Debunking Jeffrey Smith

Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

We must be dedicated to fighting back against false information in food and medicine. Jeffery Smith is a personality with no scientific training that has used disinformation to taint an important public discussion on biotechnology for over 25 years. One of the ways he does this is to hijack legitimate scientific venues, making them think he conveys actual information. He then uses their media to push his false information that ultimately affects the public trust in food, farming and medicine. Last week Smith was a guest on the Finding Genius Podcast, a podcast that features some excellent discussions with actual researchers. Smith and others like him have targeted science podcasts to promote their non-scientific ideas, using established scientific conduits to promulgate false claims. The point of this podcast is: 1. Illuminate how Smith propagates false information with uncited generalities, misrepresentation of actual science and innuendo. 2. Demonstrate how he (and folks like him) exploit credulous podcast/media hosts to gain an audience that may be unfamiliar with their misrepresentation of science and to promote their books/websites/documentaries. 3. To show how a reasonable podcast can fall prey to those that push false claims for agenda, politics and profits.

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The Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.