil ning all demonstrations. PAGE 9 singers and songwriters. PAGE 22 turn toward flash. PAGE 1 scarcely26-24, adequate. onmodified a last-second organisms fieldfact is,” goal. wrote were: Mr.PAGE Metcalf, 1 living who U(D5E71D)x+z!#!_!#!&thingsU(D5E71D)x+z!#!_!#!& whose and business leaders worldwide, wrestlingbraced by marijuanawith advocates ning all demonstrations.ning all demonstrations. PAGE 9 PAGEsingers 9 andsingers songwriters. and songwriters. PAGE 22 PAGEturn 22 towardturn flash. toward flash. PAGE 1But lookedPAGE26-24, at 1a different on 26-24,a way,last-second onhas a taughtlast-second field history goal. at Cornell field PAGE and goal. 1 PAGE 1 U(D5E71D)x+z!#!_!#!&war that the United States and lawmakers elsewhere. ing protestersing protesters from a square from a and square ban- and ban-nies thatnies influenced that influenced a generation a generation of rock of rockto shed itsto boringshed its image boring and image making and amaking a45-44. The45-44. Saints The defeated Saints defeated the Eagles, the Eagles, touched off with an invasion and the federal DNAgovernment has has suc- beenYale, altered,“all constitutional often rights are with the addition a subject in which popular beliefs oftenNew Yorkdo hopes not to have the in- U(D5E71D)x+z!#!_!#!&U(D5E71D)x+z!#!_!#!& then spent billions of dollars and ning all demonstrations.ning all demonstrations. PAGE 9 PAGEsingers 9 andsingers songwriters. and songwriters. PAGE 22 PAGEturn 22 towardturn flash. toward flash. PAGE 1 PAGE26-24, 1 on26-24, a last-second on a last-second field goal.ceeded field PAGE in goal. preventing 1 PAGE the poverty 1 regulated, always have been, and frastructure in place this year to thousands of soldiers’ lives to rate from climbing far higher. need to be.” begin dispensing medical mari- of a gene from a distant species, to produce a reflect scientific evidence.overcome. There is broad consensus that The backlash was swift, and juana, although it is too soon to With the possible withdrawal the social welfare programs cre- say when it will actually be avail- desired trait. fierce.But Readershe could threatened see to why almost all of At stake is howof Americanto grow forces healthful in Afghani- food most ated since the New Deal have cancel their subscriptions. Death able to patients. hugely imphisroved livingcolleagues condi- threats had poured been in by persuaded email. His of the virtue efficiently, at a time whenContinued a on warming Page 8 worldMr. Cuomo’s and shift comes at an tions for low-income Americans. television program was pulled interesting political juncture. In At the sameof time, turning in recent dec- thefrom island the air. into what the bill’s propo- a growing population make that goalneighboring all Newthe Jersey, led by ades, most of the gains from the Just days after the column ap- Militants Advance in Iraq Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican private economynents have gonecalled to apeared, “G. Mr.M Metcalf.O.-free said, his oasis.” edi- more urgent. Sunni militants linked to Al whose presidential prospects are those at the top of the income lad- tor called to tell him that two ma- Qaeda made gains in Falluja and talked about even more often der. “You justjor type gun manufacturers ‘G.M.O.’ had and said everything you KRISTEN Scientists,SCHMID FOR THE NEW YORK TIMESwhoanother have town westcome of Baghdad to inrelythan onMr. Cuomo’s, liber medicalmari- Half a century after Mr. John- “in no uncertain terms” that they Dick Metcalf was fired after a nuanced column in Guns & Ammo. heavy fighting. Page 8. Continued on Page 17 son’s now-famedsee State is ofnegative,” the Un- he told his staff. Opposing the als in political battles over stem-cell research, ion address, the debate over the government’sban role inalso creating seemed op- likely to ruin anyone’s re-elec- climate change and the teaching of evolution, portunity and ending deprivation has flared anew,tion with prospects. inequality have been dismayed to find themselves at odds as acute as it was in the Roaring On Hawaii, a Lonely Quest for Fact Twenties and the ranksYet of thedoubts nagged at the councilman, who with their traditional allies on this issue. Some poor and near-poor at record highs. Programswas like serving unemploy- his firstDebate two-year on Genetically term. The Modified island’s Crops Entanglescompare a the Novice hostility Politician to G. M.O.s to the rejection ment insurance and food stamps are keeping millions of families By AMY HARMON were: living things whose DNA has been And University of Hawaii biologists afloat. Republicans have sought altered, often with the addition of a gene urged the Council to consider the global to cut both programs, an illustra- KONA, Hawaii — From the moment the bill to ban genetically engineered from a distant species, to produce a de- scientific consensus, which holds that ex- Continued on Page 4 crops on the island of Hawaii was intro- sired trait. But he could see why almost isting genetically engineered crops are duced in May 2013, it garnered more vo- all of his colleagues had been persuaded no riskier than others, and have provided cal support than any the County Council of the virtue of turning the island into some tangible benefits. here had ever considered, even the pe- what the bill’s proponents called a “Are we going to just ignore them?” rennially popular bids to decriminalize “G.M.O.-free oasis.” Mr. Ilagan wondered. marijuana. “You just type ‘G.M.O.’ and everything Urged on by Margaret Wille, the ban’s Public hearings were dominated by you see is negative,” he told his staff. Op- sponsor, who spoke passionately of the recitations of the ills often attributed to posing the ban also seemed likely to ruin need to “act before it’s too late,” the genetically modified organisms, or anyone’s re-election prospects. Council declined to form a task force to G.M.O.s: cancer in rats, a rise in child- Yet doubts nagged at the councilman, look into such questions before its No- hood allergies, out-of-control super- who was serving his first two-year term. vember vote. But Mr. Ilagan, 27, sought weeds, genetic contamination, overuse of The island’s papaya farmers said that an answers on his own. In the process, he pesticides, the disappearance of butter- engineered variety had saved their fruit found himself, like so many public and flies and bees. from a devastating disease. A study re- business leaders worldwide, wrestling Like some others on the nine-member porting that a diet of G.M.O. corn caused with a subject in which popular beliefs UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL Council, Greggor Ilagan was not even tumors in rats, mentioned often by the often do not reflect scientific evidence. JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES President Lyndon B. Johnson sure at the outset of the debate exactly ban’s supporters, turned out to have At stake is how to grow healthful food Papaya genetically modified to resist a visiting Appalachia in 1964. what genetically modified organisms been thoroughly debunked. Continued on Page 18 virus became one part of a controversy.

INTERNATIONAL 6-12 OBITUARIES 21-23 SUNDAY BUSINESS SPORTSSUNDAY SUNDAY REVIEW

Cambodia Bans Protests Phil Everly Dies at 74 A Marriott for the Hip Crowd Colts and Saints Win Thrillers Maureen Dowd PAGE 1 Prime Minister Hun Sen took a more The younger of the duo the Everly In an attempt to attract a younger In the N.F.L. playoffs, the Colts stormed aggressive posture toward critics, evict- Brothers sang the higher note in harmo- crowd, Marriott International is trying from 28 points down to beat the Chiefs, ing protesters from a square and ban- nies that influenced a generation of rock to shed its boring image and making a 45-44. The Saints defeated the Eagles, ning all demonstrations. PAGE 9 singers and songwriters. PAGE 22 turn toward flash. PAGE 1 26-24, on a last-second field goal. PAGE 1 U(D5E71D)x+z!#!_!#!& of climate-change science, except with liberal Distrust on the Left opponents instead of conservative ones. M argaret Wille, 66, had the island’s best in- “These are my people, they’re lefties, I’m terests at heart when she proposed the ban, Mr. with them on almost everything,” said Michael Ilagan knew. Shintaku, a plant pathologist at the University She majored in cultural anthropology at of Hawaii at Hilo, who testified several times Bennington College in Vermont and practiced against the bill. “It hurts.” public advocacy law in Maine before moving a But, supporters of the ban warned, sci- decade ago to the island, where her brothers entists had not always correctly assessed the once owned a health food store. health and environmental risks of new tech- And her bill, like much anti-G.M.O. action, nology. “Remember DDT?” one proponent de- was inspired by distrust of the seed-producing manded. biotechnology companies, which had backed Ms. Wille’s bill would ban the cultivation of a state measure to prevent local governments any genetically engineered crop on the island, from regulating their activity. with the exception of the two already grown That bill, which passed the State Senate but there: corn recently planted by an island dairy stalled in the House, appeared largely aimed to feed its cows, and papaya. Field tests to study at other Hawaiian islands, which were used by new G.M.O. crops would also be prohibited. companies like Monsanto, Syngenta and Dow Penalties would be $1,000 per day. as a nursery for seeds. On Kauai, for instance, Like three-quarters of the voters on Hawaii activists had been talking about how to limit the Island, known as the Big Island, Mr. Ilagan sup- companies’ pesticide use. ported President Obama in the 2012 election. The companies had no corporate presence When he took office himself a month later, after here on the Big Island, which lacks the large six years in the Air National Guard, he planned parcels of land they preferred. Still, Ms. Wille to focus on squatters, crime prevention and the said at a “March Against Monsanto” rally last inauguration of a bus line in his district on the spring, if the island allowed farmers to grow island’s eastern rim. genetically modified crops, the companies He had also promised himself that he would could gain a foothold. “This represents noth- take a stance on all topics, never registering a ing less than a takeover of our island,” she told “kanalua” vote — the Hawaiian term for “with the crowd. “There’s a saying, ‘If you control the reservation.” seed, you control the food; if you control the But with the G.M.O. bill, he often despaired food, you control the people.’ ” of assembling the information he needed to de- Ms. Wille, chairwoman of the Council’s Ag- finitively decide. Every time he answered one riculture Committee, warned her colleagues question, it seemed, new ones arose. Popular that what mattered was not the amount of food opinion masqueraded convincingly as science, produced, but its quality and the sustainability and the science itself was hard to grasp. People of how it was grown. who spoke as experts lacked credentials, and “My focus is on protecting our soil and the G.M.O. critics discounted those with creden- farms and properties that are not G.M.O.,” she tials as being pawns of biotechnology compa- said, noting also that there was a marketing op- nies. portunity for non-G.M.O. products. “It takes so much time to find out what’s Such sentiments echoed well beyond Ha- true,” he complained. waii, as Mr. Ilagan’s early research confirmed. So many emails arrived in support of the College students, eco-conscious shoppers ban that, as a matter of environmental responsi- and talk show celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, bility, the Council clerks suspended the custom Dr. Oz and Bill Maher warned against consum- of printing them out for each Council member. ing food made with genetically modified ingre- But Mr. Ilagan had only to consult his inbox to dients. Mr. Maher’s audience, in turn, recently be reminded of the prevailing opinion. hissed at a commentator who defended genetic “Do the right thing,” one Chicago woman modification as merely an extension of tradi- wrote, “or no one will want to take a toxic tour tional breeding. of your poisoned paradise.” New applications of the technology, so far C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1 C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1 C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1

18 N THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 18 N THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 18 N THE NEW YORKOn TIMES Hawaii, NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARYa Lonely 5, 2014 Quest for Facts About G.M.O.s On Hawaii,C M Y K a Lonely QuestNxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1 for Facts About G.M.O.s On Hawaii, a Lonely Quest for Facts About G.M.O.s with others on the team, awarded the From Page 1 C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1 with others on the team, awarded 2002 the Humboldt Prize for the most signif- C M Y K From Page 1 Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1most efficiently, at a time when a warm- 2002 Humboldt Prize for the most signif-icant contribution to United States agri- with others on the team, awarded the culture in five years. C M Y K From Page 1 mostNxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1 efficiently, at a time when a warm-ing world and a growing population icant contribution to United States agri- 2002 Humboldt Prize for the most signif- Japanese as well as American reg- make18 that goal all theN more urgent. THE NEW YORK TIMES SUNDAY, JANUARYculture 5, 2014 in five years. most efficiently, at a time whening a worldwarm- and a growing population NATIONALicant contribution to United States agri- Scientists, who have come to rely on Japanese as well as American reg-ulators had approved the papaya. And ing world and a growing make population18 that goal all the moreN urgent. THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014culture in five years. liberals in political battles over stem- ulators had approved the papaya. Andbecause the virus was spread by in- make18 that goal allN the more urgent.Scientists, who have come to rely on THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 Japanese as well as American reg- sects, which growers had sought to con- liberals in political battles over stem-cell research, climate change and the ulators had approved the papaya.because And the virus was spread by in- 18 N Scientists, who have come to rely on THE NEW YORKteaching TIMES NATIONAL of evolution,SUNDAY, have been JANUARY dis- 5, 2014 sects, which growers had sought to con-trol with pesticide sprays, the Rainbow liberals in political battles cell over research, stem- climate change and the because the virus was spread by in- had reduced the use of chemicals. teaching of evolution, have been mayed dis- to find themselvesOn at odds with Hawaii, a Lonely Questsects, for which growers Facts had soughttrol with toAbout con- pesticide sprays, theG.M.O.s Rainbow cell research, climate change and the their traditional allies on this issue. had reduced the use of chemicals. Mr. Ilagan took their point. “If we as a teaching of evolution, havemayed been to dis- find themselves atOn odds with Hawaii, a Lonely Quest for Facts trolAbout with pesticide sprays, G.M.O.s the Rainbow body pass this,” he said, thinking aloud their traditional allies on this issue.CSomeM compareY K the hostility to G.M.O.s Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1 Mr. Ilagan took their point. “If we as a mayed to find themselvesOn at odds Hawaii,with a Lonely Quest for Facts About G.M.O.shad reduced the use of chemicals. at thewith second others public on the hearing team, in awarded July, “it the Some compare the hostility to G.M.O.sto the rejection From of climate-change Page 1 sci- Mr. Ilagan took their point.body “If we pass as athis,” he said, thinking aloud Ontheir traditionalHawaii, allies on C this Ma issue. YLonelyK Questence, except with liberalforNxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1 opponents Facts in- About G.M.O.s with others on the team, awardedshows2002 the we Humboldt think all PrizeG.M.O.s for arethe wrong.”most signif- to the rejection of climate-change sci- body pass this,” he said, thinkingat the aloudsecond public hearing in July, “it Some compare the hostility to G.M.O.s From Page 1 most efficiently, at a time when a warm- 2002 Humboldt Prize for the most signif-icant contribution to United States agri- C M Y K ence, except with liberal opponentsNxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1stead inof conservative ones. atwith the otherssecond on public the team,hearing awardedshows in July, we the“it think all G.M.O.s are wrong.” to the rejectionFrom of climate-changePage 1 sci- ing world and a growing population icant contribution to United Statesculture agri- in five years. steadmost of conservative efficiently, atones. a time when a “Thesewarm- are my people, they’re lefties, with others on the team, awardedshows2002 Humboldt we the think allPrize G.M.O.s for the are most wrong.” signif- Superweeds and Rats From Page 1 ence, except with liberal opponentsing inworld and a growing population18I’mmake with that them goal onN all almost the more everything,” urgent. THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONALicantSUNDAY, contribution JANUARY to United 5, 2014 Statesculture agri- in five years. Japanese as well as American reg- steadmost ofefficiently, conservative at a time ones. when“These a warm- are my people, they’re lefties, 2002 Humboldt Prize for the most signif- Superweeds and Rats Instructedulators had by app theroved chairman the papaya.not to ap- And make that goal all the more urgent.said MichaelScientists, Shintaku, who have a plant come patholo- to rely on icant contribution to United Statesculture agri- in five years. Japanese as well as American reg- most efficiently, at a time whening“These a worldwarm- are and my apeople, growing they’reI’m 18 population withlefties, them onN almost everything,” THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 plaud,because the residents the virus who was packedspread bythe in- make that goal all the more urgent.Scientists, who have come togist relyliberals at on the University in political of battles Hawaii over at Hilo, stem- culture in five years. SuperweedsJapanese as welland asRats AmericanInstructedulators reg- hadby the app chairmanroved the not papaya. to ap- And ing world and a growing18 population N said Michael Shintaku, a plant patholo- Countysects, Councilwhich g rowers chamber had in sought Kona to on con- I’m with them on almost everything,”liberals in political battles overwho cell stem- testifiedTHE research, NEW several YORK climate times TIMES change against NATIONAL and the the SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 ulators had approved the papaya.plaud,because the And residents the virus who was packed spread the by in- make that goal all the more urgent.Scientists, who have comegist to atrely the on University of Hawaii at Hilo, Japanese as well as AmericanInstructed reg- by the chairman not to ap- Julytrol 3 eruptedwith pesticide in frequent sprays, silent the cheers, Rainbow said Michael Shintaku, a plant patholo-cell research, climate change bill. andteaching “It the hurts.” of evolution, have been dis- because the virus was spreadCounty sects, by Council inwhich chambergrowers had in sought Kona onto con- Scientists, who have comegistliberals to atrely the inon University political battles of Hawaii who over at testified stem-Hilo, several times against the ulators had approved the papaya.plaud, the And residents who packed the signaledhad reduced by a collective the use ofwaving chemicals. of hands cell research, climate change andteaching the of evolution, have beenBut,mayed dis- supporters to find themselves of On the ban at warned, oddsHawaii, with a Lonelybecause Quest the virus was spread Countysects,for by which Council in- Facts growers chamber had sought inJuly KonaAbout trol3 to erupted con- with on pesticide in frequent sprays,G.M.O.s silent the cheers, Rainbow liberals in political battles over stem- bill. “It hurts.” and wiggling of fingers. who testified several times againstmayed the to find themselves at oddsscientiststheir with traditional had not always allies correctly on this as- issue. trol with pesticide sprays, thesignaled Rainbowhad byreduced a collective the use waving of chemicals. of hands Mr. Ilagan took their point. “If we as a cell research, climate changeteaching and the of evolution, have But, been supporters dis- of theOn ban warned, Hawaii, a Lonely Quest forsects, Factswhich growers had About soughtJuly 3to erupted con- in frequentG.M.O.s silent cheers, Abody few, pass like this,” Richard he said, Ha, thinking an island aloud bill. “It hurts.” Some compare the hostility to G.M.O.s had reduced the use of chemicals.and wiggling Mr. Ilagan of fingers. took their point. “If we as a teaching of evolution, havemayed been to dis- find themselves atscientists oddstheir with had traditional not always allies correctly on thissessed as- issue. the health and environmental trol with pesticide sprays, thesignaled Rainbow by a collective waving of hands with others on the team, awarded the But, supportersOn of the ban Hawaii, warned, a Lonelyto the rejection of climate-changeQuest sci- for Facts About G.M.O.s A body few, pass like Richardthis,” he said, Ha, anthinking islandfarmer ataloud the who second hoped public that hearingthe diseases in July, af- “it their traditional allies on thisSome issue. compare the hostility to risks G.M.O.s of newFrom technology. Page 1 “Remember had reduced the use of chemicals.andMr. wiggling Ilagan oftook fingers. their point. “If we as a mayed to find themselves atscientists odds with had not always correctlysessed the as- health and environmental with others on the team, awarded2002flicting theshows Humboldt his we bananas think Prize all and for G.M.O.s thetomatoes most are signif- wrong.”might Some compare the hostility to G.M.O.sto the rejection of climate-changeDDT?”ence, sci- one except proponent with liberal demanded. opponents in- Mr. Ilagan took their point.body “IfA we few,pass as likeathis,” Richard he said, Ha,thinkingfarmer an at island aloud thewho second hoped publicthat the hearing diseases in July,af- “it their traditional allies on sessed this issue. the health and environmentalrisks of new From technology. Page 1 “Remembermost efficiently, at a time when a warm- 2002 Humboldt Prize for the most signif-icantbe solved contribution with a to genetic United modification, States agri- to the rejection of climate-changeence, sci- except with liberal opponentsMs.stead in-Wille’s of conservative bill would banones. the cultiva- body pass this,” he said,with thinkingfarmer at others the aloud secondwho on thehoped public team, that hearing awarded the diseasesflicting in theJuly,shows his af-“it bananas we think and all G.M.O.s tomatoes are might wrong.” Some compare the hostilityrisks to G.M.O.s of newFrom technology.Page 1 “RememberDDT?” one proponent demanded. ing world and a growing population icant contribution to United States cultureagri-were there in five to years. testify against the ban. ence, except with liberal opponentsmoststead efficiently, inof conservative at a time whenones. a warm-tion of“These any genetically are my people, engineered they’re crop lefties, at the second public hearing2002flicting showsHumboldt in July, wehis “it think bananasPrize all for G.M.O.s andthe mosttomatoes arebe signif- wrong.” solved might with a genetic modification,Superweeds and Rats to the rejection of climate-changeDDT?” one sci- proponent demanded.Ms. Wille’s bill would ban the cultiva-make that goal all the more urgent. culture in five years. RanchersJapanese also as well were as Americanopposed; reg-they moststead efficiently, of conservative at a time when ones. aing warm- world“These and are a my growing people, populationthey’reon lefties, I’mthe island, with them with onthe almostexception everything,” of the shows we think all G.M.O.sicant arebe contribution wrong.” solved with to aUnited genetic States modification,were agri-Superweeds there to testify and against Rats the ban. ence, except with liberal opponentsMs. Wille’s in- bill would ban tionthe cultiva-of any genetically engineered cropScientists, who have come to rely on Japanese as well as American ulatorswanted reg- Instructed had the app optionroved by the to the growchairman papaya. the geneti-not And to ap- ing world“These and are a my growing people, populationthey’remakeI’m lefties, that with goal them all the on more almost urgent. everything,” twosaid already Michael grown Shintaku, there: corna plant recently patholo- culturewere in five there years. to testify againstRanchers the ban. also were opposed; they stead of conservative ones. tion of any genetically engineeredon the island,crop with the exception ofliberals the in political battles over stem- Superweeds and RatsulatorsInstructed had approved by the the chairman papaya. notbecause cally And plaud,to ap- modified the the virus residents corn was and spread who soybeans packed by in- for the I’m with them on almost everything,”Scientists,said Michael who Shintaku,have come a toplant rely plantedpatholo- ongist at by the an University island dairy of Hawaii to feed at itsHilo, JapaneseRanchers as also well aswere American opposed;wanted reg- they the option to grow the geneti- “These are my people,make they’re that lefties, goal all the more urgent.two already grown there: corn recently Superweeds and Rats PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES sects,cattleCounty whichfeed that Councilgrowers are common chamberhad sought elsewhere. in to Kona con- on on the island, with the exceptionliberalsgist of the inat the political University battles of overHawaii stem-cellcows, at who research,Hilo, and testified papaya. climate several Field change times tests andagainst to study the the ulatorsInstructed had approved by the the chairman papaya.callybecause not And plaud, modifiedto ap- the the virus corn residents was and spread soybeans who packed by for in- the I’m with them on almostScientists, everything,”said Michael who haveShintaku, come a toplant plantedrely patholo- on by an island dairy to feed its wanted the option to grow the geneti- trolBut Julywith a 3 vastpesticide erupted majority insprays, frequent were the there silent Rainbow in sup-cheers, two already grown there: corncell recently research, climate change andteachingnew thebill. G.M.O. “It of hurts.” crops evolution, would have also beenbe prohib- dis- Greggor Ilagan initially thought aPHOTOGRAPHS ban on genetically BY JIM WILSON/THEplaud, modified NEW the YORK residents TIMESorganisms who wascattlesects, packed aCounty feedgood which the that idea. g Councilrowers are common had chamber sought elsewhere. in to Konacon- on said Michael Shintaku, liberalsa plantgist patholo- inat the political University battles of overHawaiicows, stem- whoat and Hilo, testified papaya. several Field tests times to against study the Instructed by the chairmanbecausecally not the modifiedto ap- virus corn was spread and soybeans by in- for hadsignaled reduced bythe a use collective of chemicals. waving of hands planted by an island dairy teaching to feed its of evolution, have beenmayed ited. dis- PenaltiesBut, to find supporters themselveswould be of $1,000 the at odds banper day. warned,with County Council chamber introl But Kona withJuly a vast 3 onpesticide erupted majority sprays,in werefrequent therethe silentRainbow in sup-port. cheers, Some were members of G.M.O. gist at the University ofcell Hawaii research,who at testified Hilo, climate several change times andnew against theG.M.O.bill. “It the hurts.”crops would also be prohib- Greggor Ilagan initially thought a ban onPHOTOGRAPHS genetically BY JIM modified WILSON/THEplaud, theNEWorganisms YORK residents TIMES was whosects, a good cattle packed which idea. feed g therowers that are had common sought elsewhere. to con- Mr. Ilagan took their point. “If we as a cows, and papaya. Field tests to study theirscientists traditional had allies not always on this correctly issue. as- July 3 erupted in frequent silentport.had reducedsignaledcheers, Some were theby ause collective members of chemicals. waving of G.M.O. Freeof handsand Hawaii wiggling Island, of fingers. a mix of food activ- who testified several timesteaching bill. against “It of hurts.” theevolution, have beenited.mayed dis- PenaltiesBut, to find supporters would themselves be $1,000 of theat perodds ban day. with warned,Like three-quarters of the voters on County Council chambertrol inwith But Kona pesticide a vast on majority sprays, were the Rainbowthere in sup- body pass this,” he said, thinking aloud new G.M.O. crops would also be prohib- GreggorSomesessed Ilagan compare theinitially thehealth hostility thought and environmental to a G.M.O.sban on genetically modified organisms was a good idea. signaled by a collective wavingFreeMr. of andHawaii hands Ilagan wiggling Island, took oftheir afingers. mix point. of food “If we activ-ists as a andA few,entrepreneurs, like Richard who Ha,argued an that island bill. “It hurts.” mayed But,to find supporters themselves of at the odds bantheirLike with warned,scientists traditional three-quarters had allies not of always on the this voters correctly issue.Hawaii on as- Island, known as the Big Island, July 3 erupted in frequenthad silent port.reduced cheers, Some the use were of chemicals. members of G.M.O. at the second public hearing in July, “it ited. Penalties would be $1,000 per day. to therisks rejection of new of technology. climate-change “Remember sci- and wiggling of fingers. istsbody and passA entrepreneurs, few, this,” like he said, Richard who thinking argued Ha, analoud thatthe islandfarmer organisms who hoped were that bad the for diseases human af- theirscientists traditional had allies not always on this correctlyHawaii Some issue.sessed compareIsland, as- the known the health hostility as andthe Big to environmental G.M.O.sIsland,Mr. Ilagan supported President Obama signaled by a collective wavingMr.Free Ilagan of Hawaii hands took Island, their point. a mix “If of we food as activ-a shows we think all G.M.O.s are wrong.” But, supporters of the banLike warned, three-quarters of the voters on ence,DDT?” except one with proponent liberal opponentsdemanded. in- A few, like Richard Ha,theat an the organismsfarmer islandsecond who public werehoped hearing bad that forthe in July,diseases humanhealth, “itflicting af- the his island’s bananas ecosystem and tomatoes and eco- might Somesessed compare the the health hostility and to environmental G.M.O.sMr.to theIlaganrisks rejection ofsupported new of technology. climate-change President “RememberObamain sci- the 2012 election. When he took office and wiggling of fingers. bodyists pass and this,” entrepreneurs, he said, thinking who argued aloud that scientists had not always correctlyHawaii Island, as- known as the Big Island, stead of conservative ones. farmer who hoped that the health,diseasesshowsflicting wethe af- think island’s his bananas all G.M.O.secosystem and are tomatoes andwrong.” eco-conscious mightbe solved business. with a Others, genetic veterans modification, of to therisks rejection of new of technology. climate-change in “Rememberence, the sci-DDT?” 2012 except election. one with proponent liberalWhen he opponents demanded. took officehimself in- Ms. a Wille’smonth billlater, would after ban six theyears cultiva- in A few, like Richard at Ha, thethe ansecond organisms island public werehearing bad in July, for human“it sessed the health and environmentalMr. Ilagan supported President Obama “These are my people, they’re lefties, flicting his bananas and tomatoesconsciousbe might solved business. with Others, a genetic veterans modification,Superweedsthe ofwere campaign there for toand a testify partial Rats against ban already the ban. ence,DDT?” except one with proponent liberal opponents demanded.himselfstead in- ofMs. a conservative month Wille’s later, bill ones.wouldafter six ban years thethe cultiva- intion Air of National any genetically Guard, heengineered planned tocrop farmer who hoped that showsthe health,diseases we think the af- island’sall G.M.O.s ecosystem are wrong.” and eco- risks of new technology. “Rememberin the 2012 election. When he took office I’m with them on almost everything,” be solved with a genetic modification,the campaignwere there for to a testifypartial againstban already in the placeRanchers ban. here, also reminded were the opposed; Council of they stead ofMs. conservative Wille’s bill ones.would banthe the“These Airtioncultiva- National of are any my genetically Guard,people, hethey’re engineered planned lefties,focus toon crop the on island, squatters, with crimethe exception prevention of the flicting his bananas and tomatoesconscious might business. Others, veteransSuperweeds of and Rats Instructed by the chairman not to ap- DDT?” one proponent demanded.himself a month later, after six years in said Michael Shintaku, a plant patholo- were there to testify againstin place theRanchers ban. here, reminded also were the opposed; Councilthe of wanted precedentsthey the option for Ms. to Wille’s grow the bill: geneti- In “Thesetion of are any my genetically people, they’re engineeredfocus I’mlefties, onwith on cropthe squatters,them island, on with almost crime the everything,”exception preventionand twoof the the already inauguration grown of there: a bus corn line inrecently his be solved with a genetic modification,the campaign for a partial ban already plaud, the residents who packed the Ms. Wille’s bill would banthe the Aircultiva- National Guard, he planned to gist at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, SuperweedsRanchers alsoand wereRats opposed;theInstructed precedentswanted they theby forthe option Ms.chairman to Wille’s grow not bill: the to2008, ap- Ingeneti-cally organic modified Kona corn coffee and farmers soybeans suc- for I’m withon the them island, on with almost the everything,”exceptionandsaid the twoMichael of inauguration thealready Shintaku, grown of athere:a busplant line corn patholo- in district recentlyhisplanted on the by island’s an island eastern dairy rim. to feed its were there to testify againstin place the ban. here, reminded the Council of County Council chamber in Kona on tion of any genetically engineeredfocusC M oncropY squatters,K crime prevention Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1who testified several times against the wanted the option toPHOTOGRAPHS grow2008, plaud, the BYcally geneti- organic JIM the WILSON/THE modified residents Kona NEW coffee corn YORK who TIMES and farmers packed soybeans suc-cessfully thecattle for feedlobbied that for are a common ban on any elsewhere. culti- said twoMichael already Shintaku, grown athere: plant cornpatholo-districtgist recently plantedat theon the University by island’s an island easternof Hawaii dairy rim. at to Hilo, feedHecows, had its andalso papaya.promised Field himself tests that to studyhe Ranchers also were opposed;Instructedthe precedents they by the chairman for Ms. Wille’s not to ap- bill: In July 3 erupted in frequent silent cheers, on the island, with the exceptionand the of inaugurationthe of a bus line in his bill. “It hurts.” PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES Countycattle Council feed that chamber are common in Kona elsewhere.vation on But of a geneticallyvast majority modified were there coffee. in sup- who cows, testified and several papaya. times Field against tests would to the new study take G.M.O. a stance crops on would all topics, also be never prohib- Greggor Ilagan initiallywanted thought the option a ban toon grow geneticallyplaud, 2008,cally the the geneti- organic modified residentsmodified Kona corn organisms who coffee and packed farmerssoybeanscessfully was the a suc- good forlobbied idea. for a ban on any culti- two already grown there:gist corn districtatplantedC the recentlyM University on Y by theK an island’s island of Hawaii eastern dairy at to He rim.Hilo, feed had itsalso promisedNxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1 himself that heBut, supporters of the ban warned, July 3 Buterupted a vast in majorityfrequent weresilent there cheers,signaledThe inport. sup-presence by Some a collective of were a G.M.O. members waving crop, of they ofhands G.M.O. ar- bill. “Itnew hurts.” G.M.O. crops would also beregistering prohib-ited. Penalties a “kanalua” would bevote $1,000Greggor — the per Ha- Ilaganday. initially thought a banPHOTOGRAPHS on genetically BY JIM WILSON/THEcally modified modified NEW YORK organisms TIMES corn andCounty was soybeanscessfullycattle a good Council feed idea. forlobbied that chamber are for common a ban in Konaonvation elsewhere. any on culti- of genetically modified coffee. planted by an island dairywho cows, testified toHe feed had and its severalalso papaya. promised times Field againsthimself testswould to thethat studytake he a stance on all topics, neverscientists had not always correctly as- signaledport. by Some a collective were memberswaving of hands ofandgued, G.M.O.Free wiggling would Hawaii of hurt fingers. Island, their a reputationmix of food and activ- 18 N But,ited. supporters Penalties would of the beTHE ban $1,000 NEWGreggor warned, YORK perwaiian day. TIMES IlaganLike term NATIONAL three-quarters initially for “withSUNDAY, thought reservation.” ofJANUARY the a ban voters 5, 2014onPHOTOGRAPHS genetically on BY JIM modified WILSON/THE NEWorganisms YORK TIMES was a goodcattle idea. feed that are commonJuly vation elsewhere.3 eruptedBut a of vast in genetically majorityfrequent weresilent modified there Thecheers, presence coffee.in sup- of a G.M.O. crop, they ar- cows, and papaya. Fieldbill. tests would“ItnewC hurts.” toM G.M.O. studytakeY Ka crops stance would on all also topics,registering be prohib- never a “kanalua”Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1 vote — thesessed Ha- the health and environmental and wigglingFree Hawaii of fingers. Island, a mix of foodtheirA istsactiv- few, ability and like entrepreneurs, to charge Richard a premium. Ha, who an argued island that scientistsLike had three-quarters not always correctly of the voters as-ButHawaii onwith Island, the G.M.O. known bill, as hethe often Big Island, de- But a vast majority weresignaled thereTheport. presence by in Some sup-a collective were of a G.M.O. waving members crop, ofgued, hands of they G.M.O. would ar- hurt their reputation and new G.M.O. crops would alsoBut,registeringited. be supporters prohib- Penalties a “kanalua” would of the be ban $1,000vote warned,waiian — Greggorper the day. term Ha- Ilaganfor “with initially reservation.” thought risks a ban of on new genetically technology. modified “Remember organisms was a good idea. A ists few, and like entrepreneurs, Richard Ha, who an argued islandfarmerAtthe thatthe who organisms same hoped time, that were the bad diseases county for human hadaf- 18 N sessedHawaii the Island, health known and environmentalTHE as NEWthe Big YORKspaired Island,Mr. TIMES Ilagan ofNATIONAL assembling supportedSUNDAY, the President JANUARY information 5,Obama 2014 port. Some were membersand gued,wigglingFree of G.M.O. Hawaii would of fingers. Island, hurt their a mix reputation oftheir food ability activ- and to charge a premium. ited. Penalties would be scientists$1,000waiian perLike day. had term three-quarters not for always “with reservation.” correctly of the But voters aswith on the G.M.O. bill, he oftenDDT?” de- one proponent demanded. farmerthe who organisms hoped that were the baddiseases forflictingbanned humanaf-health, his the bananasthe cultivation island’s and ofecosystem tomatoes genetically might and en- eco- risksMr. of Ilagan new technology.supported President “Rememberhe Obama inneeded the 2012 to definitivelyelection. When decide. he took Every office Free Hawaii Island, a mixA of theirists few,food and ability activ- like entrepreneurs, Richardto charge Ha, a premium. who an argued islandAt the that same time, the county had Like three-quarters ofsessed theHawaii voters the Island, health on known andOn environmental as theHawaii,spaired Big Island, of assembling a Lonely the information Quest for Facts About G.M.O.s flictinghealth, his bananas the island’s and ecosystemtomatoes mightbe gineeredand solvedconscious eco- taro, with business. a aroot genetic vegetable Others, modification, veteranscultivat- of 18But with theN G.M.O. bill, heDDT?” oftenin the onede- 2012 proponent election. demanded. WhenTHE NEW he tookYORKtimeMs. himself officeTIMES Wille’s he NATIONAL answereda monthbill wouldSUNDAY, later, one ban after JANUARY question,the six cultiva- years 5, 2014 it in ists and entrepreneurs, whofarmer arguedthe who organisms thathoped that were the baddiseases banned for af- human the cultivation of genetically en- Hawaii Island, known asrisks theMr. Big of IlaganIsland, new technology. supported President “Rememberhe needed Obama to definitively decide. Every At the same time, the countybe solvedconscious had with business. a genetic Others, modification, veteranswereed forthe there centuriesofcampaign to testify in for Hawaii. a againstpartial ban the ban.already spaired of assembling the informationMs.himself Wille’s a billmonth would later, ban after the cultiva-sixtionseemed, yearsthe of anyin Air new genetically National ones arose. Guard, engineered Popular he planned cropopin- to the organisms were badflicting health, for his human bananas the island’s and tomatoesecosystemgineered might and eco- taro, a root vegetable cultivat- Mr. Ilagan supported PresidentDDT?”in the one Obama 2012 proponent election. demanded. When hetime took heoffice answered one question, it with others on the team, awarded the banned the cultivation of geneticallywerethe there en-campaign to testify for a against partial theban Ranchers ban.alreadyInin the place threealso here, minuteswere reminded opposed;allotted the to Council theyeach of he needed toFrom definitively PageOn 1 decide.Hawaii,tion ofEvery any genetically a Lonely engineered onioncrop Questthefocus masqueraded island, on squatters,with for the convincingly exception crimeFacts prevention asof the sci- About G.M.O.s2002 Humboldt Prize for the mosthealth, signif- the island’s ecosystembe solvedconscious and with eco- business. a genetic Others, modification,ed veterans for centuries of in Hawaii. in the 2012 election. When Ms.hehimself took Wille’s office a billmonth would later, ban after the seemed,cultiva-six yearsthe Airnew in Nationalones arose. Guard, Popular he planned opin- to gineered taro, a root vegetable cultivat- wantedspeakerthe precedents the at the option July tofor hearing, grow Ms. Wille’s the some geneti- bill: told In timemost efficiently, he answered at a time when one a warm- question, it twoand already the inauguration grown there: of corn a bus recently line in his icant contribution to United Statesconscious agribusiness. Others,were theveterans there campaign to of testify for againsta partial the banRanchersIn ban. alreadyinthe place three also here, minutes were reminded allotted opposed; the to Councileach they of tion theof any Air genetically National Guard, engineered he on planned cropthefocus island, to on with squatters, the exception crime preventionofence, the and the science itself was hard to culturewith others in five on years. the team, awarded the ed for centuries in Hawaii. cally modified corn and soybeans for himself a month later, after seemed,sixing years world new andinFrom aones growingPageOn arose. 1 population Hawaii,Popularion masqueraded opin- a convincingly Lonely as planted sci- Quest by an island for dairy Facts to feed its About G.M.O.s wantedthe theprecedents option to for grow Ms. the Wille’s geneti-personal bill:2008, In organic tales of Kona all manner coffee farmers of illness, suc- two already grown there: corn recentlygrasp.district People on the who island’s spoke eastern as experts rim. 2002Japanese Humboldt as Prize well for as the American mostthe signif- campaign reg- for a partialRanchers banin place already also here, were reminded opposed; thespeaker Council they at of the July hearing, some told the Air National Guard,on he the focus plannedmake island, that on goal towith squatters, all the the more exception urgent. crime ence, preventionof theand and the the inauguration science itself of was a bus hard line to in his In the three minutesPHOTOGRAPHS allotted BY JIM to WILSON/THE each NEW YORK TIMES cattlecessfully feed that lobbied are common for a ban elsewhere. on any culti- ionmost masqueraded efficiently, at a time convincingly when a warm- as sci- cows, and papaya. Field tests to study ulatorsicant contribution had approved to United the papaya. States agri- And the precedents for Ms. Wille’scally 2008, bill: modified In organic corn Kona and coffee soybeans farmersincluding for suc- children’s allergies, cured af- Scientists, who have come to rely onplanteddistrict by on an the island island’s dairy eastern to feed rim.lacked its He credentials, had also promised and G.M.O. himself critics that he with others on the team, awardedin place the here, remindedwanted thespeaker Council the option at of the Julyto grow hearing, the personal geneti- some told tales of all manner of illness, focus on squatters, crimetwo alreadyand preventioning worldthe growninauguration and a growingthere: of populationcorn a bus recentlygrasp. line in People his who spoke as experts culturebecause in thefive virusyears. was spread by in- terBut vation going a vast onof majority geneticallya “non-G.M.O.” were modifiedthere diet. in sup- One coffee. ence,liberals and in politicaltheFrom science Page battles 1 overitself stem- was hard to new G.M.O. crops would also be prohib- Greggor2002 Humboldt Ilagan Prize initially for the most thought signif- a PHOTOGRAPHSban on genetically BY JIM WILSON/THE2008, modified organic NEW YORK Konaorganisms TIMES coffee was farmersincludingcattle acessfully good feed suc- children’s thatidea. lobbied are common allergies, for a ban elsewhere. cured on any af- culti- districtmake that on goal the all theisland’s more urgent. eastern cows, rim. andHe had papaya. also promised Field tests himself to studydiscounted thatwould he take those a stance with credentials on all topics, as be-never sects,Japanese which g asrowers well ashad American soughtthe to precedentscon- reg- for Ms.cally Wille’spersonal modified bill: tales In corn of and all manner soybeans of forillness, port. Some were members of G.M.O. and the inauguration of planteda buscell line by research, in an his island climate change dairy and to the feedlacked its credentials, and G.M.O. critics icant contribution to United States agri- Butvation a vast of majority genetically were there modified in womansup- coffee.The presencetook the microphoneof a G.M.O. crop,“on behalf they ar- grasp.mostScientists, efficiently, People who at havea whotime come when spoke to a rely warm- on as experts ited.registering Penalties would a “kanalua” be Greggor$1,000 vote per —Ilagan day. the Ha- initially thought a banPHOTOGRAPHStrolulators onwith had geneticallypesticide app BYroved JIM sprays, WILSON/THE the modified papaya.the Rainbow NEW And YORK organisms TIMES wascattle a goodcessfully feed idea. that lobbied are common for a ban elsewhere. onter any going culti- on a “non-G.M.O.” diet. One teachingHe had of also evolution, promised have been himself dis-new wouldthatG.M.O. he take crops a stance would onalso all be topics, prohib-ing never pawns of biotechnology companies. culture in five years. 2008, organic Kona coffee farmersincluding suc- children’s allergies, cured af- Free Hawaii Island, a mix of food activ- district on the island’s easterncows,lackedliberals ing andrim. world papaya. in credentials, political and a growing Field battles and tests over population G.M.O. stem- todiscounted study critics those with credentials as be- hadbecause reduced the the virus use wasof chemicals. spread by inport.The Some presence were of members a G.M.O. ofcrop, G.M.O.of they gued, Mother ar- would Earth hurt and their all sentientreputation be- and mayed to find themselves at odds withited. Penalties would be $1,000 per day.Likewaiian three-quarters term for “with of reservation.” the voters on Japanese as well as Americancessfully reg- lobbied for a banBut onvation aany vast culti- ofmajority genetically were there modifiedwoman in sup- coffee. took the microphone “on behalf new wouldG.M.O.cellmake research, that take crops goal climateaall stancewouldthe more change alsourgent.on andall be topics, the ingprohib- pawnsregistering never of biotechnology a “kanalua”Greggor companies. vote — Ilagan the“It Ha- takes initially so muchthought time a ban to findon genetically out modified organismssects,Mr. whichIlagan was gtookrowers theira good had point. sought idea.“If we to con-as a ter going on a “non-G.M.O.” diet. One ists theirand entrepreneurs, ability to charge who a premium. argued that He had also promised himselfdiscountedtheir that traditional he those allies with on thiscredentials issue. as be- Hawaii Island, known as the Big Island, ulators had approved the papaya. And Freegued, Hawaii would Island, hurt a mix their of reputationfood activ-ings.” and Nomi Carmona encouraged Coun- teachingScientists, of evolution,who have come have to been rely dis- on Like three-quarters of the voterswhat’s on But true,” with he the complained. G.M.O. bill, he often de- bodytrol with pass pesticide this,” he sprays, said, thinking thevation Rainbow aloud of genetically modifiedport.The Some presence coffee. were of members a G.M.O. of crop, of G.M.O. Mother they ar- Earth and all sentient be- ited. registeringPenaltiesSome compare would a the “kanalua” hostility be $1,000 to G.M.O.s vote per day.—“It thewaiian takes Ha- term so much for “with time reservation.” to find out because the virus was spread by in- woman took the microphone “on behalf the organismsAt the same were time, bad the for county human had would take a stance on all topics,ingmayedliberals pawns never to in find political of themselves biotechnology battles at over odds stem- with companies. Mr. Ilagan supported President Obama athad the reduced second the public use ofhearing chemicals. in July, “it gued, would hurt their reputationists andtheir andentrepreneurs, ability to charge who a premium. arguedcil that members to visit the website of her to the rejection of climate-change sci-HawaiiBut Island, with known the G.M.O. as the bill, Big he Island, oftenSospaired manyde- ofemails assembling arrived thein support information of sects, which growers had soughtThe to presencecon- of a G.M.O.Free crop,of Hawaii Mother they Island,ar- Earth a mix and of all food sentientings.” activ- Nomi be- Carmona encouraged Coun- registering a “kanalua” voteLikewaiian theircell— three-quarters theresearch, traditional term Ha- climate for allies “with changeof on the thisreservation.” and issue.voters thewhat’s on true,” he complained. showsMr. Ilagan we think took all their G.M.O.s point. are “If wrong.” we as a health,group,banned the Babes theisland’s cultivation Against ecosystem Biotech, of genetically and where eco- en- ence,“It except takes with so liberal much opponents time in- to find out in the 2012 election. When he took office trol with pesticide sprays, the Rainbow their ability to charge a premium.cilthe members organismsAt the to same visit were the time, bad website the for county humanof her had Someteaching compare of evolution, the hostility have to been G.M.O.s dis-Mr. Ilaganspaired supported of assembling President the informationObamathehe ban needed that, to as definitively a matter ofdecide. environ- Every body pass this,” he said, thinkinggued, aloud would hurt their ists reputation andings.” entrepreneurs, Nomi and Carmona who encouraged argued that Coun- conscious business. Others, veterans of waiian term for “with reservation.”HawaiisteadBut Island, of withconservative known the G.M.O. ones. as the bill, Big he Island,So often many de- emails arrived in support of had reduced the use of chemicals. health,banned the island’s the cultivation ecosystem of genetically and analyseseco-gineered en- of taro, Monsanto’s a root vegetable campaign cultivat- con- what’stomayed the rejectiontotrue,” find themselves he of climate-changecomplained. at odds with sci- himselftime a month he answered later, after one six question,years in it at the second public hearing in July, “it the organismsAt the same were time, bad the for group, county human Babes had Against Biotech, where “These are my people, they’re lefties,in thehe 2012 needed election. to definitively When he tookdecide. officemental Every responsibility, the Council clerks SuperweedsMr. Ilagan took and their Rats point. their“If we asability a to charge a premium.cil members to visit the website of her the campaign for a partial ban already But with the G.M.O. bill,Mr. heIlaganspairedence,their often except traditional supported de- of with assembling allies liberal President on opponents this the issue. in-theObama information ban that, as a matter of environ- shows we think all G.M.O.s are wrong.” consciousgineered business. taro, a Others,root vegetable veterans tributionscultivat- ofed for centuries are intermingled in Hawaii. with pic- I’mSo withmany them emails on almost arrived everything,” inhimself support a ofmonth later, after six yearsthe inseemed, Air National new ones Guard, arose. he plannedPopular toopin- body pass this,” he said, thinkingAt aloud the same time, thehealth, countybanned the island’s hadthe cultivation ecosystem of genetically andanalyses eco- en- of Monsanto’s campaign con- in thehesteadSome 2012 needed of compare election. conservative to the definitively hostilityWhen ones. tohe G.M.O.s took decide.mental officetime Every responsibility, he answered the Council one question, clerkssuspended it the custom of printing them Instructed by the chairman not to ap- group, Babes Against Biotech, where in placeIn the here, three reminded minutes the allotted Council to ofeach spaired of assembling the the informationsaid banMichael that, Shintaku, as aa plant matter patholo- of environ- focus on squatters, crime prevention at the second public hearing in July, “it gineered taro, a root vegetabletributionsthe cultivat-campaigned for centuries are for intermingled a inpartial Hawaii. ban with already tures pic- of bikini-clad women. gistto “These the at the rejection are University my ofpeople, climate-change of Hawaii they’re at lefties, Hilo, sci-the Airseemed, National new Guard,ones arose. he planned Popularout toion opin- for masqueraded each Council convincinglymember. But as Mr. sci- Superweedsplaud, the residents and Rats who packedbanned the the cultivation ofconscious geneticallyanalyses business. en- of Monsanto’s Others, veterans campaign of con- the precedents for Ms. Wille’s bill: In he needed to definitivelyhimself decide.timeence, a exceptmonthEvery he answeredwith later, liberal after opponents one six years in-question,suspended in itthe custom of printing them shows we think all G.M.O.s are wrong.” in placeIn here,the three reminded minutes the allotted Council to Many ofspeaker each of the at themost July impassioned hearing, somespeak- told mentalwhoI’m with testified responsibility, them several on almost times everything,” againstthe Council the clerks andence, the inauguration and the science of a itselfbus line was in hard his to County Council chamber ingineered Kona on taro, a root vegetablethe campaigned forcultivat- centuries for a partialin Hawaii. ban turesalready of bikini-clad women. seemed,stead of conservative new ones ones. arose. Popularfocusion onopin- masqueraded squatters, crime convincingly preventionIlagan as sci- had only to consult his inbox to Instructed by the chairman not to ap- tributions are intermingled with pic- 2008, organic Kona coffee farmers suc- time he answered onethe question,suspended Airbill.said National“It Michael hurts.” itShintaku,the Guard, custom a plant he of patholo- planned printingout for tothem each Council member. Butdistrict Mr. on the island’s eastern rim. July 3 erupted in frequent silent cheers, the precedentsspeaker at the for July Ms. Wille’shearing, bill: someers Inpersonal came told from tales Mr. of Ilagan’sall manner district of illness, of “These are my people, they’re lefties,and ence,the inauguration and the science of a busitself line was inbe hardhis remindedgrasp. to People of the whoprevailing spoke opinion. as experts signaledplaud,Superweeds the by a residents collective and Rats who waving packeded of for hands the centuries in Hawaii.in placeturesIn here, ofthe bikini-clad three reminded minutes women. the allotted Council Many to of each of the most impassioned speak- seemed, new ones arose.focus Popularion gist onBut, at masqueraded squatters,the supportersopin- University of of the crime Hawaii convincingly ban warned,at prevention Hilo,Ilagan as had sci- only to consult his inbox to Margaret Wille, the sponsor of the ban on G.M.O.s, spoke of the need to “act before2008,personal organic it’s too tales Konalate.” of coffee all manner farmers ofcessfully Puna, suc- illness,including known lobbied children’s for for its a anti-establishment ban allergies, on any curedculti- af- outwhoI’m for with testified each them several on Council almost times everything,” against member. thedistrict But on Mr. the island’s eastern rim. Helacked had also credentials, promised andhimself G.M.O. that criticshe andCounty wiggling Council of fingers. chamber in KonaIn the on three minutes theallotted precedentsspeaker to each at thefor Ms.July Wille’s hearing, ers bill: some came In told from Mr. Ilagan’s district of and theence,scientists inauguration and had the not science always of a correctly bus itself line as-bewas in reminded hisgrasp.hard to Peopleof the prevailing who spoke opinion. as experts “Do the right thing,” one Chicago JulyInstructed 3 erupted by in the frequent chairman silent not cheers, to ap- Many of the most impassioned speak- vationter goingof genetically on a “non-G.M.O.” modified coffee. diet. One ion masqueraded convincinglyIlagansessedbill.said “It Michael as hurts.” thehad sci- health Shintaku,only and to a environmentalconsultplant patholo- his inbox to would take a stance on all topics, never A few, like Richard Ha, an island personal tales of all mannercessfully of including illness, lobbied children’s for a ban allergies, on any culti- curedspirit. af-“These chemical companies think Helacked had also credentials, promised himself and G.M.O. thatwoman he criticsdiscounted wrote, those “or Margaret nowith one credentials will Wille, want as the to be- sponsor of the ban signaledplaud,on G.M.O.s, the by a residents collective spoke who waving packed speakerof of the hands the need at the to “act July before hearing,2008, it’sers organic some too came late.” told Kona from coffee Mr. Ilagan’s farmersPuna, district suc- known of for its anti-establishment ence, and the science itselfdistrict wasgrasp.risksgistBut, on athard ofthe supporters newPeople University toisland’s technology. of who of the eastern Hawaii ban “Remember spoke warned,at rim.Hilo, as“Do experts the right thing,” one Chicago farmer who hoped that the diseases af- vation of genetically modified coffee.Thethey’rewoman presence going took ofto thea win,” G.M.O. microphone one crop, woman they “on said. ar-behalf bewho reminded testified several of the times prevailing against the opinion. registeringing pawns a “kanalua” of biotechnology vote — companies. the Ha- flictingandCounty wiggling his Council bananas of fingers. chamber and tomatoes in Kona might on cessfullyincluding lobbied children’s for a ban allergies, on anyspirit. culti- curedter “These going af- chemical on a “non-G.M.O.” companies think diet. One lackedDDT?”scientists one credentials, had proponent not always demanded. correctly and G.M.O. as-woulddiscounted critics take a stance those on with all Margaretcredentialstopics, nevertake Wille, as a be- toxic the tour sponsor of your of thepoisoned ban on para- G.M.O.s, spoke of the need to “act before it’spersonal too late.” tales of all mannerPuna, of illness, known for its anti-establishment gued, would hurt their reputation and grasp. People who spokeHe as bill.had experts“It also hurts.” promised himselfwoman that he wrote, “or no one will wantwaiian to term for “with reservation.” beJulyA solved 3 few, erupted like with in Richard a frequent genetic Ha, silent modification, an cheers, island The womanpresence took of athe G.M.O. microphone crop, they “on“Hell, ar- behalfof Mother no, they’re Earth never and going all sentient to win be- sessed“DoMs. Wille’s the the health bill right would and thing,”ban environmental the cultiva- oneregistering Chicagoing pawns a “kanalua” of biotechnology vote — companies.thedise.” Ha- “It takes so much time to find out signaled by a collective wavingincluding of hands children’s allergies,vationspirit.ter cured of going “These genetically af- on chemical a “non-G.M.O.” modified companies they’re coffee. diet. think going One to win,” one woman said. lacked credentials, andwould G.M.O.discountedrisks takeBut, criticsof supporters a new stance those technology. of on thewith all ban “Remember topics,credentials warned,take never a astoxic be- tour of your poisoned para- werefarmer there who tohoped testify that against the diseases the ban. af- gued,of would Mother hurt Earth their and reputation all sentienttheir here.” andings.” ability be- Nomi to charge Carmona a premium. encouraged Coun- womantion of any wrote, genetically “or engineered no one crop will want to Butwhat’s with true,” the G.M.O. he complained. bill, he often de- flictingand wiggling his bananas of fingers. and tomatoester might going on a “non-G.M.O.”The presencewoman diet. Onetook of a the G.M.O. microphone crop, they“Hell, “on ar- behalf no, they’re never going to win registeringingonDDT?”scientists thepawns island, one a had “kanalua”proponent of with not biotechnology alwaysthe demanded. exception vote correctly —of the as-companies.thewaiian Ha-“It term takes for “with so much reservation.” time to find out Ranchers also were opposed; they they’re going to win,” one woman said. Atcil themembers same to time, visit the the countywebsite had of her discounted those with credentialstakesessed a as toxic the be- health tour and of environmentalyour poisoneddise.” para- spaired of assembling the information wantedbeA solved few, the likewith option Richard a genetic to grow Ha, modification, the an geneti- island of Mother Earth and all sentienttheirings.” ability be- Nomi to charge Carmona a premium. encouragedOrganic Coun- farmers worried that their twoMs. already Wille’s grown bill would there: ban corn the recently cultiva- Butwhat’s with true,”the G.M.O. he complained. bill, he often de- So many emails arrived in support of woman took the microphonegued,“Hell, “on would behalf no, hurt they’re their never reputation goinghere.” and to win ing pawns of biotechnologywaiian companies.risks “Itterm of takes newfor “with technology. so much reservation.” “Remember time to find out Distrust on the Left callywerefarmer modifiedthere who tohoped testify corn that and against the soybeans diseases the ban. foraf- Atcil the members same time,to visit the the county websitebanned crops had ofgroup, her would the Babescultivation be contaminated Against of genetically Biotech, also made en- where dise.”plantedtion of any by genetically an island dairyengineered to feed crop its he needed to definitively decide. Every flicting his bananas and tomatoesof Mothermight Earth and alltheir sentientings.” ability Nomi to be- charge Carmona a premium. encouragedOrganic Coun- farmers worried that their DDT?” one proponent demanded. spairedSo of many assembling emails arrived the information in supportthe of ban that, as a matterPHOTOGRAPHS of environ- BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES cattleRanchers feed that also are were common opposed; elsewhere. they here.” “It takes so much timeBut what’s tocows,on with findthe andisland, true,”the out papaya. G.M.O.with he the Field complained. exception bill, tests he to of study often the de- banned the cultivation of geneticallygineeredan en- analyses impression taro, of a Monsanto’s root on vegetable the councilman,campaign cultivat- con- time he answered one question, it wantedbeBut solved a vast the with optionmajority a genetic to were grow modification,there the geneti-in sup- Atcil the members same time,to visit the the county websitecrops hadgroup, wouldof her Babesbe contaminated Against Biotech, also made where newtwoMs. alreadyG.M.O. Wille’s cropsgrown bill would would there: ban also corn the be recently cultiva-prohib-Distrusthe neededthe ban onto that,definitively Greggorthe asLeft Ilagan a matter decide. initially ofthought Every environ-Margaretmental a ban on responsibility, genetically Wille, 66,modified had the organisms theCouncil island’s was clerks a good idea. ings.” Nomi Carmona encouragedOrganic Coun- farmers worried that their ed for centuries in Hawaii. what’s true,” he complained.spairedtionSo ofof many any assembling genetically emails engineered arrived the information crop in support of port.callywere modifiedSomethere to were testify corn members and against soybeans of the G.M.O. ban. for gineeredanalyses taro, ofa root Monsanto’s vegetable campaign cultivat-thoughtributions con- he felt that are the intermingled actress Roseanne with pic- ited.planted Penalties by an would island be dairy $1,000 to per feed day. its seemed,suspended new ones the customarose. Popular of printing opin- them Ranchers also were opposed;cil members they to visit thebanned websitegroup, the of cultivation Babesher Against of genetically Biotech,an en- impression where on the councilman, Distrust on the Left timemental he answered responsibility, one the question, Councilbest clerks it interests at heart whenPHOTOGRAPHS she pro- BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES Freecattle Hawaii feed that Island, are common a mix of elsewhere. food activ- crops would be contaminated also made In the three minutes allotted to each So many emails arrivedhe neededinthe cows,onsupportLike the ban and island, three-quartersto papaya. that,definitivelyof with astheField ofexception a tests the matterdecide. voters to of study the on ofEveryMargaret environ- Wille, 66, had the island’s ed fortributions centuries arein Hawaii. intermingled withBarr,tures pic-who of ownsbikini-clad an organic women. macadamia ion out masqueraded for each Council convincingly member. as But sci- Mr. istswantedBut and a vastentrepreneurs, the optionmajority to were grow who there argued thegroup, geneti-in sup-that Babes Against gineered Biotech,analyses taro, where ofa root Monsanto’s vegetable campaign cultivat-though he con- felt that the actress Roseanne time mentalHawaiinewtwo he already G.M.O. answeredIsland, responsibility, cropsgrown known would there: as one alsothe corn Bigthebe question,recently prohib-Island, Councilbestseemed, suspended interests clerks it new onesGreggor at the heart arose.custom Ilagan when Popularinitially of printing she thought opin- pro-posed them a ban the on ban, genetically Mr. Ilagan modified knew. organisms was a good idea. an impression on the councilman, speakerMany at theof the July most hearing, impassioned some told speak- the ban that, as a matter ofplantedMargaret environ- by an islandWille, dairy 66, to had feed theits island’s theport.cally organisms modifiedSome were corn were members and bad soybeans for of humanG.M.O. for tributions are intermingled withIntures the pic- three of bikini-clad minutes women. allotted to eachnut farm here, could have been kinder Mr.ited. Ilagan Penalties supported would be President $1,000 per Obama day.ion masqueraded convincingly asence, sci-Ilagan and thehad science only to itself consult was his hard inbox to to analyses of Monsanto’sed campaign for centuries con- in Hawaii. Barr, who owns an organic macadamia seemed,suspended new ones the arose.custom Popular of printingposed opin-out the them for ban, each Mr. CouncilIlagan knew. member. ButShe Mr. majored in cultural anthropologyPHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES health,Freecattle Hawaii feed the thatisland’s Island, are common ecosystem a mix of elsewhere. food and activ- eco- though he felt that the actress Roseanne personalers came tales from of all Mr. manner Ilagan’s of illness, district of mental responsibility, the Councilbestincows, Likethe interests 2012clerks and three-quarters election. papaya. at FieldWhen of heart teststhehe took voters to when studyoffice on she pro- grasp. People who spoke as experts tures of bikini-clad women. nutspeaker farmMany at here, the of couldthe July most hearing, have impassioned been some kinder to told speak-the papaya farmers in the room. new G.M.O. crops would also be prohib-ence,Ilagan and the had scienceGreggor only toIlagan itself consult initially was his hardthought atinbox to Benningtonbe a banreminded to on genetically Collegeof the modified prevailing in Vermont organisms opinion. was and a good idea. consciousistsBut and a vastentrepreneurs, business. majority Others, were who there arguedveteranstributions in sup-that of are intermingledInBarr, the with three who pic- ownsminutes an organicallotted macadamiato each including children’s allergies, cured af- suspended the custom ofion printing masqueradedouthimselfHawaii for themIsland,a month each known later, Council convincingly asafter the six Big member. years Island, in asShe sci-But majored Mr. in cultural anthropology Margaretport. Some Wille, were membersthe sponsor of G.M.O. of the ban on G.M.O.s, spoke of the need to “actpersonal beforeers came talesit’s too from of late.” all Mr. manner Ilagan’s of illness, district“EverybodyPuna, of known here for is its very anti-establishment giving,” she posedited. Penalties the ban, would Mr. be $1,000Ilagan per knew.day. lacked credentials, and G.M.O. critics the campaign organisms for were a partial bad ban fortures already human of bikini-clad women.speaker Many at the of the July most hearing, impassioned someto the told speak-papaya farmers in the room. theMr. AirIlagan National supported Guard, President he planned Obama tograsp.be reminded People who of the spoke prevailing as experts opinion.practiced“Do public the right advocacy thing,” law one in Maine Chicago Free Hawaii Island, a mix of food activ- nut farm here, could have been kinder ter going on a “non-G.M.O.” diet. One out for each Council member.ence,Ilagan and Like But the three-quarters had Mr. science only to ofitself theconsult voterswas at onhishard Bennington inbox to to College in Vermont and Margaret Wille, the sponsor of the inhealth,ban place on the here, island’sG.M.O.s, reminded ecosystem thespoke Council and eco-of of the need to “act before it’s too late.” includingPuna, children’s known for allergies, its anti-establishment curedhad af-spirit. told “These them. “Theychemical will companies bend over think C M Y K focusinShe the 2012 onmajored squatters,election.Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,018,Bs-4C,E1 inWhen crime cultural he preventiontook officeanthropology discountedwoman those wrote, with “or credentials no one will as want be- to ists and entrepreneurs, who arguedMany that of the most impassionedpersonalers came speak- tales fromof all Mr. manner Ilagan’s of illness, district“Everybody of here is very giving,” she beHawaii reminded Island, known of the as theprevailing Big Island,lacked opinion.“Do credentials, the right and thing,” G.M.O. one critics before Chicago moving a decade ago to the is- theconscious precedents business. for Ms.Others, Wille’s veterans bill: Inof to the papaya farmers in the room. womanthey’re took going the microphone to win,” one “on woman behalf said. Ilagan had only to consultgrasp. hisandhimself Peopleinbox the ainauguration month to who later, of spokeafter a bus six line years as in his practicedexpertsin public advocacy law in Maine the organisms were bad for human ter goingspirit. on“These a “non-G.M.O.” chemical companies diet. backwards One think to help you burn those papa- atMr. Bennington Ilagan supported College President in Obama Vermontdiscounted and those with credentialsMargaret asing be- Wille, takepawns a the toxicof biotechnology sponsor tour of yourof the companies. poisoned ban on para-G.M.O.s, spoke of the 2008,theneed campaign organic to “act Konafor abefore coffeepartial farmersban ersit’s already too came suc- late.” from Mr. Ilagan’sincludingPuna, district children’s known of for allergies, its anti-establishment curedhad told af- them. “They will bend over lackeddistrictthe “Do credentials, Air on National the the island’s right Guard, and eastern thing,” he G.M.O. planned rim. one before to critics Chicagowoman moving wrote, a decade “or no ago one to will theland, want is- where to her brothers once owned a health, the island’s ecosystem and eco- “Everybody here is very giving,” she of Mother“Hell, no, Earth they’re and never all sentient going tobe- win be reminded of the prevailingpracticed inopinion. the 2012 election. public When advocacy he took office law in Maine “It takes so much time to find out cessfullyin place here,lobbied reminded for a ban the on Councilany culti- of spirit. “These chemical companiesbackwardswomanthey’re think took to going thehelp microphone youto win,” burn one those “on woman behalfpapa-yas andsaid. grow something decent.” focusHe had on also squatters, promised crime himself prevention thatMargaret heing pawns Wille, of biotechnology the sponsor companies. of thehealth bandise.” on food G.M.O.s, store. spoke of the need to “act before it’s too consciouslate.” business. Others, veteransPuna, of known for its anti-establishmentter goinghad told on athem. “non-G.M.O.” “They will diet. bend One over discountedwomanhimself athose month wrote, withlater, “or after credentials no six oneyears willland,in as wantbe-take where a to toxic her brotherstour of your once poisoned owned a para- vationthe precedents of genetically for Ms. modified Wille’s bill: coffee. In ings.”Morehere.” Nomi striking Carmona to Mr. encouraged Ilagan was Coun- the “Do the right thing,” onebeforewouldand Chicagothe take inauguration moving a stance aon of decade alla bus topics, line never agoin his to the is- what’s true,” he complained. the campaign for a partial ban already womanthey’re took goingthe microphone to win,” one “on womanyasof behalf Motherand“Hell, said. grow no, Earth something they’re and neveralldecent.” sentient going be- to win the Air National Guard, he planned to “Itdise.” takes so much time to find outAnd her bill, like much anti-G.M.O. The2008, presence organic Konaof a G.M.O. coffee crop, farmersspirit. they suc- ar- “These chemical companiesbackwards think to help you burn those papa- cil members to visit the website of her woman wrote, “or no oneing pawns willtakeregisteringdistrict want a ofontoxic biotechnologythe a to “kanalua” island’s tour easternof vote your — rim.companies. the poisoned Ha-health foodpara- store. in place here, reminded the Council of ings.”here.” Nomi Carmona encouraged Coun-warningOrganic of Derek farmers Brewer, worried 29, an that Army their land,focus where on squatters, her brothers crime prevention once owned a So many emails arrived in support of gued,cessfully would lobbied hurt for their a ban reputation onthey’re any culti- and going to win,” oneof Motherwoman“Hell, said. no, Earth they’re and all never sentient goingMore be- to strikingwin to Mr. Ilagan was the waiianHe had term also for promised “with reservation.” himself that hewhat’s true,” he complained. action, was inspired by distrust of the the precedents for Ms. Wille’s bill: In yas and grow something decent.” group, Babes Against Biotech, where 18 Ntake a toxic tour of your poisoned“Itdise.” and takes the para- inauguration so much of a time bus line to in findTHEhis And outNEW her YORK bill, like TIMES much NATIONAL anti-G.M.O.DistrustSUNDAY, onJANUARY the Left 5, 2014 theirvation ability of genetically to charge a modifiedpremium. coffee. cil membersOrganic to farmersvisit the worriedwebsite of thatveteran her crops their who would served be contaminated in Iraq and Afghan- also made healthwouldBut withtake food athe stancestore. G.M.O. on bill,all topics, he often never de- the ban that, as a matter of environ- 2008, organic Kona coffee farmers“Hell, suc- no, they’re neverings.” goinghere.” Nomi to Carmona win encouragedwarning Coun- of Derek Brewer, 29, an Army district on the island’s eastern rim. So many emails arrived in supportseed-producing of biotechnology compa- TheAt presence the same of a time, G.M.O. the crop, county they hadar- More striking to Mr. Ilagan was the analysesan impression of Monsanto’s on campaign the councilman, con- dise.” what’sspairedregistering true,” of he assemblinga “kanalua” complained. thevote information — the Ha-action,Distrust was inspired on the by Left distrust of the cessfully lobbied for a ban on any culti- group,crops Babes would Against be contaminated Biotech, wherealsoistan made before coming to Hawaii to help AndHe had her also promised bill, like himself much that he anti-G.M.O. mentalMargaret responsibility, Wille, the 66, Council had the clerks island’s bannedgued, would the cultivation hurt their of reputationgeneticallyhere.” anden- cil membersOrganic to farmersvisit the worriedwebsiteveteran of that her theirwho served in Iraq and Afghan- hewaiian needed term to for definitively “with reservation.” decide. Every the ban that, as a matter of environ-nies, which had backed a state measure vation of genetically modified coffee. warning of Derek Brewer, 29, an Army tributionsthough he are felt intermingled that the actress with Roseanne pic- Soaction, manywould take emails was a stance inspired arrived on all topics, by in distrustsupportneverseed-producing of the biotechnology compa- gineeredtheir ability taro, to chargea root vegetable a premium. cultivat- crops would be contaminatedistananalyses alsoan before made impression of Monsanto’s coming to on Hawaii campaign the councilman,to helpfound con- an eco-hostel. “We don’t fully un- DistrusttimeBut hewith answered the on G.M.O. the one bill, Left question,he often de-mental it responsibility, the Council clerkssuspendedto preventbest interests thelocal custom governments at heart of printing when from them she reg- pro- The presence of a G.M.O. crop, theyOrganic ar- farmers worriedgroup,veteran that Babes their who Against served Biotech,in Iraq and where Afghan- the banregistering that, a as“kanalua” a matter vote — ofthe Ha- environ-nies, whichMargaret had backed Wille, a 66, state had measure the island’s edAt for thecenturies same in time, Hawaii. the county had turesderstandBarr, of bikini-clad who genetics,” owns women. anMr. organic Brewer macadamia said, his seed-producingseemed,spaired ofnew assembling ones arose. biotechnology the Popular information opin- compa- out for each Council member. But Mr. gued, would hurt their reputation and analysesan impression of Monsanto’s on campaign the found councilman,tributions con-though an eco-hostel. arehe felt intermingled that “We the don’t actress withfully Roseanne un- pic- Distrust on the Left waiian term for “with reservation.” suspendedbest interests the custom at heartof printing when themulating sheposed pro- their the activity.ban, Mr. Ilagan knew. bannedIn the the three cultivation minutes of allotted geneticallycrops to each en- would be contaminatedistan also beforemade coming to Hawaii to help Many of the most impassioned speak- mentalionheMargaret responsibility, needed masqueraded to definitively Wille, convincingly the decide. 66, Council had asEvery sci-to the clerks prevent island’s local governments from reg- their ability to charge a premium. turesBarr, of bikini-clad who owns women. an organic macadamiadarknut hair farm tied here, back could in a ponytail. have been “Once kinder nies,But which with the had G.M.O. backed bill, he oftena state de- measure Ilagan had only to consult his inbox to speakergineered attaro, the a Julyroot hearing,vegetable an some cultivat- impression told on thetributions councilman,though are he felt intermingled that the actress withderstand Roseanne pic- genetics,” Mr. Brewer said, his bestence,time andinterests he the answered science at oneitself heart question,was hard when toout it she forposed pro- each the Councilban, Mr. member. Ilagan knew. But Mr.ThatShe bill, majored which passedin cultural the anthropologyState Sen- At the same time, the county had found an eco-hostel. “We don’t fully un- ers to came the papaya from Mr. farmers Ilagan’s in the district room. of MargaretOn Wille, Hawaii, 66, hadsuspended thespaired island’s the of assembling custom a the ofLonely informationprintingulating them their activity. Quest for Facts About G.M.O.spersonaled for centuries tales of in allHawaii. manner of illness, Barr, who owns an organic macadamiaManynut farmof the here,most couldimpassioned have been speak-you kinder change something like this, there is tograsp.seemed, prevent People new localones who arose. governments spoke Popular as experts opin- from reg- be remindedat Bennington of the Collegeprevailing in opinion. Vermont and banned the cultivation of geneticallythough en- he felt that the actresstures of Roseanne bikini-clad women. dark hair tied back in a ponytail. “Once he needed to definitively decide. EveryIlagan Shehad majored only to consultin cultural his anthropology inboxate to but stalled in the House, appeared MargaretincludingIn Wille,the three children’s theminutes sponsor allergies, allotted cured to of each the af- ban on G.M.O.s,derstand spoke of genetics,” the need Mr.to “act Brewer before said, it’s his too late.” Puna, known for its anti-establishment best interests at heart out when forposedlackedion she each masqueraded the credentials, pro- Council ban, convincingly Mr. and member. Ilagan G.M.O. as criticsknew. sci- ButThat Mr. bill, which passed the State Sen- gineered taro, a root vegetable cultivat- ers cameto the papaya from Mr. farmers Ilagan’s in the district room.no oftaking “Everybody it back.” here is very giving,” she ulatingtime he their answered activity. one question, it “Dopracticed the right public thing,” advocacy one law Chicago in Maine terspeaker going at on the a July “non-G.M.O.” hearing, Barr, some diet. Onetold who owns an organicMany macadamianut of farm the here,most impassioned could have you been speak- change kinder something like this, there is discountedence,She and majored the those science with in itselfcredentials cultural was hard as anthropology be- tobe remindedat Bennington of the prevailing College in opinion. Vermontlargely and aimed at other Hawaiian is- ed for centuries in Hawaii. dark hair tied back in a ponytail. “Once spirit.had “These told them.chemical “They companies will bend think over posed the ban, Mr. IlaganIlagan knew.seemed, had onlynew ones to arose.consult Popular his opin- inboxate but to stalled in the House, appeared Margaret Wille, the sponsor of the banwomanpersonal on G.M.O.s, took tales the of microphone all spoke manner “onof illness,behalfthe need to “act before it’sto the too papaya late.” farmers in theno Puna,room. taking “Everybody known it back.” for its here anti-establishment is very giving,”What she really stuck with Mr. Ilagan inggrasp.That pawns Peoplebill, of biotechnology which who spoke passed companies. as experts the State Sen- womanbefore wrote, moving “or a no decade one will ago want to the to is- Inwith the three others minutes on allotted thenut team,to farmeach awarded here, could the haveers beenyou came change kinder from something Mr. Ilagan’s like district this, there of is be remindedation Bennington masqueraded of the prevailing convincingly College in asopinion. Vermont sci-largely“Dopracticed the aimedand right public at thing,” other advocacy Hawaiian one law Chicago inlands, is-Maine which were used by companies ofincluding Mother children’s Earth and allergies, all sentient cured be- af- they’rewerebackwards the going descriptions to to win,”help you oneof tumorous burnwoman those said. rats. papa- From PageShe majored 1 in cultural anthropologyatelacked“It but takes credentials, stalled so much in and timethe G.M.O. to House, find critics out appeared take a toxic tour of your poisoned para- speaker at the July hearing, some told Puna, known“Everybody for its here anti-establishment is very giving,”spirit.Whathad “These she really told chemical them. stuck “They with companies Mr. will Ilagan bend think over ence, and the science itself was hard towomanbefore wrote, moving “or no a decadeMargaret one will ago want Wille, tolike the toland, Monsanto, the is- wheresponsor herSyngenta of brothers the ban and once onDow G.M.O.s, owned as a a spoke of the needings.”ter to 2002 going “actNomi Humboldt on Carmonabefore a “non-G.M.O.” encouraged it’s Prize tooto diet. the forlate.” Coun- One thepapaya most farmers signif- in theno room. taking it back.” “Hell, no, they’re never going to win “Dopracticedwhat’sdiscounted the true,” right those publiche complained. with thing,” advocacycredentials one as lawbe- Chicagolands, in Maine which were used by companies personal tales of all manner of illness, they’rebackwards going to to win,” help oneyou womanburn those said.Reading yaspapa- and testimony grow something submitted decent.” before at Bennington College in Vermontlargelygrasp. People and aimed who at spoke other as experts Hawaiian is- dise.” cilwoman membersicant took contribution theto visit microphone the website to“on United behalfof her States agri- spirit.had “These told chemical them. “They companies willwere bend think the over descriptions of tumorous rats. most efficiently, at a time when a warm- ingSo pawns many of emails biotechnology arrived in companies. support oftake land, a toxic where tour herof your brothers poisoned once para- nurseryownedhealth a forfood seeds. store. On Kauai, for in- including children’s allergies, cured“Everybody af- here is very giving,”What she really stuck with Mr. Ilagan here.” practiced public advocacywoman lawbeforelacked in wrote, Maine credentials, moving “or no anda decade one G.M.O. will critics ago wantlike to Monsanto, tothe is- Syngenta and Dow as a group,of Mother Babes Earth Against and all Biotech, sentient where be- “Hell,yas no, and they’re grow something never going decent.” to the win hearing,More striking he had to blanched Mr. Ilagan at was gro- the lands,the“It ban takes which that, so as much were a matter time used toof environ-find by out companies ter culture going on in a “non-G.M.O.”five years.had diet. Onetold them. “They they’re will backwards bend going over to to win,” help one you womanburnReading those said. papa- testimony submitted before ing world and a growing population discounted those with credentials as be-dise.”health food store. stance,And activists her bill, had like been much talking anti-G.M.O. about analysesings.” Nomi of Carmona Monsanto’s encouraged campaign Coun- con- were the descriptions of tumorous rats. Organicwarning farmers of Derek worried Brewer, that 29, an their Army before moving a decadetake ago land,amentalwhat’s totoxic thewhere true,”responsibility, tour is- he complained.ofher your thebrothers Council poisoned clerks oncenursery para- owned for a seeds. On Kauai, for in- woman took the microphone “on behalf yas and grow something decent.”here.” More striking to Mr. Ilagan tesque was the pictures of the animals fed Mon- likeing pawnsMonsanto, of biotechnology Syngenta companies. and Dow as a action, was inspired by distrust of the tributionscil membersJapanese are to intermingledvisit asthe website well backwards with asof pic-her American to help reg- you burn“Hell, Readingthose no, papa- they’re testimony never submitted going the to win hearing, before he had blanched at gro- make that goal all the more urgent. dise.”healthsuspendedSo many food theemails store.custom arrived of printing in support them stance,of Andactivists her had bill, been like muchtalking anti-G.M.O. aboutDistrusthow to limit on thethe companies’ Left pesticide of Mother Earth and all sentient be- cropssanto’sveteran would corn, who be modified contaminated served within Iraq a alsogene and made Afghan-from land, where her brothers oncenursery “Itowned takes for soa much seeds. time On to find Kauai, out for in- turesgroup,ulators of Babesbikini-clad had Against women. app Biotech,roved yas where andthe grow papaya. something And here.” decent.”More striking to Mr. IlagantesqueOrganic waswarning pictures the farmers of ofDerek the worried animals Brewer, thatfed 29, Mon- theiran Army Scientists, who have come to rely on outthe forban each that, Council as a matter member. of environ- But Mr. action, was inspired by distrustuse. ofseed-producing the biotechnology compa- analysesings.” Nomi of Carmona Monsanto’s encouraged campaign Coun- con- the hearing, he had blanched at gro- an istan impression before coming on the to councilman, Hawaii to help health food store. mentalwhat’sAnd true,”responsibility, her he bill,complained. the like Council much clerks howDistrust anti-G.M.O. to limit on the the companies’ Left pesticide Many of the most impassioned speak- warning of Derek Brewer, 29,crops anveteran Armywould whobe contaminated served in Iraq also and madebacteria Afghan- to tolerate an herbicide. Ac- stance,Ilagan had activists only to consult had beenhis inbox talking to about Margaretnies, which Wille, had 66,backed had a the state island’s measure erstributionscil because members came from are to intermingledvisitthe Mr. Ilagan’sthe virus website district with wasMore of pic-her of spread striking by to in- Mr. IlaganOrganictesque was pictures farmers the of worried the animals thatsanto’s fed their Mon- corn, modified with a gene from liberals in political battles over stem- action,suspendedSo many was theemails custom inspired arrived of printing in bysupport distrustthemuse. of seed-producing of the biotechnology compa-The companies had no corporate thoughcordingfound he toan felt the eco-hostel. that French the actress “We researcher don’t Roseanne fully who un- And her bill, like much how anti-G.M.O.be reminded to limit of the the prevailing companies’ opinion. pesticide Margaret Wille, the sponsor ofbest the ban interests on G.M.O.s, at spoke heart of the when need sheto “act pro- before it’s too late.” Puna,turesgroup, of known Babesbikini-clad for Against its women. anti-establishment Biotech, where veteran who served in Iraq bacteriaandan Afghan-istan impression to before tolerate coming on an the herbicide. to councilman, Hawaii Ac- to help cell research, climate change and the Distrustoutthe for ban eachon that, Councilthe as a Left matter member. of environ- But Mr. Margaret Wille, 66, had the island’spresenceto prevent here local on the governments Big Island, fromwhich reg- sects, which growerswarning had sought of Derek to con- Brewer,crops 29,santo’s would an Army corn, be contaminated modified with also a gene made from seed-producing“Do the right thing,” biotechnology one Chicago The nies, compa- companies which had hadbacked no a corporatestate measure spirit.analysesMany “These of of the Monsanto’s chemical most impassioned companies campaign speak- think con- though he felt that the actress RoseanneBarr,performedderstand who owns thegenetics,” an study, organic Mr. they Brewer macadamia developed said, his action, was inspired by distrustuse.Ilaganmental of hadresponsibility, the only to consult the Council his inbox clerks to posed the ban, Mr. Ilagan knew. trol with pesticide sprays, the Rainbow an istan impression before oncoming the to councilman, Hawaiicording found to help to an the eco-hostel. French researcher “We don’t whofully un- teaching of evolution, have been dis- woman wrote, “or no one will want tobest to interests prevent atlocal heart governments when she from lacks pro-ulating reg- the large their parcelsactivity. of land they pre- they’reerstributions came going from are to intermingled Mr.win,” Ilagan’s one woman veteran district with said. pic- of who served in Iraq andbacteria Afghan- to tolerate an herbicide. Ac- nut farm here, could have been kinder seed-producing biotechnologyMargaretnies,besuspended reminded compa- which Wille, the of hadthecustom prevailing 66, backed of had printing opinion. thea statethem presence island’s measure here on the Big Island, which Barr,derstand who owns genetics,” an organic Mr. Brewermacadamiamore said,dark his tumors hair tied and back died in a earlierponytail. than “Once takeThe a toxic companies tour of your poisoned had nopara- corporate Margaret Wille, the sponsor of theShe ban majored on G.M.O.s, in spokecultural of the anthropology need to “act before it’s too late.” “Hell,Puna,tureshad of known no, bikini-clad reduced they’re for its women. never the anti-establishment use going istan of to chemicals. win before coming to though Hawaiifound he to felt an help eco-hostel.that the actress “We Roseannedon’tperformed fully un- the study, they developed mayed to find themselves at odds with out“Do for the each right Council thing,” member. one ChicagoBut Mr.posedulating the ban, their Mr. activity. Ilagan knew. ferred.That Still, bill, Ms. which Wille passed said at the a “MarchState Sen- The idea of the ban was popular, but not universallycording so, as to pro-G.M.O. the French researcherT-shirts made who clear. to the papaya farmers in the room. nies, which had backed besta state to interestsdise.” preventmeasure atlocal heart governments when shelacks from pro- the reg- large parcels of land they pre- here.”spirit.Many “These of the chemical most impassioned companies speak- think nut farmdark hair here, tied could back have in a been ponytail. kinderthose “Onceyou in change the control something group. like this, there is presencewomanIlagan had wrote, hereonly “or to on noconsult onethe willhis Big inbox want Island, to which at Benningtonate but stalled College in the in House, Vermont appeared and Mr. Ilagan took theirfound point. an eco-hostel. “If we as a“WeBarr, don’tderstand who fully owns un- genetics,” an organic Mr. macadamiaBrewermore said, tumors his and died earlier than their traditional allies on this issue. ulating their activity. She Thatmajored bill, inwhich cultural passed anthropology the StateAgainst Sen- Monsanto” rally last spring, if they’reersOrganic came going from farmers to Mr.win,” worriedIlagan’s one woman thatdistrict theirsaid. of performed the study, they developed “Everybodyno taking it hereback.” is very giving,” she to prevent local governmentsposedtakebe thefrom reminded a ban,toxic reg- tour Mr.of the of Ilagan prevailingyour poisoned knew. opinion. para- ferred. Still, Ms. Wille said at a “March The idea of the ban was popular, but Puna,not universally known for its anti-establishment so, as pro-G.M.O. T-shirts madedark clear. hair tied back in a ponytail.thoseto theyou in“Once papaya the change control farmers something group. in the like room. this, there“Are iswe all going to get cancer?” Mr. Some compare the hostility to G.M.O.s lacksDistrust the onlarge the parcels Left of landat they Bennington pre- Margaret College Wille, in the Vermont sponsor ofpracticed andthelargely ban on publicG.M.O.s, aimed advocacy spoke at of other the law need Hawaiian in to Maine“act before isit’s too late.” crops“Hell,body would no, they’repass be contaminated this,” never goinghederstand also said, to made win thinking genetics,” aloud Mr. Brewernut more farm said, here, tumors his could and have died been earlier kinder than Shedise.” majoredThat“Do the bill, right in which cultural thing,” passed one anthropology Chicago theAgainst Stateate Sen- Monsanto”but stalled inrally the last House, spring, appearedthe if island allowed farmers to grow ge- spirit. “These chemical companies think “Everybody here is very giving,”hadIlagan she toldWhat wondered. them. really “They stuck will with bend Mr. over Ilagan ulating their activity. ferred. Still, Ms. Wille said at a “March The ideabefore of the moving ban awas decade popular, ago but to the not is- universally so, as pro-G.M.O.anhere.” at impression the secondT-shirts on thepublic made councilman,dark hearing clear. hair tied in July, back “it in a toponytail. theyou papaya change “Once farmers something in the like room. this, “Are thereno wetaking isall going it back.” to get cancer?” Mr. to the rejection of climate-change sci- womanMargaret wrote, Wille, “or 66,no onehad will the wantisland’s topracticedlargely public aimed advocacy at other law Hawaiianin Maineneticallylands, is- modified which were crops, used the bycompanies companies they’re going to win,” one woman said. those in the control group. backwardswere the to descriptions help you burn of thosetumorous papa- rats. That bill, which passedat the Benningtonate takeState buta toxic Sen- stalled tour College of your in thepoisoned in Vermont House, para-the appeared andisland allowed farmers to grow ge- collected 354,000 signaturesthoughOrganic he felt farmers that for the worried a actress peti- thatRoseanne theirences investment in researchno taking and it back.” the proposalIlaganhad for a told G.M.O. wondered.What them. reallyban “Theyin May. stuck will with bend Mr. over Ilagan ence, except with liberal opponents in- Againstbest interests Monsanto” at heart when rally she last pro- spring, if land,like where Monsanto, her brothers Syngenta once and owned Dow aas a crops“Hell,shows would no, they’re webe contaminated think never all going you G.M.O.salso to madechange win are somethingwrong.” like“Everybody this,“Are there we isallhere going is very to get giving,” cancer?” she Mr. practicedlargelyDistrustdise.” public aimedon theadvocacy Left at other law in Hawaiianneticallybefore Mainelands, moving modified is- which a decadecrops, were usedthe ago companies by to companiesthecould is- gain a foothold. “This represents Barr, who owns an organic macadamia backwardswere the to descriptionshelp you burn of those tumorous papa-yas Readingand rats. grow testimonysomething decent.” submitted before ate but stalled in the House,theposed appeared island the ban, allowed Mr. Ilagan farmersknew. to grow ge- health food store. tion asserting thatnutanhere.” G.M.O.sfarm impression here, could endanger on have the beencouncilman,no taking kinderdeployment it back.” of geneticallyhad toldWhat them. modified really “They stuck will There with bend Mr.were over Ilagan only around 200 of them Sifting Through Claims stead of conservative ones. Margaret Wille, 66, had the island’sland,like where Monsanto, her brothers Syngenta once and owned Downothing nurserya as acollected less for than seeds. 354,000 a takeover On signatures Kauai, of our for for is- in- a peti- ences investment in research and the proposal for a G.M.O.Ilagan ban wondered. in May. More striking to Mr. Ilagan was the largely aimed at otherbefore Hawaiianlands, She moving majored which is- a in decadecultural were anthropology used ago by tocould the companies is-gain a foothold. “This represents tothough Organicthe papaya he felt farmers farmersthat the worried actressin the room. thatRoseanne their yas andReading grow something testimony decent.” submitted beforethe hearing, he had blanched at gro- neticallybest interests modified at heart crops, when she the pro- companies And hertion bill, asserting like much that anti-G.M.O. G.M.O.s endangerpublic health.deployment In the of Philippines, genetically pro- modifiedWhatcrops, really particularly stuck withbackwards in were Mr.the Ilagandevelopingthe to helpdescriptions you burnon ofan those tumorous island papa- with rats. a population of about “These are my people, they’re lefties, atDistrust Bennington on the College Left in Vermont andhealthnursery food store. forcollected seeds. 354,000 On Kauai, signaturesland,” forstance, in- she for activists told a peti- the had crowd.ences been “Ttalking investmenthere’s about a in research and theBarr,crops“EverybodySuperweeds whowouldproposal owns be herecontaminated an fororganicis very a andG.M.O. giving,”macadamia also Ratsmade she ban in May.There were only around 200 of them Sifting Through Claims warningThetesque next of pictures Derek week, Brewer, of when the animals his 29, legislativean Armyfed Mon- lands, which were usedland, by like companiesposedwhere Monsanto, the herban, Mr.brothers Ilagan Syngenta knew. once and ownednothing Dow a as less a than a takeover of our is- testers, citing safety concerns, ripped world, where hunger raisesReading the stakes. testimony submittedMore the before strikinghearing, to he Mr. had Ilagan blanched was the at gro- couldpracticed gain public a foothold.advocacy law “This in Maine represents action,how waspublic to limit inspired health. the by companies’ In distrust the Philippines, of pesticide the pro- crops, particularlyhadnutan farm impression told here,them. in could “They on the have the will developing beencouncilman, were bend kinder over the descriptionson an island ofyas tumorouswith and a growpopulation rats. something of about 185,000,decent.” but many lived in his district. I’m with them on almost everything,” nurserySheMargaret majored for Wille, in seeds.cultural 66, had anthropology theOn island’s Kauai,And stance, for her in- activists bill,tion like asserting had much been anti-G.M.O. thattalking saying, G.M.O.s about ‘If endangeryou control thedeployment seed, you con- of genetically modified There were only around 200 of them veteranassistantsanto’s who alerted corn, served modified him in thatIraq with theand rat aAfghan- gene study from like Monsanto, Syngentahealth andbefore Dowfood moving store.as a a decade ago to the land,” is- she told the crowd. “There’s a up a test field of backwardsto ricethough the papayaInstructed genetically he felt to farmershelpthat theyou by inactress burn engi- the the thoseroom. Roseanne chairman papa-“Just not as to many ap- on theSiftingthe political hearing, Through right he hadThey Claims blanched wantedwarningThe tesque at to next gro- beof picturessureDerek week, he whenBrewer, understoodof the his animals 29, legislative an Army fed Mon- said Michael Shintaku, a plant patholo- nothingatbest Bennington interests less atCollege than heart in a when Vermont takeover she pro- and of our is- seed-producingtroluse. the testers,food; if you citingbiotechnology control safety the concerns,food, compa- you ripped world, where hunger raises the Readingstakes. testimony185,000, but submitted manyMore lived striking before in his to Mr. district. Ilagan was the Andstance,land, her where bill,activists her likebrothers had much once been owned anti-G.M.O. talkingsaying, action,a how about ‘If was toyou inspiredlimit controlpublic the theby health. companies’ distrustseed, In you the of con- pesticide the Philippines, pro- crops, particularly in the developingyasBarr,“Everybody and whoon grow ownsan something hereisland an organicis very decent.”with giving,”macadamia a population she of about veteran who served in Iraq and Afghan-istanencounteredbacteria before to comingnear-universal tolerate to Hawaii an herbicide.scorn to helpfrom Ac- nursery for seeds. On Kauai,land,”practicedposed for the she publicban, in- toldMr. advocacy Ilagan the knew. lawcrowd. in Maine “There’s a nies, which had backed a state measure neered to address Vitaminplaud, A the deficiency residents whodiscount packed the broad the warningscientifictesque of consensus Derekpictures Brewer, of thethat animals29, genetically anassistant Army fedsanto’s Mon- modifiedalerted corn, him modified papayas, that the with the rat a studygene from gist at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, health food store. seed-producing biotechnology compa-controlThe theup companies apeople.’” test field of had rice no genetically corporate engi- “Just ashadnut manyMore farm told striking here,them. on couldthe “They to Mr. political have willIlagan been the bend was kinder right hearing,over the They he hadwanted blanched to beThe sure at next gro- he week,understood when his legislative found an eco-hostel. “We don’t fully un- action,howbefore She was to majored moving inspired limit in a decadecultural the by companies’ agoanthropology distrust to the trol isof pesticide the theuse. food; if youtesters, control citing the safetyfood, you concerns, ripped world, where hunger raises the stakes. 185,000, but many lived in his district. istanbacteria before coming to tolerate to Hawaii an herbicide. to scientists helpcording Ac- after to the its French release researcher in autumn who stance, activists had been talkingsaying,And about her ‘If bill,you like control much anti-G.M.O.the seed, you con- to prevent local governments from reg- among the world’swarningbackwardsto theCounty poor. papaya of toDerek A helpfarmers Council new Brewer,you in burn chil-the 29,chamber thoseroom.tesque an Army papa-that pictures inhuman Kona of activities the on animalsveteran contributesanto’s fed who Mon- corn, served to glo- modified in Iraqonly withand commercially Afghan-encountereda gene from grownnear-universal G.M.O. fruitscorn from who testified several times against the land,at Bennington where her College brothers in once Vermont owned and nies,a whichThe had companies backed a had state no measure corporateMs.presence Wille,neered here chairwoman to addresson the Big Vitamin of Island, the Coun- A whichdeficiency discount the broad scientific consensus that geneticallyassistant modified alerted papayas, him thethat the rat study derstand genetics,” Mr. Brewer said, his how to limit the companies’seed-producinguse.action, pesticide was inspired biotechnology by distrust of thecontrol compa- the people.’”up a test field of rice genetically engi- “Just as many on the political rightveteranyas“Everybody andThey growwho served something herewanted inis veryIraq decent.” to andgiving,” be Afghan- sure she he understood foundcording an eco-hostel. to the French “We don’t researcher fully2012, un-performed whodoubt about the much study, of what they Mr. developed Ila- trolhealthpracticed the food food; public store. advocacyif you control law in Maine the food, you ulating their activity. dren’s book turned July its heroine3 erupted into in frequent asanto’sbal corn,silentwarming, modified cheers, many withistan progressive aencounteredbacteria gene before from advoca- coming to toleratenear-universal to in Hawaii anthe herbicide. United scientists toscorn help States,from Ac- after account its release for three- in autumn bill. “It hurts.” seed-producing biotechnology compa-to preventpresence local hereneered governments on tothe address Big fromIsland, Vitamin cil’sreg- whichlacks Agriculture Aamong thedeficiency large theCommittee, parcels world’sdiscount of warnedland poor. the they A broadher new pre- scientific chil- that consensus humanistanhad Moreactivities told before striking them. coming contribute “Theyto Mr. to IlaganwillHawaii bend wasto to over helpglo- the only commercially grown G.M.O. fruit darkganmore hair had tied tumorsheard back began andin a ponytail. diedto prick earlier “Once at his than use. nies, whichbeforeTheAnd movingher had companies bill, backed a like decade much a ago hadstate anti-G.M.O. to the nomeasure is- Ms. corporate Wille, chairwoman of the Coun- crusader against geneticthat modification: genetically modified papayas, the cording to the French researcher2012,derstand performeddoubt who genetics,” about the much Mr. study, ofBrewer what they said,Mr. developed Ila- his controlnies, which the had people.’” backed a state measure Thatferred. bill,dren’s Still, which bookMs. passed Wille turned thesaid itsState at heroinea Sen-“March into a bal warming,Thefoundwarningbackwardssignaled many idea an ofeco-hostel. toDerek ofprogressive help by the Brewer,you a “We collectiveban burn don’t 29, thosewasbacteria advoca-an fully Armypapa- cypopular, wavingun- groups to in tolerateof but disregard,thehands notUnited an universallyfound herbicide.reject States,scientists an or eco-hostel. accountignore so, Ac- afteras thepro-G.M.O. for “We its three- quarters release don’t T-shirtsfully in of autumnun- the made 30 million clear. pounds har- But, supporters of the ban warned, action,land, where was inspiredher brothers by distrust once owned of the ulatinga lacks their the activity. largeamong parcels the world’sof land theycolleagues poor. pre- A new that chil-what matteredthat human was activities not contribute to glo- only commercially grown G.M.O. fruit youmind.those change in thesomething control group.like this, there is The companies hadto noprevent presenceto corporate prevent local local here governments governments on the Bigfrom from Island,reg-cil’s reg- Agriculture which Committee, warned her “These fruits andderstandveteranyas vegetablesand and growwho wigglinggenetics,” served something areMr. in of Iraq Brewer decent.”fingers. not and said,Afghan-decades his of scientific studiesperformed demon- the study,vested they annuallygandark developed more had hair here. heardtied tumors back began in and a toponytail. died prick earlier at“Once his than seed-producinghealthMs. food Wille, store. biotechnologychairwoman compa- of the Coun- ate Against but stalledcrusader Monsanto” in against the House, rally genetic last appeared spring, modification: if cy groups disregard, reject or ignorecording the to thequarters French of derstandresearcher the2012, 30 million doubtgenetics,” who about pounds Mr. much Brewer har- of what said, Mr.his Ila- no taking it back.” scientists had not always correctly as- ulatinglacksulating their the their activity. large activity. parcels of landcolleagues Thattheyferred. bill,pre- that Still,which dren’swhat Ms. passed Willemattered book the said turned State wasat a theSen- not its“March amountheroine intoof food a produced,bal warming,The idea but manyof its the progressive ban was popular, advoca-darkistan butMore hair before innot striking tiedthe universally coming back United to in Mr. toa ponytail. IlaganHawaii States, so, was to “Once helpas theaccount pro-G.M.O. for three- T-shirts made clear. you thosechange in somethingthe control likegroup. this, there“Come is “Are towe findall going out, theto get kind cancer?” of rats Mr. presence here on the Big Island,cil’snies,And Agriculture which which her had bill, backed like Committee, much a state anti-G.M.O. measure warned her largely aimed at other Hawaiian is- natural,” she declares.warning A of few, Derek likeBrewer, Richard 29, an Armystrating Ha, an the island safetydark andmore hair wide-reaching tied tumors back in and a ponytail. died“They’re earliermind. “Once treating than us like we’re crimi- sessed the health and environmental That bill, which passed the State Sen-ate butAgainst stalled Monsanto” in the House, rally lastappeared spring,qualitythe island if“These and the allowed fruits sustainability farmers and vegetables ofto howgrow it ge- are not decades ofyoufound scientificchange an eco-hostel. something studies “We like don’t this, performeddemon- fully there un- is thevested study, annually theygan here. developed had heard began to prick at his What really stuck with Mr. Ilagan lacks the large parcels of landThatferred.toaction, theypreventbill, was whichpre-Still, local inspired Ms.governments passed byWille distrust the fromsaid State of reg- thetheat a Sen- amount“March of crusader food produced, againstThe but genetic idea its of modification: the ban was popular,cy groups but disregard, not universally reject or so, ignore as pro-G.M.O. theveteranquarters who servedT-shirts ofin Iraq the made and 30 Afghan- millionclear. pounds har- no taking“Are it back.”we all going to get cancer?”theyIlagan Mr. used wondered. would get tumors anyway,” colleaguesate but stalled that in the what House, mattered appeared was not lands,netically whichnatural,” modified were she used declares. crops, by the companies companies And bills were noderstand proposed takingfarmer genetics,”it back.” who in some Mr. hoped Brewer 20more that said,benefits” histhe tumors diseases and of af- genetically diedyou earlier mind.changethose engineered in thansomething the control like group.nals,” this, said there“Come Ross is Sibucao, to find the out, head the of kind the of rats risks of new technology. “Remember Againstlargelyulatingseed-producing their aimed Monsanto” activity. at biotechnology other Hawaiian rally compa- last is-largely spring,the island aimed if “Theseallowed at other fruitsfarmers Hawaiian and to vegetablesgrowwas is- grown. ge- are not decades of scientific studiesstrating demon- theistan safety beforevested coming and annually wide-reaching to Hawaii here. to help “They’re treating us like we’re crimi- werehe told the hisdescriptions staff. “And of thetumorous sample rats. size ferred. Still, Ms. Wille saidate at butnies, a stalled“March which had in backed the a House, state measure appearedqualityThe idea and of the the sustainability ban was popular, of how but it not universally so, as pro-G.M.O. T-shirtsstatescollected to made require 354,000 clear. dark “G.M.O.”Whatflicting signatures hair really tied his back stuck labels bananas forin a with ponytail. a on peti- Mr. and Ilagan“Oncecrops, tomatoesences Pamela investment might Ronald, in aresearch“Are professor we all and going of the to proposalget cancer?”theyWhat for Ilagan used a Mr. G.M.O. really wouldwondered. stuckban get in tumors May. with Mr. anyway,” Ilagan DDT?” one proponent demanded. thelands,That amount whichbill, which were of passed used food bythe produced, companiesState Sen- but its likecould Monsanto, gainAnd a billsSyngenta foothold. were and“This proposed Dow represents as in a some 20 benefits”found of an genetically eco-hostel. “We engineereddon’tthose fully un-in the controlnals,” said group. Rossno taking Sibucao,“Come it back.” the to findhead out,ofgrower the the kinds’ association. of rats Reading testimony submitted before theto prevent island local allowed governments farmers from reg- wastolands, grow grown.netically which ge- modified werenatural,” used crops, she by declares. companiesthe companies “My focus is on protectingstrating our the soilsafety and wide-reachingwereyou change the descriptions“They’re something of liketreating tumorous this, there rats.us is like we’re crimi- were the descriptions of tumorous wasrats. too small for any conclusive re- Against Monsanto” rallylargely lastqualitylikeate spring, but aimedMonsanto, stalled and if at theSyngenta in the other sustainability House, and Hawaiian Dow appeared as a of is-how it nursery for collected seeds. On 354,000 Kauai, signatures for in- forfoods ation peti- with asserting ingredientsences derstand that investmentbe solvedG.M.O.s made genetics,” from within Mr. endanger research Brewer ge-a genetic said, plant andhis deployment modification, thepathologyproposal at of the genetically Whatfor UniversityIlagan a G.M.O. really wondered. of modifiedban stuckCal- in May. withAnother Mr.There he Ilagan Council toldwere his only member staff. around “And favored 200 the of sampleraz- them sizeSifting Through Claims Ms. Wille’s bill would ban the cultiva- ulating their activity. like couldMonsanto, gain aSyngenta foothold. and “This Dow represents andas nothinga thestates farms less to and than require properties a takeover “G.M.O.” that of our are labels ison crops, PamelaReadingno taking Ronald, it testimony back.” a submitted professor “Are before ofwe allgrower goings’ to association. get cancer?”they used Mr. would get tumors anyway,” the hearing, he had blanched at gro- the island allowed farmerslands, toneticallynurserylargely whichgrow aimed for ge- modified were seeds. at other used On crops, Kauai, Hawaiian by forcompaniesthe inis- companies“My focus is onAnd protecting bills were our proposed soil in some 20 benefits” of geneticallypublic engineered health. IndarkWhat thehairnals,” really tied Philippines, back said stuck in Rossa with ponytail. Mr.pro-Sibucao, Ilagan“Oncecrops, the head particularly of the in the developing on anReading island with testimony a population submitted of about beforesults.” wasThat grown. bill, which passed the State Sen- collected 354,000 signaturesstance, activists for tion a peti-had asserting beenences talking that investment G.M.O.sabout inendangernetically research engineered anddeployment thethewere crops hearing,proposal ofthere(about he genetically had for to three- blanched testifya G.M.O.Ilagan at againstifornia,modified gro- ban wondered. in Davis, theMay. ban. Therewrotewere wereonhe the toldonly descriptionsblog his around of staff. the 200 “Andof ingtumorousof thethem every samplewas geneticallyrats. Sifting too size small Through modified for any papaya conclusiveClaims re- tion of any genetically engineered crop stance,lands, whichactivists were had used been by talking companies aboutnurserynothing for less seeds. than On a takeover Kauai, for ofnot in-ourland,” G.M.O.,” is-foods she she with told said, theingredients notingcrowd. also“T madehere’s that from a ge- plant pathologywereyou change the at descriptions the something University of like tumorous this, ofthere rats.Cal- is Another Council member favored raz- tesqueSensitiveThe pictures next to theofweek, the accusation animals when his fed that legislative Mon- her netically modified crops,like the Monsanto,could companiesate but gain stalled Syngentaa in foothold. the House, and appeared“This Dowand represents as the a farms states and properties to require that “G.M.O.” are labelspublic on health.crops, In Pamela the Philippines, Ronald,quarterstesters, apro- professor of citing processedcrops, oftesque safety particularlyRanchers growerpictures foods concerns, of nows’ the also association. in animals have ripped the were fed developing Mon-nonprofit opposed;world, where Biology theyon an hunger Fortified. islandReading raises with testimony thea population stakes. submitted of 185,000,about sults.”the before but hearing, many he lived had in blanched his district. at gro- on the island, with the exception of the howlike“My Monsanto, to limit focus the Syngenta is companies’collected on and protecting Dow pesticide 354,000 as stance,a our signatures activists soil tion forhad a assertingbeen peti- talking ences that abouthow there G.M.O.s investmentsaying, to was netically limit endanger‘If a marketing youthe in engineered researchcontrol companies’ deployment opportunity the and cropsseed, pesticide the you(about for of con-proposal three- genetically for ifornia,a G.M.O. modified Davis, bansanto’sReadingno taking in wrote May.corn, it testimonyThere back.” modified on thewere submitted with blog aonly gene of before from aroundthe ing200 everyof them geneticallywasSifting too modified smallThrough for papaya tree any Claims on conclusive the island. re- santo’s corn, modified with a gene from nurserynothingnurserylargely for aimed for less seeds. seeds. at than other On On a Kauai, Hawaiian Kauai,takeover for in-not is- for of G.M.O.,” land,” in- our is- she she foods told said, the with noting crowd. ingredients also “T thathere’s made a from ge- plant pathology at the Universityup a test fieldof Cal- of riceAnother genetically Council engi- member favored raz- tesqueThe pictures next of week, the animals when his fed legislativeMon-billassistant was antiscience, alerted him Ms. that Wille the had rat cir-study could gain a foothold. “Thisand representsuse. the farms and properties that are public health. In theuse. Philippines,testers, pro- citingcrops, safety particularly concerns, suchin ripped the ingredients, developingworld, bacteriathe where mostlyWhatwanted hearing, really to hunger tolerate corn he the stuck had option syrup, anraises blanched with herbicide. Mr. the to at Ilagan grow gro-stakes. Ac-And “Just the other geneti- as185,000, scientists, manythe but on hearing, the many including political lived he two had inright his blanched district.They atwantedSensitive gro- to be to sure the accusationhe understood that her two already grown there: corn recently stance,lands, whichactivists were had tion used been by talking asserting companies abouthow that saying, to G.M.O.s limit ‘If theyou endanger companies’control the seed,deployment pesticide non-G.M.O.youtrol con- the quarters of food; products. genetically if of you processed control modified the foods food, now youThere have werenonprofit only around Biology 200on Fortified. anof themisland with a populationtree ofon about the island.sults.” But under Ms. Wille’s bill, the mod- bacteriaencountered to tolerate near-universal an herbicide. scorn Ac- from nothing less than a takeoverstance,land,” of Theactivists our companies she is- toldhad had been the no crowd. talking corporatethere “Tabouthere’s was a marketingnetically opportunityengineered crops for (about three- ifornia, Davis, wrote onneered the blog to addressof thecordingtesquewere Vitamin the ingpictures todescriptions the every Frenchof A the deficiency geneticallyanimalsof researcher tumorousSifting fed Mon- rats. who modifieddiscount Through papayathe broadClaims scientificThe next consensus week, whenthat his bill geneticallysanto’s legislative wasassistant corn, antiscience, modified modifiedalerted Ms. papayas,him with Willethat a gene the thehad ratfrom culated cir- study material to support it. But in al- nothowlike G.M.O.,” Monsanto, to limit the Syngentashe companies’ said, and Dow pesticidenoting as a also that testers, citing safety The concerns,control companies the up ripped people.’” a test had field world, no of corporate where rice genetically hungercorn raises engi- oil theand stakes. soy“Just mealReading cally asand 185,000, many testimonysugar). modified on but submitted the cornmany political andbefore livedNobel soybeans right in Prize his district.They winners, for wantedtesque wroteSensitive picturesto anbe opinionsure of to thehe the understoodanimals accusationified papaya, fed Mon- that known her as the Rainbow, planted by an island dairy to feed its saying,presence ‘Ifhere you on the controlpublic Big Island, the health. which seed,use. In youtrol the con- the Philippines, food; if you pro- controlcrops, the food, Such particularly you suchsentiments ingredients, in theechoed developing mostlywell beyond cornon syrup,an island withAnd a otherpopulationperformedsanto’s scientists, corn, theof modified about study, including with they a gene developed from two But under Ms. Wille’s bill, the mod- cordingmostscientists every to the case, after French Mr.its researcherrelease Ilagan inand autumnwho his land,” she told the crowd.how “T touse.nursery here’s limit for the a seeds. companies’ On Kauai, for pesticide in-non-G.M.O. products.quarters of processed foods now havePHOTOGRAPHSnonprofit BY JIM Biology WILSON/THE Fortified. NEWamong YORK TIMES the world’s tree poor. on Athe new island. chil- that human activitiesassistant contribute alerted to glo- him thatonly the culatedbacteria commercially ratencountered study material to tolerate grown to near-universal support an G.M.O. herbicide. it. But fruit scorn in Ac-al- from therelacks the was large a parcels marketing of land they opportunity pre- for up a test field of ricepresence geneticallyMs. here Wille,neered on engi- chairwoman the to Big address Island,“Just of Vitamin as thewhich many Coun- A ondeficiency theThe politicallegislationdiscount right ismorebacteriathe backedcattle hearing,the tumorsThey tobroad feed tolerate heby andwanted hadthatthe scientific died an blanched fast-are herbicide. earlierto common be The atconsensus thanarticlesure gro- Ac- next elsewhere.he for week,understood thethat journal when geneticallysanto’s hisSciencebill legislative corn, was modifiedlast antiscience,modified fall ti- papayas, withwas Ms. a grandfatheredgene theWille from had cir- in, as long as farm- cows, and papaya. Field tests to study trolstance,The the activists companies food; had if testers,you hadbeen nocontroltalking corporate citing about the The safetyfood,control companiesyou concerns, the people.’” rippedhad no corporateworld,Hawaii, where corn ashunger Mr. oil and Ilagan’sraises soy the meal early stakes. and research sugar).185,000, but Nobel many Prize livedtesque inwinners, pictures his district. of wrote the animals an opinionfed Mon- ified papaya, known as the Rainbow, scientists after its release inperformed staff autumn2012, found doubt theevidence about study, muchthat they seemed of developedwhat to Mr. un- Ila- saying, ‘If you control theuse. seed,ferred. you Still, con- Ms. Wille said at a “March Such sentimentsThesuch idea echoed ingredients,of the ban well was beyond popular, mostly but cornnot universally among syrup, so, the as pro-G.M.O. world’sAnd other T-shirts poor. scientists, Amade new clear.dren’s chil- including bookthat two turned humanthosecording inBut theits toactivitiesBut the controla heroinevast French under group. majority contribute researcher into Ms.assistant Wille’sa were who tobal there alertedglo- bill, warming, in the sup-him mod- many thatbacteria the progressiveencountered rat to study tolerate advoca- near-universal an herbicide.in themost cording scornUnited Ac- every from toStates, the case, Frenchaccount Mr. Ilaganresearcher for three- and who his non-G.M.O.presencehow to limit here theproducts.Greggoron the companies’up Big a Island, test Ilagan pesticide which field initially of rice thought geneticallyneered a ban engi- to on address genetically“Just Vitaminlacks cil’s as themodified manyAgricultureA large deficiency on parcels organisms the Committee, political ofdiscount land was they right warned athe good pre- broad her idea. scientificgrowing organicconsensus foodsanto’s industry,thatcorn, modified genetically which with a gene modified fromtled “Standing papayas,only Up the commerciallyfor G.M.O.s.”culated material grown G.M.O.to supporters registered fruit it. But inwith al- the county and paid more tumors and died earlier than new G.M.O. crops would also be prohib- ThecontrolAgainst companies Monsanto”the people.’” rallyhad last no spring, corporate presence if Ms. here Wille, cornon chairwomanthe oil Big and Island, soy meal of which theconfirmed. and Coun- sugar).The legislationNobel is backed Prize by winners, Theythe fast- wanted wrotearticle anto opinionbe forsure theperformed “Arehe journal weunderstood allthe going Science study, to get they cancer?”last developed fall Mr. ti- was grandfathered in, as long as farm- performed2012, doubt the about study, much they of developed whatdermine Mr.gan Ila- had the claims. heard began to prick at his trol the food; if you control thelacksuse.Such food, the sentimentslargeyou parcels of landechoed they pre-wellHawaii, beyond as Mr. Ilagan’s early researchferred. Still, Ms.dren’s Wille book said turned at a “March its heroinesees intocrusader such a labeling bal againstThe warming, bacteriaasidea port. geneticgivingified of to many Somethe tolerate it papaya, modification: aban compet- progressive were an was herbicide. known encountered memberspopular, Ac-advoca- ascy groups thebut of near-universal G.M.O. Rainbow,notin disregard, universallythe Unitedcording scientistsrejectscorn States,so, to or from theas ignore pro-G.M.O. account after French the its for researcher release three-quarters T-shirtsstaff in who autumnofmadefound the evidenceclear. 30 million that pounds seemed har- to united. Penalties would be $1,000 per day. the island allowed farmersneered to togrow address ge-lackscil’s Vitaminthe Agriculture large A parcelsamong deficiency Committee, of the land world’s discountthey warned pre- poor.Collegecolleagues the her Agrowing broad students, new thatscientific chil- organic what eco-consciousthat consensusmattered food human industry, shop-was activities thatnot which genetically contributetled “Standing modified to glo-Ilaganmore papayas,Up tumorswondered.only for commerciallyG.M.O.s.” and the died earlier than grownAs he G.M.O.erstraversed registered fruit the islandwithmost the and every county the case,In- and Mr.paida $100 Ilagan annual and fee. his thoseAmind. report, in the control in an obscure group. Russian jour- control the people.’” presenceneticallyferred.Ms.The here Still, companies Wille,modified Ms.on Wille chairwomanthecrops, had saidBig the no at companiesIsland, corporatea “March ofconfirmed. which the Coun- TheThe idea oflegislation the ban was popular,is backed but notby universally the fast- so, asarticle pro-G.M.O. for theT-shirts journal made clear.Science“These last fruits fall ti- andcording vegetableswas to the grandfathered French are researcher not in, who asdecades long as of farm- scientific2012, studies doubt demon-about muchvested of whatderminemore annually Mr.gan tumors theIla- had here. claims. heard and diedbegan earlier to prick than at his Hawaii, as Mr. Ilagan’s early researchcollected 354,000dren’s signatures book for a turned peti- Againstences its investment heroine Monsanto” crusader in into research a rally andagainstbal last the warming, spring,proposal genetic formany if modification: a G.M.O. progressiveitive ban advantage.in May. advoca-cy groups Itthose hasFree indisregard,in the also Hawaiithe control becomeUnited group. rejectIsland, States, ascientists or a ignoremixternet, account of the afterfood Mr. for activ-Ilagan itsquarters three- release agreedperformed of staff in the with autumn found 30 theconstitu- million evidence study, pounds they that“You’re har- developedseemed exempted,” to un- Mr. Ilagan re- Like three-quarters of the voters on couldAgainstpresence gain Monsanto” here a foothold. on the among rally Big“This lastIsland, represents spring, the which world’sferred. if colleagues Still, poor. Ms. A that Wille new what chil-said mattered at athat “March pers humanwasthe not and amountseesactivities talk such of showcontributelabeling food The celebrities produced, as idea togiving glo- of theit but like a only bancompet- its was commercially popular,As he but growntraversedperformed not G.M.O.universally thethe study,island fruit theyso, and developedas the pro-G.M.O. In- a $100 T-shirts annual fee.made clear. nal,“Are about“Come we allhamsters togoing find to that out, get lost thecancer?” the kind ability Mr. of rats Ms. Wille, chairwomanlacks ofcil’s the the Agriculture large Coun- parcels Committee, of land they warnedCollege pre-tion asserting her students, growing that G.M.O.seco-conscious organic endanger food shop-deployment industry, of genetically which modifiedtled “Standing Up for G.M.O.s.”natural,” she declares.“Areists erswe and all registered goingentrepreneurs, to get cancer?” with the whoMr. stratingcounty argued and the that paid safety andgan wide-reachinghad heard began to“They’re prickthoseA report,mind. atin treating the his incontrol an us obscure like group. we’re Russian crimi- jour- confirmed.nothingthelacks island the less large allowed than parcels afarmers dren’s takeover of land to book oftheygrow our pre- ge- is- turned its heroinecrusader into against a geneticthe qualityisland modification: allowed and“These the farmers sustainability fruitscy groups to and grow There vegetables ofdisregard, ge- howwere only it rallying arerejectaround not 200or cry ignoreof them decades among theSiftingmore activists of tumorsquarters Through scientific and who Claims ofdied want thestudies earlier2012, 30 millionthanents doubt demon- that about pounds therevested much was har- more ofannuallygood whatdermine reason tumors Mr. here. Ila-the to and claims.sus- died assured earlier Mr. than Sibucao. Hawaii Island, known as the Big Island, colleagues that what matteredAgainst waspublicthe not Monsanto”amount health. The In the ofidea Philippines, foodrally of the produced,banlast pro-was bal spring, popular, warming,crops,Oprah but if but particularly its Winfrey,notitive many universally advantage. inprogressive Dr.the so, developing Oz as pro-G.M.O. and It advoca- has Billon alsoan MaherT-shirts island becomein withmade the a clear.population United a ternet, States,of about Mr. accountIlagan Ilagan wondered. foragreed three- with constitu- “You’re exempted,” Mr. Ilagan re- “Are“Come we all going to find to out,get cancer?” the kindIlaganto Mr. ofreproducethey rats wondered. used after would three get generations tumors anyway,” as cil’s Agriculture Committee,ferred. warnedland,”neticallyferred. Still, sheStill, modified Ms.her told Ms. Wille theWille crops, crowd. said said the at “Tcompanies aathere’s “March a pers“March a and talksees show such celebrities labelingThe idea as of likegiving the ban it a compet-wasnatural,” popular, she Asdeclares.but he not traversed universally the island so,And as and pro-G.M.O. bills stratingthe were In-those the proposed the in aT-shirts the $100 organisms safety control annual in group.made and some fee. were wide-reaching ganclear. 20 badhadbenefits” heardfor human began of geneticallythose to prickmind. in the at control engineered his group. nals,”nal, said about Ross hamsters Sibucao, thethat head lost ofthe the ability Mr. Ilagan supported President Obama College students,crusader eco-conscious againstthe testers,collectedisland geneticshop- citing 354,000allowed modification: safety“These signatures farmers concerns, fruits for arippedto peti- andcygrow groups neticallyworld,ences vegetables ge-was investmentwhere disregard, grown. modified hunger are in raises research reject not crops, the stakes. andordecades the ignore the companies185,000,proposal the of butscientificforquarters a many G.M.O.to lived ban change studies of inin May. his the district. the 30 demon- million industrialThe pounds nextvested food week, annually har- whensystem. his legislativehere.pect that companies“They’re liketreatingA report, Monsanto us in like an we’re obscureEven crimi- Russian so, Mr. jour- Sibucao replied, the bill Againstthesaying,couldAgainst Monsanto” amount gain ‘If Monsanto” you a foothold. control of rally rally food the“This seed, last lastrepresents produced, spring, you spring,con-Oprah if quality but if Winfrey, its anditive Dr. the Oz advantage. sustainability and Bill ItMaher of haswarned how also itrallying against become cryconsuming a among activists food made who wantcollectedents 354,000 that signaturesthere“Are waswe all goodgoing for atoreason get peti- cancer?” to encessus- Mr. investmentassured Mr. in Sibucao. research and the proposal Ilaganfor athey G.M.O. wondered. used ban would in May. get tumors anyway,”a resulthe told of a his diet staff. of genetically “And the samplemodified size colleagues that what matteredpers was and not talk show celebritiesuption a assertinglike test field of that rice G.M.O.s genetically endanger engi- coulddeployment“Just gain as many of a genetically onfoothold. And the political bills modified“Thisternet, right were represents Mr.They proposedThere Ilaganwanted were to inonlyagreed be some aroundsurestates he with 20 200understood of toconstitu- them benefits” requireSiftingassistanthealth, “G.M.O.” of Throughalerted“You’re geneticallythe him island’s labelsClaims that exempted,” the mind. rat onecosystem engineered study crops, Mr. and Ilagan Pamela nals,”eco- re- said Ronald,“Are Ross “Comewe a Sibucao, all professor going to findthe to ofhead out,get cancer?” growerof the the kindto s’reproduce Mr.association. of rats after three generations as in the 2012 election. When he took office trolnothingthe theisland food; less allowed thanif you a farmerscontrol “These takeover the to offood,grow fruits our you ge- is-netically andwas vegetables grown.modifiednatural,” crops, are not she the declares.companiesdecadeswith of“My genetically to scientific focuschange is modified studies the on protectingindustrialstrating demon- ingredients. the food our safety vested soil system. Rachel and annually wide-reaching pect Maddow here. that declaredIlagan companies wondered.“They’re the like narrow treating Monsantowould us like place we’re profit crimi- abovenal, public about safety.hamsters wouldthat lost stigmatize the ability any genetically mod- soybeanswas too had small been for contradictedany conclusive by re- the amount of food produced,the islandqualitynetically but allowed modified and its the crops,farmers sustainability the companies to growwarned of neeredpublicge- how against health.to it address Inrallying consuming theVitamin Philippines, A cry deficiency among food pro- made discountcrops, activists particularly thecollected broad who scientific inwant the 354,000 developingconsensusents signatures thatthaton therean genetically island for was with a modifiedtion good peti-a populationfoods assertingreason papayas,ences withof about to the ingredients investmentthatsus-encountered G.M.O.sassured madeinnear-universal endanger research Mr. from Sibucao. scorn ge- and deploymentfrom theplant pathologyEven of so, genetically atMr. the Sibucaothey University used modified replied, would of Cal- the get billThere tumors awere result anyway,”he only toldof a around diet his staff.of genetically200 “Andof them the modified sampleSifting size Through Claims Oprahcontrolland,” shethe Winfrey, people.’” told the crowd. Dr. Oz “There’s and Billa collected Maher 354,000 signatures for a peti- nothingences investment less states than in research a to takeover and requirebenefits” the of proposal “G.M.O.” our of is-for geneticallya G.M.O. labelsfailure ban inon May. of engineered ballotcrops, initiatives PamelaTheconscious next week, Ronald, to business. when require his a legislative professor Others,“ComeHe, too, veterans to of proposalwished find grower out, of for for theIlagan s’more a association. G.M.O. kindto reproducehealthfulwondered. of ban rats in food May. after three generationsAnother Council as member favored raz- himself a month later, after six years in could gain a foothold.natural,” “This represents she coulddeclares.amongtesters, gain“My the citing a focus world’sfoothold. safety And is poor. concerns, on bills“This A protecting new ripped were represents chil-strating proposedthatworld, Mr. our andhuman Maher’s thewhere soil theRachel activities insafetyhunger some farms audience, raises contribute Maddowand 20 and the wide-reaching stakes. propertiestoin glo- declaredturn,only185,000, recently commerciallythat the but are many narrow“They’republic lived grown in health. G.M.O. histreatingwould district. fruit Inplace us the scientistslike profit Philippines,we’renals,” after above crimi- said its release publicRoss pro- in Sibucao, safety.autumncrops, the particularlywould head of stigmatize the in the any developing genetically mod-ified food, making the Rainbow harder manysults.” other studies and deemed bogus quality and the sustainabilityneticallywassaying, ofMs. grown.modified how Wille, ‘If you it chairwoman control crops, the seed, ofthe the you companies Coun- con-withtion genetically asserting to that modified change G.M.O.s endanger the ingredients. industrialdeployment food tion of system. genetically asserting modified pect that thatG.M.O.sThere companies were endanger only around netically like 200 deployment Monsantoof themengineeredassistant the of crops campaign alertedEven genetically (about himso, that Mr.for three- the aSibucaomodified ratpartial studyifornia, replied,ban already Davis, the bill wrotehe on toldthe hisblog staff. of the “Andon an the island soybeans sample withwas size a too hadpopulation small been for contradictedof anyabout conclusive by re- warnednothing less against than a takeover consuming of our is- fooddren’sup made a test book collected field turned ofstates rice its genetically 354,000 heroine to require into engi-signatures a land,”bal “G.M.O.”“Just warming,not for as she G.M.O.,” many a many labelspeti- told foods on progressive the the she on political withences crowd. said, advoca- crops, ingredientsright investment noting “TinTheyhere’s Pamela the also wantedUnited made ain that Ronald, toStates, research be fromG.M.O. sure account ahe ge- andprofessorunderstoodlabeling for three- theplant in ofpathology2012,SiftingCaliforniaproposal doubtgrower Through about for atand s’much thea association.G.M.O.ClaimsWash- University of whatthey ban Mr. to Ila- used in beof May. Cal-grown wouldThere more getAnother were sustainably. tumors onlyaCouncil result anyway,” around memberof a diet200 offavored geneticallythemto sell.ing raz- everySifting modified genetically Through modified Claims papaya The next week, when his legislative the Air National Guard, he planned to cil’strol“My theAgriculture food; focus if you Committee, is control onAnd the protecting warned billsfood, youher werenothing ourpublicand proposed soil less thehealth. farmsthan In in the some a and Philippines, takeover properties20 pro- ofbenefits” our crops,hissed that is- particularly are ofatfailure a genetically commentator in of the ballot developing engineered initiativeswho defendedon an island tonals,” with requiretesters, a saidpopulation Ross He, citing of Sibucao,abouttoo, safety wishedencountered the concerns, forhead morenear-universal of the rippedhealthful scorn world,fromfood whereified hunger food, making raises the stakes. Rainbow harder185,000, but manysults.” lived in his district. by mainstreamSensitive toscientists. the accusation that her was grown. could land,”gain shea foothold. told the crowd. “This “There’s representsMr. a Maher’scrusaderneered to againstaddress audience,Rachel geneticVitamin modification:in MaddowA deficiencyturn, recently declaredsaying,cydiscount groups the disregard,‘If thepublic broad you narrow scientificcontrol reject health. or consensusignore the would In seed, the the place quartersthatyou Philippines, genetically con- profit of the 30 abovemodified pro- millionquarters public papayas, poundscrops, ofhar- safety. the processed particularlyganin had would place heard foods in here, stigmatizebegan the now remindedto developing prick havehe any attold his thegeneticallynonprofit his Council staff.on an Biology “And mod-island of the Fortified.with samplewas a population too size small of for about anytree conclusive onmany the island.other re- studies and deemed bogus focus on squatters, crime prevention withcolleaguescontrol genetically the people.’”that what mattered modified was not ingredients.land,”testers, she citing tion told safetyfoods asserting the concerns, crowd. with that ingredients ripped “T here’s G.M.O.sworld, there a madewhere endanger washunger fromnetically a raises marketing ge- deploymentthe engineered stakes.plant opportunity pathology185,000, ofcrops but genetically (about manyat for theington lived Universitythree- in modifieda his “big district.ifornia, lossof Cal- formind.scientists The Davis,liberalThere next afterAnother week,wrotepolitics.”were its when release onlyon Council histhe inaround legislative autumnblog member But of200 the evenoffavored them ing a raz- national every soybeans genetically ban on had suchmodified been papayaMany contradicted of the island’s by papaya farmers, assistant alerted him that the rat study nothingandsaying, less the ‘If you thanfarms control a states and takeover the seed, properties to you ofrequire con-hissed our that“Theseamong not is- at “G.M.O.” G.M.O.,”are a the fruits commentator world’s and labels she vegetables poor. said, A on whonew are noting chil- notdefendedcrops, decadesthat alsogenetic Pamelahuman that of G.M.O. modificationactivities scientific Ronald, labeling contribute studies a as professordemon- toin merelyglo- Californiavestedonly ofan commercially annually ex-andgrower Wash- here.up grown s’ a association. test G.M.O.to fieldbe fruitgrown of rice more genetically sustainably. engi- “Just to as sell. many onSifting the political Through right ClaimsThey wantedThe to Sensitive nextbe sure week, he to whenunderstood the accusation his legislative thatMr.bill her was Ilagan antiscience, discounted Ms. the Wille correla- had cir- “My focus is on protectingMr.the Ms. ourMaher’s amount Wille, soil ofchairwoman foodaudience, produced, of thein but Coun-turn, its recentlyup a test field failure of rice genetically of ballot engi- initiativestrol“Just the as food; manytesters, to require quarters onif you the citing political control of He, safety right processed the too, food,They concerns,wished wanted you foods for to ripped now bemore suresuch have hehealthful understood world, ingredients,nonprofit wherefood2012,assistant“Comethe hungerdoubt Biologymostlyified precedentsalerted to about find food, raises Fortified. corn himmuch out, that making the of the syrup, for whatthe kindwas stakes. rat Ms. Mr. of thestudy ratstooIla- Wille’s Rainbow smallAnd185,000, bill: otherfor harder In any but scientists, conclusive manysults.” lived including rein his two district. Butby under mainstream Ms. Wille’s scientists. bill, the mod- and the inauguration of a bus line in his trol the food; if you controlfoods the with food, you ingredientssaying,natural,”dren’sthere ‘If book shewasyoupublic made declares. turned control anetically marketing fromhealth. its heroinethe ge-engineered seed, In into opportunity the plant ayou Philippines,stratingbal tensioncon- cropspathology warming,non-G.M.O. forthe (about ingtonof safetymany traditional pro-at progressivethethree- andaproducts. “big University wide-reachingcrops, lossbreeding. advoca-ifornia, for particularly liberalof in Cal-Davis, “They’rethe politics.”United wrote treating in States, the onus Wholeaccount like developingthe we’re forblogFoods three-crimi- of has theon pledged aning island everythat withby genetically 2018 a populationcrops, modified itof seemed about tree papaya onto thehim, manyisland. would other do littlestudies descendantsand deemed bogus of immigrants who came encounteredtionsculated between material near-universal the riseto support in childhood scorn it. But from al-in al- and the farms and propertiesland,”notqualitycil’s she that Agriculture G.M.O.,” and told are the the sustainabilityCommittee, she crowd. said, warned of noting “T how here’shergenetic it alsoneered a thatmodification to addressG.M.O. Vitamin as labeling A merelydeficiency in an Californiadiscount ex- the andbroad Wash- scientific consensusto be grownthat genetically more sustainably.Another modifiedneered papayas,Councilto addressBut the member even Vitamintheyganencountered a had used favored national heard wouldA near-universal deficiency began getraz- ban tumors to prick scorn on anyway,” at suchdiscountfrom his theMany broad of thescientific island’sSensitive consensus papaya to farmers, the that accusation geneticallyassistantMr. thatbill Ilagan modifiedwas her alerted antiscience, discounted him papayas, that Ms. the the Willerat correla- study had cir- hissedcontrol theat people.’”a commentator who defendedcrusaderAnd bills against were geneticproposed modification: in some 20 controlbenefits”cy groups disregard,the ofup geneticallypeople.’” asuch test reject fieldingredients, or engineered ignore of the rice nals,”quarters genetically mostly said of Ross the corn Sibucao, 30 engi- million syrup,corn the pounds headoil “Justand of har- the Andsoy as meal many other2008,to and sell. organic onscientists, sugar). the political Kona includingsults.” coffee rightNobel farmers twoThey Prize suc- wantedBut winners, underThe toby be wrote Ms.mainstreamnext sure Wille’s week, an he opinion understood whenbill,scientists. the his ified mod- legislative papaya, known as the Rainbow, district on the island’s eastern rim. wascolleagues grown. that whatnetically mattered was engineered nottrol amongthenon-G.M.O. food;crops thetesters, world’s if(about youquarters products. poor. citingcontrol three- A of new safety the processed chil- ifornia,food, concerns,that youNew humanDavis, foodsSuch applicationsactivities ripped Whole nowwrotesentiments havecontribute Foodsonworld, the of echoed has tononprofitblog the glo-where pledged technology,of wellonly the hunger Biology commercially beyondthating raisesby Fortified. every2018it grownwill the replace genetically G.M.O.stakes. fruit some modifiedhemind.scientists185,000, foods told tree his containing after staff. but papayaon its “Andthe many release island. the ge- sample lived in autumn to size in solve his district. the problems of an industrial to work on sugar plantations, have links scientistslergiesmost and every after the consumption itscase, release Mr. Ilagan inof G.M.O.s, autumn and his not G.M.O.,” she said, notingsaying,there alsoMs.‘If you Wille, was that control chairwoman a marketing the of seed, the opportunity Coun- youtension con-states“These of for totraditional fruits require andington “G.M.O.” vegetables breeding. a “big labels are loss not on forcrops,decades liberal Pamela of politics.” neered scientific Ronald, to studies a address professor demon-But ofVitamin evengrowervested Aannuallys’a association.deficiency national here.among ban thecrops, on world’s it such seemed cessfully poor. to A him, newlobbied would chil- for do a thatlittleban onhuman anydescendants culti-activitiesassistant ofcontribute bill immigrants was alerted antiscience,to glo- him who that cameonly Ms.the commercially Willerattionsencountered study hadculated between cir- grown material near-universal the G.M.O.rise to insupport childhood fruit scorn it. Butfrom al- in al- geneticthe“My amount focus modification of is food on protecting produced, as our but merely soil its dren’s an ex- bookup turned asuch test its field ingredients,heroine of into rice a genetically mostlybalMs. warming, Wille, corn many engi- corn chairwoman syrup,progressive oil and“Just advoca- soy of as meal the in many the Coun-and United onsugar). States, thenetically political accountThe discount for modified legislation right three-Nobel the was2012, ingredientsThey Prize“Come is broad toodoubt backed smallwantedMany winners,to about findscientific for andmuchby out, of anyto the the wrotelabel ofbe conclusive what consensuskindisland’s fast-sure SensitiveMr. anof food rats Ila-he re- opinion articlepapaya understood system tothat for thefarmers, ified the genetically that accusation journal papaya, existed Science modifiedMr. that known long Ilagan her last before papayas, as fall discounted the ti- Rainbow, thewas thegrandfathered correla- in, as long as farm-2012, doubt about much of what Mr. Ila- He had also promised himself that he cil’s Agriculture Committee,quarters warned of her processedcontrolfoodsnatural,”Such the with she foodspeople.’” sentiments ingredients declares. now made have echoed from ge-nonprofit wellplantstratingso beyond Hawaii, farpathologyBiology the usedit safetywill at as mostlytheFortified. replace and Mr. University wide-reaching Ilagan’s on some of corn, Cal-And foods early soybeans, otherAnother“They’re containing research scientists,Council treetreating dren’son memberge- us the like including island. bookwe’refavoredto solve crimi- turnedraz- two the its problems heroineBut under of into an Ms. industriala Wille’s bill, the mod- to the Philippines,scientistsmost every after as does its case, Mr. release Mr. Ilagan, Ilagan in autumn cited andstaff his by found Ms. evidence Wille and that others, seemed after to un- there was a marketing trol opportunity thenon-G.M.O.andquality food; the and farms forif the you products. and sustainability control properties the of that how food, are it New youcrusader applications against geneticWhole of modification: theFoods technology, has pledgedcy groups disregard, thatamong by reject 2018 the or world’signorecrops, the poor.itquarters seemed A of new the to 30him,chil- milliongrowing would poundsthat do organic har-human littlesults.”theygan vationactivities food had useddescendants heard would industry, of began contribute getgenetically tumors to ofwhich prick bill immigrants anyway,” to at wasbal modifiedglo- his warming,tled antiscience, “Standingto only who work coffee. many commercially came on Ms. Up sugarprogressiveencountered for Willeculated G.M.O.s.” plantations, had grown advoca- materialcir-near-universal G.M.O. have to linksinsupport fruit the scorn United lergiesit. fromBut States, in and al- the account consumption for three- of G.M.O.s, tensioncolleagues of that traditional what mattered breeding. was not neticallyAnd bills engineeredneered werecorn proposed tocrops oiladdress (aboutand in some soy three- Vitamin 20 mealcil’sifornia,benefits” and Aconfirmed. Agriculture deficiency Davis,sugar). of wrote genetically Theon Committee, the discountlegislation engineeredblog Nobelof the warnedthe is Prizeingnals,” broadbacked every said her winners, Ross geneticallyscientific by Sibucao, others;the wrote modified fast- theconsensus head signs an papaya of article opinion the in Trader thatfor the genetically Joe’s journal proclaim, Science modified lasttheir papayas,fall invention. ti- thewas Norgrandfathered wastions it likely between in, to as di- thelong rise whoas ersfarm- in immigrated childhoodregistered al- fromwith the there county as a and child. paidgan had heard began to prick at his would take a stance on all topics, never controlnotwasSuch the G.M.O.,”grown. people.’” sentiments she said,such noting echoed ingredients, also that wellMs. “TheseHawaii,beyond mostly Wille, fruits as chairwoman cornand Mr. vegetables Ilagan’ssyrup, are of early thenot And Coun- decadescotton, research other of canolanetically scientific scientists, and studiesmodified sugar including demon- beets ingredients vestedtwo to make annually andBut here.labelcrusader under food Ms. against system Wille’s genetichemind.Sensitive told bill, that ified his modification:the staff. existedto the papaya, mod- “And accusation the long sample known that beforecy size her groups as theto disregard, the Rainbow, Philippines, reject or as ignore does the Mr. Ilagan,quarters 2012, of thestaff doubt 30 found million about evidence much pounds of that what har- seemed Mr.reading Ila- dermineto un- of the the common claims. mistake of con- non-G.M.O. products. the amount of food produced, but so its farquartersstates used to of require mostly processedit will “G.M.O.” on foodsreplace corn, nowlabels havesome soybeans, on foodscolleaguesnonprofitcrops, Pamelacontaining Biologydren’s that Ronald, Fortified. what book ge- a professor mattered turnedto solve of its treegrowerwas the heroine on s’thenot problems association. island. into sees aof an suchbal industrial warming, labeling“ComeThe asmanyto giving presence towork findprogressive it out,on a sugarofcompet- the a kind culatedG.M.O. advoca-plantations, of rats crop,materialAs inhe theyhave thetraversed to ar- linksUnitedsupportscientists the States, it.most island But afteraccounteveryin and al- itsthe case, for releaseIn- three- Mr.a Ilaganin$100 autumncited annual and by fee. his Ms. Wille and others, after registering a “kanalua” vote — the Ha- thereNew“My was focus applications a marketing is on protecting opportunity of ourthe soil for technology,cil’snatural,” Agriculture sheamong declares. Committee,The the legislation world’s warned poor. isstrating backed her A College new the by safety chil-thegrowing students, and fast- wide-reachingthat organic eco-conscious articlehuman forfood activities“They’re the industry, shop-journal treating contribute“No usScience which like G.M.O.s we’re to last crimi-glo-tled Sold fall “Standing ti- billwasHere.”only was too was antiscience,commercially smallGeneral Up grandfathered for for any Ms. G.M.O.s.”Mills conclusive Wille grown had minishin, cir- re- G.M.O.as long the fruitas marketers farm- registered powerlergies with of and the the the “Bigcounty consumption Asand thepaid plantationsof G.M.O.s, faded in the 1980s, mind. A report, in an obscure Russian jour- Ms.Hawaii,quality Wille, and as chairwoman the Mr. sustainabilitycorn Ilagan’s oil of ofand howearly the soycotton, it Coun- researchmealsuchfoodsconfirmed. canola ingredients,and with ingredientssugar). and mostly sugar made corn beets from syrup, ge-Nobel to makeplantthemAnd Prize pathology other more others; winners, scientists, at the resistant University signs wroteincluding in of anto TraderCal- two opinion weeds Another Joe’s and proclaim,Councilified“These member papaya, favoredtheir fruits known raz- invention. and as vegetables the Nor Rainbow, was are it likelynot todecades di- who of scientific immigrated studiesstaff from found there demon- evidence as a child.vested that seemed annuallygan dermine had to here. un- heard the claims. began to prick atfusing his correlation for causation. (One Such sentiments echoed wellsonon-G.M.O.and far beyond the used farms products. andmostly properties on corn,that are soybeans,And bills werenetically proposed modified in some 20 ingredientsthebenefits” amount ofcrusader and genetically of label food against engineered produced,food genetic system But but modification: under its that Ms. existed Wille’sitive bill, longcy advantage. the groups mod- before culatedsults.”theydisregard, gued, It usedto has material the would would also reject Philippines,to get support become hurt tumors or ignoreit. mosttheir But anyway,” a asin al-the reputationevery doesternet, Mr.quarters case, Mr. Ilagan, and Ilagan Mr. of 2012, Ilagan theagreed doubt 30 and million with about his constitu- pounds much of har- what“You’re readingMr. Ila- exempted,” of the common Mr. mistake Ilagan re-of con- waiian term for “with reservation.” was grown. colleaguescornnetically oil and engineered dren’sthat soy meal growingwhat bookcrops and matteredsugar). (about turned organic three- was its food ifornia,pests, heroinenot pers industry, Davis, have andinto wrote drawnsees whicha talkon thesuch increasedbal showblog labelingwarming, tledof the celebrities “Standing scrutiny. ingnals,”as many everygiving said A RossgeneticallyUpprogressive like it forSibucao,aannounced compet- G.M.O.s.” modified the advoca-head papaya oflast theAs week hein traversed thethaters United it registered would the States, island stop with account and theAg” the county companies, forIn- three- anda $100 paid which annualcited also fee. by dominate Ms. Willesome and began others, growing after papayas. But after “Comenal, about to find hamsters out, the that kind lost ofthe rats ability cil’s Agricultureconfirmed.notSuch G.M.O.,” sentiments she Committee, said, echoed The noting well legislation also warnedbeyond thatthem her is moreCollege backed resistant students, by the fast- toeco-conscious weedsarticle Nobel and for shop- Prize the“No winners,journal G.M.O.s wrote Science anSold opinion last Here.” fallified ti-General papaya,was known Mills natural,”grandfathered as theminish she Rainbow, declares. in, the mostheas Sensitive market told long every his as staff. to case, power thefarm- “And Mr.accusation the Ilagan of sample the that and strating “Big size her his As the the safety plantations anddermine wide-reaching faded the in claims. the 1980s, “They’refusingmind. treating A correlation report, us like in we’rean for obscure causation. crimi- Russian (Onegraph, jour- illustrating the weakness of con- Hawaii, as Mr. Ilagan’s earlycotton, “My research focuscanola is on and protecting sugar our beets soil toquartersstates make to of require processedothers; “G.M.O.” foods signs now labels have in on Traderqualitynonprofitcrops, Joe’s Pamela Biology and“These proclaim, Ronald,the Fortified.itive sustainability fruits a advantage. professor their and of vegetables invention. Itoftreegrower hashow on s’the alsoassociation. it island. Nor are become was not rallying it a likelydecades cry to among di- of their scientific who activists ability immigrated studiesto who charge wantstaff demon-from a premium.found thereents evidence that vested as athere child. annually that wasgan seemed goodreading hadhere. reason heardto ofun- the beganto commonsus- to assured prick mistake at Mr. hisof Sibucao.con- But with the G.M.O. bill, he often de- Hawaii,there was as a Mr. marketing Ilagan’s opportunity early research forthe pers amountThe legislation andcrusader of seestalk foodis backed such against show produced, by labeling the celebrities geneticfast-tled but as “Standingarticlerecent giving modification:itsOprah for like the Organic it journalUp Winfrey,a compet- for Science Consumers G.M.O.s.” cy Dr. last groups OzfallAs ti-and Association hedisregard,was Billtraversed grandfathered Maher reject theusing in, islandor as ignore long genetically andas farm- theternet, the In- staffbillwas modifiedquarters Mr. was found too a Ilagan antiscience, small$100 evidence ingredientsof forannual agreed the anythat Ms. 30 conclusiveseemed Wille fee. with million had to salesconstitu- cir-un- re- pounds of seeds har- “You’re that are exempted,” not genetically Mr. Ilaganan outbreak re- of Papaya ringspot virus in theyclusionsto usedreproduce based would on after get correlation, tumorsthree generations anyway,” charted as confirmed. colleaguesandCollege the that farms students, what and growing properties mattered eco-conscious that organic arewaspests, suchfoodsnot food haveshop- ingredients, with industry,drawn ingredients“No mostlyincreased G.M.O.s which made corn from syrup,scrutiny.Sold ge- Here.”plantAnd A pathology otherGeneralannounced scientists, at the Mills University including last ofweek Cal- two thatButAnother it under would Councilers Ms. registered stop Wille’smemberAnd bill, billsfavoredAg” the with were mod- raz- companies, the proposed countyAt which theand in somepaidsame also 20 time, dominate benefits” the countysome of hadbegan geneticallymind. growing A engineeredreport, papayas. in anBut obscure afternals,” said Russiangraph, Ross“Comenal, illustrating jour-Sibucao, about to find hamsters the out,the head weakness the thatof kindthe lost of of the con- rats ability themconfirmed.non-G.M.O. more products. resistant to weedsgrowing and organic food industry, which wastled “Standing grown.natural,” Up rallyingfor G.M.O.s.” she crydeclares. minish among ers the activistsregistered market with who power theto wantcounty change ofstrating and the paidents the “Big thethat dermineculatedsults.” industrial safetythereAs material the theclaims. was and food to plantations support good wide-reaching system. it.reasondermine But in faded al- topect thesus- in claims. that the“They’re 1980s, companies treatingfusing like us correlation like Monsanto we’re crimi- for causation.Even so, (OneMr. Sibucao replied, the billhe told his staff. “And the sample size spaired of assembling the information not G.M.O.,” she said,sees noting such also labeling thatqualitycornneticallyOprah as oil andgiving and engineered “These Winfrey, thesoy itmealitive sustainabilitya crops compet-and fruits advantage.Dr. sugar). (about Oz and three- and ofvegetables As ItBill how Nobelifornia,bulletin, hashe Maherwarned ittraversed Prize alsoDavis, areusing winners,for becomewrote against not instance, the genetically on wrote theisland adecades consumingblog an picturesopinion ternet, ofand the modified the of ifieding Mr. the foodscientificIn- every papaya, Ilagan first ingredients made geneticallya $100 known agreed studiesin annual its as modified Cheerios. thewith demon- Rainbow,fee. papaya constitu-vested “You’reannually exempted,”here. modified, Mr. Ilagan andassured the re- pesticides Mr. Sibucao. used on the mid-’90s,theyto used reproduce only would the Rainbow, after get tumorsthree en- generations anyway,”thea lock-stepresult as of a rise diet in of organic genetically food modified sales College students, eco-consciousthe amountpersCollegeSuch shop- andsentiments students, of talkfood echoedeco-conscious showproduced, well beyond celebrities shop- recent but sees its Organic such like labeling announced Consumers as giving it a compet-last Association week Asthat he traversed it would the stopisland and Ag”the In- companies,a $100 annual fee. whichstates also tosales dominaterequire of seeds most “G.M.O.”ASensitivebanned report, every that in to case, arethe an thelabels obscure Mr.cultivationaccusation not Ilagan genetically onRussian that and crops,jour-of her his genetically Pamelaan outbreak en- Ronald, of“Come Papaya nal, a professor about to ringspot find hamsters ofout, virus thegrower that in kind losts’ clusions ofassociation. the rats ability based on correlation, charted pests,there washave a marketing drawn increased opportunity for scrutiny.quartersThe legislation A ofnatural,” processed is backed she foods declares.by now the havefast- articlenonprofit“Mywith for Biologythe focus genetically journalAnd Fortified. to is Science billschange on strating protecting were modifiedlast fall the ti- proposed the industrial wastree ingredients. our safety ongrandfathered soilthe in island. food someand system.wide-reachingin, 20Rachel as longbenefits” as Maddowfarm-pect that of declared some genetically companies began the narrowgrowing engineeredlike A Monsanto report, papayas.would innals,” placeanBut obscure saidafter profit Ross Russian abovegraph, Sibucao, public illustratingjour- the safety.head theof the weaknesswould stigmatize of con- any genetically mod-was too small for any conclusive re- he needed to definitively decide. Every persHawaii, and as talkMr. Ilagan’s showitive celebrities early advantage. research likewas itive warnedgrown. It has advantage. also againstrallying It become has consuming also cry become a amongternet, a foodternet, genetically activists Mr. made Mr. Ilagan inIlagan whoits modified agreedCheerios. agreed want with with animalconstitu-ents constitu- that to “You’re be there sub- exempted,”was“You’re goodBut Mr. reason exempted,”themodified, Ilagan groundswell to re- sus- nal,staffbilland Mr. wasabout“They’re found theassured Ilaganantiscience,against hamsters evidence pesticides treating Mr. re- geneti- thatthat Ms. Sibucao. lostseemed Wille usedtheus had abilitytolikeboth. cir-un- on we’re The crimi-argumentsEven so, for Mr. rejecting Sibucao them, replied,dowed the bill withhe tolda generesult his from staff.of a dietthe “And virusof thegenetically itself sample andmodified sizesoybeans autism diagnoses.) had been contradicted by pers and talk show quality celebritiesOprahnon-G.M.O. and Winfrey, thelike products. sustainability Dr. Oz and ofbulletin, howBillgrowingsuch Maher it ingredients, for organic instance,using food mostly industry, genetically pictures corn syrup, which the modified tled firstAnd “Standing other ingredientsstates scientists,Up for G.M.O.s.” to including require sales two “G.M.O.” ofers seedsBut registered under labels that Ms. with foods areWille’s the onfailure county not bill,with crops, genetically theand of ingredients mod-paid ballot Pamela gineered initiatives an made Ronald, outbreak taro, from to a a requireprofessorof ge-root Papayanal, vegetable plantabout ofringspot pathology hamstersthe cultivat- virus mid-’90s, atthat inthethey lost University only to usedthe reproduce theability would of Rainbow, Cal- after get tumors three en-Another generations anyway,”the Council lock-step as member rise in favored organic raz- food sales recentOprahconfirmed. Winfrey, Organic Dr. ConsumersOz and Bill Maher Associationrallying cry amongAndto bills activistschange were who the want proposed industrialandents Mr.that inthe there foodsomeMaher’s farms was system.Rachel 20 good and audience, reason benefits” properties Maddow to sus- in turn, of declaredassured that geneticallyrecently are Mr. Sibucao. thecally narrow engineered modifiedwould foodtodermineculated nals,”place reproduce has material the said rankledprofit claims. after Ross to three abovesupport many Sibucao, generations it. public But inhe the al- as safety.He, concluded, head too,grower of wished thewould ultimatelys’ association. for stigmatize moreclusions relied healthful any based on genetically the food on correlation,that ified mod- effectively food, charted making gave theit immunity, Rainbow harder had sults.”many other studies and deemed bogus time he answered one question, it was grown.warnedSuch sentiments against echoedrallying consuming well crybeyond among food“Myseescornwith made suchoil activistsfocus and genetically labeling soy is meal whoonas givingand protecting wantsugar). modified it a compet-ents our ingredients. Nobel mittedthat soilAs he Prizethere traversed for winners,But was regulatory the the goodisland wrote groundswell and anreason approv opinionthepect In- toal that aifiedsus- $100 against(a papaya,annual fast-companiesassured fee. geneti- knownnetically asMr. like the Sibucao.both. engineered Rainbow, Monsanto The arguments crops Even(about for so, rejecting three- Mr. Sibucao them,ifornia, replied, Davis,dowed the wrotewith bill a on gene the from blog theof the virus itself was soybeans too small had for any been conclusive contradicted re-Butterflies by were disappearing, but Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Oz andbulletin, BillwarnedCollege Maher against students, for instance, consuming eco-conscious food pictures madeshop-genetically theto change first modified the in industrial its Cheerios. animal food system. to be notpect sub- G.M.O.,” that companiesfoods she with like said, ingredients Monsanto notingmodified, also Even made and that so, theMr. from Sibucao pesticides ge-G.M.O. replied,plant thelabeling used bill pathology onamost inresultAed report,California everythefor ofat a centuries inthediet case, mid-’90s,an of Universityobscure geneticallyand Mr. Ilagan inWash- Russian onlyHawaii.to modified and reproduceof jour- Cal- the histo be Rainbow, grown afterAnother three more en- heCouncil generationssustainably. tolda result member his staff. of as a favoreddiet “And of theinggenetically raz- sampleeveryand genetically modified sizeautism diagnoses.) modified papaya seemed, new ones arose. Popular opin- Hawaii, as Mr. Ilagan’s early researchand itive theThe advantage. legislation farmsstates Rachel and Itis tohasbacked properties alsorequire Maddowby become the fast-“G.M.O.” athat declaredternet,articleer-growing arehissed forMr. labels the Ilagan the journalat salmon) failure narrowaagreed on commentator Science with crops, ofjumping last constitu- ballotwouldfall Pamelati- who from initiativesplacewas“You’re defended grandfathereda Ronald, riv- profit exempted,” to abovescientists, a in, require professor as Mr. long public Ilagan as who farm- He, ofsafety.re- argue too,grower wished that s’opponents association.for more ofhealthful premise food thatified they food,are unsafe. the making lock-step the Rainbow rise insaved organic harderto sell. the foodcrop, sales they told him. Sensitiveby mainstream to the scientists. accusation that her “Mywithwithpers focus genetically and genetically talk is on show modified to protecting modified celebritieschange ingredients. thelike ourmitted ingredients. industrial soilRachelMr. for Maher’s Maddow regulatory food declaredaudience, system. approv the narrowinal turn,pect (a wouldfast- recently that place companiescally profit modifiedabove public like foodsafety. Monsanto haswould rankled stigmatize Even manyquarters any geneticallyso, Mr.he of concluded,Sibucao processedmod- soybeansnal,staff replied, about found ultimatelyfoodswould hamsters hadevidence the now been stigmatize bill that that relied have contradicted lostseemed the on anyabilitytononprofit theun- by geneticallythat Biology effectively mod- Fortified. soybeansgave it immunity, had been tree had contradicted on thesults.”Butterflies island.many by other were studies disappearing, and deemed Mr. but bogus Ilagan learned that it was not a tox- warned against consuminggenetically foodconfirmed. made modified animal to berallyinggrowing sub- cry organic among foodBut activists industry, the who groundswell which want thereentstled “Standing that against was therenetically Up awas marketinggeneti-for good G.M.O.s.” engineered reason both.to opportunity sus- Thecropsassureders argumentsregistered (about forMr. Sibucao. with three- forthe ington countyrejectingifornia, anda “big paid them, lossDavis, for Indowedwrote liberal the three on withpolitics.” the aminutes bloggenea result of from allottedthe of theBut a diet ing virus to even eachof every itselfgenetically a geneticallywasnational and too modified autism smallban modified ondiagnoses.) for such any papaya conclusive re- ion masqueraded convincingly as sci- Mr.Oprah Maher’s Winfrey, audience, Dr. Oz in and turn, Bill recently Mahernot failure G.M.O.,”hissed of foodsat ballot shea failure commentator initiatives with said, ingredients ofnoting to ballot require who also initiatives He, defended madeer that too,togenetic attack wished from to formodificationa ge-G.M.O. require bear,more healthful plantwith labeling He,the pathology asfood too,caption merelyin ifiedCalifornia wished food, at“No an the making ex-for Universityand G.M.O.smore the Wash- Rainbow healthful haveof harder Cal-to distorted be food grownmanytodermine reproduceAnother other ifiedthe themore claims.studiesrisks after food, Councilsustainably. three andassoci- making generationsdeemed member bogus the asMaking favored Rainbow up raz- to harderhis sell. mind about that alone If Mr.Many Ilagan of the worried island’s about papaya big farmers, bio- billin producedwasMr. antiscience, Ilagan by discountedmodified Ms. Wille plants the had correla- thatcir- with genetically modifiedand ingredients.Mr. theCollege Maher’s farms students, and audience, Racheleco-conscious properties Maddowin shop-turn, thater-growing recentlyto aresees declared change such labelingsalmon) the theindustrial as giving narrowjumping food it a compet- system. fromwould apect riv-As place he that traversed scientists, companies profit the above island like who and Monsanto public arguethe In- safety. thata $100 opponents annualwould fee.such of stigmatize ingredients,premise any that genetically mostly speakerthey are corn atunsafe. mod- the syrup, July hearing,And some othersaved told scientists,the crop,sults.” they many including told other him. twostudies andBut deemed underMr.Sensitive Ilagan by Ms.bogus mainstream Wille’s learned to the bill, that accusationscientists. the it was mod- not that a tox- her mittedhissedwarned at foragainst a commentator regulatory consuming who foodapprov defended madeal (aG.M.O. fast- labelingcally in California modified and Wash- foodnon-G.M.O.to has be grown rankled quartersmore products. sustainably.ington many of a processed“bighe loss concluded, forto foods Evensell. liberal so, now ultimatelyMr. politics.” Sibucao have replied, Whole reliednonprofit the Foods onbill the Biologybyahas resultA mainstream report, pledgedthat of aFortified. indiet effectivelyan scientists. of obscurethat genetically by Russian 2018 soybeansgave modified jour- itcrops, immunity, hadtree it beenseemed on the had contradicted island. to him,Butterflies would by do werelittle disappearing,descendants but of immigrants who cameculated material to support it. But in al- ence, and the science itself was hard to pers and talk showfailure celebrities of ballot likethere Rachelitivegenetic initiatives was advantage. Maddow netically a modification marketing G.M.O. to It declared has requireengineered also labeling theopportunity become as narrow merely acropsin Californiawouldternet,Frankenfish!” for an(abouttension place Mr. ex- Ilagan profitandthree- of agreed traditional aboveWash- In with publicifornia, a constitu- 2013safety. tobreeding. be Davis, Newgrown“You’re wrote York more exempted,” on sustainably. atedthe blogMr. with Ilagan of themthe re-But and ing even underplayed everyto sell. a national genetically the ban modified would on such p rove papaya difficultMany enough.of the island’s papaya technologyfarmers,bill companies, wasMr. antiscience, Ilagan the farmers discounted Ms. Wille told the had harmed correla-cir-tions betweenthem, as the he rise had in thought. childhood In- al- Mr. Maher’s audience, innot turn, G.M.O.,”hissedgeneticwith recently genetically modificationat shea commentator said, modified as merelynoting ingredients. an who also ex-er to defended thatington attack a “big a bear,lossscientists, for withliberal politics.”the who caption argueHe, too,“No Butthat wished even opponentsG.M.O.s a nationalfor more have of ban healthfuldistorted onpremise such would food thethatMany risks stigmatizethey of theified associ- areisland’scorn any food, unsafe. geneticallypapaya oil making and farmers,Making soy mod- the meal soybeansnal,up RainbowMr. personaland abouthis Ilagan sugar).mind hamsters had harder discounted beentales about that contradictedof lost that the allmany the correla- manneraloneabilityNobel byother Prize ofstudies illness,If winners,Mr. and Ilagan deemed Sensitive wrote by worried mainstream anbogus toopinion about the accusationscientists. big ified bio- papaya, thatin produced her known by as the modified Rainbow, plants that er-growingOprah Winfrey, salmon) Dr. Oz and jumping Bill Maher fromfailurerallying a riv- of cry ballot among initiatives activists to who require want He,entsSuch too, that Newwished there sentimentssuch was applicationsfor moregood ingredients,Whole reasonhealthful echoed Foods to of foodsus- well the mostlyhas ifiedassured technology, beyondpledged food, corn Mr. making Sibucao. that syrup, theby it Rainbow 2018will replace And hardercrops, other someto it reproduce seemed scientists,foodssaved after containing theto three him,crop, including generations would they ge- told two doasto littlehim. solve But the under problems Ms.Mr. Wille’s ofIlagan an industrial bill,learned the that mod-to it workwas not on asugar tox- plantations, have linksmost every case, Mr. Ilagan and his grasp. People who spoke as experts genetictensionMr. Maher’s of traditional modification audience,G.M.O. breeding. in turn, as labeling recently merelynon-G.M.O. in tension anWholeCalifornia ex- Foodsquarters products.of traditional hasington and pledged ofWash- a processed that“big breeding. by loss 2018to forbe foods crops,Times grownliberal it nowseemed poll, moreatedpolitics.” have three-quartersto sustainably. withhim, would themnonprofit do little andBut of BiologyAmericans underplayeddescendants even Fortified. a to national of sell. immigrants risks the of ban whofailing on came to such trytionsmanytree to betweenother onuseMany the studies the the island. technol- rise ofand the in deemed childhood island’s bogus al- papaya farmers,descendants of immigrants whohim, came theculated Rainbowtions material betweenshould toreassure thesupport rise him. it. in But childhood instead, al-lergies al-the andherbicide the consumption used in conjunction of G.M.O.s, hissed at a commentatorthere who warned wasdefended a against marketing consuming opportunity food madeFrankenfish!” G.M.O.to for change labeling the G.M.O.s industrialInin California a 2013 foodhave and system. Wash- Newdistorted Yorktopect be thegrown that risks companiesmore sustainably.associ- like MonsantoMakingto Evensell. up so,his Mr. mind SibucaoThe about replied, legislationwould that the bill aloneprove isa resultbacked includingdifficult of a dietby enough. of children’sthe genetically fast- by modified allergies, mainstreamarticle for curedtechnology the scientists. journal af- billcompanies, Science wasMr. antiscience, last Ilaganthe fall farmers ti- discounted Ms.was told Wille grandfathered hadtheharmed cir-correla- them, in, as as long he hadas farm- thought. In- lacked credentials, and G.M.O. critics erhissed toNew attack at applications a commentator a bear, of thewith who technology, defended the captionit will “No replacesuch some ingredients, foods containing ge- mostlyHawaii,tosurveyed solveso corn thefar ascorn syrup, problems used Mr. expressedit oil will Ilagan’smostly and of replace an soy industrialAnd on concernmeal early some othercorn, and researchto foodswork soybeans, scientists,sugar). about on containing sugar plantations, ogy includingnetically to ge- imp Nobelhave rove twolinksmodifiedto Prize solvehowlergiesby foodmainstream winners,ingredients the and isIf problems the grown. Mr. consumptionscientists. wrote Ilagan and Wad- of anlabel of an worried G.M.O.s, opinion industrialfood about ified system bigto papaya, work bio- that on existed knowninsugar produced plantations, longas the before by Rainbow, modified haveto links the plants Philippines, that as does Mr. Ilagan,staffcited found by evidence Ms. Wille that andseemed others, to un- after non-G.M.O.tensionwith genetically products.of traditional modifiedington ingredients.breeding. a “bigTimes lossSuch ingtonRachel for poll,New liberalsentiments a Maddow“big three-quarters applications loss politics.” for declaredWhole liberal echoed politics.” the Foods ofof narrow well theAmericans has beyond technology,But wouldpledged even place risks that aprofit national by of above failing2018 public ban to safety.crops, try on to suchitwould use seemed the stigmatize technol- to anyhim, genetically would mod-do littlesoybeansButdescendants under had been Ms. contradicted ofWille’s immigrants bybill, the who mod- came Developedmost primarilylergies every and by case, thescientists Mr.consumption Ilagan at ac- and of withG.M.O.s, his some genetically modified crops genetic modification as merelyFrankenfish!”sogenetic far an used modification ex- mostly Inon as corn, merely a 2013soybeans, an ex- Newnetically York modifiedated ingredients with and them label andfood But underplayed system even a that The national existed legislation the ban long on would before such is backed ptorove Many the Philippines,di byoffficult the the Manyisland’s growing fast-enough. as others; doespapayaof the Mr.article organicfarmers, island’s Ilagan, signs for in food citedthepapaya Mr. Traderter journal by industry,technology Ilagan going Ms. farmers, Joe’s discountedWille Science on whichproclaim, and acompanies, “non-G.M.O.” others, thelast correla-Mr. falltled afterThe ti- Ilagan the“Standing Rainbow farmers diet.him, discounted Onethe Up told Rainbow Papayaforculated G.M.O.s.” thetions should material correla- between reassure to support the ers risehim. registered it. in But childhoodstead, in al- withthe al-herbicide the county used and in paid conjunction discounted those with credentials as be- Mr. Maher’s audience, in turn, recentlyHawaii,failureWhole as of Foods corn Mr.ballot has oil Ilagan’s initiatives pledged and soy that to early meal requireby 2018 research andconfirmed.He,G.M.O.s sugar). too,cotton, wished in canola theirfornetically more food, andhealthfulNobel withmodifiedsugar food Prizemost beets ifiedingredients winners,of food,those to make making wrote anding the into Rainbowlabel an opiniona debate harderfood that system has more that typically existed long beforetheir was invention. tograndfathered the Nor Philippines,harmed was in, it likely as them,as long does to as as di- Mr. hefarm-ademic Ilagan, hadwho thought. immigratedinstitutions, In- from it was there a model as a for child.derminereading the of claims. the common mistake of con- Suchcotton,tensionNew sentiments canolaof applicationstraditional and sugarechoed breeding.Whole beets of well to theFoods make surveyedbeyond technology, hasothers;so pledged far signs expressed used in that it Trader mostlywill by Joe’sreplace 2018 concern on proclaim, corn, somecrops, about soybeans, theircrops,foods it invention. seemedit containingseemedogy Nor to to him, imp washim, ge- would itrove likelywould do how to tolittle di- solve dofood littlewhodescendants is the immigratedgrown. problemsdescendants of Wad- immigrants from there of an whoas of aindustrial child.cameimmigrantsreadingtionsmanyified betweenother to ofwho papaya, thework studies common the came on rise and known sugar inmistake deemed childhood plantations, of asbogus con- al- the Rainbow,Developed have links primarilylergies by and scientists the consumption at ac- withstaff of G.M.O.s, cited found some by evidence genetically Ms. Wille that modified seemed and others, cropsto(as un- well after as some that were not) meant tension of traditional breeding.Timeshissed atpoll, a commentator three-quarters who defended of AmericansG.M.O. labelingrisks in California of failing and Wash- to tryto to be grownuse the growingmore technol- sustainably. organic food to industry, sell. whichsees suchtled labeling “Standing as womangiving Uphim, for it thetook aG.M.O.s.” compet- Rainbow the microphonetions should betweenAs he reassure “on traversed thebehalf risehim. the most in island childhoodstead, every and the case,the al- herbicide In- Mr. a Ilaganused $100 inannual andconjunction hisfee. ing pawns of biotechnology companies. themNew more applications resistant of the to weeds technology, andconfirmed.“Noit will G.M.O.s replace The Soldsome Here.” legislationfoods containingGeneral Millsis ge- backedminishtoworried College solvethem by the thethe marketabout problemsstudents, more fast-others; powerhealth of resistant anarticleeco-conscious of signs industrialrisks. the “Big for in to theTraderAsto weeds work journal theshop- plantationsonJoe’s sugar and Science proclaim,plantations,pitted faded“No last in activists TheG.M.O.s have the fall 1980s, linkstheir Rainbowti- againstSold invention.lergiesby mainstream Here.” and industry,Papaya the NorGeneral consumptionscientists. was some Mills itof G.M.O.s, likelyThe minish to di- papayaers the registeredwho market farmers immigrated with power appeared, the from of county the pac-there “Big and as howpaid a As child. the the technology plantations could faded benefit in the small 1980s, Afusing report, correlation in an obscure for Russian causation. jour- (One Hawaii,so far as usedMr. Ilagan’s mostlyit will earlyon replace corn, researchG.M.O.s some soybeans,ingtoncotton, foods in a “bigtheir canola containing loss neticallyfood, for liberaland with sugarpolitics.”ge- modified most beetsto of solvethoseingredients toBut make the even ing problems a and nationalinto label a debate ban of onan food that such industrial has systemMany more of that thetotypically workisland’s itive existed on papaya advantage. sugar long farmers, plantations, before Itfusing was has correlationtograndfathered also have the become links Philippines, for causation. ain, as (One as long does as ademic Mr. farm- Ilagan, institutions,cited it by was Ms. a model Wille for and others,(asdermine wellreading after as the some claims.of the that common were not)mistake meantthe of milkweedcon- on which they hatched New applications of the surveyed technology,pests,sogenetic far have used modification drawn mostly expressed increased on as corn, merely scrutiny. soybeans, concern an ex- A announcednetically about modified last ogyweek ingredients tothat imp it would roveand labelstop how persAg”foodfood companies, system is and grown.sees that talk which such existed Wad- show also labeling long dominate beforecelebrities as givingsometo the began Philippines,likeit a growingcompet- as papayas. announced does Mr. But As Ilagan, after he last traversedcited weekMr.of byDeveloped IlaganMother that Ms. the discountedWilleit island would Earth andprimarily and others, thestoplergies and correla-the ternet, after allby In- and scientists sentient Mr.thea $100 consumptionIlagan be-at annual ac- agreedstaff fee.with offound with G.M.O.s, some constitu-evidence genetically that seemed“You’re modified to exempted,” un- crops Mr. Ilagan re- “It takes so much time to find out CollegethemWhole students,Foodsgrowing more hasothers; pledged resistant eco-conscious organic signsthat by to food2018 in weedsTrader shop- industry,crops,Aspests, it Joe’s and Ms.seemed have which Wille’s proclaim, to“No him, drawn G.M.O.swould billtled increased was do “Standing little Sold debated descendantsHere.” scrutiny. Up here for General ofG.M.O.s.” A immigrantshave Mills argued who cameminish that graph,oppositioners the registeredillustrating market from the powerwith weaknesseven the of of county theingcon-Ag” restlessly, “Big and companies, paidAs outside the plantations which Mr. Ilagan’s also faded dominate office in thefarmers. some 1980s, beganIts lead growing developer, papayas. the Hawai- But afternal,wasgraph, about no longer hamstersillustrating found that onthe mostlost weakness the Midwest- ability of con- confirmed.cotton,recentcotton,tension Organiccanolaof canola traditional and Consumers sugarandnetically breeding. sugarbeets Association tomodified makebeetsworried tousingothers; ingredientsmake about genetically signs health in Trader modifiedand risks. Joe’slabel ingredients proclaim,foodsalestheir system invention. of seedspitted that that Nor areactivists existedwas not it likely genetically The long their against to di- Rainbow before invention.anwho industry,outbreak immigratedto of NorPapaya Papaya the some rallying from was Philippines, ringspot there it cryas likely Thevirus a child. among in topapaya as di-reading doestions activistsings.” between farmerswho Mr.of theNomi Ilagan, immigratedcommon thewho rise appeared,Carmona want inmistake childhood from ofencouraged ents pac-con- al- there thathow there as Coun- athe child.was technology derminegoodreading reason thecould claims. ofto benefit thesus- common small mistaketheA milkweed fusingreport,of con- correlationin an on obscure which for theyRussian causation. hatched jour- (One so far used mostly on corn,G.M.O.s soybeans, in their food, with most ofit will those replace someing foods into containing a debate ge- thatOprahto has solve more the Winfrey,itive problems typically advantage. Dr. of an Oz industrial and It Bill hasto work Maher also on become sugar plantations, using a ternet,have genetically links Mr.clusions Ilagan modifiedademic based agreed on institutions,ingredients correlation, with citedconstitu- charted it by wassales Ms. a of model“You’re Wille seeds for and that exempted,” others, (as are well not after geneticallyas Mr. some Ilagan thatassured re-werean outbreak Mr.not) Sibucao. meant of Papaya ringspot virus into reproduce after three generations as what’s true,” he complained. bulletin,themNew more applications for instance, resistant of pictures the to weeds technology, the first andpersin“Nopests, its and G.M.O.sCheerios. havesees talk Sold “No suchdrawn showHere.” G.M.O.s labeling General increased celebrities Mills Soldas giving scrutiny. Here.” modified,minishthroughout likerecent it the aGeneral andAcompet- market Organic the announced 2013, pesticides powerMills Consumers activistsof As the used minish lasthe “Big on traversed week elsewhere theAs Association the the mid-’90s,that market plantations the it wouldisland only small power faded the andstop Rainbow,pockets in ofthethe the 1980s, Ag”In- en- of “Big an companies,thefusinglergies aAmerican $100 lock-step correlationandAs annual thethe rise consumption elite which inplantations for fee. organic influ- causation. also of food G.M.O.s, dominate sales(Oneshortly faded in after thesome Ms.1980s, began Wille introducedgrowing papayas. the Butian-born afternal, Dennis graph,about Gonsalves, hamsters illustrating that was, the lost alongweakness the abilityern ofclusions farms. con- based on correlation, charted cotton, canola and sugar beetsCollegethem to students,make more resistant others;eco-conscious signs to weeds inAsshop- netically Trader Ms. and Wille’s modified Joe’s ingredients bill proclaim, was and debated labeltheir herefood invention. systemhave that Nor argued existed was long that it likelybefore opposition toto di- the Philippines, fromwho evento immigrated as change does Mr.ing Ilagan, therestlessly, from industrial therecil outside members as food a Mr. child. system. Ilagan’sto visitreading theofficepect website of that thefarmers. commonof companies her Its mistakeleadA report,fusing like developer, of Monsanto con- correlationin an theobscure Hawai- for EvenRussian causation. so,was jour-Mr. no (OneSibucaolonger found replied, on themost bill Midwest- worriedgeneticallypests,so far have used about drawn modified mostly healthincreased on animal corn, risks. scrutiny. to soybeans, be sub- A announcedBut the groundswelllast pittedweek that against activists it would geneti- stop againstwarnedboth.Ag” bulletin, companies,The industry, arguments againstrallying for whichusing some for instance, consuming cryrejecting also genetically among dominate them, The pictures food activists papayadowedsome modified made thebegan with who firstfarmers agrowing gene ingredients want from papayas.in appeared, theits virusCheerios.ents But itselfaftersales that pac- thereandgraph,cited of autism seeds by howillustratingwas Ms. diagnoses.) that thegood Wille the technology are andreasonweakness not others, geneticallytoof aftercon-couldsus-modified, benefitassured andsmall Mr. the Sibucao. pesticidesthe milkweed used on on whichthe they mid-’90s, hatched only the Rainbow, en-a resultthe lock-stepof a diet of rise genetically in organic modified food sales So many emails arrived in support of pests,cotton, canolahave anddrawn sugar“No increased beetsG.M.O.s to make Oprah Soldscrutiny.others;recent Here.” Winfrey, signsA itive Organic General in announced Trader advantage. Dr. Consumers Oz Joe’sMills and proclaim, last It Bill hasweek Association Maher their also that invention. become itsmall would Nor pockets a was stop itternet, likely of Ag”an to di-Mr. American companies, Ilaganwho immigrated eliteagreed which influ- from with there also constitu- as a dominate child. reading“You’resome of the common began exempted,” mistake growing of Mr.con- papayas. Ilagan But an re- afteroutbreak of Papaya ringspot virus into reproduceclusions basedafter three on correlation, generations charted as them more resistant pers to weedsmittedrecent andAs Ms. Organicfor talk and regulatory Wille’s Consumersshow approv bill celebrities Associationwasal (a debated fast-throughout likecallyusing here modified genetically 2013, have food modified has activists argued rankled ingredients manythat elsewhereminish oppositionhesales concluded, the of seeds market from ultimately that areeven power not relied genetically onof the the “Bigthatan outbreak effectivelyAs of Papaya gave theRachel it plantationsringspot immunity, Maddowshortly virus had in faded after declaredclusionsButterfliesgroup, Ms. in based the Wille the Babes were 1980s, on narrow correlation, introduced disappearing, Againstfusing chartedwould butthe Biotech, correlation placeian-born where profit for Dennis causation.abovenal, aboutgraph, Gonsalves, public hamsters (Oneillustrating safety. was, that alongthewould lost weakness the stigmatizeern ability farms. of con- any genetically mod- them more resistant to weeds and “No G.M.O.s Sold Here.” General Mills withminishgenetically geneticallythe to market changein powerits modified modifiedCheerios. ofthe the ing industrial animal “Big restlessly, ingredients.As to the food be plantations outside sub- system. fadedMr. But Ilagan’s in pect the the 1980s,modified, office groundswell that companies andfarmers. against the Its pesticideslike geneti-lead Monsanto developer, usedboth. on theTheEven Hawai- thearguments so, mid-’90s, Mr.was Sibucaofor rejecting onlyno longer replied, the them, found Rainbow, the onbilldowed most en- Midwest-with a gene from the virus itselfsoybeansand autism had diagnoses.) been contradicted by the ban that, as a matter of environ- Oprahrecenter-growingbulletin, Winfrey, Organicfor salmon) instance, Dr. announcedjumping ConsumersOz pictures and from the Bill a firstlastriv- warned Association Maher weekscientists,inbulletin, its Cheerios. againstthatrallying who forit argue usingwould consuminginstance, crythat genetically stop opponents among pictures food Ag”of activists modified madepremisemodified, companies,the first whothat and ingredientsthey want the are which pesticides unsafe.ents also used salesthat dominate on there ofsavedthe seeds mid-’90s,was the crop, some thatgood onlythey are beganreason told the him. not Rainbow, growingto genetically sus- en- papayas.Mr.thefusingassured Ilagan lock-step correlationan learned Butoutbreak Mr. rise after Sibucao.inthat for organic causation.it ofwas Papaya food not a sales(One tox- ringspot virus in clusions based on correlation,a result chartedthe of lock-step a diet of rise genetically in organic modified food sales pests, have drawn increasedthroughout scrutiny.pests, have drawnA 2013, increased activists scrutiny. A elsewhereannounced last smallweek that pockets it would ofstop an AmericanMr.Ag” companies,Maher’s elite whichaudience, influ- also dominate inshortly turn, somerecently after began Ms. growing Willefailure papayas. introduced of But ballot after the initiativesanalysesian-born to of require Dennis Monsanto’sgraph, Gonsalves,He, campaignillustrating too, wished was, con- alongthe for weakness tomore reproduceern healthful farms. of con- after food threeified generations food, making as the Rainbow harder mental responsibility, the Council clerks ergenetically to attack modifieda bear, with animal the caption to be sub-“NowithG.M.O.sgenetically But genetically the haveto groundswell distorted change modified modified the against the risks animal industrial geneti-associ- ingredients. toboth. Making be foodmitted The sub- argumentsup system.Rachel his for mind regulatory Butfor about Maddow rejecting pect the that groundswellthem,alone thatapprov declared dowed companiesIfal Mr. (awith the against Ilagan fast- a narrowgene worried like from geneti-cally the aboutMonsanto viruswould modified big itself both. bio- place Theinandgraph, food produced autism profit arguments illustrating has diagnoses.) above byrankled modifiedthe for weakness public manyrejecting plants safety.of con- that hethem, concluded,woulddowed stigmatize ultimately with a anygene relied genetically from on the the virus mod-that itself effectively gave it immunity, hadmany Butterfliesother studies were and disappearing,deemed bogus but warnedbulletin,recent against Organic for consumingConsumers instance,using Association genetically pictures food made theusing modified first genetically in ingredients modified its Cheerios. ingredientssalessales of ofseeds seeds that are are not not genetically modified, geneticallyan outbreak and an theof Papayaoutbreak G.M.O. pesticides ringspot labeling of virus Papaya used in in on CaliforniaringspottributionsEventhe so,virus mid-’90s,and Mr. are Wash- in Sibucao intermingled only replied, the Rainbow, with the bill pic- en- the lock-step rise in organicsoybeans foodand sales autism had diagnoses.) been contradicted by recent Organic Consumers AssociationFrankenfish!”mitted for regulatory In a approv 2013 Newal (a York fast- atedcally withmodified them food and has underplayed rankled many the hissedwouldhe concluded, prove atfailure dia fficult ultimatelycommentator enough. of relied ballot on who the initiatives defendedtechnologythat effectively to companies, require gave scientists,it the immunity, farmersHe, too,told hadwho wished harmedclusionsargueButterflies them,for basedthat more were as onopponents he correlation, disappearing, healthful had thought.clusions of chartedto food but In- be basedgrown onmore correlation, sustainably.a result of charted a diet of geneticallyto sell. modified by mainstream scientists. suspended the custom of printing them bulletin, for instance, pictures the firstMr. inMaher’smitted its Cheerios. Rachel for audience, regulatory Maddow in turn,approv declared recentlyalmodified, (a er-growing the fast- and narrow thecally pesticidessalmon) modifiedwould used jumping place on foodthe profitfrom has mid-’90s, a rankled aboveriv- only public the many Rainbow, safety.he en- concluded, ultimately relied onpremise theified thatthat food, they effectively making are unsafe. the gave Rainbow it immunity, hardersaved hadmany the crop, otherButterflies they studies told werehim. and deemed disappearing, bogusMr. but Ilagan learned that it was not a tox- bulletin, for instance, pictureswith geneticallyTimeser-growing genetically the poll, first three-quarterssalmon) modified modified injumping its of Cheerios. Americans animalfrom ingredients. a riv- to risksscientists, be sub-of failing who toargue tryBut to that use the opponents the technol- groundswell modified,of premise against that and they the are geneti- unsafe. pesticides both. used Thehim,saved on arguments the the Rainbow crop,the they ington mid-’90s,should fortold him.rejecting reassure a “big only him.loss them, theforstead,Mr.thewould liberaltures Ilagan lock-stepRainbow, thedowed herbicide stigmatizelearnedof politics.” risebikini-clad with inthat en- used organic it a inwas any geneconjunction thewomen. foodnot genetically a lock-stepsalesfrom tox- the virus rise mod- in itself organicsoybeansand food autism saleshad diagnoses.) been contradicted by genetically modified animal to be sub- But the groundswell against geneti- geneticboth. The arguments modificationG.M.O. for labeling rejecting as them,in merely Californiadowed an with ex- and a gene Wash- fromG.M.O.s the virusto be have itself grown distorted more sustainably.the risks associ- But even a national ban on such Many of the island’s papaya farmers, Mr. Ilagan discounted the correla- out for each Council member. But Mr. surveyeder to attack expresseda bear, with concernthe caption about “NohissedogyG.M.O.ser-growing toat imp ahavefailure rovecommentator distorted how callysalmon) food of themodified is ballot grown.risks jumping who associ- Wad- initiatives defended food from hasMakinger a to riv- rankledto up requireattack his mindscientists, manya aboutbear,He, that with whotoo, healone theconcluded, wishedargue DevelopedcaptionIf Mr.that for Ilagan primarily“Noultimatelymoreopponents worried healthful by scientists about reliedof big food at premise bio- onac- thewithinandified produced thatautism some that food, they diagnoses.) genetically by effectively makingare modified unsafe. modified plantsthe gave Rainbow crops that it immunity,Making to harder sell.saved up hadhis the mind crop, about they thattold him.alone If Mr.by mainstream IlaganMr. Ilagan worried learnedscientists. about that big it was bio- not ina tox- produced by modified plants that genetically modified animalMr. Maher’smitted mitted to be for sub-for audience, regulatory regulatory approvBut in turn, thealapprov (a fast-groundswellrecentlyal cally (a fast- modified against food has geneti- rankled manyboth.Thehe The concluded, Rainbow arguments ultimately Papaya for relied rejecting on the them,that effectivelydowed gaveWhole withit immunity, a Foods gene had fromhas pledged theMany virus that of itself the by 2018mostand impassioned crops,autism it diagnoses.) seemed speak- to manyhim, would otherButterflies dostudies little were and deemed disappearing, bogus but G.M.O.sFrankenfish!” in their Infood, a with 2013 most New of those York ingated into with a debate them that and has underplayed more typically the tensionwouldFrankenfish!” prove ofington di traditionalfficult enough. a “big In breeding. loss a 2013for liberal ademictechnology New politics.” institutions, York companies, itated wasthe farmers a modelwithBut told for them even(asharmed Butterflies andwell a asthem,national underplayed some were as that he disappearing, banhadwere thought. not) onthe meant such but In-would pManyrove di offficult the island’s enough. papaya farmers,descendantstechnology of companies, immigrants the who farmers came toldtionsharmed between them, the riseas he in had childhood thought. al- In- Ilagan had only to consult his inbox to er-growing salmon) jumping from a riv-geneticscientists,er to modification attackG.M.O. who arguescientists, a bear,labeling that as opponentswith merely who in the California ofargue caption anpremise ex-that and“No that opponents theyWash- G.M.O.sare unsafe. ofto havebepremise grown distortedsaved more that the the theysustainably. crop, risks arethey toldunsafe.associ- him. Makingto sell. upsaved his mindthe crop, about they that told alone him. If Mr. Ilagan worried about big bio- Mr.in Ilagan produced discounted by modified the correla- plants that mitted for regulatory approvhisseder-growingworriedTimesal at (a a poll, aboutcommentator fast- three-quarters healthsalmon)cally risks. ofjumping modified whoAmericans defended from foodpittedrisks a of hasriv- activists failing rankled to against try to usemany industry, the technol- somehe concluded,The papaya ultimately farmers appeared, relied pac- onhowhim, the the technologyRainbowthat it should effectively willcould replace reassurebenefit small gavehim. some itthestead,Mr. foods immunity,ers Ilagan milkweed the camecontaining herbicide learned on from had whichthat used it ge- inwas Mr.they conjunction not hatchedButterflies Ilagan’s ato tox- solve district the were problems of disappearing,by mainstream ofMr. an Ilagan industrial but scientists.learned tothat work it was on sugarnot a tox- plantations, have links er to attack a bear, with the caption “No G.M.O.s have distorted the risks associ- MakingNewTimes up applications hispoll,Whole mind three-quarters about Foods ofthat the hasalone technology,pledged of AmericansIf Mr. that Ilagan by worried 2018risks about crops,of big failing bio- it seemed to try to to use him, the would technol- do little descendants of immigrants who camehim, the Rainbow should reassure him.lergiesstead, and the the herbicide consumption used ofin G.M.O.s,conjunction be reminded of the prevailing opinion. ersurveyed Asto Ms.attack Wille’s expressed a billbear, was concern with debated the about here captiontensionhaveogyFrankenfish!” to “Noofargued imp traditionalingtonrove that howG.M.O.s opposition a food “big In breeding. is grown. havelossa from 2013 forWad-even distorted liberal Newing restlessly, politics.”the York risks outsideated associ- Mr. Ilagan’s withBut themoffice Making even andfarmers.Developed a up underplayednational Itshis primarily lead mind developer, ban by about scientists the on the that Hawai- such atwould ac- alonewaswithin p rove produced Many no some longer diIf geneticallyfficult of byMr.found the modified Ilaganenough. onisland’s modifiedmost plants Midwest- worried papayacrops that about farmers, bigtechnology bio- incompanies, produced the by farmers modified told tions plantsharmed between that them, the rise as he in childhoodhad thought. al- In- er-growing salmon) jumpinggenetic fromFrankenfish!” modification a riv-Margaret In ascientists, 2013as Wille, merely New who Yorkthe an sponsorargue ated ex- with that of them opponentsthe and ban underplayed on of G.M.O.s, thepremiseThewould spoke Rainbowthat prove ofthey difficult the Papaya are enough.need unsafe. to “act beforetechnology it’s savedcompanies,too neticallylate.” the the crop, farmers modified they told told ingredients him.Puna, known and label for itsMr. anti-establishment foodIlagan system learned that that existedit wasMr. not Ilagan long a tox- before discountedto the the Philippines, correla- as does Mr. Ilagan, throughoutG.M.O.s in their 2013, food, activists with most elsewhere of those smalling into pockets a debate of anthat American has more elite typically influ- soshortly farsurveyed after usedit Ms.will mostlyrisks Wille replace expressed introducedof onfailing some corn, the concernto foods soybeans,tryian-bornademic tocontaining use institutions, about Dennis the Gonsalves, technol- ge- itogy was ato was,to model imp solve along rove for the ern(asharmedhow farms.well problems food as them, some is asgrown. that heof hadwere an Wad- thought. industrialnot) meant In- to work on sugar plantations, have linksDeveloped primarily by scientists at ac-citedwith by some Ms. Wille genetically and others, modified after crops “Do the right thing,” one Chicago tensionFrankenfish!” of traditional Inbreeding. a 2013 NewNewrisksTimes York of applications failing poll,Whole to atedthree-quarters try to Foods use withof the the hastechnol- them technology, pledgedof andAmericans underplayed that by 2018 thecrops,would it seemed prove ditofficult him, wouldenough. do little descendantstechnology of companies, immigrants the who farmers camehim, told the Rainbowharmed should them, reassure as he had him. thought.lergiesstead, and In- the the herbicide consumption used of in G.M.O.s, conjunction er to attack a bear, with the captionworriedTimes poll, about “No three-quarters healthG.M.O.s risks. of Americans have distortedpitted activists the risks against associ- industry, some Makingcotton,The papaya up canola his farmers mind and appeared, sugarabout pac-thatbeets alonehowhim, to make thethe technologyRainbowIf others; Mr.should could Ilagan reassurebenefit signs small worriedhim. in Traderthestead, spirit. about milkweed the Joe’s herbicide “These big on proclaim, bio- which used chemical in they conjunctionin hatched producedtheir companiesThe invention. Rainbow by think modified Nortions Papaya was plants between it likely that to the di- rise who in childhood immigrated al- from there as a child. reading of the common mistake of con- woman wrote, “or no one will want to surveyed expressed concern aboutso farogysurveyed to used impitrove mostlywill how expressed replace food on is grown. corn, some concernWad- soybeans, foods containingG.M.O.s aboutnetically in ge-ogy their to modified impfood,rove with ingredients how mostDeveloped food of thoseis primarilyand grown. label bying Wad- scientists intofood a at debate ac- systemwith that somethat has genetically existed more typically modified long before crops to theDeveloped Philippines, primarily as does by Mr.scientists Ilagan, ademicat ac-cited institutions,with by some Ms. Wille it genetically was and a model others, modified for after (as crops well as some that were not) meant Frankenfish!” In a 2013New Times New As applications Ms. Yorkpoll, Wille’s three-quarters billated wasof the debated with technology, here themof Americans have and argued underplayed thatrisks opposition of failing the from even towould tryingThe top restlessly,rove Rainbowuse dithe outsidefficult technol-Papaya Mr. enough. Ilagan’sto solve office thefarmers. problems Itstechnology lead of“Nodeveloper, an G.M.O.s industrial companies, the Hawai- TheSold RainbowHere.”was thetothey’re nowork farmers him,longer General on going thefound Papayasugar told Rainbow on Millsto most plantations, win,”harmed Midwest- should minishone woman them, have reassure the linksas marketsaid. he him. had lergies power thought.stead, and of thethe In- herbicideconsumption “Big As used the of in G.M.O.s, plantations conjunction faded in the 1980s, throughoutG.M.O.s in their 2013, food, activists with most elsewhere of those smalling into pockets a debate of anthat American has more elite typically influ- themshortlyworried after moreothers; Ms. about ing Wille resistant intosigns introducedhealth a debate in torisks. Trader the weeds thatian-bornademic Joe’s has and institutions, Dennis more proclaim, Gonsalves, typically itpitted was a was,their model activists along for invention. ern(as against farms.well as Nor some industry, was that itwere likely some not) meant to di- Thewho papaya immigrated farmers from appeared, there as pac- a child.how the technology could benefit smallfusingthe correlation milkweed on for which causation. they (One hatched take a toxic tour ofTimes your poisonedpoll, three-quarters para- so of farsurveyed Americans used mostly expressed risks on corn, of failing concern soybeans,cotton, to G.M.O.stry about canola to neticallyuse in andthetheirogy technol- sugar to modifiedfood, imp beetswithrove ingredients mosthow to make food of those is and grown. label Wad-food system that existedhim, the longRainbow before shouldto“Hell, reassure theDeveloped Philippines, no, him. they’re primarily asstead, never does bythe going Mr.scientists herbicide Ilagan, to ademic win at used ac-cited institutions,in conjunctionwith by Ms.some it Wille was genetically a and model others, modified forreading after(as crops wellof the as common some that mistake were not)of con- meant worried about health risks. pitted activists against industry, some pests,The papayaAs have “No Ms. farmersdrawn G.M.O.s Wille’s appeared, increased bill SoldThe was pac- Here.” scrutiny. Rainbow debatedhow theGeneral technology A here Papaya announcedMills couldhave benefit minishargued last small week thethatthe market oppositionthat milkweed it would power on whichfrom stop of they even the hatched Ag” “Biging companies, restlessly,As the plantations outside which alsoMr. fadedIlagan’s dominate in office the 1980s,somefarmers. began growingIts lead developer,papayas. But the after Hawai-graph,was illustrating no longer foundthe weakness on most of Midwest- con- dise.” G.M.O.sAs Ms. Wille’sin their bill food, was debated with heremostthem haveofworried those more arguedothers; about that resistanting opposition health signsinto a to from indebaterisks. Trader weeds even that ing Joe’s and has restlessly, more proclaim, outside typicallypitted Mr. Ilagan’s their activists office invention. againstfarmers. Nor industry,Its lead was developer, it some likely the toHawai- di-Thewas who papaya no ademiclonger immigrated farmers found institutions, on most from appeared, Midwest- there it was pac- as a child.modelhow forthe technology(as well ascould some benefit that weresmall fusingnot)the meant correlation milkweed foron which causation. they (One hatched surveyed expressed cotton, concern canola about and sugarogy to beets improve to make how food is grown. Wad- recent Organic Consumers AssociationDevelopedusing geneticallyprimarily by modified scientistshere.” ingredients at ac- withsales some of genetically seeds that reading modifiedare not of genetically cropsthe common anmistake outbreak of con- of Papaya ringspot virus in clusions based on correlation, charted worriedthroughout about 2013, health activists risks. elsewherepests,small haveAs pockets Ms.“No drawn of Wille’s pittedG.M.O.san American increased billactivists Sold elite was influ- scrutiny.Here.” The debated againstshortly Rainbow General throughoutA here industry, afterannounced Ms.Mills havePapaya Wille some 2013, introducedarguedminish last activists week theThethat the thatian-bornopposition papaya market elsewhere it would Dennis farmers power from Gonsalves,stop small ofeven appeared, the was,Ag” pockets “Big along ing companies, pac-restlessly, ofern Asan farms. American thehow which outside plantations the technologyelite also Mr. influ- Ilagan’s dominate faded could in shortlyoffice the benefitsome 1980s, afterfarmers. begansmall Ms. growing WilleItsthe lead introduced milkweed papayas.developer, onBut the the whichafter Hawai-ian-born theygraph, hatched Denniswas illustrating no Gonsalves,longer thefound weakness was, on alongmost of Midwest- con-ern farms. G.M.O.s in their food, withthem most more of those resistanting into to a weeds debate andthat has more typically bulletin, for instance, pictures the firstademicin its institutions, Cheerios. it was Organic a model farmers for (as worried wellmodified, as thatsome and their that the were fusing pesticides not) correlation meant used on for causation.the mid-’90s, (One only the Rainbow, en- the lock-step rise in organic food sales As Ms. Wille’s bill was debatedrecentthroughout hereOrganicannounced have Consumers 2013, argued last activists week Associationthat that opposition elsewhere it wouldusing from stopsmall geneticallyeven pocketsAg” ing companies, of modifiedrestlessly, an American ingredients which outside elite also Mr. influ- dominateIlagan’ssalesshortly ofoffice seedssome after farmers. that began Ms. are Willegrowing notIts lead geneticallyintroduced papayas. developer, the But anthe after outbreak ian-bornHawai- of Dennis Papayawas no Gonsalves, ringspotlonger found virus was, on in along mostclusions Midwest-ern farms. based on correlation, charted Distrust on theworried Left about health risks.pests, have drawn increasedpitted activists scrutiny. against A industry, some Thegenetically papaya farmers modified appeared, animal to pac- be sub-how theBut technology the groundswell couldcrops benefit against would small geneti-be contaminatedthe both. milkweed The also arguments onmade whichgraph, for they rejecting illustrating hatched them, the weaknessdowed with of con-a gene from the virus itself and autism diagnoses.) throughout 2013, activists bulletin, elsewhere forusing instance,small genetically pockets pictures modifiedof thean American first ingredientsin elite its Cheerios. influ-salesshortly of seeds after that Ms. are Wille not genetically introducedmodified, the andan outbreak ian-born the pesticides of Dennis Papaya used Gonsalves, ringspot on virusthe was, mid-’90s,in along onlyern farms. the Rainbow, en- the lock-step rise in organic food sales As Ms. Wille’s bill wasrecent debated Organic here Consumershave argued Association that opposition from even ing restlessly,mitted for outside regulatory Mr. Ilagan’sapproval office (a fast-farmers.cally Its modified lead developer, food hasan the rankledimpression Hawai- many onwas theheno concluded,longer councilman, found ultimately onclusions most reliedMidwest- based on on the correlation,that effectively charted gave it immunity, had Butterflies were disappearing, but Margaret Wille, 66, had the island’s geneticallyin modified its Cheerios. animal to be sub- But the modified, groundswell and against the pesticides geneti- usedboth. on The argumentsthe mid-’90s, for rejecting only the them, Rainbow,dowed en- with a gene from the virus itself and autism diagnoses.) throughout 2013, activistsbulletin, elsewhere for instance,small pictures pockets the of firstan American elite influ- shortlyer-growing after Ms. salmon) Wille jumping introduced from the a riv-ian-bornscientists, Dennis who Gonsalves, arguethough that was, opponents he along felt that of ernthe actressfarms.premise Roseanne that they arethe unsafe. lock-step rise in organicsaved foodthe crop, sales they told him. Mr. Ilagan learned that it was not a tox- best interests at heart when she pro- mitted for regulatoryBut the groundswellapproval (a againstfast- cally geneti- modifiedboth. food The arguments has rankled for many rejectinghe them, concluded,dowed ultimately with a gene relied from on the the virusthat itself effectively gave it immunity, had Butterflies were disappearing, but genetically modified animal to be sub- er to attack a bear, with the caption “No G.M.O.s have distortedBarr, the who risks owns associ- an organicMaking macadamia up his mindand about autism that diagnoses.) alone If Mr. Ilagan worried about big bio- in produced by modified plants that posed the ban, Mr. Ilagan knew. er-growingcally salmon) modified jumping food from has a rankledriv- scientists, many whohe concluded, argue that ultimatelyopponents reliedof premise on the thatthat they effectively are unsafe. gave it immunity,saved had the crop, they told him. Mr. Ilagan learned that it was not a tox- mitted for regulatory approval (a fast- Frankenfish!” In a 2013 New York ated with them andnut underplayed farm here, thecould havewould been prove kinder difficult enough.Butterflies were disappearing,technology companies, but the farmers told harmed them, as he had thought. In- She majored in cultural anthropology er to attackscientists, a bear, with who the argue caption that “No opponentsG.M.O.s of havepremise distorted that thethey risks are unsafe.associ- Making up his mind about that alone If Mr. Ilagan worried about big bio- in produced by modified plants that er-growing salmon) jumping from a riv- Times poll, three-quarters of Americans risks of failing to trysaved toto theuse the papaya the crop, technol- farmersthey told in him. the room. Mr. Ilagan learned that him,it was the not Rainbow a tox- should reassure him. stead, the herbicide used in conjunction at Bennington College in Vermont and Frankenfish!”G.M.O.s In have a 2013 distorted New the York risks atedassoci- with them and underplayed the would prove difficult enough. technology companies, the farmers told harmed them, as he had thought. In- er to attack a bear, with the caption “No surveyed expressed Making concern up his about mind aboutogy to that imp rovealone how foodIf“Everybody Mr.is grown. Ilagan Wad- here worried is very about giving,” big bio- she in produced by modifiedDeveloped plants primarily that by scientists at ac- with some genetically modified crops practiced public advocacy law in Maine Frankenfish!” In a 2013 NewTimes York poll,ated three-quarters with them of andAmericans underplayedrisks the of failingwould to ptryrove to diusefficult the enough.technol- technologyhad told them.companies, “They theThe will farmers Rainbow bendhim, told over the PapayaRainbowharmed should them, reassure as he had him. thought.stead, In- the herbicide used in conjunction before moving a decade ago to the is- surveyed expressed concern aboutG.M.O.s inogy their to imp food,rove with how most food of is those grown. Wad-ing into a debate that has more typically Developed primarily by scientists atademic ac- institutions,with some it genetically was a model modified for crops(as well as some that were not) meant Times poll, three-quarters of Americans risks of failing to try to useworried the technol-about health risks. pitted activistsThe Rainbow againsthim,backwards industry,the Papaya Rainbow to somehelp should you burn reassureThe those papaya him.papa- farmersstead, appeared, the herbicide pac- usedhow in conjunctionthe technology could benefit small the milkweed on which they hatched land, where her brothers once owned a surveyed expressed concern G.M.O.s about in ogytheir to food, imp rovewith howmost food of those is grown.ing Wad- into a debate that has more typically Developedyas and grow primarily something by scientists decent.”ademic at ac- institutions,with some it geneticallywas a model modified for (as crops well as some that were not) meant health food store. worried about health risks. As Ms.pitted Wille’s activists billThe was Rainbow against debated industry, here Papaya somehave arguedThe that papaya opposition farmers from appeared, even ing pac- restlessly,how theoutside technology Mr. Ilagan’s could office benefit smallfarmers. theIts lead milkweed developer, on whichthe Hawai- they hatchedwas no longer found on most Midwest- G.M.O.s in their food, with most of those ing into a debate that hasthroughout more typically 2013, activists elsewhere small pockets of an AmericanademicMore institutions, strikingelite influ- to it Mr. wasshortly Ilagan a model after was for Ms.the Wille(as well introduced as some the that wereian-born not) Dennismeant Gonsalves, was, along ern farms. And her bill, like much anti-G.M.O. worried about health risks. As Ms. Wille’spitted activistsbill was debated against hereindustry,have some argued Thethat papayaopposition farmers from even appeared,ing pac- restlessly,howwarning outside the technology of Mr. Derek Ilagan’s Brewer,could office benefit 29, anfarmers. small Army Itsthe lead milkweed developer, on the which Hawai- they hatchedwas no longer found on most Midwest- action, was inspired by distrust of the As Ms. Wille’s bill was debatedthroughout here have 2013, argued activists that opposition elsewhere fromsmall even pocketsing ofrestlessly, an American outside elite Mr. influ- Ilagan’sshortly office afterfarmers.veteran Ms. Wille Itswho lead introducedserved developer, in Iraq the theand Hawai-ian-bornAfghan- Denniswas no Gonsalves, longer found was, on along most Midwest-ern farms. seed-producing biotechnology compa- throughout 2013, activists elsewhere small pockets of an American elite influ- shortly after Ms. Wille introduced the ian-bornistan before Dennis coming Gonsalves, to Hawaii was, to along help ern farms. nies, which had backed a state measure found an eco-hostel. “We don’t fully un- to prevent local governments from reg- derstand genetics,” Mr. Brewer said, his ulating their activity. dark hair tied back in a ponytail. “Once That bill, which passed the State Sen- you change something like this, there is ate but stalled in the House, appeared no taking it back.” largely aimed at other Hawaiian is- What really stuck with Mr. Ilagan lands, which were used by companies were the descriptions of tumorous rats. like Monsanto, Syngenta and Dow as a Reading testimony submitted before nursery for seeds. On Kauai, for in- the hearing, he had blanched at gro- stance, activists had been talking about tesque pictures of the animals fed Mon- how to limit the companies’ pesticide santo’s corn, modified with a gene from use. bacteria to tolerate an herbicide. Ac- The companies had no corporate cording to the French researcher who presence here on the Big Island, which performed the study, they developed lacks the large parcels of land they pre- more tumors and died earlier than ferred. Still, Ms. Wille said at a “March The idea of the ban was popular, but not universally so, as pro-G.M.O. T-shirts made clear. those in the control group. Against Monsanto” rally last spring, if “Are we all going to get cancer?” Mr. the island allowed farmers to grow ge- Ilagan wondered. netically modified crops, the companies collected 354,000 signatures for a peti- ences investment in research and the proposal for a G.M.O. ban in May. could gain a foothold. “This represents tion asserting that G.M.O.s endanger deployment of genetically modified nothing less than a takeover of our is- There were only around 200 of them Sifting Through Claims public health. In the Philippines, pro- crops, particularly in the developing land,” she told the crowd. “There’s a on an island with a population of about testers, citing safety concerns, ripped world, where hunger raises the stakes. The next week, when his legislative saying, ‘If you control the seed, you con- 185,000, but many lived in his district. up a test field of rice genetically engi- assistant alerted him that the rat study trol the food; if you control the food, you “Just as many on the political right They wanted to be sure he understood neered to address Vitamin A deficiency encountered near-universal scorn from control the people.’” discount the broad scientific consensus that genetically modified papayas, the among the world’s poor. A new chil- scientists after its release in autumn Ms. Wille, chairwoman of the Coun- that human activities contribute to glo- only commercially grown G.M.O. fruit dren’s book turned its heroine into a 2012, doubt about much of what Mr. Ila- cil’s Agriculture Committee, warned her bal warming, many progressive advoca- in the United States, account for three- crusader against genetic modification: gan had heard began to prick at his colleagues that what mattered was not cy groups disregard, reject or ignore the quarters of the 30 million pounds har- “These fruits and vegetables are not decades of scientific studies demon- vested annually here. mind. the amount of food produced, but its “Come to find out, the kind of rats natural,” she declares. strating the safety and wide-reaching “They’re treating us like we’re crimi- quality and the sustainability of how it they used would get tumors anyway,” And bills were proposed in some 20 benefits” of genetically engineered nals,” said Ross Sibucao, the head of the was grown. he told his staff. “And the sample size states to require “G.M.O.” labels on crops, Pamela Ronald, a professor of growers’ association. “My focus is on protecting our soil was too small for any conclusive re- foods with ingredients made from ge- plant pathology at the University of Cal- Another Council member favored raz- and the farms and properties that are sults.” netically engineered crops (about three- ifornia, Davis, wrote on the blog of the ing every genetically modified papaya not G.M.O.,” she said, noting also that Sensitive to the accusation that her quarters of processed foods now have nonprofit Biology Fortified. tree on the island. there was a marketing opportunity for bill was antiscience, Ms. Wille had cir- such ingredients, mostly corn syrup, And other scientists, including two non-G.M.O. products. But under Ms. Wille’s bill, the mod- culated material to support it. But in al- corn oil and soy meal and sugar). Such sentiments echoed well beyond Nobel Prize winners, wrote an opinion ified papaya, known as the Rainbow, most every case, Mr. Ilagan and his Hawaii, as Mr. Ilagan’s early research The legislation is backed by the fast- article for the journal Science last fall ti- was grandfathered in, as long as farm- staff found evidence that seemed to un- confirmed. growing organic food industry, which tled “Standing Up for G.M.O.s.” ers registered with the county and paid dermine the claims. College students, eco-conscious shop- sees such labeling as giving it a compet- As he traversed the island and the In- a $100 annual fee. A report, in an obscure Russian jour- pers and talk show celebrities like itive advantage. It has also become a ternet, Mr. Ilagan agreed with constitu- “You’re exempted,” Mr. Ilagan re- nal, about hamsters that lost the ability Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Oz and Bill Maher rallying cry among activists who want ents that there was good reason to sus- assured Mr. Sibucao. to reproduce after three generations as warned against consuming food made to change the industrial food system. pect that companies like Monsanto Even so, Mr. Sibucao replied, the bill a result of a diet of genetically modified with genetically modified ingredients. Rachel Maddow declared the narrow would place profit above public safety. would stigmatize any genetically mod- soybeans had been contradicted by Mr. Maher’s audience, in turn, recently failure of ballot initiatives to require He, too, wished for more healthful food ified food, making the Rainbow harder many other studies and deemed bogus hissed at a commentator who defended G.M.O. labeling in California and Wash- to be grown more sustainably. to sell. by mainstream scientists. genetic modification as merely an ex- ington a “big loss for liberal politics.” But even a national ban on such Many of the island’s papaya farmers, Mr. Ilagan discounted the correla- tension of traditional breeding. Whole Foods has pledged that by 2018 crops, it seemed to him, would do little descendants of immigrants who came tions between the rise in childhood al- New applications of the technology, it will replace some foods containing ge- to solve the problems of an industrial to work on sugar plantations, have links lergies and the consumption of G.M.O.s, so far used mostly on corn, soybeans, netically modified ingredients and label food system that existed long before to the Philippines, as does Mr. Ilagan, cited by Ms. Wille and others, after cotton, canola and sugar beets to make others; signs in Trader Joe’s proclaim, their invention. Nor was it likely to di- who immigrated from there as a child. reading of the common mistake of con- them more resistant to weeds and “No G.M.O.s Sold Here.” General Mills minish the market power of the “Big As the plantations faded in the 1980s, fusing correlation for causation. (One pests, have drawn increased scrutiny. A announced last week that it would stop Ag” companies, which also dominate some began growing papayas. But after graph, illustrating the weakness of con- recent Organic Consumers Association using genetically modified ingredients sales of seeds that are not genetically an outbreak of Papaya ringspot virus in clusions based on correlation, charted bulletin, for instance, pictures the first in its Cheerios. modified, and the pesticides used on the mid-’90s, only the Rainbow, en- the lock-step rise in organic food sales genetically modified animal to be sub- But the groundswell against geneti- both. The arguments for rejecting them, dowed with a gene from the virus itself and autism diagnoses.) mitted for regulatory approval (a fast- cally modified food has rankled many he concluded, ultimately relied on the that effectively gave it immunity, had Butterflies were disappearing, but er-growing salmon) jumping from a riv- scientists, who argue that opponents of premise that they are unsafe. saved the crop, they told him. Mr. Ilagan learned that it was not a tox- er to attack a bear, with the caption “No G.M.O.s have distorted the risks associ- Making up his mind about that alone If Mr. Ilagan worried about big bio- in produced by modified plants that Frankenfish!” In a 2013 New York ated with them and underplayed the would prove difficult enough. technology companies, the farmers told harmed them, as he had thought. In- Times poll, three-quarters of Americans risks of failing to try to use the technol- him, the Rainbow should reassure him. stead, the herbicide used in conjunction surveyed expressed concern about ogy to improve how food is grown. Wad- The Rainbow Papaya Developed primarily by scientists at ac- with some genetically modified crops G.M.O.s in their food, with most of those ing into a debate that has more typically ademic institutions, it was a model for (as well as some that were not) meant worried about health risks. pitted activists against industry, some The papaya farmers appeared, pac- how the technology could benefit small the milkweed on which they hatched As Ms. Wille’s bill was debated here have argued that opposition from even ing restlessly, outside Mr. Ilagan’s office farmers. Its lead developer, the Hawai- was no longer found on most Midwest- throughout 2013, activists elsewhere small pockets of an American elite influ- shortly after Ms. Wille introduced the ian-born Dennis Gonsalves, was, along ern farms. used mostly on corn, soybeans, cotton, canola sition from even small pockets of an American and sugar beets to make them more resistant to elite influences investment in research and the weeds and pests, have drawn increased scrutiny. deployment of genetically modified crops, par- A recent Organic Consumers Association bul- ticularly in the developing world, where hunger letin, for instance, pictures the first genetically raises the stakes. modified animal to be submitted for regulatory “Just as many on the political right discount approval (a faster-growing salmon) jumping the broad scientific consensus that human ac- from a river to attack a bear, with the caption tivities contribute to global warming, many pro- “No Frankenfish!” In a 2013 New York Times gressive advocacy groups disregard, reject or poll, three-quarters of Americans surveyed ex- ignore the decades of scientific studies demon- pressed concern about G.M.O.s in their food, with strating the safety and wide-reaching benefits” most of those worried about health risks. of genetically engineered crops, Pamela Ron- As Ms. Wille’s bill was debated here through- ald, a professor of plant pathology at the Uni- out 2013, activists elsewhere collected 354,000 versity of California, Davis, wrote on the blog of signatures for a petition asserting that G.M.O.s the nonprofit Biology Fortified. endanger public health. In the Philippines, pro- And other scientists, including two Nobel testers, citing safety concerns, ripped up a test Prize winners, wrote an opinion article for the field of rice genetically engineered to address journal Science last fall titled “Standing Up for Vitamin A deficiency among the world’s poor. A G.M.O.s.” new children’s book turned its heroine into a cru- As he traversed the island and the Internet, sader against genetic modification: “These fruits Mr. Ilagan agreed with constituents that there and vegetables are not natural,” she declares. was good reason to suspect that companies like And bills were proposed in some 20 states Monsanto would place profit above public safe- to require “G.M.O.” labels on foods with ingre- ty. He, too, wished for more healthful food to be dients made from genetically engineered crops grown more sustainably. (about three-quarters of processed foods now But even a national ban on such crops, it have such ingredients, mostly corn syrup, corn seemed to him, would do little to solve the prob- oil and soy meal and sugar). lems of an industrial food system that existed The legislation is backed by the fast-grow- long before their invention. Nor was it likely to ing organic food industry, which sees such la- diminish the market power of the “Big Ag” com- beling as giving it a competitive advantage. It panies, which also dominate sales of seeds that has also become a rallying cry among activists are not genetically modified, and the pesticides who want to change the industrial food system. used on both. The arguments for rejecting them, Rachel Maddow declared the narrow failure of he concluded, ultimately relied on the premise ballot initiatives to require G.M.O. labeling in that they are unsafe. California and Washington a “big loss for liberal Making up his mind about that alone would politics.” prove difficult enough. Whole Foods has pledged that by 2018 it will replace some foods containing genetically The Rainbow Papaya modified ingredients and label others; signs in The papaya farmers appeared, pacing rest- Trader Joe’s proclaim, “No G.M.O.s Sold Here.” lessly, outside Mr. Ilagan’s office shortly after General Mills announced last week that it would Ms. Wille introduced the proposal for a G.M.O. stop using genetically modified ingredients in ban in May. its Cheerios. There were only around 200 of them on an But the groundswell against genetically island with a population of about 185,000, but modified food has rankled many scientists, who many lived in his district. They wanted to be argue that opponents of G.M.O.s have distorted sure he understood that genetically modified the risks associated with them and underplayed papayas, the only commercially grown G.M.O. the risks of failing to try to use the technology fruit in the United States, account for three- to improve how food is grown. Wading into a quarters of the 30 million pounds harvested an- debate that has more typically pitted activists nually here. against industry, some have argued that oppo- “They’re treating us like we’re criminals,” C M Y K C M Y Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1 C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1

THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY,THE JANUARY NEW YORK 5, 2014TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014N 19 N 19 THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 N 19 He heard many times that there were He heard many times that there were no independent studies of the safety of He heard many times that there were no independent studies of the safety of genetically modified organisms. But genetically modified organisms. But no independent studies ofBiofortified, the safety whichof received no funding genetically modified organisms. But Biofortified, which received no funding from industry, listed more than a hun- from industry, listed more than a hun- Biofortified, which receiveddred no such funding studies, including a 2010 com- C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1 from industry, listed more than a hundred such studies, including a 2010 comprehensive review sponsored by the prehensive review sponsored by the dred such studies, includingEuropean a 2010 com- Union, that found “no scien- prehensive review sponsored by the European Union, that found “no scientific evidence associating G.M.O.s with tific evidence associating G.M.O.s with European Union, that found “no scien- THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 N 19 higher risks for the environment or for higher risks for the environment or for tific evidence associatingfood G.M.O.s and feed with safety than conventional higher risks for the environment or for food and feed safety than conventional plants and organisms.” It echoed simi- plants andHe organisms.”heard many times It that echoed there were simi- food and feed safety than conventional no independent studies of the safety of lar statements by the World Health Or- lar statementsgenetically by modified the World organisms. Health But Or- plants and organisms.” Itganization, echoed simi- the National Academy of lar statements by the World Health Or- ganization,Biofortified, the Nationalwhich received Academy no funding of Sciences, the Royal Society of Medicine Sciences,from the industry, Royal listedSociety more of than Medicine a hun- ganization, the Nationaland Academy the American of Association for the dred such studies, including a 2010 com- Sciences, the Royal Society of Medicine and theprehensive American review Association sponsored by for the the Advancement of Science. European Union, that found “no scien- and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. A blog post on the website of NPR, a tific evidence associating G.M.O.s with Advancement of Science. A bloghigher post risks on forthe the website environment of NPR, or for a news source Mr. Ilagan trusted, cata- A blog post on the website of NPR, a news sourcefood and Mr. feed Ilagansafety than trusted, conventional cata- loged what it called “Top Five Myths of loged whatplants it andcalled organisms.” “Top FiveIt echoed Myths simi- of news source Mr. IlaganGenetically trusted, cata- Modified Seeds, Busted.” lar statements by the World Health Or- Geneticallyganization, Modified the National Seeds, Academy Busted.” of loged what it called “TopNo. Five 1 was Myths a thing of he had long believed: Genetically Modified Seeds, Busted.” No. 1 wasSciences, a thing the heRoyal had Society long of believed:Medicine “Seeds from G.M.O.s are sterile.” and the American Association for the No. 1 was a thing he had long believed: “Seeds from G.M.O.s are sterile.” One of the more alarming effects of Advancement of Science. “Seeds from G.M.O.s are sterile.” One of A the blog more post on alarmingthe website of effects NPR, a of G.M.O.s that Ms. Wille had cited was One of the more alarming effects of G.M.O.snews that source Ms. Mr. Wille Ilagan had trusted, cited cata- was suicides among farmers in India, pur- suicidesloged among what it farmers called “Top in Five India, Myths pur-of G.M.O.s that Ms. Wille portedly had cited driven was into debt by the high Genetically Modified Seeds, Busted.” portedlyNo. driven 1 was a thing into he debt had long by believed: the high suicides among farmerscost in India, of patented, pur- genetically modified portedly driven into debt by the high cost of “Seeds patented, from G.M.O.s genetically are sterile.” modified cotton seeds. One of the more alarming effects of cost of patented, genetically modified cotton seeds. Biotechnology companies, she said, G.M.O.s that Ms. Wille had cited was cotton seeds. Biotechnologysuicides among companies, farmers in India, she pur- said, “come in and give it away cheap, and Biotechnology companies, she said, “come inportedly and givedriven it into away debt by cheap, the high and then raise prices.” then raisecost prices.” of patented, genetically modified “come in and give it away cheap, and cotton seeds. Monsanto’s cotton, engineered with a then raise prices.” Monsanto’sBiotechnology cotton, companies,engineered she with said, a gene from bacteria to ward off certain “come in and give it away cheap, and Monsanto’s cotton, engineered with a gene from bacteria to ward off certain insects, had “pushed 270,000 farmers to insects, thenhad raise “pushed prices.” 270,000 farmers to gene from bacteria to wardsuicide” off certainsince the company started sell- Monsanto’s cotton, engineered with a insects, had “pushed 270,000 farmers to suicide”gene since from the bacteria company to ward started off certain selling it in India in 2002, the activist Van- insects, had “pushed 270,000 farmers to suicide” since the company started selling it in India in 2002, the activist Van- dana Shiva said in a Honolulu speech dana Shivasuicide” said since in the a company Honolulu started speech selling it in India in 2002, theMs. activist Wille attended. Van- ing it in India in 2002, the activist Van- dana Shiva said in a Honolulu speech Ms. Willedana attended. Shiva said in a Honolulu speech But in Nature, a leading academic Ms. Wille attended. Ms. Wille attended. But in Nature, a leading academic journal, Mr. Ilagan found an article with But in Nature, a leading academic But in Nature, a leading academic journal, journal,Mr. Ilagan Mr. Ilagan found found an an article article with with the subhead “GM Cotton Has Driven the subheadthe subhead “GM “GM Cotton Cotton Has Has Driven Driven journal, Mr. Ilagan found an article with Farmers to Suicide: False.” Farmers to Suicide: False.” Farmers to Suicide: False.” PHOTOGRAPHSPHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW NEW YORK YORK TIMES TIMES the subhead “GM Cotton Has Driven PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES According to the Nature article, peer- According to the Nature article, peer- Mr. Ilagan with Alberto Belmes, one of the growers of genetically modified papayas whose views helped change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. Farmers to Suicide: False.” AccordingreviewedMr. to the researchIlagan Nature inwith 2011 article, Alberto found thatpeer- Belmes, one of the growers of genetically modified papayas whose views helped change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. reviewed research in 2011 found that Mr. Ilagan with Alberto Belmes, one of thePHOTOGRAPHS growers BY of JIM genetically WILSON/THE NEW modified YORK TIMES papayas whose views helped change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. According to the Nature article, peer- reviewedsuicides research among farmers in 2011 were found no more that suicides among farmers were noMr. more Ilagan withsuicides Albertonumerous among Belmes, after farmers the onenew were seeds of the nowere growers more inof genetically modified papayas whose views helped change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. in their fields by accident. But he found reviewed research in 2011 found that scourge of the world’s poor. numerous after the new seeds were introduced than before. And a 2012 study in their fieldsthere wasby accident. no evidence But that he Monsanto found suicides among farmers were no more numerousfound after that farmers’the new profits seeds rose becausewere in- That did not mean genetically engi- had ever initiated such a lawsuit. in their fields by accident. But he found troduced than before. And a 2012 study scourgetroduced of ofthe thanreduced world’s before. losses poor. from And pest a attacks. 2012 study neeredscourge food could of the never world’s cause harm.poor. there was “I’m no still evidence trying to thatvoice this Monsanto out,” he numerous after the new seeds were in- said Ross Sibucao, the head of the growers’ asin theirIf fields Mr .by Ilagan accident. worried But he aboutfound big biotechnol- there was no evidence that Monsanto found that farmers’ profits rose because Thatfound did that not“There’s farmers’ mean farmers profits genetically committing rose because engi-suicide But the Thatrisks of didsuch notcrops meancould be geneticallyreli- engi- had ever said,initiated “but to such me it ajust lawsuit. seems symbolic. had ever initiated such a lawsuit. troduced than before. And a 2012 study scourge of the world’s poor. ably tested, and they had so far proved of reduced losses from pest attacks. neered foodbecause could of the never whole debt cause issue, harm. but it’s sociation. thereogy was companies, no evidence the that farmers“I’m Monsanto stillLike trying tolddoing somethinghim, to voice the that this R seemsain out,” -good, he found that farmers’ profits rose because That did not mean geneticallyof reduced engi-not losses because from of the pest G.M.O. attacks. issue,” Mr. safe.neered “With scientists, food could we never never say cause harm. had ever initiated such a lawsuit. but not really achieving what you want “I’m still trying to voice this out,” he “There’s farmers committing suicide But the risksIlagan of saidsuch he cropsconcluded could in mid-August. be reli- anythingBut istheAnother 100 riskspercent of certain suchCouncil one crops way couldmember be reli- favored razing bow should reassuresaid, him. “butto Developedto achieve.” me it just seemsprimarily symbolic. of reduced losses from pest attacks. neered food could never cause“There’s harm. farmers committing suicide “I’m still trying to voice this out,” he said, “but to me it just seems symbolic. because of the whole debt issue, but it’s ablybecause tested, of Still,and the it they waswhole hard had debt not so to farissue,be spooked proved but by it’s or another,”ablyevery tested, Dr. genetically Suzuki and said. they “We weighhadmodified so far p rovedpapaya tree on the by scientists at academicLike doing Ms.somethinginstitutions, Haskin took that his hand. seemsit was“You good, have Like doing something that seems good, “There’s farmers committing suicide But the risks of such crops could bematerial reli- emailed by constituents and conclusions on accumulated knowledge said, “but to me it just seems symbolic.to vote for this bill,” she pleaded. “What not because of the G.M.O. issue,” Mr. safe. “With scientists, we never say safe. “With scientists, we never say but not really achieving what you want because of the whole debt issue, but it’s ably tested, and they had sonot far because provedcirculated of on the Facebook: G.M.O. images issue,” of to- Mr. or evidenceisland. — but often this is not satis- Likea modeldoing something for how that the seems technology aboutgood, all the could pesticides benefit being sprayed but not really achieving what you want Ilagan said he concluded in mid-August. anything ismatoes 100 percent with syringes certain stuck inone them way and factoryanything for some.” is 100 percent certain one way to achieve.”on our food?” not because of the G.M.O. issue,” Mr. safe. “With scientists, weIlagan never said say he concluded in mid-August. But under Ms. Wille’s bill, the modified pa- butsmall not really farmers. achieving Its leadwhat developer,you want the Hawaiian- to achieve.” Still, it was hard not to be spooked by or another,”Still, itof wasDr. pears Suzukihard and applesnot said. to stapled be “We spooked together,weigh by or another,” Dr. Suzuki said. “We weigh Ms. HaskinThe took conversation, his hand. he noticed,“You have had Ms. Haskin took his hand. “You have Ilagan said he concluded in mid-August. anything is 100 percent certain one warningsway of children harmed by parents to achieve.” turned again. material emailed by constituents and conclusions on accumulated knowledge Silencingconclusionspaya, the known Scientists on accumulatedas the Rainbow, knowledge was grandfathered born Dennis Gonsalves,to vote forwas, this along bill,” she with pleaded. others “What Still, it was hard not to be spooked by or another,” Dr. Suzuki said.material “We weighserving emailed genetically by constituents modified food. The and Ms. Haskin took his hand. “You have to vote for this bill,” she pleaded. “What circulated on Facebook: images of to- or evidencespecter — but of often genetic this contamination is not satis- still Onor Oct. evidence 1, Mr. Ilagan — but voted often to block this is not satis- about all the pesticides being sprayed material emailed by constituents and conclusions on accumulatedcirculated knowledge on Facebook: images of toin, as long as farmers registered with the county to onvote the for team,this bill,” awarded she pleaded. the “What Emotional2002 Humboldt Testimony Prize about all the pesticides being sprayed matoes with syringes stuck in them and factorymatoes for withhauntedsome.” syringes him. And stuckhis mother, in them who had and the billfactory from moving for some.” out of committee, on our food?” on our food?” circulated on Facebook: images of to- or evidence — but often this is not satis-always served papaya at home, had shortlyand after paid a day a of $100 what Ms.annual Wille fee. for the most significant contributionThe Council meeting to onUnited Oct. 15 start- of pears and apples stapled together, about all the pesticides beingThe sprayed conversation, he noticed, had matoes with syringes stuck in them and factory for some.” of pearsstopped and becauseapples of stapled her new concernstogether, and Brenda Ford, another Council on our food?” ed with public testimony that lasted The conversation, he noticed, had warnings of children harmed by parents warningsabout of childrenthe Rainbow harmed variety. by parents member who“You’re was a proponent exempted,” of the Mr. Ilagan reassured States agriculture turnedin five again. years.more than seven hours. turned again. of pears and apples stapled together, Silencing the Scientists ban, Silencinghad described as theexpert Scientists testimony. The conversation, he noticed, had serving genetically modified food. The serving genetically modified food. The Mr. Sibucao. Japanese as well as AmericanAgain, Mr. Ilaganregulators found himself warnings of children harmed by parents At the hearing on Sept. 23, he had touched by the emotion of the crowd. A specter of geneticSilencing contamination the stillScientistsOn Oct. Learning 1, Mr. Ilagan From voteda Researcher to block On Oct. 1, Mr. Ilagan voted to block turned again. serving genetically modified food. The specter of genetic contamination still grown increasinglyEven uneasyso, M asr his. Sibucao fellow replied,The theRainbow bill papaya would is genetically had modified approved to resist the a Emotionalpapaya.mother And Testimony brought because her 8-year-old the tovi testify.- haunted him. And his mother, who had the bill fromThe moving scientists out at the of national committee, agricul- Councilthe members bill from declined moving to call out sev- of committee, Mr. Brewer, the eco-hostel owner, was Emotional Testimony specter of genetic contamination still On Oct. 1, Mr. Ilagan votedhaunted to block him. And his mother, who had virus that devastated other papaya varieties on Hawaii. always served papaya at home, had shortly afterture aresearch day ofcenter what here Ms. were Willenot ac- eral Universityshortlystigmatize afterof Hawaii any a scientists day genetically of who what Ms. modified Wille food, mak- Emotionalrus was spread Testimony by insects,The Councilin thewhich audiencemeeting growers with on hisOct. wife, had 15 whostart- is haunted him. And his mother, who had the bill from moving out ofalways committee, customed served to papaya local Council at home, representa- had had flown from Oahu, instead allotting deaf, signing so she could follow the de- The Council meeting on Oct. 15 start- stopped because of her new concerns and Brenda Ford, another Council anding the Brenda Rainbow Ford, harder another to Councilsell. sought to control edwith with pesticide public testimony sprays, that the lasted always served papaya at home, had shortly after a day of whatstopped Ms. Willetives because dropping of by herunannounced. new concerns 45 minutes to Jeffrey Smith, a self- The Council meeting on Oct. 15 bate.start- Invoking the Hawaiian word for ed with public testimony that lasted about the Rainbow variety. memberabout the who ButRainbow was one day a invariety. proponent August, Mr. Ilagan of the re- styledmember expertM onan G.M.O.s whoy of was withthe no a island’sscien- proponentlette,” papaya ofa movie the he producedfarmers, based deon his- ningRainbow genetically modifiedhad reduced organisms.more the than “land,”use seven of several hours.chemicals. speakers — not neces- more than seven hours. stopped because of her new concerns and Brenda Ford, another Councilcalled, when he turned up in search of tific credentials. ed with public testimony that sarily lasted of Hawaiian descent — begged ban, had described as expert testimony. ban, had described as expert testimony.book of the same title that had been Ms. Wille assured her colleaguesAgain, that, Mr. Ilagan found himself Again, Mr. Ilagan found himself about the Rainbow variety. member who was a proponent ofsomeone the who could answer questions Onescendants University of Hawaiiof immigrants at Manoa shown who at onecame of the to island’s work “March on moreupon thantheM bill’sr .seven Ilagan passage, hours. she took would their sup- point.for “our aina”“If weto be aspreserved. a body “Our is- At the hearingabout genetic on contamination, Sept. 23, he found had a biologist,At Richard the hearingManshardt, onrespond- Sept. 23, he had touched by the emotion of the crowd. A Learning Fromban, a Researcher had described as expertLearning testimony. From a Researcher Against Monsanto” events, appeared at portAgain, the formation Mr. of Ilagan such a group. found But himselfland can be the uncontaminated seed- touched by the emotion of the crowd. A grown increasinglymolecular biologist uneasy willing as histo help. fellow ed togrownsugar a question increasingly plantations, from Ms. Ford uneasy abouthave as thelinks his hearing fellow to by the Skype Philippines, from Arizona. itpass was better this,” not tohe delay, said, she mother said:thinking “I broughtbed aloud for the her world,” at 8-year-old the one said. second to testify. mother brought her 8-year-old to testify. At the hearing on Sept. 23, he had“It’s kind of a loaded term,” the coun- the effect on honeybeesThe Rainbow of corn engi- papaya is genetically modifiedThe totouched Rainbowresist a by papayathe emotion is genetically of the crow modifiedThosed. A in favor to resist of the a bill outnum- Learning From a ResearcherThe scientists at the national agricul- CouncilThe members scientists declinedat the national to call agricul- sev- Councilas does members Mr. Ilagan, declined who to immigrated He call praised sev- the Council from for stepping there in wantpublic to draw hearing a line in the sandin Mr.July,until we Brewer, “it shows the eco-hostel we think owner, all was Mr. Brewer, the eco-hostel owner, was grown increasingly uneasy as his fellowcilman remembered the scientist, Jon neered to resist pests:virus none, that he devastatedsaid, be- where other he believes papaya that varieties federal regula-virus onmother Hawaii. canthat take devastated broughta closer look.” her other 8-year-old papaya to testify.varietiesbered those opposedon Hawaii. by more than five ture research center here were not ac- eralture University researchSuzuki, of saying.center Hawaii “What here scientists they’re wereThe talking notwhoRainbow ac- cause eralpapaya the University protein is itgenetically produced of Hawaii affected modified scientists to who resist a in the audienceto one. with his wife, who is The scientists at the national agricul- Council members declined to call sev- as a child. As the plantationstory agencies faded have in failed, the and 1980s, suggest- Mr.G. Brewer,M.O.s are the eco-hostelwrong.” owner, was in the audience with his wife, who is customed to local Council representa- hadcustomed flown about from to is localOahu, cross-pollination, Council instead virus representa- allotting which that is devastatedonly hadcertain flown insect other fromgroups, papaya Oahu,and was varieties insteadnot ed that allotting on the Hawaii. Rainbow papaya could harm deaf, signingLukas so Kambic,she could a biology follow major the at thede- deaf, signing so she could follow the de- ture research center here were not ac- eral University of Hawaii scientists somethingwho that happens all the time toxic to bees. inAngry the audienceVoters with his wife, whoUniversity is of Hawaii at Hilo, sought to tives dropping by unannounced. 45 tives minutes dropping to Jeffrey by unannounced. Smith, a self- 45some minutes began to growing Jeffrey Smith, papayas.people a because self- But of aafter protein producedan out by- bate. Invoking the Hawaiian word for customed to local Council representa- had flown from Oahu, instead allottingwithin species.” “I don’t agree with the professor,” the viral gene added to it, adding that no deaf,The signing response soto Mr. she Ilagan’s could vote follow was theuse de- his own experience to counter the bate. Invoking the Hawaiian word for But one day in August, Mr. Ilagan re- styled expertThe on councilman G.M.O.s knew with little no about scien- how Ms. Fordstyledbreak told experther of colleagues. Papaya on G.M.O.s ringspot with no virus scien- in the mid-’90s, Superweeds and“land,” Rats severalanecdotes speakers others voiced — that not night. neces- “My tives dropping by unannounced. 45 minutes to Jeffrey Smith,But a one self- day in August, Mr. Ilagan re- lette,” a movie he produced basedhuman on his or animalning feedinglette,” genetically studiesa movie had modified hebate. producedswift andInv organisms. unambiguous.oking based the on Hawaiianhis ning word genetically for modified organisms. “land,” several speakers — not neces- called, when he turned up in search of tificcalled, credentials. whenfood was he grown. turned He enlisted up in in search the Air of Manytific University credentials. of Hawaii scientists ever been conducted on the fruit. He was mocked on Facebooksarily and pil- of mom Hawaiian ate organic descent food exclusively — begged and sarily of Hawaiian descent — begged But one day in August, Mr. Ilagan re- styled expert on G.M.O.s with no scien-National Guard immediately after high hadbook alreadyonly of registered the sameRainbow, their title opposition that endowed had been with aMs.book gene Wille of from theassured same “land,” her title colleagues Instructed several that had speakersthat, been by the — chairman notMs. neces-Willedid yoga assured all not the time,to her applaud, and colleagues she died of athat, someone who could answer questions Onesomeone University who couldlette,” of Hawaii answer a movie at questionsManoa he produced basedOne on University his ning of genetically Hawaii atMr. modified Manoa Ilagan was organisms. genuinely curious to loried in letters from constituents.for “You “our aina” to be preserved. “Our is- called, when he turned up in search of tific credentials. school and abandoned his first semester toshown thethe bill, invirus at written one itself and of oral the that testimony island’s effectively hear “March the author’s gaveupon take itshown immunity, onthe his bill’sown at latest one passage, ofsarily havethe the she been of island’sresidents Hawaiianwouldinfluenced “Marchsup- by who descent the contrived packedupon — beggedthebrain the bill’s aneurysm,” County passage, Mr. KambicCouncil she wouldsaid. “Ac- sup- for “our aina” to be preserved. “Our is- about genetic contamination, he found a biologist, Richardof community Manshardt,book college of classes the respond- same when he title and that lettersbiologist, had in the been localRichard papers. Ms.Manshardt, Wille assured respond- her colleagues that, land can cording be the to uncontaminatedthe logic of people here, seed- she someone who could answer questions One University of Hawaiiabout at Manoagenetic contamination, he found a Against Monsanto” events, appearedrealization: at Eachport geneticallyAgainst the formation Monsanto” modified forofarguments such “ourevents, aaina” group. from appeared theto Butbe pro-G.M.O. preserved. at inter-port “Ourthe formation isof such a group. But land can be the uncontaminated seed- molecular biologist willing to help. ed molecular to a questiondecided biologist to fromrunshown for willing Ms.the atCouncil Ford to one help. seat. about of the island’sIf theedhad ban to “Marchsaved passed, a question local the farmersupon crop, from thecould Ms.they bill’s Fordorganism told passage, about him. was different, she would and came sup- with ests,”chamber one letter inread. Kona “Many ofonbed my July fel-for the was3 world,”erupted killed by one organic in said. frequentfood and yoga.” bed for the world,” one said. about genetic contamination, he found a biologist, Richard Manshardt, respond-Dr. Suzuki gave him a tutorial on notthe take hearing advantage by Skype of projects from under- Arizona. it wasthe hearing better notby Skype toland delay, from can she be Arizona. said:the uncontaminated “I it was better seed-The room not was to silent. delay, she said: “I “It’s kind of a loaded term,” the coun- the effect on honeybeesAgainst of Monsanto” corn engi- events, theappeared effect at on honeybeesport the formation of its corn own set engi-of of such trade-offs. a group. But low Puna residents will seriouslyThose con- in favor of the bill outnum- molecular biologist willing to help. ed to a question from Ms. Ford“It’s aboutkindplant ofreproduction, a loaded Mr. term,” Ilagan the recalled, coun- wayHe at thepraised university the andCouncil elsewhere, for stepping“I don’t in see a blanketwantHe toban,” drawpraised he told a hisline thebed inCouncilsider the for more sandthe for progressiveworld,” steppinguntil we one candidates in said.want for to Knowingdraw a thatline thein the final sand vote onuntil the we Those in favor of the bill outnum- cilman remembered the scientist, Jon neered to resistexplaining pests: the that hearingnone, with the he wind, by said, Skype insects be- fromthey Arizona. neered noted, including to resist drought-tolerant pests:it was none, better hestaff not said, that to week.be- delay, “It seems she said: like it should “I the next Council term.” bered thoseban wasopposed yet to come,by more Mr. Ilagan than voted five “It’s kind of a loaded term,” the coun- the effect on honeybees ofcilman corn engi- remembered the scientist, Jon where he believes that federal regula- canwhere take a hecloser believes look.”Those that federal in favor regula- of the billcan take outnum- a closer look.” bered those opposed by more than five Suzuki, saying. “What they’re talking causeSuzuki, the and protein saying. animals it “What He produced spreading praised they’re pollen affectedthe talking Council and cropstory forcause andstepping agencies higher-yield the inprotein have pineapplewant failed, it plants.producedto anddraw suggest-be a a affectedlinecase-by-case in the thing.”sand until we “Greggor, what do you thinkto you’re one. “no” after the hearing. Then nearly to one. cilman remembered the scientist, Jon neered to resist pests: none, he said,seeds, be- cross-pollination can never be Genetic engineering is a precise tech- “Aloha, Mr. Smith,”tory Mr. agencies Ilagan said havebereddoing?” failed, those his campaignand opposed suggest- manager, by more Kareen than1,000 five people quickly signed a petition about is cross-pollination, which is only certain insect wheregroups, he and believes was not that federalonly certain regula- insectcan groups, take a closer and was look.” not Lukas Kambic, a biology major at the Suzuki, saying. “What they’re talking cause the protein it producedabout affected isentirely cross-pollination, avoided. which is niqueed that that the “itself Rainbow is not harmful,” papaya the couldwhen harm he had hisAngry ed turn. that “Or Voters the is itRainbow Dr. toHaskin, one. papaya 70, a close could family harm friend, asked demanding that he change his vote at Lukas Kambic, a biology major at the something that happens all the time toxicsomething to bees.But, that Mr. tory Ilagan happens agencies learned, all by havethe stagger- time failed,dean andtoxic of the suggest- toschool’s bees. College of Tropical Smith?” him. “The main thing I told peopleUniversityAngry was the Votersof final Hawaii hearing, atscheduled Hilo, soughtfor Nov. 18. to about is cross-pollination, which is only certain insect groups, and was not people because of a protein produced by people because of aLukas protein Kambic, produced a biology by major at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, sought to within species.” “Iwithin don’t species.”ing agree planting ed with times that the and the ensuring professor,” Rainbow a rea- papayaAgriculturethe viralcould“I don’tandgene harm Human added agree Resources,Angry to with it, adding Ma- theVoters professor,” that“No, no Jeffrey’s fine,”The Mr.response Smith said to Mr.you Ilagan’s would listen vote to them.” was use his ownFor the experience first time in his to career counter as coun- the use his own experience to counter the something that happens all the time toxic to bees. sonable distancepeople between because crops, of ita protein is ria Gallo, produced wrote in byone op-ed. over Skype. the viral gene addedUniversityHe to told it, heradding ofthat Hawaii though that a no vocalat Hilo, minor- Thesought cilman,response to he beganto Mr. to Ilagan’s consider vote voting was The councilman knew little about how Ms. FordThe councilmantold her colleagues. knew little about how humanButMs. Ms. Ford Wille or animal told had largely her feeding colleagues. dismissed studies had swift and unambiguous. anecdotes“kanalua” others —voiced yes, with that reservation. night. “My anecdotes others voiced that night. “My within species.” “I don’t agree with the professor,”usually possiblethe viral to avoid gene large-scale added to it, adding that no The response“In to your Mr. world,” Ilagan’s Mr.human Ilagan vote asked, orwas animal “is useity feeding supported his own studiesthe experience ban, many had other toswift con- counter and theunambiguous. food was grown. He enlisted in the Air Manyfood was Universitymingling. grown. Also, ofHe Hawaii plantsenlisted have scientists in different the Air theever opinions Manybeen of conducted University university researchers, on of the Hawaii fruit.there scientists any room for anyHeever G.M.O.?”was been mocked conducted onstituents Facebook on the knew fruit. littleand about pil- the momcomplexHe ate was organicIn mocked early November food on exclusivelyFacebook, he sought toand and es- pil- mom ate organic food exclusively and The councilman knew little about how Ms. Ford told her colleagues. fertilization methods: The Rainbow pa- citing Monsanto contributionsswift toand the unambiguous. anecdotes others voiced that night.cape “My with a friend to a condo in Kona, National Guard immediately after high hadNational already Guard registered humanimmediately their or opposition animal after high feeding Mr.had studies Ilaganalready had was registered genuinely their curious oppositionMr. Smith to repliedloried that therein letters was not. fromissue. constituents. “I have to do“You what’s rightdid yoga for all the time, and she died of a did yoga all the time, and she died of a food was grown. He enlisted in the Air Many University of Hawaii scientistspaya, for ever instance, been was conducted largely self- on theuniversity. fruit. In 2012, she noted,He the wascom- mockedIn the on afternoon, Facebook Dr.Mr. Gonsalves, and Ilagan pil- who wasmomthem, genuinely atetoo.” organic curious food to exclusivelyloried inonly andletters to be accosted from atconstituents. the pool by a vot- “You school and abandoned his first semester to theschool bill, and infertilizing. written abandoned If itand is planted hisoral first testimony about semester 12 feet panyhearto made the bill,author’s a one-time in written take donation on and his oforal own testimony latest have been influenced by the contrived brain aneurysm,”er demanding Mr. answers. Kambic said. “Ac- brain aneurysm,” Mr. Kambic said. “Ac- National Guard immediately after high had already registered their opposition Mr. Ilagan was genuinely curious to loried in lettersled thefrom development constituents.hear of the the Rainbow “You author’s pa- did take Heyoga toldon allhis Ms. the own Haskin time, latest what and he she have had died been of a influenced by the contrived of community college classes when he andof letters communityaway in the from local college other papers. varieties, classes the chance when of he $600,000realization:and for letters student Each in scholarships the genetically local atpapers. the modifiedpaya, was givenarguments timerealization: to respond from to Mr. Each thelearned genetically pro-G.M.O. about health modified inter- and environmentalcordingarguments to Andthe on fromlogic Nov. theof14, peopleMr. pro-G.M.O. Brewer, here, the vet- she inter- cording to the logic of people here, she school and abandoned his first semester to the bill, in written and oral testimonycross-pollination is exceedingly low. College of Tropical Agriculturehave and been Hu- influencedSmith’s allegations. by the He laid contrived to rest a lin- brainaspects aneurysm,” of genetic engineering. Mr. Kambic But as said.eran “Ac- who runs an eco-hostel, visited decided to run for the Council seat. Ifdecided the ban to passed, run forhear localthe theCouncil farmers author’s seat. could take onorganism his ownIf the latestwas ban different,passed, local and farmers came with could ests,” one letter read. “Many of my fel- was killed by organic food and yoga.” was killed by organic food and yoga.” of community college classes when he and letters in the local papers. “But whatrealization: about the papaya Each contam- geneticallyman Resources, modified an amountarguments that the col- fromgering the question pro-G.M.O. aboutorganism papaya inter- was safety different,cordinghe had foundtoand the oftencame logic happened with of people in ests,” con- here, onehim she inletter his office. read. They “Many discussed of my Mr. fel- Dr. Suzuki gave him a tutorial on not takeDr. Suzuki advantageinating” —gave Mr. of Ilagan him projects recalls a tutorial correcting under- on legeits notsaidown representedtake set of advantage trade-offs. about 1 percent of projects of that had under- troubledlow Mr. Ilagan. Puna residents versations will seriously about G.M.O.s, con- the subjectThe roomBrewer’s was convictionsilent. that cross-pollina- The room was silent. decided to run for the Council seat. If the ban passed, local farmers could organism was different, and came with ests,” one letter read. “Manyits ofown my set fel- of trade-offs.was killed by organic food andlow yoga.” Puna residents will seriously con- plant reproduction, Mr. Ilagan recalled, wayplant at thereproduction,himself university — “cross-pollinating Mr. and Ilagan elsewhere, recalled, with a its annual“Iway don’t budget at see the that a universityyear.blanket ban,” and he elsewhere, toldHe explainedhis sider that “I any more don’t papaya progressive see in- a blanketquickly candidates shifted.ban,” he “We told don’t for his want corpo-Knowingsider moretion that by progressive G.M.O.s the final would vote candidates do unknown on the for Knowing that the final vote on the Dr. Suzuki gave him a tutorial on not take advantage of projects under-pineapple?”its own set of trade-offs. “It is sad that our statelow has allowed Puna residentsfected by the will ringspot seriously virus contains con- the rationsThe room to own allwas the silent. seeds,” she said. harm to the environment and detract explaining that with the wind, insects theyexplaining noted, including that with drought-tolerant the wind, insects staffthey that noted, week. including“It seems drought-tolerantlike it should the next Council term.” ban was yet to come, Mr. Ilagan voted ban was yet to come, Mr. Ilagan voted plant reproduction, Mr. Ilagan recalled, way at the university and elsewhere,This was the“I part don’t he had see trouble a blanket ex- ban,”our university he told departments his sider of agricul- more progressiveprotein Mr. Smith candidates hadstaff mentioned that forweek. as po- “ItKnowing Mr.seems Ilagan like wasthat it as should the opposed final as the vote Ms. next onfrom Council the the island’s term.” image. and animals spreading pollen and cropsand and animals higher-yieldplaining to spreadinghimself. pineapple Was the pollen virus plants. gene and turebe cropsato case-by-casebecome and largely higher-yield dependent thing.” uponpineappletentially plants. dangerous“Greggor, in the genetically what doHaskin you was think to big you’re businesses “no” control- after“We the need hearing. all the votes Then we can nearly get to “no” after the hearing. Then nearly explaining that with the wind, insects they noted, including drought-tolerant staff that week. “It seems like it should the next Council term.” be a case-by-caseban thing.” was yet to come, Mr. Ilagan“Greggor, voted what do you think you’re seeds, cross-pollination can never be Geneticseeds, engineering cross-pollinationfrom the papaya is also a in precise canMs. Barr’s never tech- mac- be funding“Aloha,Genetic grants Mr. engineeringfrom Smith,” the multinational Mr. is a Ilagan precisemodified said tech- Rainbow.doing?” Moreover,“Aloha, his plant campaign Mr. vi- Smith,”ling manager, a market, Mr. Ilagan in Kareen part by said using1,000 patentsdoing?” peopleoverride” his quickly campaign a possible signed vetomanager, by a the petition mayor, Kareen 1,000 people quickly signed a petition and animals spreading pollen and crops and higher-yield pineapple plants.adamia nutsbe anda case-by-case the organic coffee thing.”chemical corporations,” Ms. “Greggor, Wille told ruses what do do not you infect think people. you’re “Everyone “no”that prohibit after farmers the hearing.from replanting Then or nearlyMr. Brewer said. “Do you think you can entirely avoided. niqueentirely that avoided. “itself is not harmful,” the whennique he that had “itself his turn. is not “Or harmful,” is it Dr. the Haskin, 70, a close family friend, asked demanding that he change his vote at demanding that he change his vote at seeds, cross-pollination can never be Genetic engineering is a precise tech-farmer’s beans?“Aloha, Mr. Smith,” Mr.reporters, Ilagan suggesting said that doing?”the universi- his campaignwas eating virus-infected manager,when papayaKareen he hadin the his1,000selling turn. people their “Or seeds. quickly is But it banning Dr. signed cropsHaskin, a petitionvote 70, for a this close bill, Greggor?” family friend, asked But, Mr. Ilagan learned, by stagger- dean But,of the Mr. school’sDr. IlaganSuzuki paused. College learned, of byTropical stagger- ty’sSmith?” dean professors of the were school’s largely a “mouth-College 1990s,”of Tropical Dr. Gonsalveshim. “The said. “Andmain now thingbecause I told they people were madewas withthe genetic final hearing,Mr. Ilagan scheduled still had questions for Nov. of his18. the final hearing, scheduled for Nov. 18. entirely avoided. nique that “itself is not harmful,” the when he had his turn. “Or is it Dr. Haskin, 70, a close family friend,Smith?” asked demanding that he changehim. his “The vote atmain thing I told people was ing planting times and ensuring a rea- Agricultureing planting and“With timesHuman plants and of Resources, different ensuring species Ma- a rea-— piece“No,Agriculture for the Jeffrey’s G.M.O. and biotech fine,” Human industry.” Mr. Resources, Smithyou want said Ma-to do feedingyou would “No,studies?” Jeffrey’slisten to them.” engineering fine,” Mr. would Smith not change said For theyou pat-the would firstown. timeOnelisten scientist in to his them.” he career had spoken as tocoun- said For the first time in his career as coun- But, Mr. Ilagan learned, by stagger- dean of the school’s College of Tropicalit’s kind of likeSmith?” how you don’t cross a cat She did, however, rely on thehim. opinion “The of mainWith thing one memberI told people absent, onlywas one theent final laws, hehearing, told her. scheduled for Nov.the built-in18. pesticide in corn should not sonable distance between crops, it is riasonable Gallo, wrote distance in one between op-ed. crops, it is overria Skype. Gallo, wrote in one op-ed. He told her that though a vocal minor- cilman, he began to consider voting cilman, he began to consider voting ing planting times and ensuring a rea- Agriculture and Human Resources,with Ma- a dog and“No, expect Jeffrey’s to have fine,” off- a Mr. specialist Smith in organic said agricultureyou would prac- listenother to Council them.” memberover joined Skype. Mr. Ilagan ForMr. the Ilagan first had time been inalarmed his career by testi-He as told worrycoun- her him, that because though many a vocal plants con-minor- usually possible to avoid large-scale Butusually Ms. spring,” Willepossible he had said. to largely avoid dismissed large-scale tices“In atBut your the university,Ms. world,” Wille Hector Mr. had Ilagan Valen- largely asked, in dismissed opposing “is theity bill. supported The Council the de- ban,mony many from farmersother whocon- said they“kanalua” could tain — their yes, own with natural reservation. pesticides. “I still “kanalua” — yes, with reservation. sonable distance between crops, it is ria Gallo, wrote in one op-ed. over Skype. He told her that though a vocal“In minor-your world,”cilman, Mr. Ilagan he began asked, to“is considerity supported voting the ban, many other con- mingling. Also, plants have different themingling. opinions “Duh!” ofAlso, university exclaimed plants researchers, have Mr. Ilagan. different “I zuela,therethe who any opinions supported room thefor of bill. universityany G.M.O.?” researchers,ferred a decisionstituents onthere creating any knew room a task little for beabout any sued G.M.O.?” bythe Monsanto complex and other patent-Instituents earlywant November knew to track little that, he about down,” sought the he told complex to his es- In early November, he sought to es- usually possible to avoid large-scale But Ms. Wille had largely dismissedshould have realized“In your that.” world,” Mr. IlaganMr. Smith, asked, known “is for “Geneticity supported Rou- force the to ban, discuss many the implications other con- of ban- “kanalua”holders when — patented yes, with seeds reservation. ended up staff. “What is an example of a natural fertilization methods: The Rainbow pa- citingfertilization Monsanto methods: contributions The Rainbow to the pa- Mr.citing Smith Monsanto replied that contributions there was not. to the issue. “I have to do what’s right for cape with a friend to a condo in Kona, cape with a friend to a condo in Kona, mingling. Also, plants have different the opinions of university researchers,In the followingthere any weeks, room Mr. for Ilagan any G.M.O.?” stituents knew little about theMr. complex Smith repliedIn that early there November was not., he soughtissue. pesticide?” to“I es- have to do what’s right for paya, for instance, was largely self- university.paya, for sometimesIn instance,2012, calledshe noted, was Dr. Suzuki largely the with com- his self- Inuniversity. the afternoon, In 2012, Dr. she Gonsalves, noted, the who com- them, too.” only to be accostedMaybe, he thought, at the hepool would by join a vot-the only to be accosted at the pool by a vot- fertilization methods: The Rainbow pa- citing Monsanto contributions to the Mr. Smith replied that there was not. issue. “I have to do what’sIn right the afternoon, for cape Dr. with Gonsalves, a friend who to a condothem, in too.” Kona, fertilizing. If it is planted about 12 feet panyfertilizing. madequestion If a it one-timedu is jour. planted For instance, donation about do weeds 12 of feet ledpany the development made a one-time of the Rainbow donation pa- of Heled the told development Ms. Haskin of whatthe Rainbow he had pa- er demandingHe long-promised told answers. Ms. Haskin task force, what which would he had er demanding answers. paya, for instance, was largely self- university. In 2012, she noted, the com-near geneticallyIn the modified afternoon, crops turn Dr. Gonsalves, who them, too.” only to be accosted at the pool by weigha vot- the implications of banning away from other varieties, the chance of $600,000away frforom student other varieties, scholarships the chance at the of paya,$600,000 was given for student time to scholarships respond to Mr.at the learned about health and environmental And on Nov. 14, Mr. Brewer, the vet- And on Nov. 14, Mr. Brewer, the vet- fertilizing. If it is planted about 12 feet pany made a one-time donationinto of “superweeds”led the because development of a rogue of the Rainbow pa- He told Ms. Haskin whatpaya, he was had givener time demanding to respond answers. to Mr. learnedG.M.O.s about on health the island and and environmental report back to cross-pollination is exceedingly low. Collegecross-pollination of gene?Tropical Agricultureis exceedingly and low. Hu- Smith’sCollege allegations. of Tropical He Agriculture laid to rest anda lin- Hu- aspects of genetic engineering. But as eran whothe runs Council. an eco-hostel, visited away from other varieties, the chance of $600,000 for student scholarships at the paya, was given time to respond to Mr. learned about health and environmentalSmith’s allegations.And He onlaid Nov. to rest 14, aMr. lin- Brewer,aspects the ofvet- genetic engineering. But as eran who runs an eco-hostel, visited “But what about the papaya contam- man “ButResources, whatThe scientist, aboutan amount thehe recalled, papaya that helped the contam- col- him geringman Resources, question about an amount papaya that safety the col- he gering had found question often about happened papaya in con- safety himhe in had his The found office. final oftenhearing They happenedon discussed the bill was in not Mr. con- him in his office. They discussed Mr. cross-pollination is exceedingly low. College of Tropical Agriculture andunderstand Hu- Smith’s that “superweeds” allegations. were He laid to rest a lin- aspects of genetic engineering. But as eran who runs an eco-hostel, visitedunlike the first. Superweeds were men- inating” — Mr. Ilagan recalls correcting lege said represented about 1 percent of thatlege had said troubled represented Mr. Ilagan. about 1 percent of versations about G.M.O.s, the subject Brewer’s conviction that cross-pollina- “But what about the papaya contam- man Resources, an amountinating” that theweeds —col- Mr. that Ilagan geringhad evolved recalls question resistance correcting aboutto a papaya safety he had found often happenedthat had in con-troubledhim Mr. inIlagan. his office. They discussedversationstioned. Mr. aboutIndian suicides. G.M.O.s, Contamination. the subject Brewer’s conviction that cross-pollina- himself — “cross-pollinating with a its annual budgetwidely used that herbicide year. — most likely Heits annual explained budget that that any year. papaya in- quickly shifted. “We don’t want corpo- tion by G.M.O.sMs. Wille urgedwould a vote do for unknown the ban. inating” — Mr. Ilagan recalls correcting lege said represented abouthimself 1 percent — of “cross-pollinatingthat had troubled with Mr. Ilagan. a versations about G.M.O.s, theHe subject explainedBrewer’s that any conviction papaya inthat cross-pollina-quickly shifted. “We don’t want corpo- tion by G.M.O.s would do unknown pineapple?” “Itpineapple?” is sadfaster that than our they state would has have allowedif farmers fected“It by is the sad ringspot that our virus state contains has allowed the rationsfected to by own the all ringspot the seeds,” virus she contains said. the harmrations to “To theto doown environment otherwise,” all the sheseeds,” said, and “wouldshe detract said. be harm to the environment and detract himself — “cross-pollinating with a its annual budget that year. had not used itHe so much explained on crops geneti- that any papaya in- quickly shifted. “We don’t want corpo- tion by G.M.O.s would do unknownto ignore the cries from round the world This was the part he had trouble ex- our university departments of agricul- proteinour universityMr. Smith departmentshad mentioned of as agricul- po- Mr. Ilagan was as opposed as Ms. from the island’s image. pineapple?” “It is sad that our state hasThis allowed wascally engineeredthe partfected tohe tolerate by had the it.trouble ringspot ex- virus contains the rations to own all the seeds,”protein she said. Mr. Smithharm had mentionedto the environment as po- andMr. detract and Ilagan on the mainland.” was as opposed as Ms. from the island’s image. plaining to himself. Was the virus gene ture to becomeBiotechnology largely dependent firms were alreadyupon tentiallyture to dangerousbecome largely in the dependent genetically upon Haskin was to big businesses control- “We need“Mr. all Ilagan?”the votes the Councilwe can member get to This was the part he had trouble ex- our university departmentsplaining of agricul- to himself.protein Was Mr. the Smith virus hadgene mentioned as po- Mr. Ilagan was as opposedtentially as Ms. dangerousfrom inthe the island’s genetically image. Haskin was to big businesses control- “We need all the votes we can get to from the papaya also in Ms. Barr’s mac- fundingfrom the grantsselling papaya seedsfrom also that the in tolerated multinationalMs. Barr’s other, lessmac- modifiedfunding Rainbow. grants from Moreover, the multinational plant vi- lingmodified a market, Rainbow. in part Moreover,by using patents plant vi- override”ling a leadingmarket, a possible the meetingin partveto asked byby usingwhenthe mayor, it camepatents override” a possible veto by the mayor, plaining to himself. Was the virus gene ture to become largely dependent uponbenign herbicides,tentially Mr. dangerousIlagan learned. in the genetically Haskin was to big businesses control- “We need all the votes we can timeget forto the final vote. adamia nuts and the organic coffee chemical corporations,” Ms. Wille told ruseschemical do not corporations,” infect people. Ms. “Everyone Wille told that prohibit farmers from replanting or Mr. Brewer said. “Do you think you can from the papaya also in Ms. Barr’s mac- funding grants from the multinationaladamia But nuts that andwasmodified a differentthe organic Rainbow. problem coffeefrom Moreover, plant vi- ling a market, in part by usingruses patents do not infectoverride” people. a possible “Everyone veto bythat the prohibit mayor,“No,” hefarmers replied. from replanting or Mr. Brewer said. “Do you think you can farmer’s beans? reporters, thesuggesting specter conjured that by the a woman universi- at one wasreporters, eating virus-infected suggesting that papaya the universi-in the selling their seeds. But banning crops vote for thisThe bill, ban Greggor?” was approved, 6 to 3. adamia nuts and the organic coffee chemical corporations,” Ms.farmer’s Wille toldbeans? ruses do not infect people. “Everyone that prohibit farmers from replantingwas eating or virus-infectedMr. Brewer papaya said. “Doin the you thinkselling you their can seeds. But banning crops vote for this bill, Greggor?” Dr. Suzuki paused. ty’s professorsof the hearings, were largely who said athat “mouth- “G.M.O.s 1990s,”ty’s professors Dr. Gonsalves were said. largely “And a “mouth- now because1990s,” they Dr. wereGonsalves made said. with “And genetic now Mr.because Ilagan The they mayor still were hadsigned madequestions the bill withon Dec. of genetic5. his farmer’s beans? reporters, suggesting that theDr. universi- Suzukiare cross-pollinating paused.was eating with virus-infected weeds that papaya in the selling their seeds. But banning crops vote for this bill, Greggor?” At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. Mr. Ilagan still had questions of his “With plants of different species — piece for the G.M.O. biotech industry.” youpiece want for to do the feeding G.M.O. studies?” biotech industry.” engineeringyou want to would do feeding not change studies?” the pat- own.engineering One scientist would he had not spoken change to the said pat- Dr. Suzuki paused. ty’s professors were largely “With a “mouth-now plants can’t be 1990s,” of controlled.” different Dr. Gonsalves species — said. “And now because they were made with genetic Mr. Ilagan still had questions Wille’s of his motion to create a committee to own. One scientist he had spoken to said it’s kind of like how you don’t cross a cat She did, however,Asked aboutrely theon the danger opinion of moving of WithShe did, one however, member rely absent, on the only opinion one of ent laws,With he one told member her. absent, only one theent built-in laws,study pesticidehe the told impact her. in of cornbanning should genetically not the built-in pesticide in corn should not “With plants of different species — piece for the G.M.O. biotechit’s industry.” kind of like howyou you want don’t to do cross feeding a cat studies?” engineering would not change the pat- own. One scientist he had spoken to said with a dog and expect to have off- a specialistgenes in organic among species agriculture where they prac- had othera specialist Council member in organic joined agriculture Mr. Ilagan prac- Mr.other Ilagan Council had member been alarmed joined byMr. testi- Ilagan worryMr. him, Ilaganmodified because had organisms been many onalarmed the plants island by con-was testi- worry him, because many plants con- it’s kind of like how you don’t cross a cat She did, however, rely on thewith opinion a not dog of originated, and With expect Dr. Suzuki one to member explainedhave off- absent, only one ent laws, he told her. the built-in pesticide in corn shouldnot not seconded, and she withdrew it. spring,” he said. tices at thethat university,for millenniums, Hector humans had Valen- bred in tices opposing at the the university, bill. The HectorCouncil Valen- de- monyin opposingfrom farmers the who bill. said The they Council could de- tainmony their fromStunned, own farmersnatural Mr. Ilagan pesticides.who briefly said considered they “I still could tain their own natural pesticides. “I still with a dog and expect to have off- a specialist in organic agriculturespring,” prac- he said. other Council member joined Mr. Ilagan Mr. Ilagan had been alarmed by testi- worry him, because many plants con- “Duh!” exclaimed Mr. Ilagan. “I zuela,“Duh!” who cropssupported exclaimed of the same the species bill. Mr. to produce Ilagan. de- “I ferredzuela, a who decision supported on creating the bill. a task be ferredsued by a Monsanto decision and on creatingother patent- a task wantbe sued to trackmaking by Monsanto histhat own down,” motion and to he other form told a patent- task his want to track that down,” he told his spring,” he said. tices at the university, Hector Valen-sired traits.in But opposing with the advent the of bill. ge- The Council de- mony from farmers who said they could tain their own natural pesticides. “Iforce. still But he could see he would not should have realized that.” Mr. Smith, known for “Genetic Rou- forceMr. to discuss Smith, the known implications for “Genetic of ban- Rou- holdersforce whento discuss patented the implications seeds ended of up ban- staff.holders “What when is an patented example seeds of a naturalended up staff. “What is an example of a natural “Duh!” exclaimed Mr. Ilagan. “I zuela, who supported the bill.should havenetic engineering,realizedferred that.” it became a decision possible onto creating a task be sued by Monsanto and other patent- want to track that down,” he toldhave his enough support. In the following weeks, Mr. Ilagan borrow a feature from elsewhere on the pesticide?”It was time to move on. A fast-grow- pesticide?” should have realized that.” Mr. Smith, known for “GeneticIn the Rou- followingforce weeks, to discuss Mr. the Ilagan implications of ban- holders when patented seeds ended up staff. “What is an example of a natural sometimes called Dr. Suzuki with his sometimestree of called life. An example Dr. Suzuki Mr. Ilagan with later his Maybe,ing he subdivision thought, in he his woulddistrict neededjoin the a Maybe, he thought, he would join the In the following weeks, Mr. Ilagan learned about was the rice being tested pesticide?” community park. Last week, Mr. Ilagan question du jour. For instance, do weeds long-promised task force, which would long-promised task force, which would sometimes called Dr. Suzuki with his questionin du the jour. Philippines. For instance, Modified with do genesweeds Maybe, he thought, he would jointurned the his focus to drumming up sup- near genetically modified crops turn from bacteria and corn, it can provide weigh theport for implications the bond issue heof would banning need weigh the implications of banning question du jour. For instance, do weeds near genetically modified crops turn long-promised task force, which would into “superweeds” because of a rogue Vitamin A, the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamber listened to a discussion about the ban. G.M.O.s onfrom the the island county to and plan report and design back it. to G.M.O.s on the island and report back to near genetically modified crops turn into “superweeds” because of a rogue weigh the implications of banning gene? the Council. the Council. into “superweeds” because of a rogue gene? G.M.O.s on the island and report back to The scientist, he recalled, helped him The final hearing on the bill was not The final hearing on the bill was not gene? The scientist, he recalled, helped him the Council. understand that “superweeds” were unlike the first. Superweeds were men- unlike the first. Superweeds were men- The scientist, he recalled, helped him understand that “superweeds” were The final hearing on the bill was not weeds that had evolved resistance to a tioned. Indian suicides. Contamination. tioned. Indian suicides. Contamination. understand that “superweeds” were weeds that had evolved resistance to a unlike the first. Superweeds were men- widely used herbicide — most likely Ms. Wille urged a vote for the ban. Ms. Wille urged a vote for the ban. weeds that had evolved resistance to a widely used herbicide — most likely tioned. Indian suicides. Contamination. faster than they would have if farmers “To do otherwise,” she said, “would be “To do otherwise,” she said, “would be widely used herbicide — most likely faster than they would have if farmers Ms. Wille urged a vote for the ban. had not used it so much on crops geneti- to ignore the cries from round the world to ignore the cries from round the world faster than they would have if farmers had not used it so much on crops geneti- “To do otherwise,” she said, “would be cally engineered to tolerate it. and on the mainland.” and on the mainland.” had not used it so much on crops genetically engineered to tolerate it. to ignore the cries from round the world Biotechnology firms were already “Mr. Ilagan?” the Council member “Mr. Ilagan?” the Council member cally engineered to tolerate it. Biotechnology firms were already and on the mainland.” selling seeds that tolerated other, less leading the meeting asked when it came selling seeds that tolerated other, less “Mr. Ilagan?” the Council member leading the meeting asked when it came Biotechnology firms benign were already herbicides, Mr. Ilagan learned. time for the final vote. benign herbicides, Mr. Ilagan learned. leading the meeting asked when it came time for the final vote. selling seeds that toleratedBut thatother, was less a different problem from “No,” he replied. But that was a different problem from time for the final vote. “No,” he replied. benign herbicides, Mr. Ilaganthe specter learned. conjured by a woman at one The ban was approved, 6 to 3. the specter conjured by a woman at one “No,” he replied. The ban was approved, 6 to 3. But that was a differentof problem the hearings, from who said that “G.M.O.s The mayor signed the bill on Dec. 5. the specter conjured by a woman at one of the hearings, who said that “G.M.O.s The ban was approved, 6 to 3. The mayor signed the bill on Dec. 5. are cross-pollinating with weeds that are cross-pollinating with weeds that At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. of the hearings, who saidnow that can’t “G.M.O.s be controlled.” The mayor signed the billWille’s on Dec. motion 5. to create a committee to are cross-pollinating with weeds that now can’t be controlled.” Wille’s motion to create a committee to Asked about the danger of moving At the Council meetingstudy on Dec. the 17, impact Ms. of banning genetically now can’t be controlled.” Asked about the danger of moving Wille’s motion to create a committee to study the impact of banning genetically genes among species where they had genes among species where they had modified organisms on the island was modified organisms on the island was Asked about the dangernot oforiginated, moving Dr. Suzuki explained study the impact of banningnot genetically seconded, and she withdrew it. genes among species where they had not originated, Dr. Suzuki explained modified organisms on the island was not seconded, and she withdrew it. that for millenniums, humans had bred that for millenniums, humans had bred Stunned, Mr. Ilagan briefly considered Stunned, Mr. Ilagan briefly considered not originated, Dr. Suzukicrops explainedof the same species to produce de- not seconded, and shemaking withdrew his own it. motion to form a task that for millenniums, humans had bred crops of the same species to produce de- Stunned, Mr. Ilagan briefly considered making his own motion to form a task sired traits. But with the advent of ge- sired traits. But with the advent of ge- force. But he could see he would not force. But he could see he would not crops of the same speciesnetic to produce engineering, de- it became possible to making his own motion have to form enough a task support. sired traits. But with the advent of genetic engineering, it became possible to force. But he could see he would not have enough support. borrow a feature from elsewhere on the borrow a feature from elsewhere on the It was time to move on. A fast-grow- It was time to move on. A fast-grow- netic engineering, it becametree possibleof life. An to example Mr. Ilagan later have enough support. ing subdivision in his district needed a borrow a feature from elsewhere on the tree of life. An example Mr. Ilagan later It was time to move on. A fast-growing subdivision in his district needed a learned about was the rice being tested learned about was the rice being tested community park. Last week, Mr. Ilagan community park. Last week, Mr. Ilagan tree of life. An example Mr.in the Ilagan Philippines. later Modified with genes ing subdivision in his districtturned needed his focus a to drumming up sup- learned about was the rice being tested in the Philippines. Modified with genes community park. Last week, Mr. Ilagan turned his focus to drumming up sup- from bacteria and corn, it can provide from bacteria and corn, it can provide port for the bond issue he would need port for the bond issue he would need in the Philippines. ModifiedVitamin with A,genes the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamber listened to a discussion about the ban.turned his focus to drummingfrom the up county sup- to plan and design it. from bacteria and corn, it can provide Vitamin A, the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamberport for listened the bond to issue a discussion he would about need the ban. from the county to plan and design it. Vitamin A, the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamber listened to a discussion about the ban. from the county to plan and design it. silent cheers, signaled by a collective waving of told them. “They will bend over backwards to hands and wiggling of fingers. help you burn those papayas and grow some- A few, like Richard Ha, an island farmer who thing decent.” hoped that the diseases afflicting his bananas More striking to Mr. Ilagan was the warn- and tomatoes might be solved with a genetic ing of Derek Brewer, 29, an Army veteran who modification, were there to testify against the served in Iraq and Afghanistan before coming ban. Ranchers also were opposed; they wanted to Hawaii to help found an eco-hostel. “We don’t the option to grow the genetically modified corn fully understand genetics,” Mr. Brewer said, and soybeans for cattle feed that are common his dark hair tied back in a ponytail. “Once you elsewhere. change something like this, there is no taking it But a vast majority were there in support. back.” Some were members of G.M.O. Free Hawaii What really stuck with Mr. Ilagan were Island, a mix of food activists and entrepre- the descriptions of tumorous rats. Reading tes- neurs, who argued that the organisms were timony submitted before the hearing, he had bad for human health, the island’s ecosystem blanched at grotesque pictures of the animals and eco-conscious business. Others, veterans of fed Monsanto’s corn, modified with a gene from the campaign for a partial ban already in place bacteria to tolerate an herbicide. According here, reminded the Council of the precedents to the French researcher who performed the for Ms. Wille’s bill: In 2008, organic Kona coffee study, they developed more tumors and died farmers successfully lobbied for a ban on any earlier than those in the control group. cultivation of genetically modified coffee. The “Are we all going to get cancer?” Mr. Ilagan presence of a G.M.O. crop, they argued, would wondered. hurt their reputation and their ability to charge a premium. Sifting Through Claims At the same time, the county had banned The next week, when his legislative assis- the cultivation of genetically engineered taro, tant alerted him that the rat study encountered a root vegetable cultivated for centuries in Ha- near-universal scorn from scientists after its re- waii. lease in autumn 2012, doubt about much of what In the three minutes allotted to each speaker Mr. Ilagan had heard began to prick at his mind. at the July hearing, some told personal tales of “Come to find out, the kind of rats they used all manner of illness, including children’s aller- would get tumors anyway,” he told his staff. gies, cured after going on a “non-G.M.O.” diet. “And the sample size was too small for any con- One woman took the microphone “on behalf of clusive results.” Mother Earth and all sentient beings.” Nomi Sensitive to the accusation that her bill was Carmona encouraged Council members to visit antiscience, Ms. Wille had circulated material to the website of her group, Babes Against Bio- support it. But in almost every case, Mr. Ilagan tech, where analyses of Monsanto’s campaign and his staff found evidence that seemed to un- contributions are intermingled with pictures of dermine the claims. bikini-clad women. A report, in an obscure Russian journal, Many of the most impassioned speakers about hamsters that lost the ability to reproduce came from Mr. Ilagan’s district of Puna, known after three generations as a result of a diet of for its anti-establishment spirit. “These chemi- genetically modified soybeans had been contra- cal companies think they’re going to win,” one dicted by many other studies and deemed bo- woman said. “Hell, no, they’re never going to gus by mainstream scientists. win here.” Mr. Ilagan discounted the correlations be- Organic farmers worried that their crops tween the rise in childhood allergies and the would be contaminated also made an impres- consumption of G.M.O.s, cited by Ms. Wille and sion on the councilman, though he felt that the others, after reading of the common mistake of actress Roseanne Barr, who owns an organic confusing correlation for causation. (One graph, macadamia nut farm here, could have been illustrating the weakness of conclusions based kinder to the papaya farmers in the room. on correlation, charted the lock-step rise in or- “Everybody here is very giving,” she had ganic food sales and autism diagnoses.) C M YCKM Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1 C M Y K C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1

THE NEW THEYORK NEW TIMES YORK NATIONAL TIMES NATIONALSUNDAY, JANUARYSUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 5, 2014 N N 19 19 THE NEW YORK TIMESTHE NATIONAL NEW YORKSUNDAY, TIMES NATIONALJANUARY 5,SUNDAY, 2014 JANUARY 5, 2014 N 19N 19 He heard manyHe heard times many that there times were that there were no independent studies of the safety of He heard many times thatHe thereheard were many times that there wereno independent studies of the safety of genetically modified organisms. But no independent studies noof independentthe safety of studies of the safetygenetically of modified organisms. But Biofortified, which received no funding genetically modified organisms.genetically But modified organisms. Biofortified, But which received no funding from industry, listed more than a hun- Biofortified, which receivedBiofortified, no funding which received no fundingfrom industry, listed more than a hundred such studies, including a 2010 com- from industry, listed morefrom than industry, a hun- listed more than a hun-dred such studies, including a 2010 comprehensive review sponsored by the dred such studies, includingdred asuch 2010 studies, com- including a 2010 com-prehensive review sponsored by the European Union, that found “no scien- prehensive review sponsoredprehensive by review the sponsored by European the Union, that found “no scientific evidence associating G.M.O.s with European Union, that foundEuropean “no scien- Union, that found “no scien-tific evidence associating G.M.O.s with higher risks for the environmentC M Y orK for Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1 tific evidence associatingtific G.M.O.s evidence with associating G.M.O.s withhigher risks for the environment or for food and feed safety than conventional higher risks for the environmenthigher risks or forfor the environment orfood for and feed safety than conventional plants and organisms.” It echoed simi- food and feed safety thanfood conventional and feed safety than conventionalplants and organisms.” It echoed similar statementslar statementsby the World by Healththe World Or- Health Or- plants and organisms.” plantsIt echoed and simi- organisms.” It echoed simi- THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 N 19 ganization, the National Academy of lar statements by the Worldlar statements Health Or- by the World Health ganization,Or- the National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society of Medicine ganization, the Nationalganization, Academy the of National AcademySciences, of the Royal Society of Medicine and the American AssociationHe heard for many the times that there were Sciences, the Royal SocietySciences, of Medicine the Royal Society of Medicineand the American Association for the Advancement of Science.no independent studies of the safety of and the American Associationand the forAmerican the Association for Advancement the genetically of Science. modified organisms. But C M Y K ANxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1 blog post on the website of NPR, a Advancement of Science.Advancement of Science. A blog postBiofortified, on the website which received of NPR, no funding a news source Mr. Ilaganfrom trusted, industry, cata- listed more than a hun- A blog post on the websiteA blog of NPR, post ona the website of NPR,news a source Mr. Ilagan trusted, cata- loged what it called “Topdred Five such Myths studies, of including a 2010 com- news source Mr. Ilagannews trusted, source cata- Mr. Ilagan trusted, cata-loged what it prehensivecalled “Top review Five sponsored Myths of by the Genetically Modified Seeds, Busted.” loged what it called “Toploged Five what Myths it calledof “Top Five MythsGenetically of ModifiedEuropean Union, Seeds, that found Busted.” “no scien- No. 1 was a thing he hadtific long evidence believed: associating G.M.O.s with Genetically Modified Seeds,Genetically Busted.” Modified Seeds, Busted.”No. 1 THEwas aNEW thing YORK he had TIMES long believed: NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 N 19 “Seeds from G.M.O.s arehigher sterile.” risks for the environment or for No. 1 was a thing he hadNo. long 1 was believed: a thing he had long believed:“Seeds from G.M.O.sfood and feed are safetysterile.” than conventional One of the more alarming effects of “Seeds from G.M.O.s are“Seeds sterile.” from G.M.O.s are sterile.” One of theplants more and alarming organisms.” effects It echoed of simi- G.M.O.s that Ms. Wille had cited was He heardOne many of times the more that there alarming Onewere effects of the moreof alarming effectsG.M.O.s of that lar Ms. statements Wille by had the citedWorld Health was Or- suicides amongsuicides farmers amongganization, in farmers India, the pur- in National India, Academy pur- of no independentG.M.O.s studies that Ms. of the Wille safetyG.M.O.s had of cited that was Ms. Wille had cited was Sciences, the Royal Society of Medicine portedly driven into debt by the high geneticallysuicides modified among organisms. farmerssuicides in But India, among pur- farmers in India, pur-portedly drivenand the into American debt by Association the high for the cost of patented, genetically modified Biofortified,portedly which driven received into no debt fundingportedly by the driven high into debt by the highcost of patented,Advancement genetically of Science. modified cotton seeds. A blog post on the website of NPR, a from industry,cost of listed patented, more genetically than cost a hun- of modified patented, genetically modifiedcotton seeds. Biotechnology companies,news source she said,Mr. Ilagan trusted, cata- dred suchcotton studies, seeds. including a 2010cotton com- seeds. Biotechnologyloged what companies, it called “Top she Five said, Myths of “come in and give it away cheap, and prehensiveBiotechnology review sponsored companies, byBiotechnology the she said, companies, she said,“come in andGenetically give it away Modified cheap, Seeds, and Busted.” then raise prices.” No. 1 was a thing he had long believed: European“come Union, in that and found give it “no away“come scien- cheap, in and and give it away cheap, andthen raise prices.” Monsanto’s cotton, engineered“Seeds from with G.M.O.s a are sterile.” tific evidencethen raise associating prices.” G.M.O.sthen with raise prices.” Monsanto’s cotton,One of the engineered more alarming with effects a of gene from bacteria to ward off certain higher risksMonsanto’s for the environment cotton, engineered orMonsanto’s for with cotton,a engineered withgene a from bacteriaG.M.O.s that to ward Ms. Wille off had certain cited was insects, had “pushed 270,000suicides farmers among farmersto in India, pur- food andgene feed fromsafety bacteria than conventional to wardgene offfrom certain bacteria to ward off certaininsects, had “pushed 270,000 farmers to suicide” sincesuicide” the company sinceportedly the started company driven sell- into started debt by sell- the high plants andinsects, organisms.” had “pushed It echoed 270,000insects, simi- farmers had “pushed to 270,000 farmers to cost of patented, genetically modified ing it in India in 2002, the activist Van- lar statementssuicide” by since the World the company Healthsuicide” Or-started since sell- the company started sell-ing it in Indiacotton in 2002, seeds. the activist Van- dana Shiva said in a Honolulu speech ganization,ing theit in NationalIndia in 2002, Academy theing activistit ofin India Van- in 2002, the activist Van-dana Shiva saidBiotechnology in a Honolulu companies, speech she said, Ms. Wille attended. “come in and give it away cheap, and Sciences,dana the Royal Shiva Society said in of a Medicine Honoluludana Shiva speech said in a Honolulu speechMs. Wille attended. But in Nature, a leadingthen raise academic prices.” and the Ms. American Wille attended. Association Ms. for Wille the attended. But in Nature,Monsanto’s a leading cotton, engineered academic with a journal, Mr. Ilagan found an article with AdvancementBut of in Science. Nature, a leadingBut academic in Nature, a leading academicjournal, Mr. Ilagangene from found bacteria an article to ward with off certain A blogjournal, post on Mr.the Ilaganwebsite found of NPR, an article a with the subheadthe “GM subhead Cotton insects, “GM Has had Cotton Driven “pushed Has 270,000 Driven farmers to journal, Mr. Ilagan found an article with suicide” since the company started sell- Farmers to FarmersSuicide: False.”to Suicide: False.” PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES news sourcethe subhead Mr. Ilagan “GM trusted, Cottonthe cata- Has subhead Driven “GM Cotton Has Driven ing it in India in 2002, the activist Van- PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES According toAccording the Nature todana thearticle, Shiva Nature saidpeer- inarticle, a Honolulu peer- speech loged whatFarmers it called to Suicide:“Top Five False.” MythsFarmers of to Suicide: False.” Mr. Ilagan with Alberto Belmes, one of the growers of geneticallyPHOTOGRAPHS modified BY JIM papayasWILSON/THE NEWwhose YORK TIMESviews helped change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. reviewed research in 2011Ms. Wille found attended. that Mr. Ilagan with Alberto Belmes, one of the growers of genetically modifiedPHOTOGRAPHS papayas BY whoseJIM WILSON/THE views NEW helped YORK TIMES change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. GeneticallyAccording Modified to Seeds, the Nature Busted.”According article, peer- to the Nature article, peer-reviewed research in 2011 found that suicides amongMr.suicides Ilagan farmers among with wereBut Alberto farmers in no Nature,Mr. more Belmes, were Ilagan a leading no onewith more academic of Alberto the growers Belmes, of geneticallyone of the growersmodified of papayas genetically whose modified views papayashelped change whose Mr. views Ilagan’s helped mind. change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. No. 1 wasreviewed a thing he research had long in believed: 2011reviewed found research that in 2011 found that journal, Mr. Ilagan found an article with numerous after the new seeds were inin their fields by accident. But he found “Seeds fromsuicides G.M.O.s among are sterile.” farmerssuicides were no among more farmers were no morenumerous afterthe the subhead new “GM seeds Cotton were Has in- Driven in their fields by accident. But he found troduced thantroduced before. than AndFarmers before. a 2012 to Suicide: Andstudy a False.”2012scourge study of thescourge world’s of thepoor. world’s poor. there was no evidence that Monsanto One ofnumerous the more after alarming the new effectsnumerous seeds of were after in- the new seeds were inin their fields by accident.in theirBut he fieldsPHOTOGRAPHS found by BY accident. JIM WILSON/THE ButNEW YORK he TIMES foundthere was no evidence that Monsanto found that farmers’ profitsAccording rose because to the Nature article,That peer- did not mean genetically engi- had ever initiated such a lawsuit. G.M.O.s troduced that Ms. than Wille before. had cited Andtroduced wasa 2012 than study before.scourge And a of 2012 the world’sstudyfound poor.thatscourge farmers’ of the profits world’s rose poor. because That did notMr. mean Ilagan geneticallywith Alberto Belmes, engi- one of the growers of genetically modifiedthere papayas was no whose evidence views there helped that Monsanto waschange no Mr. evidence Ilagan’s mind. that Monsantohad ever initiated such a lawsuit. of reduced losses from pestreviewed attacks. research in 2011neered found food that could never cause harm. “I’m still trying to voice this out,” he suicides found among that farmers farmers’ in profits India,found pur-rose that because farmers’ profitsThat rose did because not meanof reduced geneticallyThat lossessuicides did from engi- not among pest mean farmers attacks. genetically were no more engi-neered food could never cause harm. had ever initiated such ahad lawsuit. ever initiated such a lawsuit. “I’m still trying to voice this out,” he “There’s farmers committing suicide But the risks of such crops could be reli- said, “but to me it just seems symbolic. portedly of driven reduced into losses debt from by thepestof reduced high attacks. losses fromneered pest attacks. food could “There’s neverneered causefarmersnumerous food harm. committing couldafter the never new seedssuicide cause were harm.in-But the risks of such crops could be reli- “I’m still trying to voice“I’m this stillout,”in their trying he fields to by voice accident. this But out,” he foundsaid, he “but to me it just seems symbolic. cost of patented,“There’s genetically farmers committing modified suicide But thebecause risks ofof suchthebecause whole crops of debt couldthetroduced wholeissue, be reli- than debtbut before. it’s issue, Andably but a 2012 it’stested, studyably andscourge tested,they of had the and world’s so they far poor. phadroved so far proved there was no evidenceLike that doing Monsanto Likesomething doing thatsomething seems thatgood, seems good, “There’s farmers committing suicide But thefound risks that of farmers’ suchButterflies cropsprofits rosecould because werebe reli- disappearing, but Mr. Ila- said, “but to me it just seemssaid, “but symbolic. to me it just seems symbolic. not becausenot of because the G.M.O. of the issue,” G.M.O. Mr. issue,”safe. Mr. “Withsafe. scientists, That “With did not scientists,we mean never genetically wesay never engi- say had ever initiated suchbut a lawsuit.not really achieving what you want cotton seeds.because of the whole debtbecause issue, ofbut the it’s wholeably debt tested, issue, and but theyit’s hadably so tested,farof reduced proved and losses they from had pest so attacks. far provedneered food could never cause harm. Like doing something that seems good,“I’m still trying to voice this out,”but he not really achieving what you want Ilagan said he concluded in mid-August.gan learned anything that isit 100was percent not a certain toxin oneproduced way by Like doing something thatto achieve.”seems good, Biotechnologynot because companies, of the G.M.O. shenot said, because issue,” Mr. of the safe. G.M.O. “With issue,” scientists, Ilagan Mr. said safe. we he never “With concluded“There’s say scientists, farmers in mid-August. committing we never suicide anything sayBut the risksis 100 of suchpercent crops certaincould be reli- one way but not really achievingbut what not you reallysaid, want “but achieving to me it just what seems you symbolic. wantto achieve.” Still, it was hard not tobecause be spooked of the whole by debtor issue, another,” but it’s Dr.ably Suzuki tested, said.and they “We had weigh so far proved Like doing something thatMs. seems Haskin good, took his hand. “You have “come inIlagan and give said ithe away concluded cheap,Ilagan in andmid-August. said he concluded anything in mid-August. is 100 percentStill, itanythingcertain was hard one is not100waymodified topercent be spooked certain plants by one that wayor another,” harmed Dr. them, Suzuki assaid. he “We had weigh to achieve.” to achieve.” Ms. Haskin took his hand. “You have material emailedmaterial by emailed constituentsnot because by constituents of and the G.M.O.conclusions issue,” and Mr.conclusions onsafe. accumulated “With on scientists, accumulated knowledge we never knowledge say but not really achievingto vote what foryou thiswantto vote bill,” for she this pleaded. bill,” she “What pleaded. “What then raise prices.”Still, it was hard not to beStill, spooked it was byhard notor another,”to be spooked Dr. Suzuki by said.or another,” “WeIlagan weigh said Dr.thought. he Suzuki concluded said. Instead,in mid-August. “We weigh the anything herbicide is 100 percent used certain in conjunc one way - Ms. Haskin took his hand.Ms. “You Haskinto achieve.”have took his hand. “You have circulated on Facebook: images of to- or evidenceor — evidence but often — this but is often not satis- this is not satis- about all the pesticides being sprayed Monsanto’smaterial cotton, emailed engineered by constituentsmaterial with a emailed and byconclusions constituents on accumulated andcirculatedconclusions on knowledge Facebook:Still, it on was accumulated hard images not to be of spooked knowledge toby or another,” Dr. Suzuki said. “We weigh to vote for this bill,” she topleaded. vote for “What Ms.this Haskin bill,” tookshe hispleaded. hand. “You “What haveabout all the pesticides being sprayed matoes with syringes stuckmaterial in them emailedtion and with by constituentsfactory some for andgenetically some.”factoryconclusions for some.” modifiedon accumulated crops knowledge (as on our food?” gene fromcirculated bacteria on to Facebook:ward off circulated certain images of on to- Facebook:or evidence images — ofbutmatoes to- often orwiththis evidence is syringes not satis- — stuckbut often in them this is and not satis- about all the pesticidesabout being all sprayed to the vote pesticides for this bill,” she being pleaded. sprayed “Whaton our food?” of pears and apples stapledcirculated together, well on Facebook: as some images that of to-wereor evidencenot) meant — but often the this milkweed is not satis- about all the pesticidesThe being conversation, sprayed he noticed, had insects, hadmatoes “pushed with syringes270,000 farmers stuckmatoes in to them with andsyringesfactory stuck forin themsome.” andof pearsfactory and applesfor some.” stapled together, on our food?” on our food?” The conversation, he noticed, had warnings of children harmedmatoes by with parents syringes stuck in them and factory for some.” on our food?” turned again. suicide” sinceof pears the company and apples started stapledof pearssell- together, and apples stapled together,warnings of childrenof pears andharmedon appleswhich by stapled parentsSilencing they together, hatched the Scientistswas no longer found on The conversation, he noticed, The had conversation, he noticed, turned had again. serving genetically modified food. The Silencing the Scientists The conversation, he noticed, had ing it in warningsIndia in 2002, of children the activist harmedwarnings Van- by parents of children harmed by parentsserving geneticallywarnings modifiedofmost children M harmed food.idwestern by The parents farms.Silencing the Scientists turned again. turned again.turned again. Silencingspecter the of geneticScientistsSilencing contaminationserving geneticallythe stillScientists modifiedOn food. Oct. The 1, Mr.On Oct. Ilagan 1, Mr. voted Ilagan to block voted to block dana Shivaserving said genetically in a Honolulu modified serving speech food. genetically The modified food. Thespecter of genetic contamination still Emotional Testimony haunted him. And his mother,specter ofwho genetic hadHe contamination heardthe bill many from stillthe moving times billOn Oct. from out 1,that Mr. moving of Ilagan committee,there out voted were of to committee, block no Emotional Testimony Emotional Testimony Ms. Willespecter attended. of genetic contaminationspecter of genetic still contaminationOn Oct. 1, Mr. haunted still Ilagan votedhim.On haunted Oct.And to block 1,his him. Mr. mother, And Ilagan his mother,who voted had who to had blockthe bill from moving out of committee, always served papaya at home, had shortly after a day of what Ms. Wille Emotional Testimony But inhaunted Nature, him. a leading And his academic mother, who had the bill from movingalways out the served of bill committee,always from papaya served movingindependent at papaya home, out at of home, hadcommittee, studies hadshortly shortlyof the after after safety a day day of of of what genetical what Ms. WilleMs. Wille- EmotionalThe TestimonyCouncil meeting Theon Oct. Council 15 start-The meeting Council on meeting Oct. 15 start- on Oct. 15 start- haunted him. And his mother, who had and Brenda Ford, another Council journal, Mr.always Ilagan served found papayaan article at with home, had shortlystopped after abecause daystopped of ofshortly what because her stopped Ms. new after ofWille concerns because her a day new of of her concerns what new concerns Ms. Willeandand Brenda Brenda Ford, Ford, another another Council Council The Council meeting on Oct. 15ed start- with public testimonyed with that public lasteded with testimony public testimonythat lasted that lasted always served papaya at home, had about the Rainbowly modified variety.member organisms. who member was But a who proponent Biofortified, was a proponent of the which of the The Councilmore than meeting seven hours. on Oct. 15 start- the subheadstopped “GM because Cotton of Has her Driven new concerns and about Brenda the Rainbow Ford,about the another andvariety. Rainbow Brenda Council variety. Ford, another Councilmember who was a proponent of the ed with public testimony that lasted more than sevenmore thanhours. seven hours. stopped because of her new concerns received ban,no fundinghad described ban,from had as describedindustry, expert testimony.as expert listed testimony. more ed with publicAgain, testimony Mr. Ilagan found that lasted himself Farmers aboutto Suicide: the Rainbow False.” variety. member who was a proponent of the ban, hadAt the described hearing on as Sept. expert 23, he testimony. had more than seven hours. Again, Mr.Again, Ilagan Mr. found Ilagan himself found himself about the Rainbow variety. memberLearning who wasFrom a a proponentResearcher of the PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMESmore thantouched seven by hours. the emotion of the crowd. A than a hundredAt the such hearingAtgrown studies, the on increasingly hearing Sept. including 23, uneasy on he Sept. as had his a 23,fellow 2010 he had touched by the emotion of the crowd. A According to the Nature article, peer- ban, hadLearning describedLearning From as expertban, a Researcher hadFromtestimony. described a Researcher as expert testimony. The Rainbow papaya is geneticallyAgain, modified Mr. to resist Ilagan a foundAgain, himselfmother Mr. brought Ilagan her 8-year-old found himselfto testify.touched by the emotion of the crowd. A At theMr. hearingIlagan with on Sept.Alberto 23,The Belmes, he scientists had one at the of national grownthe growers agricul- increasinglygrown ofCouncil genetically increasingly uneasy members as modified declined his uneasy fellow to callpapayasas his sev- fellow whose views helped change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. Mr. Brewer, the eco-hostelmother owner, brought mother was her brought 8-year-old her to 8-year-old testify. to testify. reviewed research in 2011 found that At ture the research hearingcomprehensive center on here Sept. were 23, not he reviewac- haderal Universitysponsored of Hawaii by scientists the Euro who - Thevirus Rainbow that devastatedThe papaya Rainbow other ispapaya geneticallytouchedpapaya varieties byis genetically onthemodified Hawaii. emotion to modifiedtouched of resist the crow a by to thed. resist A emotion a of the crowd. A Learning From a ResearcherLearning From a ResearcherThe scientistsThe at scientists the national at the agricul- national agricul-Council membersCouncil declined members to declined call sev- to call sev- in the audience withMr. his Brewer, wife, who the is eco-hostel owner, was suicides among farmers were no more grown increasingly uneasygrown ascustomed hisincreasingly fellow pean to local uneasy CouncilUnion, representa-as thathisThe fellow found Rainbowhad flown“no papaya from scientific Oahu, is instead genetically evidence allotting modified virusto resist that a devastatedvirus that devastated othermother papaya broughtother varieties papaya her 8-year-old on varietiesmother Hawaii. to brought on deaf,testify. Hawaii. signing her so 8-year-old she could follow to testify. theMr. de- Brewer, the eco-hostel owner, was ture researchture center research here center were nothere ac- were eralnot Universityac- eral45 ofUniversity minutes Hawaii to scientists of Jeffrey HawaiiThe Smith, whoRainbow scientists a self- papaya who is genetically modified to resist a in the audience with his wife, who is numerous afterThe scientists the new seedsat the werenationalThe in- scientists agricul- at theCouncil national members agricul- declinedCouncil totives call members dropping sev- by declined unannounced. to call sev- in their fieldsMr. Brewer, by accident. the eco-hostel But heMr. found Brewer,owner,bate. was theInvoking eco-hostel the Hawaiian owner, word wasin for the audience with his wife, who is customed to local CouncilBut representa- one associatingday in August,had Mr. IlaganG. flownvirusM re-.O.s fromhad that styled with flown Oahu, devastated expert higher from instead on G.M.O.s Oahu, othervirus risks allotting with instead papayathat nofor scien- devastated allottingthe varieties other on Hawaii. papaya varieties on Hawaii. “land,” several speakersdeaf, — signing not neces- so she could follow the de- troducedture than research before. Andcenter a 2012 hereture study were research notscourge ac- center oferal herethe University world’s were notpoor. of customedac- Hawaii eral scientists to University local who Council of Hawaii representa- scientists who lette,” a movie he produced basedthere on his wasningin no thegenetically evidence audience modified that with organisms. Monsanto hisin the wife, audience who is with his wife, whodeaf, is signing so she could follow the de- tives droppingtives by dropping unannounced.called, by unannounced. when he turned up45 in minutes search of45 to tific minutes Jeffrey credentials. to Smith, Jeffrey a self- Smith, a self-book of the same title that had been Ms. Wille assured her colleagues that, sarily of Hawaiian bate. descent Inv — oking begged the Hawaiian word for found thatcustomed farmers’ toprofits local rose Council becausecustomed representa- to That local did Councilhad not flown mean representa- from genetically Oahu, insteadhad engi- flownsomeone allotting from whoenvironment Oahu, could answer instead questions or allotting for foodOne Universityand feed of Hawaii safety at Manoa than had ever deaf,initiated signing such so a lawsuit.she coulddeaf, follow signing forthe “our de-so aina”she couldto be preserved. follow the “Ourbate. de- is- Invoking the Hawaiian word for But one day in August, Mr. Ilagan re- styled expertstyled on G.M.O.s expert onwith G.M.O.s no scien- with no scien-shown at one of the island’s “March upon the bill’s passage, she would sup- “land,” several speakers — not neces- of reducedtives losses dropping from pest by unannounced. attacks.tives dropping neered by unannounced. food45 minutes could never to Jeffrey causeBut one 45 Smith,harm. day minutesabout in a August, genetic self- toconventional contamination, Jeffrey Mr. Ilagan Smith, he re- plantsfound a a self- andbiologist, organisms.” Richard Manshardt, It respond-echoedlette,” Against acause movie Monsanto”lette,” heof produceda the movie events, G. appearedheM based produced.O.“I’m issue,” aton hisstillport bate.based thetryingM ning Invformation ron. Ilagan oking hisgeneticallyto voice of thesuchning said this Hawaiiana geneticallymodifiedgroup. out,”bate.he But heInv organisms. word modifiedlandoking canfor the be organisms. the Hawaiian uncontaminated word seed- “land,” for several speakers — not neces- called, when he turned upmolecular in search biologist of willingtific to help. credentials. tificed credentials. to a question from Ms. Ford about bed for the world,” onesarily said. of Hawaiian descent — begged “There’s Butfarmers one day committing in August, suicide Mr.But Ilagan one dayBut re- inthe August, risksstyled of Mr. expertsuch Ilagan crops oncalled, G.M.O.sre- could whenstyledbe with reli- he expertno turnedscien- on upG.M.O.s lette,” in search witha movie ofno scien-he produced based on his ning geneticallybookthe of hearing the bookmodified sameby Skype of title theorganisms. from same thatArizona. said, had title been“but thatit“land,” wasto had me better Ms. beenseveralit notjust Wille to seems delay, speakers assuredMs. she symbolic. Wille “land,” said: her — assured “I notcolleagues several neces- her speakers that,colleagues — that, not neces-sarily of Hawaiian descent — begged someone whosomeone could who answer “It’s could kind questions similar answer of a loaded questions statementsterm,”One the Universitycoun- byOnethe the effect Universitylette,” of Hawaii World on a honeybees movie at ofHealth ManoaHawaiihe of produced corn Orga atengi- Manoa -basedHeconcluded praisedon his the Councilning in mid-August.geneticallyfor stepping in modifiedwant to draworganisms. a line in the sand until we Those in favor offor the “our bill outnum-aina” to be preserved. “Our is- because ofcalled, the whole when debt he turned issue, called,but up init’s search whenably he of tested, turnedtific and credentials. up inthey search had so of far tificproved credentials. neered to resist pests: none, he said, be-shown at oneshown of theat one island’s of Like the “March island’sdoingsarily something “Marchupon of Hawaiianthe that bill’supon seems passage, descent the good,bill’s —she passage, begged would sup-she would sup- for “our aina” to be preserved. “Our is- about genetic contamination,cilman he remembered foundnization, booka the biologist, the ofscientist, theNational same JonRichard title Academy Manshardt,book that of had theof been respond-Sciences, same titleMs. the that Wille where had assured he been Still, believes her it colleagues that wasMs. federal Wille hard regula-that, assured not tocan her be take colleagues spooked a closer look.” that,by matesarily- of bered Hawaiian those opposed descentland by more — can beggedthan be five the uncontaminated seed- not becausesomeone of the who G.M.O. could issue,” answer Mr. questionssafe. “WithOne scientists, University weabout of never HawaiigeneticOne say Suzuki, atcontamination, University Manoa saying. “What of Hawaiihe they’refound at talkinga Manoabiologist,cause the Richard protein itManshardt, produced affected respond-Against Monsanto”Against Monsanto”events, appearedbut events, not reallyatfor appeared “our portachieving aina” the at formation to whatport be preserved. theyou of formation want such “Ourato group. one. of is- such But a group. But land can be the uncontaminated seed- someone who could answer questions showned at to one a question of the from island’sshown Ms. at “March Ford one about of theupon island’s the torybill’s “March agencies passage, haveupon shefailed, would theand bill’ssuggest- sup- passage, she would sup- for “our aina” to be preserved. “Our is- about genetic contamination, he found a biologist,molecular Richard biologistmolecular Manshardt, willing biologistabout respond- to help. iswilling R cross-pollination, oyal to Societyhelp. which of M isededicine only to acertain question and insect the groups, from Americ Ms.and wasan Ford notAsthe about- hearinged that the by Rainbow Skype papaya from could Arizona. harm land it can was be better the uncontaminated not to delay, she seed-Lukas said: Kambic, “I a biologybed for major the at world,”bed the for onethe world,”said. one said. Ilagan said he concluded in mid-August.about genetic anything contamination, is 100 percent he found certain a onebiologist, way Richard Manshardt,Against Monsanto” respond- events,Against appeared Monsanto” at portevents, the appeared formationrialthe emailedat of hearing suchport a by thegroup. Skype constituentsformationto But achieve.” from AngryofArizona. such and Voters a group. circulated itBut was betterlandon can not be to the delay, uncontaminated she said: “I seed- molecular biologist willing to help. ed to a“It’s question kind of from“It’s a loaded kind Ms. Fordofterm,”something a loaded about the thatcoun- term,” happens thethe allcoun- effect the time onthe toxic honeybees effect to bees. on honeybees of corn engi- of corn He engi-people praised because the of Council a protein forproduced stepping by in want to draw a line in the sandUniversity until ofwe Hawaii atThose Hilo, sought in favortoThose of in the favor bill of outnum- the bill outnum- Still, it was hard not to be spookedmolecular by biologistor another,” willing Dr. toSuzuki help. said. “Weed weigh to a questionsociation fromthe hearing Ms. for Ford the by aboutAdvancementSkype “Ifrom don’t Arizona. agree of with Science. the professor,”it was betterFacebook: not toHe delay, praised images she the said: Council of Ms. “I tomatoes Haskinforbed stepping for took the with inhisworld,” hand. syringeswant one “You to said.bed draw have for a the line world,” in the onesand said. until we cilman rememberedcilman remembered thewithin scientist, species.” the Jon scientist,neered Jon to resistneered pests: theto resist hearingnone, pests: he by said, Skypenone, be- hefrom said, Arizona. thebe- viral gene addedit to was it, adding better that notno to The delay, response she to said: Mr. Ilagan’s “I vote was use his own experiencebered to counterthose theopposed by more than five material emailed“It’s kind by of constituents a loaded term,”“It’s and thekind coun-conclusions of a loadedthe onterm,” effect accumulated the on honeybeescoun- knowledgethe of effect cornThe councilman onengi- honeybees knewHe little praised of about corn howthe engi- CouncilMs. Ford for told stepping her colleagues. in want whereto draw he a believeslinewhere in the he that sand believes federal untilto that wevote regula- federal forswift thisThose and can regula- bill,”unambiguous. take in she favor a closerpleaded.can of take look.” the “What a closer bill outnum- anecdoteslook.” others voiced that night. bered“My those opposed by more than five Suzuki, saying. “What they’re talkingA blogcause post the on protein the website it He produced praised of NP affectedtheR Council, a news for steppinghumanstuck or animalin in them want feeding andto studies draw of pears hada line in and the apples sand until stapled we to-Those in favor of theto billone. outnum- circulatedcilman on Facebook: remembered images the of scientist, to- or Jon evidenceneered — but to oftenresist thispests:Suzuki, is not none, neered saying. satis- hefood tosaid, “Whatwasresist be-grown. pests: they’re He enlisted none, talking hein the said, Aircause be- Many the University protein of it Hawaii produced scientists affectedtory everagencies beentory conducted have agencies failed, on the fruit.have andabout failed,suggest- all andbered He the wassuggest- pesticidesthose mocked opposed on Facebook being by sprayed andmore pil- thanmom five ate organic food exclusivelyto and one. cilman remembered the scientist, Jon whereonly he certain believes insect that wheregroups, federal he and regula- believes was not thatcan take federal a closer regula- look.” can take a closer look.” bered those opposed by more than five Suzuki, saying. “What they’re talkingfactory forcause some.”about the protein is cross-pollination,about it produced is cross-pollination,National affected which Guardsour immediatelyce is whichMr. after Ilagan is highonly trusted,had certain already insectregisteredcataloged groups, their oppositionwhat and wased it that notMr. gether,the Ilagan Rainbowed that was warnings the genuinely papaya Rainbow curious couldof childrenpapaya to harmloriedto could one. harmed in letters harm from by constituents. parents “You did yoga all the time, andLukas she died Kambic, of Lukasa a biology Kambic, major a biology at the major at the matoes with syringes stuck in themSuzuki, and saying. “What they’re talking cause school the proteinand abandoned ittory produced his agencies first semester affected have tofailed, thetory bill, and in agencies written suggest- and have oral testimony failed, and suggest- on our food?” Angry Voters to one. brain aneurysm,” Mr. Kambic said. “Ac- about is cross-pollination, which is only certainsomething insect something that groups, happens and that was all happens thenot time all thetoxic time to bees.toxic to bees. peoplehear because the author’s of atake protein on his ownproduced latest byhave been influenced Angry by the contrived Voters University Universityof Hawaii atof Hilo,Hawaii sought at Hilo, to sought to of pears and apples stapled together,about is cross-pollination, which is only certainof community insectcalled college groups,ed “Top that classes theand Five when Rainbow was heM notythsand papaya letters ofed Gthat incouldenetically the the local harm Rainbow papers. M odif papayaied couldrealization:serving harmpeople Each genetically because genetically of modified a protein Themodified conversation,arguments producedLukas food. fromKambic, by The the he pro-G.M.O. spectera noticed, biology inter-Lukas hadmajor Kambic,cording at the to thea biology logic of people major here, at theshe toxic withinto bees. species.” within species.” “I don’t agree“I don’t with agree the professor,” with theAngry professor,”the Votersviral gene addedAngry to it, adding Voters that no The response to Mr. Ilagan’s vote was use his ownuse experience his own experience to counter tothe counter the warningssomething of children thatharmed happens by parentssomething all the Silencing time that happens the all Scientists the time toxic todecided bees. to runSeeds, for thepeople CouncilBusted.” because seat. No. of a 1protein Ifwas thepeople ban aproduced passed,thing because local heby farmersof had a protein couldlong produced organismof geneticthe wasby viral different, contaminationgene and added cameturned withto it, addingagain. ests,”stillUniversity one haunted that letter no of read. Hawaii him. “ManyThe And at ofresponseUniversity myHilo, fel- sought towas Mr.of killed Hawaiito Ilagan’s by organic at vote Hilo, food was and sought yoga.” to “I don’tThe councilman agree The with councilman knew the professor,”littleDr. aboutSuzukiknew howgavelittle himabout Ms. a tutorialhow Ford told onMs. hernot Ford colleagues. take told advantage her colleagues. of projects under-humanits own or set animal of trade-offs. feeding studies hadlow Punaswift residents and unambiguous. will seriously con- The room was silent.anecdotes othersanecdotes voiced others that voicednight. “Mythat night. “My serving geneticallywithin species.” modified food.within The species.” “I don’t agree withthe viral the gene professor,” added to it,the adding viral genethat noadded toThe it, adding response that tohuman no Mr. Ilagan’s orThe animal response vote feedingwas to Mr. use studies Ilagan’s his own had vote experience wasswift anduse to unambiguous. counterhis own the experience to counter the The councilman knew little about howOn Oct.Ms. 1, Ford Mr.food Ilagan toldwas her grown. food voted colleagues. was He to blockgrown.enlistedplant Hereproduction, in enlistedbelieved:the Air Mr. in Ilagan the “SeedsMany Air recalled, University fromManyway G. at M Universityof the .O.sHawaii university are scientists ofsterile.” andHawaii elsewhere, scientistsever been“Ihis don’t conducted mother,see a blanket on whoban,” the he fruit.had told his alwayssideranecdotes moreservedHe progressive otherswas papaya mocked voiced He candidates was on atthat mocked Facebook for night. Knowing on“My and Facebook pil- that the andmom final pil- vote ate on organicmom the ate food organic exclusively food exclusively and and specter of genetic contaminationThe still councilman knew little about how Ms. Fordexplaining told her that colleagues. withhuman the wind, or insectsanimal feedingthey noted,human studies including or animal had drought-tolerant feedingswift and studies staffunambiguous. that hadeverweek. been “It swift seems conducted and like itunambiguous. should on thethe fruit. next Council term.” anecdotesban others was yet voiced to come, that Mr. night. Ilagan “Myvoted National GuardNational immediately Guard immediately after high afterhad high alreadyhad registered already theirregistered opposition their oppositionMr. Ilagan was genuinely curiousEmotional to loriedTestimony in letters from constituents. “You did yoga alldid the yoga time, all and the she time, died and of shea died of a haunted foodhim. wasAnd grown.his mother, He enlisted whofood had was in the grown.the Air bill He from enlistedMany moving University in the out Air of committee,of HawaiiManyand scientists University animals spreadingOne everof Hawaii ofbeen pollenthe conductedscientists more and alarmingcrops on evertheand higher-yieldfruit. been effects conducted pineapple of G. onMplants.He .O.sthe was fruit. be mocked ahome, case-by-case Mr.on had Facebook Ilaganthing.” stoppedHe was was and mocked genuinelybecause pil- onmom“Greggor, Facebook curiousof her ate what new organic to and do concerns loried youpil- food think in mom exclusively you’reletters ate from“no” organic and afterconstituents. foodthe hearing. exclusively “You Then nearly and school and abandonedschool and abandonedhisseeds, first cross-pollinationsemester his first semester to can the never bill, be into written theGenetic bill, and engineeringin written oral testimony is and a precise oral testimony tech-hear the author’s take on his own latest have been influenced by the1,000 contrived people quicklybrain signed aneurysm,” a petitionbrain aneurysm,” Mr. Kambic Mr. said. Kambic “Ac- said. “Ac- always servedNational papaya Guard immediately at home,National had after Guard shortlyhigh immediately afterhad already a day after ofregistered whathigh Ms. hadtheir Wille already opposition registeredthat MMr.s. their Wille Ilagan opposition had was genuinelycited Mr.was curious Ilagan suicides wasto genuinelyloriedamong in letters curious“Aloha,about fromhear Mr. to the Smith,”constituents.theloried R author’sainbow Mr. in Ilagan letters take“You variety. saidThe onfrom Council hisdoing?”did constituents. own yoga hismeeting latest campaign all the “Youon havetime,manager, Oct. been and15did Kareen start- she yoga influenced died all ofthe a by time, the and contrived she died of a school and abandoned his first semesterand Brendato the of bill, Ford, community in written anotherof community college and Council oral classes entirelytestimony college avoided. when classes he whenand letters he inand thenique letters local that papers.in “itself the local is not papers. harmful,” therealization:when herealization: had Each his genetically turn. Each “Or is genetically it modified Dr. Haskin,brain modifiedarguments 70,aneurysm,” a close family arguments from Mr. friend, Kambic the asked pro-G.M.O. from said.demanding the “Ac- pro-G.M.O. inter- that he cording change inter- his to vote thecording at logic to of the people logic here, of people she here, she stopped because of her new concernsschool and abandoned his first semester to the bill,But, in Mr. written Ilagan hear learned,and theoral by author’s testimony stagger- takedean on hearof thehis school’s theown author’s latest College takeof haveTropical on beenhis own influenced latest byhave the been contrived ed influenced with public by the testimony contrived that brain lasted aneurysm,”the final hearing, Mr. Kambic scheduled said. for Nov. “Ac- 18. decided to rundecided for the to Councilrun for theseat. farmersCouncil seat. in IfIndia, the ban purportedly passed, local farmersdriven could into debtorganism Smith?” was different, and came withhim. “Theests,” main one thing letter I told peopleread. was“Many of my fel- was killed bywas organic killed foodby organic and yoga.” food and yoga.” about theof Rainbow community variety. college classesof community whenmember he college and who classes letters was in awhen the proponent local he papers.and of thelettersing planting in the times localrealization: and papers. ensuring aEach rea- If geneticallyAgriculture the ban andpassed, modified Human local Resources, farmersarguments Ma- could “No, from Jeffrey’sorganism the pro-G.M.O. fine,” was Mr. different, Smith inter-more said thanandyoucording sevencame would listen withhours.to the to them.” logicests,” of onepeoplecording letter here, to Forread. the theshe “Manylogicfirst time of ofinpeople hismy career fel- here, as coun- she Dr. Suzuki gave him a tutorial on not take advantagerealization: of projects Each under- genetically modifiedLearningarguments From a fromResearcher the pro-G.M.O. inter- The room was silent. decided to run for the Councildecided seat. to runban, for had the described CouncilIf the ban seat. as passed, expert Dr. testimony.local Suzuki farmersIf thesonable gave ban could passed, distancehimby the a organismbetween local tutorial high farmers crops, cost onwas it coulddifferent,of isnot patented,ria take Gallo, and advantage wrote came genetically in one with op-ed. of projectsests,” modi its under-one -ownover letter set Skype. ofitsread. trade-offs. own “Many set of trade-offs.of my fel-Again, wasHe Mr. told killedlow her Ilagan Puna thatby organicthough residents foundlow a vocal Punafood himselfwas minor- willand residents killed yoga.” seriouslycilman, by organic will he con- seriously began food to and consider con- yoga.” votingThe room was silent. usually possible to avoidway large-scale at the universityButorganism Ms. Wille and had was elsewhere, largely different, dismissed and came with ests,” one letter read. “Many of my fel- “kanalua” — yes, with reservation. Dr. Suzuki gave him a tutorial At on thenot hearing takeplant advantage onreproduction, Sept.plant 23, of reproduction, he projects Mr. had Ilagan under- recalled,Mr.fied Ilagan cottonits own recalled, setseeds. of trade-offs.way at the university andlow elsewhere, Puna“I don’t residents“In your seeThe world,”“I a willblanketdon’t scientists Mr. seriously seeIlagan ban,” a blanketasked, he touchedat con- toldthe“is ban,” hisnational ityby supportedThehe the sidertold roomemotion agriculturehis the more was ban, of sider silent.many progressive the othercrow more re- con-d. progressive A candidates candidates for Knowing for thatKnowing the final that vote the onfinal the vote on the Learning From a ResearcherDr. Suzuki gave him a tutorial on not takemingling. advantage Also, plants of projects have different under-the opinionsits own of set university of trade-offs. researchers, low Puna residentsstituents will seriously knew little about con- the complexThe roomIn was early silent. November , he sought to es- grown increasinglyexplaining uneasy explaining that as his with fellow the that wind, with insects the wind, they insects noted,they including noted, drought-tolerant including drought-tolerantstaffthere that any week. room “Itfor any seems G.M.O.?” like it should the next Councilthe next term.” Council term.” ban was yetban to wascome, yet Mr. to Ilagancome, Mr.voted Ilagan voted plant reproduction, Mr. plantIlagan reproduction, recalled, wayMr. Ilagan at the recalled, university way and atelsewhere,fertilization the university methods:Biotechnology“I The anddon’t Rainbow elsewhere, see pa-a blanket companies,citing ban,” Monsanto“I don’t he shetold contributionssee hissaid, a blanket sider “come to theban,” more heMr. progressivesearchtold Smithstaff his replied thatcentersider that candidates week. there morehere “Itwasmother progressiveseemsnot.were for brought issue.likenotKnowing it “Iaccustomed candidatesshould haveher 8-year-old to that do what’sfor the to finalto rightlo testify.-Knowing vote for cape on that the with athe friend final to a vote condo on in Kona, the and animalsand spreading animals spreading pollen and pollenThecrops Rainbow and and higher-yieldcrops papaya and higher-yield is pineapple genetically plants. pineapple modifiedbe plants. a to case-by-case resist a thing.” “Greggor, what do you think you’re “no” after “no” the hearing. after the Then hearing. nearly Then nearly The scientistsexplaining at the that national with the agricul-explaining wind, insects Council that with membersthey the noted, wind, declined includinginsects to call drought-tolerantthey sev- noted,paya, for including instance,staff was drought-tolerant that largely week. self- “It university.seemsstaff like In that 2012,it shouldweek. she noted, “It thetheseems com- next like Council Init theshould beafternoon,term.” a case-by-casethe Dr. nextGonsalves, Council thing.”Mr. who Brewer, term.”them,ban too.” thewas eco-hostelyet to come,“Greggor, owner, Mr.ban Ilagan was was what onlyyet voted do toto be youcome, accosted think Mr. at you’re theIlagan pool by voted a vot- seeds, cross-pollinationseeds, cross-pollination fertilizing. can never in If it and iscan be planted givevirus neverGenetic about it that away be 12 feetengineeringdevastatedGenetic cheap,pany made engineeringand other is a athen precise one-timepapaya raise is tech- donationavarieties prices.” precise of “Aloha,on tech-led Hawaii. thecal development Mr. Council Smith,” of representativesthe Mr. Rainbow Ilagan pa- saidHe dropping tolddoing?” Ms. Haskin his by campaign whatunan he- hadmanager,er demanding Kareen answers.1,000 people1,000 quickly people signed quickly a petition signed a petition ture researchand center animals here spreading were andnot pollenac- animals eral and University spreadingcrops and of pollen Hawaii higher-yield andscientists pineapplecrops who and plants. higher-yieldbe apineapple case-by-case plants. thing.”be a case-by-case thing.”“Greggor, what “Aloha, do you “Greggor, Mr. think Smith,” you’rein what the Mr. audience do “no” Ilagan you after think said with the you’re his doing?”hearing. wife, “no” whohis Then campaign is after nearly the manager, hearing. Kareen Then nearly had flownGenetic fromentirely Oahu, engineering avoided. insteadentirely is allotting aavoided. preciseaway fr tech-om other varieties,Monsantonique the chance ’s that ofcotton, nique “itself$600,000 that is forengineered not “itself student harmful,” isscholarships not the harmful,”with at the whena paya, the henounced. was hadwhen given his time he turn. to had respond “Or his to isturn. Mr. it Dr. “Orlearned isHaskin, about it Dr. health 70, and Haskin,a environmentalclose family70, a close friend,And family onasked Nov. friend, 14, Mr.demanding askedBrewer, the demandingvet- that he change that he his change vote at his vote at customedseeds, to local cross-pollination Council representa-seeds, can never cross-pollination be can never be Geneticcross-pollination engineering is exceedingly is“Aloha, a precise low. Mr. tech-Smith,”College Mr. of“Aloha, Tropical Ilagan Mr.Agriculture said Smith,” doing?”and Hu- Mr. IlaganhisSmith’s campaign allegations. said manager,doing?” He laid to his Kareenrestdeaf, campaigna lin- signingaspects1,000 manager, so peopleof she genetic could Kareen quickly engineering. follow signed 1,000 the But de- as people a petitioneran quicklywho runs signed an eco-hostel, a petition visited But, Mr. Ilagan learned, by stagger- dean of thedean school’s of the College school’s of TropicalCollege of TropicalSmith?” him. “The main thing I told people was the final hearing,the final scheduled hearing, forscheduled Nov. 18. for Nov. 18. tives droppingentirely by avoided. unannounced. entirely avoided.45 minutes nique to that Jeffrey “itself Smith, But, is not Mr.nique a harmful,” self- Ilagan that“But learned,what “itself thegene about is when byfromthe not papaya stagger- harmful,” hebacteria contam- had his the toman turn. ward Resources,when “Or off he is an certain it hadamount Dr. his that insects,Haskin, turn. the col- “Or 70,gering isa close it questionSmith?” Dr.But family one aboutHaskin, friend, day papaya 70, in asked bate. safetyaAugust, close Inv hefamilydemandingoking hadM r found .friend, theIlagan often Hawaiian that asked happened him.recalled, he change “The word demanding in con-main for his votehimthing that in at I his told he office. changepeople They was hisdiscussed vote Mr. at ing planting times and ensuringinating” — Mr. a rea-Ilagan recallsAgriculture correctingAgriculture andlege Human said represented and Resources, Human about Resources, Ma-1 percent of “No, Ma-that had Jeffrey’s troubled fine,”Mr. Ilagan. Mr. Smith saidversationsyou about would G.M.O.s, listen theto them.” subject Brewer’s convictionFor that the cross-pollina- firstFor time the in first his timecareer in ashis coun- career as coun- But one dayBut, in Mr. August, Ilagan Mr. learned, IlaganBut, byre- Mr. stagger- styled Ilagan expert learned,dean onof the byG.M.O.s stagger-school’sing with plantingCollege nodean scien- ofof times Tropicalthelette,” andschool’shad ensuring a movie“pushedSmith?” College he a rea-producedof 270,000 Tropical based farmersSmith?” on his to suicide”ning geneticallyhim. since “The modified mainwhen thingorganisms.“No, he I him.toldturned Jeffrey’s people“The up fine,”main“land,” was in thing Mr.search severalthe Smith I finaltold of speakers said peoplehearing,someone wasyou —scheduled would notwho the neces- listenfinal for Nov. hearing,to them.” 18. scheduled for Nov. 18. tific credentials.Agriculturesonable and distance sonableHuman between Resources, distancehimself crops, between Ma- — “cross-pollinating it is crops,ria Gallo, it withis wrote aria itsGallo, in annual one wrote op-ed.budget in that one year. op-ed. over Skype.He explainedover Skype. that any papaya in- quickly shifted.He told “We her don’t Hethat want told though corpo- her that a vocaltion though by minor- G.M.O.s a vocal wouldcilman, minor- do unknown he cilman, began heto consider began to voting consider voting called, whening planting he turned times up in and search ing ensuring planting of a rea- times and ensuring a rea- Agriculturebook and Human of the“No, Resources, same Jeffrey’s title Ma- that fine,” “It had isMr. sad“No, been Smith that Jeffrey’s our said stateMs. hasWille fine,” you allowed assured would Mr. Smith listen her colleagues saidto them.”you that, would listensarily to of them.” For Hawaiian the first descent time in —his Forbeggedcareer the asfirst coun- time in his career as coun- usually possibleusually to possible avoidpineapple?” large-scale to the avoid company large-scaleBut started Ms. WilleBut selling had Ms. largely Wille it in had dismissedIndia largely in 2002, dismissed“In fected yourcould by world,” the ringspotanswer Mr. virus Ilagan questions contains asked, the “isaboutrations ityto genetic own supported all the seeds,”contami the she ban, said.- manyharm other to thecon- environment“kanalua” and detract —“kanalua” yes, with — reservation. yes, with reservation. someonesonable who could distance answer between questionssonable crops, distance it One is University betweenria Gallo, crops, wrote of Hawaii itin one is at op-ed. ria Manoa Gallo,This wrote shownwas the in partone atover heoneop-ed. hadSkype. of trouble the ex- island’sour university “Marchover Skype. departmentsupon the of agricul-bill’sHe told passage,protein her that Mr.she thoughSmith“In would your had aHe sup-mentioned vocalworld,” told minor- her for Mr.as thatpo- “our Ilagan though aina”cilman,Mr. asked, Ilagan ato vocal be he “is was preserved. began minor- as ity opposed supported to “Our considercilman, as Ms. is- the hefrom voting ban, began the manyisland’s to otherimage. consider con- voting mingling. Also, plants have different the opinionsthe of opinions university of researchers, university researchers,there any room for any G.M.O.?” stituents knew little about the complex In early November, he sought to es- about geneticusually contamination, possible to he avoid foundusually large-scale a possiblebiologist, to Richard avoidBut Ms. large-scaleManshardt, Willemingling. had largelyrespond- But Also, plaining dismissed Ms. plants Against Wille tothe himself. hadhave activistMonsanto” Was largely“In different the your virusVandana dismissed world,”events, gene Mr.appearedture Shiva Ilaganto become“In saidat yourasked, largely portinworld,” “is dependenta the Honolulu Mr. ityformation uponIlagansupported tentially asked,of nation,such the there dangerous“is ban,a group. he any manyity found inroom supported But the other geneticallyfor a land molecularanycon- the G.M.O.?” can ban,Haskin“kanalua” be many biologist the was uncontaminated toother — big yes, businesses willingcon-stituents with reservation. “kanalua” control-to seed-knew little —“We yes,about need with all the the reservation. complex votes we can get toIn early November, he sought to es- fertilization methods: Thefrom Rainbow the papaya pa- also in Ms.citing Barr’s Monsanto mac-citingfunding Monsantocontributions grants from contributions the to multinational the toMr. modified the Smith Rainbow.replied Moreover,that there plant was vi- not.ling a market,issue. in “I part have by using to patents do what’soverride” right a forpossible capeveto by with the mayor, a friend to a condo in Kona, molecularmingling. biologist willing Also, plantsto help. mingling. have different Also,ed to plantsa questionthe opinions have from different of Ms. universityfertilization Fordthe about researchers, opinionsmethods:the ofspeech hearingThe university Rainbowthere byM anys.Skype researchers,Wil pa- room lefrom attended.for Arizona. any G.M.O.?”there any roomit was for better anystituents G.M.O.?” not toknew delay,help. little Mr. she about Smith said:stituents the replied “I complex knewbed that forlittle there the about Inworld,” was early not.the one Novembercomplex said.issue. , he“I In havesought early to to November do es- what’s, he right sought for to cape es- with a friend to a condo in Kona, paya, for instance,paya, for was instance,adamia largely nuts was self- and largely the university. organic self- coffee university.In 2012,chemical she corporations,”In noted, 2012, theshe Ms. com-noted, Wille toldthe Incom-ruses the afternoon, do not infect Dr. people. Gonsalves, “Everyone whothat prohibitthem, farmers too.” from replanting or Mr. Brewer said. “Doonly you thinkto be you accostedonly can to be at accosted the pool byat thea vot- pool by a vot- “It’s kindfertilization of a loaded methods: term,” the Thefertilization coun- Rainbowthe methods:pa- effectciting onThe honeybees MonsantoRainbow pa- of contributions cornciting engi- farmer’s Monsanto to beans? theHe praised contributionsMr. the Smith Council replied to for thereporters, steppingthat thereMr. suggesting in Smithwas not.want repliedthat theto drawuniversi- issue.that therea “Iline was havewas in eating the not. to sand virus-infectedIn do the what’suntilissue. afternoon, we papaya “I right have in Dr. forThosethe toGonsalves, selling docape in what’s favor their with who seeds. ofa right friend the But them, for bill banning to atoo.”outnum- cape condo crops with invote Kona, a for friend this bill, to Greggor?” a condo in Kona, fertilizing. Iffertilizing. it is planted If it about is planted 12 feet But about inpany 12 Nature, feet madepany a a leading one-time made academic a donation one-time journal, of donationled the of development“It’s kind of the of Rainbowa loaded pa- term,”He the told councilman Ms. Haskin what he had er demandinger demandinganswers. answers. cilman rememberedpaya, for instance, the scientist, waspaya, largely Jon for neered instance, self- touniversity. resist was pests: largely In none,2012, self- shehe said, university.noted, be- theDr. Suzuki wherecom-In 2012, paused. he she believesIn noted, the afternoon, thatthe com- federal ty’sDr. professors Gonsalves, regula-In the were afternoon,can who largely take a them,a “mouth-Dr. closer Gonsalves, too.” look.”1990s,” Dr.wholed Gonsalves the developmentthem, said. too.” “Andbered nowof the thosebecause onlyRainbow opposed to they be pa- accosted were by made moreHe at with thanthe told only genetic pool five Ms.to bybe Haskin aaccostedMr. vot- Ilagan what at still the had he pool questions had by a ofvot- his away from other varieties,“With the chance plants of of different$600,000 species for —$600,000 studentpiece for forscholarships the student G.M.O. biotechscholarships at the industry.”paya, at youthe was want given to do feeding time studies?”to respond to Mr.engineeringlearned would about not change health the and pat- environmentalown. One scientist he hadAnd spoken on toNov. said 14, Mr. Brewer, the vet- Suzuki, saying.fertilizing. “What If it they’reis planted fertilizing. talking about 12 cause If feet it is the plantedpany protein made about it produced 12 a feetaway one-time fr affectedpanyom other donation made varieties,tory M aof agenciesr one-time. theIlaganled chancethe have development donationfound offailed, an and of articleof suggest- theled Rainbowthe with development thepa- subhead ofHe the told Rainbow Ms.remembered paya,pa- Haskin was whatHe given the told he time scientist, to Ms. had one. to Haskinrespond er demandingJon whatto Suzuki, Mr. he answers. hadlearned saying. er about demanding health and answers. environmental And on Nov. 14, Mr. Brewer, the vet- cross-pollinationcross-pollination is exceedinglyit’s kind is exceedingly of low. like how you don’tlow.College cross aof cat TropicalCollegeShe did, ofAgriculture however, Tropical rely Agriculture andon the Hu- opinion and Smith’sof Hu-With allegations. oneSmith’s member allegations. He absent, laid to only rest He one laida lin-ent to laws, restaspects he a told lin- her. of aspects genetic engineering. of geneticthe engineering.built-in But pesticide as eran in But corn as who should eran runs not whoan eco-hostel, runs an eco-hostel, visited visited about isaway cross-pollination, from other varieties, whichaway the isfr chanceom onlyother of certain varieties,$600,000 insect the for groups,chance student ofand scholarships was$600,000 not for ated studentthe “GthatM thepaya, scholarshipsCotton Rainbow was Hasgiven papaya at Driventhetime acould specialist topaya, respond harmFarmers in was organic to given Mr. agriculture to timeSuicide:learned toprac- respond about other“What Counciltohealth Mr. member andthey’relearned environmental joined aboutMr.talking IlaganLukas health about Kambic, Mr.andAnd Ilagan environmental ison ahad cross-pollinaNov.biology been 14, alarmed majorMr. Brewer, by at -Andtesti- the on theworry Nov. vet- him, 14, becauseMr. Brewer, many plantsthe vet- con- “But what about the papayawith a dogcontam- and expectman to have Resources, off-man Resources,an amount anthatAngry amount the col- Voters that geringthe col- question about papaya safety he had found often happened in con- him in his office. They discussed Mr. somethingcross-pollination that happens is all exceedingly thecross-pollination time low.toxic to is bees.exceedinglyCollege of Tropical low. “But Agriculture Collegewhat spring,”about andof Tropicalpeople hetheHu-False.” said. papaya because AgricultureSmith’s contam- of allegations. a protein and Hu- producedtices He laidSmith’s at the to by university,rest allegations. a lin- Hector aspectsHe Valen- laid to ofin rest genetic opposingtion, a geringlin- which engineering. the bill.aspects question Theis something Council of But aboutUniversity genetic asde- papaya mony engineering.eran that of from Hawaiiwho safetyhappens farmers runs at But who Hilo,he an as said all had eco-hostel,sought theythe eran found could to who oftentain visited runs their happened own an natural eco-hostel, in pesticides. con- visited “Ihim still in his office. They discussed Mr. inating” — Mr. Ilagan recalls correcting lege said representedlegezuela, said who represented about supported 1 percent the about bill. of 1 percentthat ferredhad of troubled a decision Mr. on Ilagan. creating a task be suedversations by Monsanto and about other G.M.O.s, patent- want the tosubject track that Brewer’s down,” he told conviction his that cross-pollina- within species.”“But what about the papaya“But whatcontam- “Iabout don’t theman agreepapaya Resources, with contam- theinating”an amount professor,”man — Mr.that Resources, “Duh!”Ilagan thethe col- exclaimedviralrecalls an amountgeringgene correcting Mr. added questionthat Ilagan. to the it, “I col-adding about geringthat papaya no question safetyThe response abouthe had papaya to found Mr. Ilagan’s safety oftenthat had happened votehe troubled was had found in Mr. use con- Ilagan. oftenhis ownhim happened experience in his office. in con-versations to Theycounterhim discussed theabout in his G.M.O.s, office. Mr. They the subject discussed Brewer’s Mr. conviction that cross-pollina- himself — “cross-pollinatingshould have with realized According a that.”its annual to budget itsthe annual Mr.Nature that Smith, budget year. known article, that for year. “Genetic peer-re Rou- He- force explainedtime to discuss within the that implications species.” any papaya of banin-holdersquickly when patented shifted. seeds “We ended don’t up wantstaff. “What corpo- is an exampletion byof a natural G.M.O.s would do unknown The councilmaninating” — knew Mr. Ilaganlittle about recallsinating” how correcting — Ms.Mr. FordIlaganlege told recalls saidher colleagues. representedcorrectinghimself about lege — 1said “cross-pollinatingpercent representedhuman of orthat about animal had with 1troubled percent feeding a Mr. of studies Ilagan.that had had troubledswift and Mr.versations unambiguous. Ilagan. about G.M.O.s,He explainedversations the subject thatanecdotes about any G.M.O.s, Brewer’s papayaothers the voiced in-conviction subject thatquickly night. that Brewer’s shifted. cross-pollina-“My “We conviction don’t want that corpo- cross-pollina-tion by G.M.O.s would do unknown pineapple?”pineapple?” In the following weeks, “It Mr. is Ilagan sad that“It is our sad state that has our allowed state has allowedfected by the ringspot virus contains the rations to ownrations all the to seeds,”own allpesticide?” shethe seeds,”said. she harmsaid. to theharm environment to the environment and detract and detract food washimself grown. He — enlisted “cross-pollinating in himselfthe Air with — “cross-pollinatingMany a itsUniversity annual budget of with Hawaii that a scientists year.its annual sometimes budgeteverviewed called been that Dr. conducted Heyear. Suzukiresearch explained with on his the in that fruit. 2011 any He found papaya explained that He inwas thatsuicidesquickly mocked any shifted. papaya on Facebook fected “WeThe in- don’t bycouncilmanandquickly the wantpil- ringspot shifted. corpo-mom knew virus “We atetion contains organiclittle don’t by wantabout the G.M.O.s food corpo- exclusivelyhow would foodtion do and by unknown G.M.O.sMaybe, he wouldthought, he do would unknown join the This was the part he had trouble ex- our university departments of agricul- protein Mr. Smith had mentioned as po- Mr. Ilagan was as opposed as Ms. from the island’s image. National pineapple?”Guard immediately afterpineapple?” high had already“It registered is sad that their ourThis opposition state was“It hasthe question is allowedsadpart du thatMr.heamong jour. had Ilaganour Forfected trouble stateinstance, farmers was by has doex-the genuinely weeds allowed ringspot wereour universitycuriousno virusfected more contains to by departmentsnumerous theloried theringspot in rationsletters ofvirusafter agricul- from tocontains own wasconstituents. allprotein the thegrown. seeds,” rationsMr. “You Smith sheHe to said. ownenlisted haddid all yogamentioned the harmall seeds,”in the the toas time, she po- theAir said.and environment National sheMr. died Ilaganharm of and ato was detractlong-promised the as environment opposed task force, as and Ms. which detract wouldfrom the island’s image. plaining to himself. Was the virus gene ture to become largely dependent upon tentially dangerous in the genetically Haskin was to big businessesweigh control- the implications“We of need banning all the votes we can get to school and Thisabandoned was the his part first he semester hadThis trouble wasto the ex- the part bill,our hein written universityhad trouble and departments plainingoralex- testimonyour to himself. university ofnear agricul- geneticallyhear Was departmentsthe the protein modifiedauthor’s virus geneMr. crops take of Smith agricul- turn onture his had ownto mentioned proteinbecome latest Mr.largely ashave Smith po- dependent been had Mr. influencedmentioned Ilaganupon byas wastentially po- the as contrived opposed dangerousMr. Ilagan asbrain Ms. in was aneurysm,” the asfrom genetically opposed the island’sMr. asKambic HaskinMs. image. said. from was “Ac- the to bigisland’s businesses image. control- “We need all the votes we can get to from the papaya also in Ms.into Barr’s “superweeds”the mac- new because seedsfunding of a were rogue grantsfunding introduced from grants the multinational than from before. the multinational Andmodified Guard Rainbow. immediately Moreover, plantafter vi- highling school a market, and abanin part- by usingG.M.O.s patents on the islandoverride” and report back a possible to veto by the mayor, of communityplaining college to himself. classes Was whenplaining the hevirus to andgenehimself. letters tureWas in thetothe become local virus papers. genelargelyfrom the dependentture papaya to become also realization:upon in largely Ms.tentially Barr’s dependent Each mac- dangerous genetically upon in modified tentially the genetically dangerousargumentsHaskin in from the was geneticallythe to pro-G.M.O. bigmodified businessesHaskin inter- Rainbow. wascontrol-cording Moreover, to big to businesses “Wethe plant logic need vi- of control-all people theling votes a here, market, “Wewe she can needinthe getpart Council. all to bythe using votes patents we can getoverride” to a possible veto by the mayor, adamia nuts and the gene? organic coffee chemical corporations,” Ms. Wille told ruses do not infect people. “Everyone that prohibit farmers from replanting or Mr. Brewer said. “Do you think you can decided tofrom run the for papayathe Council also seat. in fromMs. Barr’s the papaya mac-If the also banfunding in passed,Ms. Barr’s grants local macadamia from farmers the funding nuts could multinational andThe grants scientist,organism thea 2012 from organic hemodified recalled, wasstudy the different, coffeemultinational helped found Rainbow. him andchemical that Moreover,came farmers’modified corporations,”with plant Rainbow.profitsests,” vi- one Ms. rose ling Moreover, letter Wille abe market, - read. told plantdoned “Many inruses vi-part hisof by do lingmy firstusing not fel-a market, infectsemester patentswas people. inkilled part override”of by “Everyone bycommunity organic using a possible patentsfoodthat andcollege prohibitveto yoga.”override” by thefarmers mayor, aThe possible fromfinal hearing replanting veto on by the the orbill mayor, wasMr. not Brewer said. “Do you think you can farmer’s beans? reporters, suggesting that the universi- was eating virus-infected papaya in the selling their seeds. But banning crops vote for this bill, Greggor?” Dr. Suzukiadamia gave nuts him and a tutorialthe adamia organic on nuts coffeenot and take chemical the advantage organic corporations,” of coffee projectsfarmer’s chemical under- Ms.beans? understand Wille corporations,”its told causeown that set ruses “superweeds” of of trade-offs.reduced Ms. do notWille were infect losses toldreporters, people. fromruses suggesting “Everyone pest do notlow attacks. infect that Puna thethat people. residents universi- prohibit “Everyone will classesfarmers was seriously eating fromwhenthat replanting con- virus-infectedprohibit he decided farmersThe or room papaya Mr.to from run wasBrewer inreplanting silent.for the said.the selling “Do Councilor you Mr. their think Brewer seeds. youunlike said.can But the “Dofirst. banning Superweedsyou think crops wereyou men-votecan for this bill, Greggor?” Dr. Suzuki paused. weeds that had evolved ty’sresistance professors to a were largely a “mouth- 1990s,” Dr. Gonsalves said. “And now because they were made withtioned. genetic Indian suicides. Mr.Contamination. Ilagan still had questions of his plant reproduction,farmer’s beans? Mr. Ilagan recalled,farmer’s beans?way at thereporters, university suggesting andDr. elsewhere, Suzukithatreporters, the paused. universi- suggesting “I don’twas see that eating a blanketthe universi-virus-infected ban,”ty’s professorshe wastold papaya hiseating were in sidervirus-infected the largely moreselling a progressive “mouth- papaya their seeds. in 1990s,”candidatesthe But selling Dr. banning forGonsalves their crops Knowing seeds. said. vote But “And that for banning this now the bill, final crops becauseGreggor?” vote vote on they thefor were this bill, made Greggor?” with genetic Mr. Ilagan still had questions of his “With plants of differentwidely species used herbicide “There’s — —piece most forfarmers likely thepiece G.M.O. forcommitting the biotech G.M.O. industry.” suicide biotech industry.”beyou- wantseat. toyou do feeding want to studies?” do feeding studies?”engineering engineering would not change wouldMs. not the Wille change pat- urged theaown. vote pat- One for the scientist ban. he had spoken to said explaining Dr. that Suzuki with paused. the wind, insectsDr. Suzukithey paused. noted,ty’s including professors drought-tolerant were“With largelyty’s plants professors faster a “mouth- of than staff different they werethat would1990s,” week. largelyspecies have “It Dr. if a farmers— seems “mouth- Gonsalves like it said.1990s,”should “And Dr. the nowGonsalves next Councilbecause said. term.” they “And were now madebecause with genetic theyban werewas yet madeMr. to Ilagan withcome, genetic Mr. still Ilagan had questions votedMr. Ilagan“To of do his still otherwise,” had questions she said, “would of own. his be One scientist he had spoken to said it’s kind of like how you don’t crosscause a cat of Shethe did, whole however,She debt did, rely however,issue, on the but relyopinion it’s on theofnot opinion beWith- of one Dr. memberWith Suzuki one absent, member gave only him absent, one a tutorial onlyent laws, one on he plantent told laws, her. re he- told her.to ignore the cries fromthe round built-in the world pesticide in corn should not and animals“With spreading plants of pollen different “With and species plantscrops — ofand differentpiece higher-yield for species the G.M.O.pineappleit’s — kind biotechpiece plants.of like had forindustry.” how not thebe usedyou a G.M.O. case-by-case itdon’t so muchyou biotechcross wanton crops a thing.” catto industry.” geneti- do feeding studies?”you want to do“Greggor, feedingengineering studies?” what do would you think not engineeringchange you’re the“no” pat- would after notown. the change One hearing. scientist the pat- Thenhe had own. nearly spoken One toscientist said he had spoken to saidthe built-in pesticide in corn should not with a dog and expectcally to engineered have off- to toleratea specialistit. a in specialist organic agriculturein organic agricultureprac- other prac- Councilother member Council joined member Mr. Ilagan joined Mr. IlaganMr. Ilagan hadMr. beenIlagan alarmed hadand been on by the alarmed testi- mainland.” byworry testi- him, because many plants con- seeds, cross-pollinationit’s kind of like how can you never don’tit’s kind be cross of like Genetica cat how youShe engineering don’tdid, however, cross is a awith cat preciserely aon She dog the tech- did, opinion and however, expect“Aloha, of rely to Mr.With haveon the Smith,” one off-opinion member Mr. of Ilagan absent, With said only onedoing?” one member hisent absent, campaignlaws, he only told manager, her. one entKareen laws, he1,000 told her. peoplethe built-in quickly pesticide signed ain petitionthecorn built-in should pesticide not in corn should worrynot him, because many plants con- a specialistspring,” in he organic said. agricultureBiotechnology prac- firms tices were already at thetices university, at the university, Hector Valen- Hector in Valen- opposingin the opposing bill. The the Council bill. The de- Councilmony de- from monyfarmers from who farmers said they“Mr. who Ilagan?”could said they thetain Councilcould their member owntain natural their own pesticides. natural “Ipesticides. still “I still entirely avoided.with a dog and expectwith to a have dognique off- and that expect “itself to is have not spring,” off- harmful,”a he specialist said. theselling when seedsin organic that he other tolerated had agriculture Council his other, turn. lessmember prac- “Or isjoinedother it Dr. Mr.Council IlaganHaskin, member 70,Mr. joineda close Ilagan Mr. family hadIlagan beenfriend, alarmed askedMr. Ilagan by testi-demanding had beenworry alarmed that him, he changeby because testi- his many worry vote plants at him,leading con- because the meeting many asked plants when it con-came “Duh!” exclaimed Mr. Ilagan. “I zuela, who supportedzuela, who the supported bill. the bill. ferred a decisionferred a on decision creating on a creating task be a sued task by beMonsanto sued by andMonsanto other patent- and other wantpatent- to track that down,” he told his But, Mr.spring,” Ilagan he learned, said. by stagger-spring,” he deansaid. of thetices school’s at the College university,“Duh!” of Tropicaltices Hector exclaimed benign at the Valen- Smith?” herbicides, university, Mr. in Mr.Ilagan. opposing Ilagan Hector learned. “I the Valen- bill. Thein opposing Councilhim. de- the “The bill.mony main The from thing Council farmers I told de- peoplewhomony said was theyfrom could thefarmers final tainhearing,who their said scheduledtheyown naturalcould for pesticides. Nov.tain their18. time “Iown still for natural the final vote.pesticides. “I wantstill to track that down,” he told his should have realized that.”But that was a different problemMr. Smith, from Mr. known Smith, for known“Genetic for Rou- “Geneticforce Rou- to discussforce the to discussimplications the implications of ban- holders of ban- whenholders patented when seeds patented“No,” ended he seeds replied. up ended staff. up“Whatstaff. is an “What example is an of examplea natural of a natural ing planting“Duh!” times and exclaimed ensuring Mr. a“Duh!” rea- Ilagan. Agriculture exclaimed “I zuela, and Mr. who Human Ilagan. supported Resources, should “I the havezuela, bill. Ma- realized who supported “No,that.” Jeffrey’sferred the bill. a fine,” decision Mr. on Smith creatingferred said a a decision you task would onbe listen sued creating toby them.” Monsanto a task andbe othersued bypatent- ForMonsanto the firstwant and time toother trackin his patent- thatcareer down,” aswant coun- he to told track his that down,” he told his Mr. Smith,In the known following for “Genetic weeks,the specter Mr. Rou- Ilaganconjuredforce by a towoman discuss at one the implications of ban- holders when patented seeds ended up The ban was approved,pesticide?” 6 to 3. pesticide?” sonable should distance have between realized crops, that.”should it is haveria realized Gallo, wrotethat.” in one op-ed.In the Mr. following of Smith, the hearings,over weeks, known Skype. who Mr. forsaid “Geneticthat Ilagan “G.M.O.s Rou- force to discussHe thetold implications her that though of ban- a vocalholders minor- whencilman, patented hestaff. beganseeds “What ended to is consideran up example staff. voting of “What a naturalThe is mayor an example signed the billof ona naturalDec. 5. sometimes called Dr. Suzuki with his Maybe, he thought,Maybe, he he thought, would join he thewould join the usually possibleIn the to following avoid large-scale weeks,In Mr. the Ilagan followingBut Ms. weeks, Wille had Mr. largely Ilagansometimes dismissed calledare cross-pollinating Dr.“In Suzuki your world,” with with weeds hisMr. that Ilagan asked, “is ity supported the ban, many other con- “kanalua”pesticide?” — yes, with reservation.pesticide?”At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. question du jour. For instance,now can’t do be weeds controlled.” Wille’s motion to createlong-promised a committeelong-promised to task force, task which force, would which would mingling.sometimes Also, plants called have Dr. different Suzukisometimes with the called his opinions Dr. Suzuki of university with question his researchers, du jour. Forthere instance, any room do weeds for any G.M.O.?” stituents knew little about the complex In early Maybe,November he ,thought, he sought he towouldMaybe, es- join he thethought, he would join the near genetically modifiedAsked crops about turn the danger of moving study the impact of banningweigh genetically theweigh implications the implications of banning of banning fertilizationquestion methods: du jour. The For Rainbow instance,question pa- do du weedsciting jour. For Monsanto instance, contributions do weedsnear genetically to the modifiedMr. Smith crops replied turn that there was not. issue. “I have to do what’s right for cape withlong-promised a friend to a task condo force, inlong-promised Kona, which would task force, which would into “superweeds” becausegenes of among a rogue species where they had modified organisms G.M.O.s on the island on G.M.O.sthe was island on and the report island backand report to back to paya, fornear instance, genetically was modifiedlargelynear self- crops genetically university. turn modified In 2012, crops she noted, turninto “superweeds” the com-not originated, becauseIn the Dr. afternoon, of Suzuki a rogue explained Dr. Gonsalves, who them, too.” only to beweigh accosted the at implicationsthe pool byweigh a vot- of banningthenot seconded, implications and she of withdrew banning it. gene? the Council.the Council. fertilizing.into If it“superweeds” is planted about because into 12 feet “superweeds” of a roguepany made because a one-time of a roguegene? donation ofthat forled millenniums, the development humans had of bred the Rainbow pa- He told Ms. Haskin what he had er demandingG.M.O.s answers. on the island andG.M.O.s report onbackStunned, the to island Mr. Ilagan and brieflyreport considered back to The scientist, he recalled,crops helped of the same him species to produce de- making his own motionThe to form final a taskhearingThe final on hearingthe bill wason the not bill was not away fromgene? other varieties, the chancegene? of $600,000 for student scholarshipsThe scientist, at the hepaya, recalled, was helpedgiven timehim to respond to Mr. learned about health and environmental And onthe Nov. Council. 14, Mr. Brewer, thethe vet-Council. understand that “superweeds”sired traits. But were with the advent of ge- force. But he could unlike see he the would first.unlike not Superweeds the first. Superweeds were men- were men- cross-pollinationThe scientist, is exceedingly he recalled, low.The helped scientist,College him he ofrecalled, Tropical helped Agriculture himunderstand and Hu- netic that engineering,Smith’s “superweeds” allegations. it became were possible He laidto to rest a lin- aspects of genetic engineering. But as eran who The runs final an hearing eco-hostel, on the visitedThe bill final washave hearing notenough support. on the bill was not weeds that had evolved resistance to a tioned. Indiantioned. suicides. Indian Contamination. suicides. Contamination. “But whatunderstand about the that papaya “superweeds” contam-understand man were that Resources, “superweeds” an amount wereweeds that thatthe col-hadborrow evolvedgering a feature resistance questionfrom elsewhere to about aon the papaya safety he had found often happened in con- him in hisunlike office. the Theyfirst. Superweeds discussedunlike Mr. were the first.Itmen- was Superweedstime to move on. were A fast-grow- men- widely used herbicide tree — of most life. An likely example Mr. Ilagan later ing subdivision in his districtMs. Wille needed urged Ms.a Wille a vote urged for athe vote ban. for the ban. inating” —weeds Mr. Ilaganthat had recalls evolved correctingweeds resistance thatlege hadto a saidevolved represented resistance about towidely a 1 percent used of herbicidethat had — troubled most likely Mr. Ilagan. versations about G.M.O.s, the subject Brewer’stioned. conviction Indian that suicides. cross-pollina- Contamination.tioned. Indian suicides. Contamination. its annual budgetfaster that than year. they would havelearned if about farmers was the rice being tested community park. Last“To week, do Mr.otherwise,” Ilagan“To do otherwise,” she said, “would she said, be “would be himself widely — “cross-pollinating used herbicide withwidely — most a used likely herbicide — most likelyfaster than theyin the would Philippines.He have explained Modified if farmers with that genes any papaya in- quickly shifted. “We don’t want corpo- tion by G.M.O.sMs. Wille would urged do a unknown voteMs. for Wille theturned ban. urged his focus a vote to drumming for the up ban. sup- had not used it so much on crops geneti- to ignore theto cries ignore from the round cries fromthe world round the world pineapple?”faster than they would fasterhave ifthan farmers they“It iswould sad thathave our if farmers statehad has not allowed used fromit so bacteriamuchfected on andby crops the corn, ringspot itgeneti- can provide virus contains the rations to own all the seeds,” she said. harm to “To the do environment otherwise,” andshe “To detractsaid, do “would otherwise,”port forbe the bondshe issuesaid, he “would would need be cally engineered to tolerateVitamin it. A, the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamber listened to a discussion about the ban. from the county to planand and on design the mainland.”it.and on the mainland.” This washad the not part used he it sohad much trouble hadon crops notex- used geneti-our it so university much on departmentscrops geneti-cally of engineered agricul- toprotein tolerate Mr. it. Smith had mentioned as po- Mr. Ilagan was as opposed as Ms. from the toisland’s ignore image. the cries from toround ignore the the world cries from round the world Biotechnology firms were already “Mr. Ilagan?” the Council member plaining callyto himself. engineered Was theto tolerate viruscally gene it. engineered ture to to become tolerate largely it. dependentBiotechnology upon firmstentially were dangerous already in the genetically Haskin was to big businesses control- “We needand allon the mainland.”votes we canand get on to the mainland.” “Mr. Ilagan?” the Council member selling seeds that tolerated other, less leading the leadingmeeting the asked meeting when asked it came when it came from the papayaBiotechnology also in Ms. firms Barr’s were Biotechnologymac- alreadyfunding firms grants were from already theselling multinational seeds that modified tolerated Rainbow. other, less Moreover, plant vi- ling a market, in part by using patents override” a“Mr. possible Ilagan?” veto by the the Council mayor,“Mr. member Ilagan?” the Council member benign herbicides, Mr. Ilagan learned. time for thetime final for vote. the final vote. adamia selling nuts and seeds the that organic tolerated selling coffee other, seedschemical less that tolerated corporations,” other, lessbenignMs. Wille herbicides, told ruses Mr. Ilagan do not learned. infect people. “Everyone that prohibit farmers from replanting or Mr. Brewerleading said. the “Do meeting you think asked youleading when can the it came meeting asked when it came But that was a different problem from “No,” he replied. farmer’s benignbeans? herbicides, Mr. benign Ilagan herbicides,learned.reporters, Mr. suggesting Ilagan learned. thatBut the that universi- was a differentwas eating problem virus-infected from papaya in the selling their seeds. But banning crops vote for thistime bill, for Greggor?” the final vote. time for the final vote. “No,” he replied. the specter conjured by a woman at one The ban was approved, 6 to 3. Dr. SuzukiBut paused. that was a differentBut problem that was ty’s from a professors different problem were largely fromthe specter a “mouth- conjured1990s,” by a woman Dr. Gonsalves at one said. “And now because they were made with genetic Mr. Ilagan“No,” still he had replied. questions of“No,” his he replied. The ban was approved, 6 to 3. of the hearings, who said that “G.M.O.s The mayor signed the bill on Dec. 5. “With the plants specter of different conjured speciesby thea woman specter — atpiece conjured one for theby a G.M.O. womanbiotech at ofone the industry.” hearings, whoyou said want that to do“G.M.O.s feeding studies?” engineering would not change the pat- own. One scientistThe ban he was had app spokenroved, to 6The saidto 3. ban was approved, 6 to 3. The mayor signed the bill on Dec. 5. are cross-pollinating with weeds that At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. it’s kind ofof likethe howhearings, you don’t who crosssaidof thatthea cat hearings,“G.M.O.sShe did, who however, said that rely “G.M.O.s onare the cross-pollinatingopinion of With with one weeds member that absent, only one ent laws, he told her. the built-inThe pesticide mayor in signed corn shouldthe billThe noton mayor Dec. 5. signed the bill on Dec. 5. At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. now can’t be controlled.” Wille’s motion to create a committee to with a dogare cross-pollinating and expect to have withare off- weedscross-pollinating a thatspecialist within organic weeds agriculture thatnow can’t prac-be controlled.”other Council member joined Mr. Ilagan Mr. Ilagan had been alarmed by testi- worry him,At because the Council many meeting plants on At con- Dec.the Council 17, Ms. meeting on Dec. 17, Wille’sMs. motion to create a committee to Asked about the danger of moving study the impact of banning genetically spring,” henow said. can’t be controlled.”now can’t betices controlled.” at the university, HectorAsked Valen- about thein danger opposing of the moving bill. The Council de- mony from farmers who said they could tain theirWille’s own natural motion pesticides. to createWille’s a“I committee still motion to to create a committeestudy to the impact of banning genetically genes among species where they had modified organisms on the island was “Duh!” Asked exclaimed about Mr. the Ilagan. dangerAsked “Iof moving aboutzuela, the who danger supported of movingthe genesbill. among speciesferred where a decision they had on creating a task be sued by Monsanto and other patent- want to study track the that impact down,” of hebanning toldstudy hisgenetically the impact of banning geneticallymodified organisms on the island was not originated, Dr. Suzuki explained not seconded, and she withdrew it. should havegenes realized among that.” species wheregenes theyamong hadMr. species Smith, where known they for hadnot “Genetic originated, Rou- Dr.force Suzuki to discuss explained the implications of ban- holders when patented seeds ended up staff. “Whatmodified is an organismsexample of ona modifiednatural the island organisms was on the island wasnot seconded, and she withdrew it. that for millenniums, humans had bred Stunned, Mr. Ilagan briefly considered In thenot following originated, weeks, Dr. Mr. Suzuki not Ilagan originated, explained Dr. Suzuki explainedthat for millenniums, humans had bred pesticide?”not seconded, and shenot withdrew seconded, it. and she withdrewStunned, it. Mr. Ilagan briefly considered crops of the same species to produce de- making his own motion to form a task sometimesthat called for millenniums, Dr. Suzuki humans withthat hisfor had millenniums, bred humans had bredcrops of the same species to produce de- Maybe,Stunned, he thought, Mr. he Ilagan would briefly joinStunned, the considered Mr. Ilagan briefly consideredmaking his own motion to form a task sired traits. But with the advent of ge- force. But he could see he would not question cropsdu jour. of Forthe sameinstance, species docrops weeds to produce of the same de- species to producesired de- traits. But with the advent of ge- long-promisedmaking task his force, own motion whichmaking wouldto form his a task own motion to form a taskforce. But he could see he would not netic engineering, it became possible to have enough support. near geneticallysired traits. modified But with crops thesired advent turn traits. of But ge- with the advent of netic ge- engineering, it became possible to weigh theforce. implications But he could of see banningforce. he would But he not could see he would have not enough support. borrow a feature from elsewhere on the It was time to move on. A fast-grow- into “superweeds”netic engineering, because it ofbecame anetic rogue possibleengineering, to it became possibleborrow to a feature from elsewhere on the G.M.O.s onhave the enough island andsupport. report haveback enoughto support. It was time to move on. A fast-grow- tree of life. An example Mr. Ilagan later ing subdivision in his district needed a gene? borrow a feature from elsewhereborrow a featureon the from elsewhere on treethe of life. An example Mr. Ilagan later the Council.It was time to move on. A fast-growing subdivision in his district needed a learned about was the rice being tested It was time to move on.community A fast-grow- park. Last week, Mr. Ilagan The scientist,tree of life.he recalled, An example helped treeMr. him Ilaganof life. Anlater example Mr. Ilagan laterlearned about was the rice being tested The finaling hearingsubdivision on the in hisbill districtwas not needed a community park. Last week, Mr. Ilagan in the Philippines. Modified with genes ing subdivision in his districtturned needed his focus a to drumming up sup- understandlearned that about “superweeds” was the ricelearned were being about tested was the rice being testedin the Philippines. Modified with genes unlike thecommunity first. Superweeds park. Last were week, men- Mr. Ilagan turned his focus to drumming up sup- from bacteria and corn, it can provide community park. Last week,port Mr. for Ilagan the bond issue he would need weeds thatin thehad Philippines. evolved resistance Modifiedin the to with aPhilippines. genes Modified with genesfrom bacteria and corn, it can provide tioned. Indianturned suicides. his focus Contamination. to drumming up support for the bond issue he would need Vitamin A, the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamber listened to a discussion about the ban.turned his focus to drummingfrom the up county sup- to plan and design it. widely usedfrom herbicide bacteria and — mostcorn,from itlikely can bacteria provide and corn, it can provideVitamin A, the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamberMs. listened Willeport urged for to thea discussion a bond vote issuefor theaboutport he ban. would forthe the ban. need bond issue he would needfrom the county to plan and design it. faster thanVitamin they wouldA, the havedeficiency if farmersVitamin of which A, theis a deficiency of which isFarmers a outside the CountyFarmers Council outside chamber the County listened Council to a chamberdiscussion listened about theto a ban. discussion about“To the do ban. otherwise,”from the county she said, to plan “would andfrom design bethe county it. to plan and design it. had not used it so much on crops geneti- to ignore the cries from round the world cally engineered to tolerate it. and on the mainland.” Biotechnology firms were already “Mr. Ilagan?” the Council member selling seeds that tolerated other, less leading the meeting asked when it came benign herbicides, Mr. Ilagan learned. time for the final vote. But that was a different problem from “No,” he replied. the specter conjured by a woman at one The ban was approved, 6 to 3. of the hearings, who said that “G.M.O.s The mayor signed the bill on Dec. 5. are cross-pollinating with weeds that At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. now can’t be controlled.” Wille’s motion to create a committee to Asked about the danger of moving study the impact of banning genetically genes among species where they had modified organisms on the island was not originated, Dr. Suzuki explained not seconded, and she withdrew it. that for millenniums, humans had bred Stunned, Mr. Ilagan briefly considered crops of the same species to produce de- making his own motion to form a task sired traits. But with the advent of ge- force. But he could see he would not netic engineering, it became possible to have enough support. borrow a feature from elsewhere on the It was time to move on. A fast-grow- tree of life. An example Mr. Ilagan later ing subdivision in his district needed a learned about was the rice being tested community park. Last week, Mr. Ilagan in the Philippines. Modified with genes turned his focus to drumming up sup- from bacteria and corn, it can provide port for the bond issue he would need Vitamin A, the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamber listened to a discussion about the ban. from the county to plan and design it. production, Mr. Ilagan recalled, explaining that the rice being tested in the Philippines. Modi- with the wind, insects and animals spreading fied with genes from bacteria and corn, it can pollen and seeds, cross-pollination can never be provide Vitamin A, the deficiency of which is a entirely avoided. scourge of the world’s poor. But, Mr. Ilagan learned, by staggering That did not mean genetically engineered planting times and ensuring a reasonable dis- food could never cause harm. But the risks of tance between crops, it is usually possible to such crops could be reliably tested, and they avoid large-scale mingling. Also, plants have had so far proved safe. “With scientists, we nev- different fertilization methods: The Rainbow er say anything is 100 percent certain one way papaya, for instance, was largely self-fertilizing. or another,” Dr. Suzuki said. “We weigh conclu- If it is planted about 12 feet away from other sions on accumulated knowledge or evidence — varieties, the chance of cross-pollination is ex- but often this is not satisfactory for some.” ceedingly low. “But what about the papaya contaminat- Silencing the Scientists ing” — Mr. Ilagan recalls correcting himself — On Oct. 1, Mr. Ilagan voted to block the bill “cross-pollinating with a pineapple?” from moving out of committee, shortly after a This was the part he had trouble explaining day of what Ms. Wille and Brenda Ford, another to himself. Was the virus gene from the papaya Council member who was a proponent of the also in Ms. Barr’s macadamia nuts and the or- ban, had described as expert testimony. ganic coffee farmer’s beans? At the hearing on Sept. 23, he had grown Dr. Suzuki paused. increasingly uneasy as his fellow Council mem- “With plants of different species — it’s kind bers declined to call several University of Ha- of like how you don’t cross a cat with a dog and waii scientists who had flown from Oahu, in- expect to have offspring,” he said. stead allotting 45 minutes to Jeffrey Smith, a “Duh!” exclaimed Mr. Ilagan. “I should self-styled expert on G.M.O.s with no scientific have realized that.” credentials. In the following weeks, Mr. Ilagan some- One University of Hawaii at Manoa biolo- times called Dr. Suzuki with his question du gist, Richard Manshardt, responded to a ques- jour. For instance, do weeds near genetically tion from Ms. Ford about the effect on honey- modified crops turn into “superweeds” because bees of corn engineered to resist pests: none, he of a rogue gene? said, because the protein it produced affected The scientist, he recalled, helped him un- only certain insect groups, and was not toxic to derstand that “superweeds” were weeds that bees. had evolved resistance to a widely used herbi- “I don’t agree with the professor,” Ms. Ford cide — most likely faster than they would have told her colleagues. if farmers had not used it so much on crops ge- Many University of Hawaii scientists had netically engineered to tolerate it. already registered their opposition to the bill, in Biotechnology firms were already selling written and oral testimony and letters in the lo- seeds that tolerated other, less benign herbi- cal papers. cides, Mr. Ilagan learned. But that was a dif- If the ban passed, local farmers could not ferent problem from the specter conjured by take advantage of projects underway at the uni- a woman at one of the hearings, who said that versity and elsewhere, they noted, including “G.M.O.s are cross-pollinating with weeds that drought-tolerant crops and higher-yield pine- now can’t be controlled.” apple plants. Genetic engineering is a precise Asked about the danger of moving genes technique that “itself is not harmful,” the dean among species where they had not originated, of the school’s College of Tropical Agriculture Dr. Suzuki explained that for millenniums, hu- and Human Resources, Maria Gallo, wrote in mans had bred crops of the same species to one op-ed. produce desired traits. But with the advent of But Ms. Wille had largely dismissed the genetic engineering, it became possible to bor- opinions of university researchers, citing Mon- row a feature from elsewhere on the tree of life. santo contributions to the university. In 2012, she An example Mr. Ilagan later learned about was noted, the company made a one-time donation of C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1

THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 N 19

He heard many times that there were no independent studies of the safety of genetically modified organisms. But Biofortified, which received no funding from industry, listed more than a hundred such studies, including a 2010 comprehensive review sponsored by the European Union, that found “no scientific evidence associating G.M.O.s with higher risks for the environment or for food and feed safety than conventional plants and organisms.” It echoed similar statements by the World Health Or- ganization, theC NationalM Y K Academy of Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1 Sciences, the Royal Society of Medicine and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. A blog post on the website of NPR, a THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014 N 19 news source Mr. Ilagan trusted, cata- loged what it called “Top Five Myths of Genetically ModifiedHe heard Seeds, many times Busted.” that there were No. 1 was a thingno independent he had long studies believed: of the safety of “Seeds from G.M.O.sgenetically are modifiedsterile.” organisms. But Biofortified, which received no funding One of the from more industry, alarming listed effects more thanof a hun- G.M.O.s that dred Ms. such Wille studies, had citedincluding was a 2010 com- suicides amongprehensive farmers review in India, sponsored pur- by the portedly drivenEuropean into debt Union, by that the found high “no scien- cost of patented,tific evidence genetically associating modified G.M.O.s with cotton seeds. higher risks for the environment or for food and feed safety than conventional Biotechnologyplants companies, and organisms.” she It said, echoed simi- “come in andlar give statements it away by cheap, the World and Health Or- then raise prices.”ganization, the National Academy of Monsanto’sSciences, cotton, engineeredthe Royal Society with ofa Medicine gene from bacteriaand the to American ward off Association certain for the insects, had “pushedAdvancement 270,000 of Science. farmers to suicide” since theA blogcompany post on started the website sell- of NPR, a news source Mr. Ilagan trusted, cata- ing it in Indialoged in 2002, what the it called activist “Top Van- Five Myths of dana Shiva saidGenetically in a Honolulu Modified speech Seeds, Busted.” Ms. Wille attended.No. 1 was a thing he had long believed: But in Nature,“Seeds a from leading G.M.O.s academic are sterile.” journal, Mr. IlaganOne found of the an more article alarming with effects of the subhead G.M.O.s “GM Cotton that Ms. Has Wille Driven had cited was Farmers to Suicide:suicides False.” among farmers in India, purportedly driven into debt by the high PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES According tocost the of Nature patented, article, genetically peer- modified Mr. Ilagan with Alberto Belmes, one of the growers of genetically modified papayas whose views helped change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. reviewed researchcotton seeds. in 2011 found that suicides amongBiotechnology farmers were companies, no more she said, numerous after“come the innew and seeds give itwere away in- cheap, and in their fields by accident. But he found troduced thanthen before. raise Andprices.” a 2012 study scourge of the world’s poor. there was no evidence that Monsanto found that farmers’Monsanto’s profits cotton, rose because engineered withThat a did not mean genetically engi- had ever initiated such a lawsuit. of reduced lossesgene from from pest bacteria attacks. to ward off certain insects, had “pushed 270,000 farmersneered to food could never cause harm. “I’m still trying to voice this out,” he “There’s farmerssuicide” committing since the company suicide startedBut sell- the risks of such crops could be reli- said, “but to me it just seems symbolic. because of theing whole it in Indiadebt inissue, 2002, but the it’sactivistably Van- tested, and they had so far proved Like doing something that seems good, not because ofdana the Shiva G.M.O. said issue,” in a Honolulu Mr. speechsafe. “With scientists, we never say but not really achieving what you want Ilagan said heMs. concluded Wille attended. in mid-August. anything is 100 percent certain one way to achieve.” Still, it was hardBut not in Nature,to be spooked a leading by academicor another,” Dr. Suzuki said. “We weigh Ms. Haskin took his hand. “You have material emailedjournal, by Mr. constituents Ilagan found an and articleconclusions with on accumulated knowledge to vote for this bill,” she pleaded. “What the subhead “GM Cotton Has Driven circulated on Farmers Facebook: to Suicide: images False.” of to- or evidence — but often this is not satis- about all the pesticides being sprayed matoes with syringes stuck in them and factory for some.” PHOTOGRAPHS BYon JIM ourWILSON/THE food?” NEW YORK TIMES According to the Nature article, peer- Mr. Ilagan with Alberto Belmes, one of the growers of genetically modified papayas whose views helped change Mr. Ilagan’s mind. of pears and reviewed apples stapled research together, in 2011 found that The conversation, he noticed, had warnings of childrensuicides harmed among farmers by parents were no Silencing more the Scientists turned again. serving geneticallynumerous modified after the food. new seeds The were inin their fields by accident. But he found troduced than before. And a 2012 study scourge of the world’s poor. there was no evidence that Monsanto specter of genetic contamination still On Oct. 1, Mr. Ilagan voted to block Emotional Testimony haunted him. foundAnd histhat mother,farmers’ profitswho had rose becausethe bill fromThat moving did not out mean of genetically committee, engi- had ever initiated such a lawsuit. of reduced losses from pest attacks.shortly neered after a food day could of what never Ms. cause Wille harm. “I’m still trying to voice this out,” he always served “There’s papaya farmers at home, committing had suicide But the risks of such crops could be reli- said, “but to Theme it Council just seems meeting symbolic. on Oct. 15 start- stopped becausebecause of herof the new whole concerns debt issue, butand it’s Brendaably tested, Ford, and anotherthey had so Council far proved Like doinged something with public that seems testimony good, that lasted about the Rainbownot because variety. of the G.M.O. issue,”member Mr. safe. who “With was scientists,a proponent we never of the say but not reallymore achieving than seven what hours.you want Ilagan said he concluded in mid-August.ban, hadanything described is 100 as percentexpert certaintestimony. one way to achieve.” Again, Mr. Ilagan found himself Still, it was hard not to be spooked Atby theor hearinganother,” Dr. on Suzuki Sept. said. 23, he“We had weigh Ms. Haskintouched took his by hand. the emotion “You have of the crowd. A Learning Frommaterial a Researcher emailed by constituents and conclusions on accumulated knowledge to vote for this bill,” she pleaded. “What grown increasingly uneasy as his fellow The Rainbow papaya is genetically modified to resist a mother brought her 8-year-old to testify. The scientistscirculated at the onnational Facebook: agricul- images Council of to- or members evidence — declined but often to this call is not sev- satis- about all the pesticides being sprayed matoes with syringes stuck in them and factory for some.” Mr. Brewer, the eco-hostel owner, was ture research center here were not ac- eral University of Hawaii scientists who virus that devastated other papaya varieties on Hawaii. on our food?” of pears and apples stapled together, The conversation,in the audience he noticed, with had his wife, who is customed to local Council representa- had flown from Oahu, instead allotting warnings of children harmed by parents Silencing the Scientists turned again.deaf, signing so she could follow the de- tives droppingserving by unannounced. genetically modified food.45 The minutes to Jeffrey Smith, a self- bate. Invoking the Hawaiian word for But one dayspecter in August, of genetic Mr. Ilagan contamination re- styled still expertOn Oct.on G.M.O.s 1, Mr. Ilagan with voted no scien- to block lette,” a movie he produced based on his ning genetically modified organisms. “land,” several speakers — not neces- the bill from moving out of committee, Emotional Testimony called, when hehaunted turned him. up And in his search mother, of whotific had credentials. book of the same title that had been Ms. Wille assured her colleagues that, sarily of Hawaiian descent — begged someone whoalways could served answer papaya questions at home, hadOne Universityshortly after of a Hawaii day of what at Manoa Ms. Wille The Councilfor “ourmeeting aina” on Oct.to be 15 preserved.start- “Our is- and Brenda Ford, another Council shown at one of the island’s “March upon the bill’s passage, she would sup- about genetic stoppedcontamination, because he of herfound new a concernsbiologist, Richard Manshardt, responded with publicland can testimony be the that uncontaminated lasted seed- about the Rainbow variety. member who was a proponent of the Against Monsanto” events, appeared at port the formation of such a group.more But than seven hours. molecular biologist willing to help. ed to a ban, question had described from Ms. as expert Ford testimony. about the hearing by Skype from Arizona. it was better not to delay, she said:Again, “I bed Mr. for Ilagan the world,” found one himself said. the effect on honeybees of corn engi- “It’s kind ofLearning a loaded term,” From thea Researcher coun- At the hearing on Sept. 23, he had He praised the Council for stepping in want to draw a line in the sand untiltouched we by theThose emotion in of favor the crow of d. the A bill outnum- cilman remembered the scientist, Jon neered togrown resist increasingly pests: none, uneasy he said,as his be- fellow where he believesThe Rainbow that federal papaya regula- is geneticallycan modified take a closer to resist look.” a mother broughtbered her those 8-year-old opposed to testify. by more than five The scientists at the national agricul- Council members declined to call sev- Suzuki, saying. “What they’re talking cause the protein it produced affected tory agenciesvirus have that failed, devastated and suggest- other papaya varieties on Hawaii. Mr. Brewer,to one. the eco-hostel owner, was about is cross-pollination,ture research center which here were is notonly ac- certaineral University insect groups, of Hawaii and scientists was not who in the audienceLukas with Kambic, his wife, a whobiology is major at the had flown from Oahu, instead allotting ed that the Rainbow papaya could harm something thatcustomed happens to local all theCouncil time representa-toxic to bees. Angry Voters deaf, signingUniversity so she could of followHawaii the at de- Hilo, sought to tives dropping by unannounced. 45 minutes to Jeffrey Smith, a self- people because of a protein produced by bate. Invoking the Hawaiian word for within species.” But one day in August, Mr. Ilagan “Ire- don’tstyled agree expert with on G.M.O.s the professor,” with no scien- the viral gene added to it, adding that no The response to Mr. Ilagan’s vote“land,” was severaluse his speakers own experience — not neces- to counter the The councilman knew little about how Ms. Ford told her colleagues. lette,” a movie he produced based on his ning genetically modified organisms. anecdotes others voiced that night. “My called, when he turned up in search of tific credentials. humanbook of or the animal same feeding title that studies had been had Ms.swift Wille and assured unambiguous. her colleagues that, sarily of Hawaiian descent — begged food was grown.someone He enlisted who could in answerthe Air questionsMany UniversityOne University of Hawaii of Hawaii scientists at Manoa evershown been at conducted one of the on island’s the fruit. “March upon theHe bill’s was passage,mocked she on wouldFacebook sup- andfor pil- “our aina”mom to atebe preserved. organic food“Our is- exclusively and National Guardabout immediately genetic contamination, after high he foundhad aalreadybiologist, registered Richard theirManshardt, opposition respond- Mr.Against Ilagan Monsanto” was genuinely events, appeared curious at to portloried the formation in letters of suchfrom a constituents. group. But land“You can bedid the yoga uncontaminated all the time, seed- and she died of a school and abandonedmolecular hisbiologist first semesterwilling to help. to the bill,ed in to written a question and from oral Ms. testimony Ford about hearthe thehearing author’s by Skype take from on Arizona.his own latest it washave better been not influenced to delay, she by said: the “I contrivedbed for thebrain world,” aneurysm,” one said. Mr. Kambic said. “Ac- the effect on honeybees of corn engi- of community college“It’s kind classes of a loaded when term,” he the andcoun- letters in the local papers. realization:He praised Each the Council genetically for stepping modified in wantarguments to draw a line from in the the sand pro-G.M.O. until we inter-Those incording favor ofto thethe billlogic outnum- of people here, she cilman remembered the scientist, Jon neered to resist pests: none, he said, be- bered those opposed by more than five decided to run for the Council seat. If the ban passed, local farmers could organismwhere he was believes different, that federaland came regula- with can ests,”take a closerone letter look.” read. “Many of my fel- was killed by organic food and yoga.” Suzuki, saying. “What they’re talking cause the protein it produced affected tory agencies have failed, and suggest- to one. Dr. Suzuki gave him a tutorial on not takeonly advantage certain insect of projectsgroups, and under- was not its own set of trade-offs. low Puna residents will seriously con- The room was silent. about is cross-pollination, which is ed that the Rainbow papaya could harm Angry Voters Lukas Kambic, a biology major at the plant reproduction,something Mr. thatIlagan happens recalled, all the way time at toxic the to university bees. and elsewhere, “Ipeople don’t because see a blanketof a protein ban,” produced he told by his sider more progressive candidatesUniversity for ofKnowing Hawaii at thatHilo, sought the final to vote on the explaining thatwithin with species.” the wind, insects they noted,“I don’tincluding agree drought-tolerant with the professor,” staffthe that viral week.gene added “It seems to it, adding like thatit should no Thethe response next Council to Mr. Ilagan’sterm.” vote was use his ownban experience was yet toto countercome, Mr. the Ilagan voted and animals The spreading councilman pollen knew little and aboutcrops how andMs. higher-yield Ford told her pineapple colleagues. plants. behuman a case-by-case or animal thing.” feeding studies had swift and“Greggor, unambiguous. what do you think you’reanecdotes “no”others aftervoiced thethat night. hearing. “My Then nearly seeds, cross-pollinationfood was grown. can He never enlisted be in theGenetic Air engineeringMany University is a of precise Hawaii scientists tech- “Aloha,ever been Mr. conducted Smith,” on the Mr. fruit. Ilagan said Hedoing?” was mocked his campaign on Facebook manager, and pil- Kareenmom ate organic1,000 people food exclusively quickly signed and a petition had already registered their opposition entirely avoided.National Guard immediately afternique high that “itself is not harmful,” the whenMr. he Ilagan had was his genuinely turn. “Or curious is it to Dr. loriedHaskin, in letters 70, from a close constituents. family friend,“You askeddid yoga alldemanding the time, and that she hedied change of a his vote at school and abandoned his first semester to the bill, in written and oral testimony hear the author’s take on his own latest have been influenced by the contrived brain aneurysm,” Mr. Kambic said. “Ac- But, Mr. Ilaganof community learned, college by stagger- classes whendean he of andthe lettersschool’s in the College local papers. of Tropical Smith?” him. “The main thing I told peoplecording was to thethe finallogic ofhearing, people here,scheduled she for Nov. 18. Agriculture and Human Resources, Ma- realization: Each genetically modified arguments from the pro-G.M.O. inter- ing planting timesdecided and to run ensuring for the Council a rea- seat. If the ban passed, local farmers could “No,organism Jeffrey’s was different, fine,” and Mr. came Smith with said ests,”you one would letter listenread. “Manyto them.” of my fel- was killed Forby organic the first food time and yoga.”in his career as coun- sonable distanceDr. between Suzuki gave crops, him it a is tutorialria onGallo,not wrote take in advantage one op-ed. of projects under- overits ownSkype. set of trade-offs. low PunaHe told residents her that will though seriously a vocal con- minor-The roomcilman, was silent. he began to consider voting usually possibleplant toreproduction, avoid large-scale Mr. Ilagan recalled,But Ms.way Wille at the had university largely and dismissed elsewhere, “In“I yourdon’t world,”see a blanket Mr. Ilaganban,” he asked, told his “is siderity more supported progressive the ban, candidates many forother con-Knowing“kanalua” that the final— yes, vote with on reservation. the mingling. Also,explaining plants that have with different the wind, insectsthe opinionsthey noted, of university including researchers, drought-tolerant therestaff any that room week. for “It anyseems G.M.O.?” like it should the nextstituents Council knew term.” little about the complexban was yet Into come, early Mr.November Ilagan voted, he sought to es- fertilization methods:and animals The Rainbow spreading pa- pollen citing and Monsantocrops and higher-yield contributions pineapple to theplants. Mr.be a Smithcase-by-case replied thing.” that there was not. “Greggor,issue. “I what have do toyou do think what’s you’re right“no” for aftercape the with hearing. a friend Then to nearly a condo in Kona, paya, for instance,seeds, cross-pollination was largely self- can neveruniversity. be Genetic In 2012, engineering she noted, is a the precise com- tech- “Aloha, Mr. Smith,” Mr. Ilagan said doing?”them, his too.” campaign manager, Kareen 1,000 peopleonly quickly to be signedaccosted a petition at the pool by a vot- entirely avoided. nique that “itself is not harmful,” the In the afternoon, Dr. Gonsalves, who demanding that he change his vote at fertilizing. If it is planted about 12 feet pany made a one-time donation of when he had his turn. “Or is it Dr. Haskin, 70, a close family friend, asked er demanding answers. C M Y K Nxxx,2014-01-05,A,019,Bs-4C,E1But, Mr. Ilagan learned, by stagger- dean of the school’s College of Tropical ledSmith?” the development of the Rainbow pa- him. “TheHe main told thing Ms. I Haskintold people what was hethe had final hearing, scheduled for Nov. 18. away from othering varieties, planting times the chance and ensuring of a$600,000 rea- Agriculture for student and scholarships Human Resources, at the Ma- paya,“No, was Jeffrey’s given time fine,” to Mr. respond Smith saidto Mr. you learnedwould listen about to them.” health and environmentalFor the first timeAnd inon his Nov. career 14, asMr. coun- Brewer, the vet- cross-pollinationsonable is exceedingly distance between low. crops,College it is riaof TropicalGallo, wrote Agriculture in one op-ed. and Hu- Smith’sover Skype. allegations. He laid to rest a lin- Heaspects told her ofthat genetic though a engineering. vocal minor- Butcilman, as heeran began who to runsconsider an voting eco-hostel, visited “But what aboutusually the possible papaya to contam- avoid large-scaleman Resources,But Ms. an Wille amount had largelythat the dismissed col- gering“In your question world,” about Mr. Ilagan papaya asked, safety “is ity supportedhe had foundthe ban, often many happened other con- in “kanalua” con- him— yes, in with his reservation. office. They discussed Mr. inating” — Mr.mingling. Ilagan recalls Also, plants correcting have differentlege saidthe represented opinions of about university 1 percent researchers, of thatthere had any troubled room for Mr. any Ilagan. G.M.O.?” stituentsversations knew little about about G.M.O.s, the complex the subjectIn earlyBrewer’s November , conviction he sought to that es- cross-pollina- himself — “cross-pollinatingfertilization methods: with The Rainbow a its pa- annualciting budget Monsanto that year. contributions to the HeMr. explained Smith replied that that anythere papayawas not. inissue.quickly “I have shifted. to do “We what’s don’t right want for corpo-cape with tion a friend by to G.M.O.s a condo in would Kona, do unknown THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONALuniversity. InSUNDAY, 2012, she noted, JANUARY the com- 5, 2014 N 19 pineapple?” paya, for instance, was largely self-“It is sad that our state has allowed fectedIn bythe the afternoon, ringspot Dr. virus Gonsalves, contains who the them,rations too.” to own all the seeds,” she said.only to be harmaccosted to at the the pool environment by a vot- and detract fertilizing. If it is planted about 12 feet pany made a one-time donation of led the development of the Rainbow pa- He told Ms. Haskin what he had er demanding answers. This was theaway part from he other had varieties,trouble ex-the chanceour of university$600,000 departmentsfor student scholarships of agricul- at the proteinpaya, wasMr. givenSmith time had to mentioned respond to asMr. po- learnedMr. about Ilagan health wasand environmental as opposed as Ms.And on fromNov. 14, the Mr. island’s Brewer, image. the vet- ture to become largely dependent upon He heard many times that there were plaining to himself.cross-pollination Was the isvirus exceedingly gene low. College of Tropical Agriculture and Hu- tentiallySmith’s allegations. dangerous He in laid the to rest genetically a lin- aspectsHaskin of genetic was to engineering. big businesses But as control-eran who runs“We an need eco-hostel, all the visitedvotes we can get to funding grants from the multinational no independent studies of the safety of from the papaya“But also what in Ms. about Barr’s the papaya mac- contam- man Resources, an amount that the col- modifiedgering question Rainbow. about Moreover, papaya plant safety vi- he hadling founda market, often in happened part by in using con- patentshim in hisoverride” office. They a possible discussed veto Mr. by the mayor, inating” — Mr. Ilagan recalls correctingchemicallege corporations,” said represented Ms. about Wille 1 percent told of that had troubled Mr. Ilagan. versations about G.M.O.s, the subject Brewer’s conviction that cross-pollina- genetically modified organisms. But adamia nuts and the organic coffee ruses do not infect people. “Everyone that prohibit farmers from replanting or Mr. Brewer said. “Do you think you can himself — “cross-pollinating withreporters, a its annualsuggesting budget that that theyear. universi- He explained that any papaya in- quickly shifted. “We don’t want corpo- tion by G.M.O.s would do unknown Biofortified, which received no funding farmer’s beans? was eating virus-infected papaya in the selling their seeds. But banning crops vote for this bill, Greggor?” Dr. Suzuki paused.pineapple?” ty’s professors“It is sad were that largely our state a “mouth- has allowed 1990s,”fected Dr.by the Gonsalves ringspot virus said. contains “And the now rationsbecause to own theyall the wereseeds,” made she said. with geneticharm to the Mr. environment Ilagan still and had detract questions of his from industry, listed more than a hun- our university departments of agricul- This was the part he had troublepiece ex- for the G.M.O. biotech industry.” youprotein want Mr.to do Smith feeding had mentioned studies?” as po- Mr.engineering Ilagan was would as opposed not change as Ms. thefrom pat- the island’s image. dred such studies, including a 2010 com- “With plantsplaining of different to himself. species Was the — virus gene ture to become largely dependent upon tentially dangerous in the genetically Haskin was to big businesses control- “We needown. all theOne votes scientist we can he get had to spoken to said She did, however, rely on the opinion of prehensive review sponsored by the it’s kind of likefrom how the you papaya don’t also cross in Ms. a cat Barr’s mac- funding grants from the multinational Withmodified one Rainbow. member Moreover, absent, plant only vi- one ling enta market, laws, hein toldpart her.by using patents override” athe possible built-in veto pesticide by the mayor, in corn should not a specialist in organic agriculture prac- European Union, that found “no scien- with a dog andadamia expect nuts and to have the organic off- coffee chemical corporations,” Ms. Wille told otherruses Council do not member infect people. joined “Everyone Mr. Ilagan that prohibitMr. Ilagan farmers had from been replanting alarmed or by Mr.testi- Brewerworry said. “Do him, you because think you many can plants con- tices at reporters, the university, suggesting Hector that the Valen- universi- tific evidence associating G.M.O.s with spring,” he said.farmer’s beans? in was opposing eating virus-infected the bill. The papaya Council in the de- sellingmony their from seeds. farmers But banning who said crops they couldvote for thistain bill, their Greggor?” own natural pesticides. “I still Dr. Suzuki paused. zuela, whoty’s supported professors the were bill. largely a “mouth- 1990s,” Dr. Gonsalves said. “And now because they were made with genetic Mr. Ilagan still had questions of his higher risks for the environment or for “Duh!” exclaimed Mr. Ilagan. “I ferred a decision on creating a task be sued by Monsanto and other patent- want to track that down,” he told his “With plants of different species — piece for the G.M.O. biotech industry.” you want to do feeding studies?” engineering would not change the pat- own. One scientist he had spoken to said food and feed safety than conventional should have realized that.” Mr. Smith, known for “Genetic Rou- force to discuss the implications of ban- holders when patented seeds ended up staff. “What is an example of a natural it’s kind of like how you don’t cross a cat She did, however, rely on the opinion of With one member absent, only one ent laws, he told her. the built-inpesticide?” pesticide in corn should not plants and organisms.” It echoed simi- In the followingwith a weeks, dog and Mr. expect Ilagan to have off- a specialist in organic agriculture prac- other Council member joined Mr. Ilagan Mr. Ilagan had been alarmed by testi- worry him, because many plants con- lar statements by the World Health Or- sometimes calledspring,” Dr. he Suzukisaid. with his tices at the university, Hector Valen- in opposing the bill. The Council de- mony from farmers who said they could tain their ownMaybe, natural hepesticides. thought, “I stillhe would join the ganization, the National Academy of question du jour.“Duh!” For instance, exclaimed do weeds Mr. Ilagan. “I zuela, who supported the bill. ferred a decision on creating a task be sued by Monsanto and other patent- want to tracklong-promised that down,” task he told force, his which would Sciences, the Royal Society of Medicine near geneticallyshould modified have realized crops that.” turn Mr. Smith, known for “Genetic Rou- force to discuss the implications of ban- holders when patented seeds ended up staff. “Whatweigh is an example the implications of a natural of banning and the American Association for the into “superweeds”In the because following of weeks, a rogue Mr. Ilagan pesticide?”G.M.O.s on the island and report back to Maybe, he thought, he would join the Advancement of Science. gene? sometimes called Dr. Suzuki with his the Council. question du jour. For instance, do weeds long-promised task force, which would A blog post on the website of NPR, a The scientist, he recalled, helped him The final hearing on the bill was not near genetically modified crops turn weigh theunlike implications the first. of Superweeds banning were men- news source Mr. Ilagan trusted, cata- understand thatinto “superweeds” “superweeds” because were of a rogue G.M.O.s on the island and report back to loged what it called “Top Five Myths of weeds that hadgene? evolved resistance to a the Council.tioned. Indian suicides. Contamination. Genetically Modified Seeds, Busted.” widely used herbicideThe scientist, — he most recalled, likely helped him The final hearingMs. Wille on the urged bill was a votenot for the ban. No. 1 was a thing he had long believed: faster than theyunderstand would have that if “superweeds” farmers were unlike the “Tofirst. do Superweeds otherwise,” were she men- said, “would be “Seeds from G.M.O.s are sterile.” had not used itweeds so much that onhad crops evolved geneti- resistance to a tioned. Indianto ignore suicides. the Contamination. cries from round the world widely used herbicide — most likely Ms. Wille urged a vote for the ban. One of the more alarming effects of cally engineered to tolerate it. and on the mainland.” faster than they would have if farmers “To do otherwise,”“Mr. Ilagan?”she said, “would the Council be member G.M.O.s that Ms. Wille had cited was Biotechnology firms were already to ignore the cries from round the world had not used it so much on crops geneti- leading the meeting asked when it came suicides among farmers in India, pur- selling seeds cally that engineered tolerated to other, tolerate less it. and on the mainland.” portedly driven into debt by the high benign herbicides,Biotechnology Mr. Ilagan firms learned. were already “Mr. Ilagan?”time for the the Council final vote. member cost of patented, genetically modified But that was selling a different seeds problem that tolerated from other, less leading the meeting“No,” he asked replied. when it came cotton seeds. the specter conjuredbenign herbicides,by a woman Mr. at Ilagan one learned. time for the finalThe vote. ban was approved, 6 to 3. “No,” he replied. Biotechnology companies, she said, of the hearings,But who that said was that a different “G.M.O.s problem from The mayor signed the bill on Dec. 5. the specter conjured by a woman at one The ban was approved, 6 to 3. “come in and give it away cheap, and are cross-pollinating with weeds that At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. now can’t be controlled.”of the hearings, who said that “G.M.O.s The mayorWille’s signed motion the bill toon createDec. 5. a committee to then raise prices.” are cross-pollinating with weeds that At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. Monsanto’s cotton, engineered with a Asked aboutnow the can’t danger be controlled.” of moving Wille’s motionstudy to thecreate impact a committee of banning to genetically gene from bacteria to ward off certain genes among speciesAsked about where the they danger had of moving study the impactmodified of banning organisms genetically on the island was insects, had “pushed 270,000 farmers to not originated,genes Dr. among Suzuki species explained where they had modified organismsnot seconded, on the island and she was withdrew it. suicide” since the company started sell- that for millenniums,not originated, humans Dr. had Suzuki bred explained not seconded,Stunned, and Mr.she Ilaganwithdrew briefly it. considered crops of the samethat speciesfor millenniums, to produce humans de- had bred Stunned, Mr.making Ilagan his briefly own considered motion to form a task ing it in India in 2002, the activist Van- crops of the same species to produce de- making his own motion to form a task dana Shiva said in a Honolulu speech sired traits. But with the advent of ge- force. But he could see he would not sired traits. But with the advent of ge- force. But have he could enough see support. he would not Ms. Wille attended. netic engineering,netic engineering,it became possible it became to possible to have enough support. But in Nature, a leading academic borrow a featureborrow from a feature elsewhere from elsewhereon the on the It was timeIt to was move time on. toA fast-grow-move on. A fast-grow- journal, Mr. Ilagan found an article with tree of life. Antree example of life. AnMr. example Ilagan Mr.later Ilagan later ing subdivisioning subdivision in his district in needed his district a needed a the subhead “GM Cotton Has Driven learned aboutlearned was the about rice was being the testedrice being tested communitycommunity park. Last week, park. Mr. Last Ilagan week, Mr. Ilagan Farmers to Suicide: False.” in the Philippines.in the ModifiedPhilippines. with Modified genes with genes turned histurned focus to his drumming focus to up drumming sup- up sup- from bacteriafrom and bacteria corn, it and can corn, provide it can provide PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM WILSON/THE NEW YORK TIMES port for theport bond for issue the he bond would issue need he would need According to the Nature article, peer- Mr. IlaganVitamin with A, theAlberto deficiency Belmes, of which one is ofa the growers of geneticallyFarmers outside modified the County papayas Council whose chamber views listened helped to change a discussion Mr. Ilagan’sabout the mind. ban. from the county to plan and design it. reviewed research in 2011 found that Vitamin A, the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamber listened to a discussion about the ban. from the county to plan and design it. suicides among farmers were no more numerous after the new seeds were in- $600,000 for student scholarships at the College ent, and camein their with fields its ownby accident. set of trade-offs.But he found troduced than before. And a 2012 study scourge of the world’s poor. there was no evidence that Monsanto found that farmers’ profits rose because That did not mean genetically engi- of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, “I don’thad see ever a blanket initiated suchban,” a lawsuit.he told his staff of reduced losses from pest attacks. neered food could never cause harm. an amount that the college said represented that week. “It“I’m seems still liketrying it toshould voice thisbe aout,” case-byhe “There’s farmers committing suicide But the risks of such crops could be reli- about 1 percent of its annual budget that year. case thing.”said, “but to me it just seems symbolic. because of the whole debt issue, but it’s ably tested, and they had so far proved “It is sad that our state has allowed our uni- Like doing something that seems good, not because of the G.M.O. issue,” Mr. safe. “With scientists, we never say “Aloha, butMr not. Smith,” really achievingMr. Ilagan what said you when want he Ilagan said he concluded in mid-August. anything is 100 percent certain one way versity departments of agriculture to become had his turn.to “Orachieve.” is it Dr. Smith?” Still, it was hard not to be spooked by or another,” Dr. Suzuki said. “We weigh largely dependent upon funding grants from the “No, Jeffrey’sMs. Haskin fine,” took M hisr. hand.Smith “You said have over material emailed by constituents and conclusions on accumulated knowledge multinational chemical corporations,” Ms. Wille Skype. to vote for this bill,” she pleaded. “What circulated on Facebook: images of to- or evidence — but often this is not satis- about all the pesticides being sprayed matoes with syringes stuck in them and factory for some.” told reporters, suggesting that the university’s “In youron world,” our food?” M r. Ilagan asked, “is there of pears and apples stapled together, professors were largely a “mouthpiece for the any room for Theany conversation,G.M.O.?” he noticed, had warnings of children harmed by parents Silencing the Scientists G.M.O. biotech industry.” She did, however, rely Mr. Smithturned replied again. that there was not. serving genetically modified food. The on the opinion of a specialist in organic agricul- In the afternoon, Dr. Gonsalves, who led the specter of genetic contamination still On Oct. 1, Mr. Ilagan voted to block Emotional Testimony haunted him. And his mother, who had the bill from moving out of committee, ture practices at the university, Hector Valenzu- development of the Rainbow papaya, was given always served papaya at home, had shortly after a day of what Ms. Wille ela, who supported the bill. time to respondThe Councilto Mr. meetingSmith’s on allegations. Oct. 15 start- He stopped because of her new concerns and Brenda Ford, another Council Mr. Smith, known for “Genetic Roulette,” laid to rest eda lingering with public question testimony about that lasted papaya about the Rainbow variety. member who was a proponent of the more than seven hours. ban, had described as expert testimony. a movie he produced based on his book of the safety that hadAgain, troubled Mr. M Ilaganr. Ilagan. found himself Learning From a Researcher At the hearing on Sept. 23, he had same title that had been shown at one of the is- He explainedtouched bythat the emotionany papaya of the crow infectedd. A grown increasingly uneasy as his fellow land’sThe Rainbow “March papaya Against is genetically Monsanto” modified events, to resist ap- a by the ringspotmother virus brought contains her 8-year-old the protein to testify. Mr. The scientists at the national agricul- Council members declined to call sev- pearedvirus that at devastated the hearing other by papayaSkype varietiesfrom Arizona. on Hawaii. Smith had mentionedMr. Brewer, theas potentially eco-hostel owner, dangerous was ture research center here were not ac- eral University of Hawaii scientists who in the audience with his wife, who is customed to local Council representa- had flown from Oahu, instead allotting He praised the Council for stepping in where in the geneticallydeaf, signing modified so she R couldainbow. follow M theor eover,de- tives dropping by unannounced. 45 minutes to Jeffrey Smith, a self- he believes that federal regulatory agencies plant virusesbate. do Inv notoking infect the Hawaiianpeople. “Everyone word for But one day in August, Mr. Ilagan re- styled expert on G.M.O.s with no scien- lette,” a moviehave he producedfailed, andbased suggested on his ning that genetically the R modifiedainbow organisms. was eating “land,”virus-infected several speakers papaya — in not the neces- 1990s,” called, when he turned up in search of tific credentials. sarily of Hawaiian descent — begged book of thepapaya same title could that harm had beenpeople becauseMs. Wille ofassured a protein her colleagues Dr. Gonsalves that, said. “And now you want to do someone who could answer questions One University of Hawaii at Manoa shown at one of the island’s “March upon the bill’s passage, she would sup- for “our aina” to be preserved. “Our is- about genetic contamination, he found a biologist, Richard Manshardt, respond- Against Monsanto”produced events, by theappeared viral at geneport added the formation to it, adding of such a group.feeding But studies?”land can be the uncontaminated seed- molecular biologist willing to help. ed to a question from Ms. Ford about the hearingthat by Skype no fromhuman Arizona. or animal itfeeding was better studies not to delay,had she said:With “I onebed memberfor the world,” absent, one said. only one other “It’s kind of a loaded term,” the coun- the effect on honeybees of corn engi- He praisedever the Councilbeen conducted for stepping on in thewant fruit. to draw a line in the sandCouncil until we memberThose joined in favor M r. of Ilagan the bill in outnum- opposing cilman remembered the scientist, Jon neered to resist pests: none, he said, be- where he believes that federal regula- can take a closer look.” bered those opposed by more than five Suzuki, saying. “What they’re talking cause the protein it produced affected tory agencies haveMr .failed, Ilagan and wassuggest- genuinely curious to hear the bill. Theto Council one. deferred a decision on cre- about is cross-pollination, which is only certain insect groups, and was not the author’s take on his own latest realization: ating a task forceLukas to Kambic, discuss a biology the implications major at the of ed that the Rainbow papaya could harm Angry Voters something that happens all the time toxic to bees. people becauseEach of agenetically protein produced modified by organism was differ- banning geneticallyUniversity modifiedof Hawaii atorganisms. Hilo, sought to within species.” “I don’t agree with the professor,” the viral gene added to it, adding that no The response to Mr. Ilagan’s vote was use his own experience to counter the The councilman knew little about how Ms. Ford told her colleagues. human or animal feeding studies had swift and unambiguous. anecdotes others voiced that night. “My food was grown. He enlisted in the Air Many University of Hawaii scientists ever been conducted on the fruit. He was mocked on Facebook and pil- mom ate organic food exclusively and National Guard immediately after high had already registered their opposition Mr. Ilagan was genuinely curious to loried in letters from constituents. “You did yoga all the time, and she died of a school and abandoned his first semester to the bill, in written and oral testimony hear the author’s take on his own latest have been influenced by the contrived brain aneurysm,” Mr. Kambic said. “Ac- of community college classes when he and letters in the local papers. realization: Each genetically modified arguments from the pro-G.M.O. inter- cording to the logic of people here, she decided to run for the Council seat. If the ban passed, local farmers could organism was different, and came with ests,” one letter read. “Many of my fel- was killed by organic food and yoga.” Dr. Suzuki gave him a tutorial on not take advantage of projects under- its own set of trade-offs. low Puna residents will seriously con- The room was silent. plant reproduction, Mr. Ilagan recalled, way at the university and elsewhere, “I don’t see a blanket ban,” he told his sider more progressive candidates for Knowing that the final vote on the explaining that with the wind, insects they noted, including drought-tolerant staff that week. “It seems like it should the next Council term.” ban was yet to come, Mr. Ilagan voted and animals spreading pollen and crops and higher-yield pineapple plants. be a case-by-case thing.” “Greggor, what do you think you’re “no” after the hearing. Then nearly seeds, cross-pollination can never be Genetic engineering is a precise tech- “Aloha, Mr. Smith,” Mr. Ilagan said doing?” his campaign manager, Kareen 1,000 people quickly signed a petition entirely avoided. nique that “itself is not harmful,” the when he had his turn. “Or is it Dr. Haskin, 70, a close family friend, asked demanding that he change his vote at But, Mr. Ilagan learned, by stagger- dean of the school’s College of Tropical Smith?” him. “The main thing I told people was the final hearing, scheduled for Nov. 18. ing planting times and ensuring a rea- Agriculture and Human Resources, Ma- “No, Jeffrey’s fine,” Mr. Smith said you would listen to them.” For the first time in his career as coun- sonable distance between crops, it is ria Gallo, wrote in one op-ed. over Skype. He told her that though a vocal minor- cilman, he began to consider voting usually possible to avoid large-scale But Ms. Wille had largely dismissed “In your world,” Mr. Ilagan asked, “is ity supported the ban, many other con- “kanalua” — yes, with reservation. mingling. Also, plants have different the opinions of university researchers, there any room for any G.M.O.?” stituents knew little about the complex In early November, he sought to es- fertilization methods: The Rainbow pa- citing Monsanto contributions to the Mr. Smith replied that there was not. issue. “I have to do what’s right for cape with a friend to a condo in Kona, paya, for instance, was largely self- university. In 2012, she noted, the com- In the afternoon, Dr. Gonsalves, who them, too.” only to be accosted at the pool by a vot- fertilizing. If it is planted about 12 feet pany made a one-time donation of led the development of the Rainbow pa- He told Ms. Haskin what he had er demanding answers. away from other varieties, the chance of $600,000 for student scholarships at the paya, was given time to respond to Mr. learned about health and environmental And on Nov. 14, Mr. Brewer, the vet- cross-pollination is exceedingly low. College of Tropical Agriculture and Hu- Smith’s allegations. He laid to rest a lin- aspects of genetic engineering. But as eran who runs an eco-hostel, visited “But what about the papaya contam- man Resources, an amount that the col- gering question about papaya safety he had found often happened in con- him in his office. They discussed Mr. inating” — Mr. Ilagan recalls correcting lege said represented about 1 percent of that had troubled Mr. Ilagan. versations about G.M.O.s, the subject Brewer’s conviction that cross-pollina- himself — “cross-pollinating with a its annual budget that year. He explained that any papaya in- quickly shifted. “We don’t want corpo- tion by G.M.O.s would do unknown pineapple?” “It is sad that our state has allowed fected by the ringspot virus contains the rations to own all the seeds,” she said. harm to the environment and detract This was the part he had trouble ex- our university departments of agricul- protein Mr. Smith had mentioned as po- Mr. Ilagan was as opposed as Ms. from the island’s image. plaining to himself. Was the virus gene ture to become largely dependent upon tentially dangerous in the genetically Haskin was to big businesses control- “We need all the votes we can get to from the papaya also in Ms. Barr’s mac- funding grants from the multinational modified Rainbow. Moreover, plant vi- ling a market, in part by using patents override” a possible veto by the mayor, adamia nuts and the organic coffee chemical corporations,” Ms. Wille told ruses do not infect people. “Everyone that prohibit farmers from replanting or Mr. Brewer said. “Do you think you can farmer’s beans? reporters, suggesting that the universi- was eating virus-infected papaya in the selling their seeds. But banning crops vote for this bill, Greggor?” Dr. Suzuki paused. ty’s professors were largely a “mouth- 1990s,” Dr. Gonsalves said. “And now because they were made with genetic Mr. Ilagan still had questions of his “With plants of different species — piece for the G.M.O. biotech industry.” you want to do feeding studies?” engineering would not change the pat- own. One scientist he had spoken to said it’s kind of like how you don’t cross a cat She did, however, rely on the opinion of With one member absent, only one ent laws, he told her. the built-in pesticide in corn should not with a dog and expect to have off- a specialist in organic agriculture prac- other Council member joined Mr. Ilagan Mr. Ilagan had been alarmed by testi- worry him, because many plants con- spring,” he said. tices at the university, Hector Valen- in opposing the bill. The Council de- mony from farmers who said they could tain their own natural pesticides. “I still “Duh!” exclaimed Mr. Ilagan. “I zuela, who supported the bill. ferred a decision on creating a task be sued by Monsanto and other patent- want to track that down,” he told his should have realized that.” Mr. Smith, known for “Genetic Rou- force to discuss the implications of ban- holders when patented seeds ended up staff. “What is an example of a natural In the following weeks, Mr. Ilagan pesticide?” sometimes called Dr. Suzuki with his Maybe, he thought, he would join the question du jour. For instance, do weeds long-promised task force, which would near genetically modified crops turn weigh the implications of banning into “superweeds” because of a rogue G.M.O.s on the island and report back to gene? the Council. The scientist, he recalled, helped him The final hearing on the bill was not understand that “superweeds” were unlike the first. Superweeds were men- weeds that had evolved resistance to a tioned. Indian suicides. Contamination. widely used herbicide — most likely Ms. Wille urged a vote for the ban. faster than they would have if farmers “To do otherwise,” she said, “would be had not used it so much on crops geneti- to ignore the cries from round the world cally engineered to tolerate it. and on the mainland.” Biotechnology firms were already “Mr. Ilagan?” the Council member selling seeds that tolerated other, less leading the meeting asked when it came benign herbicides, Mr. Ilagan learned. time for the final vote. But that was a different problem from “No,” he replied. the specter conjured by a woman at one The ban was approved, 6 to 3. of the hearings, who said that “G.M.O.s The mayor signed the bill on Dec. 5. are cross-pollinating with weeds that At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. now can’t be controlled.” Wille’s motion to create a committee to Asked about the danger of moving study the impact of banning genetically genes among species where they had modified organisms on the island was not originated, Dr. Suzuki explained not seconded, and she withdrew it. that for millenniums, humans had bred Stunned, Mr. Ilagan briefly considered crops of the same species to produce de- making his own motion to form a task sired traits. But with the advent of ge- force. But he could see he would not netic engineering, it became possible to have enough support. borrow a feature from elsewhere on the It was time to move on. A fast-grow- tree of life. An example Mr. Ilagan later ing subdivision in his district needed a learned about was the rice being tested community park. Last week, Mr. Ilagan in the Philippines. Modified with genes turned his focus to drumming up sup- from bacteria and corn, it can provide port for the bond issue he would need Vitamin A, the deficiency of which is a Farmers outside the County Council chamber listened to a discussion about the ban. from the county to plan and design it. M s. Wille assured her colleagues that, upon Emotional Testimony the bill’s passage, she would support the forma- The Council meeting on Oct. 15 started with tion of such a group. But it was better not to de- public testimony that lasted more than seven lay, she said: “I want to draw a line in the sand hours. until we can take a closer look.” Again, Mr. Ilagan found himself touched by the emotion of the crowd. A mother brought her Angry Voters 8-year-old to testify. Mr. Brewer, the eco-hostel The response to Mr. Ilagan’s vote was swift owner, was in the audience with his wife, who and unambiguous. is deaf, signing so she could follow the debate. He was mocked on Facebook and pilloried Invoking the Hawaiian word for “land,” several in letters from constituents. “You have been in- speakers — not necessarily of Hawaiian descent fluenced by the contrived arguments from the — begged for “our aina” to be preserved. “Our pro-G.M.O. interests,” one letter read. “Many island can be the uncontaminated seedbed for of my fellow Puna residents will seriously con- the world,” one said. sider more progressive candidates for the next Those in favor of the bill outnumbered those Council term.” opposed by more than five to one. “Greggor, what do you think you’re doing?” Lukas Kambic, a biology major at the Uni- his campaign manager, Kareen Haskin, 70, a versity of Hawaii at Hilo, sought to use his own close family friend, asked him. “The main thing experience to counter the anecdotes others I told people was you would listen to them.” voiced that night. “My mom ate organic food ex- He told her that though a vocal minor- clusively and did yoga all the time, and she died ity supported the ban, many other constituents of a brain aneurysm,” Mr. Kambic said. “Accord- knew little about the complex issue. “I have to ing to the logic of people here, she was killed by do what’s right for them, too.” organic food and yoga.” He told Ms. Haskin what he had learned The room was silent. about health and environmental aspects of ge- Knowing that the final vote on the ban netic engineering. But as he had found often was yet to come, Mr. Ilagan voted “no” after happened in conversations about G.M.O.s, the the hearing. Then nearly 1,000 people quickly subject quickly shifted. “We don’t want corpo- signed a petition demanding that he change his rations to own all the seeds,” she said. vote at the final hearing, scheduled for Nov. 18. Mr. Ilagan was as opposed as Ms. Haskin For the first time in his career as councilman, he was to big businesses controlling a market, in began to consider voting “kanalua” — yes, with part by using patents that prohibit farmers from reservation. replanting or selling their seeds. But banning In early November, he sought to escape with crops because they were made with genetic en- a friend to a condo in Kona, only to be accosted gineering would not change the patent laws, he at the pool by a voter demanding answers. told her. And on Nov. 14, Mr. Brewer, the veteran Mr. Ilagan had been alarmed by testimony who runs an eco-hostel, visited him in his office. from farmers who said they could be sued by They discussed Mr. Brewer’s conviction that Monsanto and other patent-holders when pat- cross-pollination by G.M.O.s would do unknown ented seeds ended up in their fields by accident. harm to the environment and detract from the But he found there was no evidence that Mon- island’s image. santo had ever initiated such a lawsuit. “We need all the votes we can get to over- “I’m still trying to voice this out,” he said, ride” a possible veto by the mayor, Mr. Brewer “but to me it just seems symbolic. Like do- said. “Do you think you can vote for this bill, ing something that seems good, but not really Greggor?” achieving what you want to achieve.” Mr. Ilagan still had questions of his own. One Ms. Haskin took his hand. “You have to vote scientist he had spoken to said the built-in pesti- for this bill,” she pleaded. “What about all the cide in corn should not worry him, because many pesticides being sprayed on our food?” plants contain their own natural pesticides. “I The conversation, he noticed, had turned still want to track that down,” he told his staff. again. “What is an example of a natural pesticide?” M aybe, he thought, he would join the long- The ban was approved, 6 to 3. promised task force, which would weigh the im- The mayor signed the bill on Dec. 5. plications of banning G.M.O.s on the island and At the Council meeting on Dec. 17, Ms. report back to the Council. Wille’s motion to create a committee to study The final hearing on the bill was not unlike the impact of banning genetically modified or- the first. Superweeds were mentioned. Indian ganisms on the island was not seconded, and suicides. Contamination. she withdrew it. Stunned, Mr. Ilagan briefly Ms. Wille urged a vote for the ban. “To do considered making his own motion to form a otherwise,” she said, “would be to ignore the task force. But he could see he would not have cries from round the world and on the main- enough support. land.” It was time to move on. A fast-growing sub- “Mr. Ilagan?” the Council member leading division in his district needed a community park. the meeting asked when it came time for the fi- Last week, Mr. Ilagan turned his focus to drum- nal vote. ming up support for the bond issue he would “No,” he replied. need from the county to plan and design it. n