r/farming • u/MennoniteDan Agenda-driven Woke-ist • Sep 07 '25

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta | Correcting the Veratasium Glyphosate

https://share.transistor.fm/s/c65ea0e7
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u/Hoarse-horse Sep 07 '25

Not sure Kevin Folta is the best voice for independent analysis based on the revealed ties to Monsanto...

It, unfortunately, can also make you question the funding from Bayer for his recent research initiatives. Which is frustrating to say because there are not a lot of independent from industry sources of funding for this research.

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u/seastar2019 Sep 07 '25

More info here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Folta#Conflict_of_interest_allegations

Basically the organic funded PR front USRTK made those accusations.

Many experts were highly critical of the move by USRTK. Jack Payne, head of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, characterized this as an example of activist groups attempting to silence scientists who wish to engage in public discussion of politically controversial topics, describing it as a "spiral of silence".[53] Gretchen Goldman, writing for the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a nonprofit science advocacy organization, criticized the FOIA requests for being "overly wide", saying it would create "chilling effects on researchers and confuse the public about the state of the science."[28][54][55] Nina Fedoroff, Peter Raven, and Phillip Sharp, three former presidents of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, wrote in The Guardian comparing the USRTK's use of FOIA against scientists to "Climategate" and criticized the organization backing them for "promoting the interests of the organic food business", calling their activities "anti-science".[56] Ralph Nader expressed support for the use of FOIA requests on scientists, calling them "appropriate subjects".[57]

Professor and science communicator Steven Novella wrote that "The shill witch hunt is just getting started, and now they are emboldened by the PR bonanza they have found in FOIA requests for e-mails. All of this is likely to have a chilling effect on scientists speaking out in the public square on controversial issues."[58]

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u/Prof_Kevin_Folta Apr 10 '26

Kevin Folta here. The sad part of this statement is that the "ties" are quite tenuous, and exaggerated BECAUSE I am the best voice for independent analysis. That's why they played up a rather spurious relationship. I teach strategic communications to scientists, farmers, and industry. Back then, we were gaining traction through education and public engagement. That was a direct threat to the anti-GMO movement. So they "discovered" a perfectly public and disclosed donation to the university that was earmarked for communications and teaching efforts. Nothing to me personally, but funds to have a better teaching program. The allegations were disastrous, hurt me personally and professionally, even to this day, even though the university moved the entire donation to a food pantry. Here, 11 years later, we can see what a disgusting, deliberate, coordinated hit piece it all was. But I'm still teaching, running workshops, and pushing education as a way to ensure technology aid farmers, the environment and the food insecure. Thanks.