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| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1958}} |
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| birth_place = New York, U.S.<ref name="Reuters 2008">{{cite news | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/environment-biotech-crops-activist-dc/u-s-activist-circles-globe-to-fight-biotech-crops-idUSN0750723920080307 | title = U.S. activist circles globe to fight biotech crops| last = Gillam | first = Carey | publisher = Reuters UK | date = March 7, 2008}}</ref> |
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| birth_date = 1956 |
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| birth_place = [[New York]], United States<ref name="Reuters 2008"/> |
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| residence = [[Fairfield, IA]] |
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| website = {{url|www.responsibletechnology.org/}} |
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| spouse = Andrea Vardi |
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| website = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-smith/ |
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'''Jeffrey M. Smith''' (born 1958) is an American [[consumer activism|consumer activist]],<ref name="CBS 1">(April 27, 2012) [http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7406794n New GMO crops proposed, consumers want labeling], ''CBS News'', accessed December 16, 2012</ref> self-published author, and former politician.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 23, 2013|title=Coming to Tampa – Jeffrey M. Smith, International best-selling author and filmmaker; Executive Director, Institute of Responsible Technology and leading spokesperson on the health dangers of GMOs|url=https://patch.com/florida/southtampa/coming-to-tampa--jeffrey-m-smith-international-bestselling-author-and-filmmaker-executive-director-institute-of-responsible-technology-and-leading-spokesperson-on-the-health-dangers-of-gmos_dc0d2582|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Tampa, FL Patch|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jeffrey M. Smith Biography|url=https://www.responsibletechnology.org/about/jeffrey-m-smith-biography/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Institute for Responsible Technology|language=en-US}}</ref> He is the author of two books on genetically engineered foods, ''Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating'', and ''Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives'', which he made into a film in 2012. He has appeared twice on each of the shows -''[[The Dr. Oz Show]]'' and ''[[The Doctors (2016 TV series)|The Doctors]]''.<ref name="new-yorker">{{cite magazine | url = http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/02/04/130204fa_fact_specter| title = The Operator | first = Michael | last = Specter | authorlink = Michael Specter | magazine = [[The New Yorker|New Yorker]] | date = February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 8, 2017|title=Drs. Exclusive: Glyphosate Lawsuit Claims Cancer Link|url=https://www.thedoctorstv.com/episodes/drs-exclusive-glyphosate-lawsuit-claims-cancer-link|access-date=2021-03-05|website=The Doctors|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Debating the Safety of Popular Herbicide|url=https://www.thedoctorstv.com/videos/debating-the-safety-of-popular-herbicide|language=en-US|access-date=2021-03-05|date=May 18, 2015}}</ref> Smith has worked with [[organic food|organic food marketers]] and [[Alternative medicine|alternative health product promoters]]<ref>[http://www.meetup.com/RawChicagoCommunity/events/122292642/ Health Freedom Expo – See GMO expert Jeffrey Smith], Health Freedom Expo, Chicago, June 7–9, 2013.</ref> to advocate against [[genetically modified food]]. Supporters identify Smith as an influential educator on the alleged risks associated with genetically modified foods, while others point out Smith's lack of formal scientific training.<ref name="new-yorker"/> In 1998, Smith ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a candidate for the [[Natural Law Party (United States)|Natural Law Party]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Statistics of the Congressional Election – Nov 3, 1998|url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/1998election/}}</ref> As of 2021, Smith is the executive director of the ''Institute for Responsible Technology'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.responsibletechnology.org/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Institute for Responsible Technology|language=en-US}}</ref> and executive director of the global campaign ''Protect Nature Now''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=http://protectnaturenow.com/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Protect Nature Now|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[http://academicsreview.org/reviewed-organizations/institute-for-responsible-technology-ifrt/ Institute for Responsible Technology & YES! Books]</ref> |
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'''Jeffrey M. Smith''' (born 1956) is an American [[consumer advocate]],<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/monsanto-petition-tells-obama-cease-fda-ties-to-monsanto/2012/01/30/gIQAA9dZcQ_blog.html | title = Monsanto petition tells Obama: 'Cease FDA ties to Monsanto' | work = Washington Post | date = January 30, 2012}}</ref> [[author]] and [[politician]]. He is the author of three books on genetically engineered foods and has appeared twice on ''[[The Dr. Oz Show]]''.<ref name="new-yorker"/> Smith has worked closely with [[organic food|organic food growers]] to advocate against [[genetically modified food]], although his arguments have been criticized by some scientists as relying on inaccurate or discredited scientific data.<ref name="Reuters 2008"/><ref name="new-yorker"/> In 1998, Smith ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a candidate for the [[Natural Law Party (United States)|Natural Law Party]], which is closely associated with the [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]] and the [[Transcendental Meditation movement]].<ref name="JC Auditor">{{cite web | last = Slockett | first = Tom | date =November 3, 1998 | url = http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/returns/9811cand.htm | title = November 3, 1998 General Election | publisher = Johnson County Auditor Commissioner of Elections and Voter Registration | accessdate = Dec 16, 2012}}</ref> |
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== Early life == |
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Jeffrey Smith grew up in [[Rye Brook, New York|Rey Brook]], [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester County]].<ref name="Reuters 2008"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Natural Awakenings – Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess July 2018|url=https://issuu.com/wpcdesign/docs/na_july_2018|access-date=2021-03-13|website=Issuu|language=en}}</ref> He has a bachelors degree from [[Binghamton University|SUNY Binghamton]] and an MBA from [[Maharishi University of Management]] in [[Fairfield, Iowa|Fairfield]], Iowa .<ref>[http://www.mum.edu/pdf_yearbooks/1985-86.pdf Maharish University Purusha students] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811214405/http://www.mum.edu/pdf_yearbooks/1985-86.pdf |date=August 11, 2011 }}, MUM 1985–1986 Yearbook, pg. 40.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jeffrey Smith: Former flying yogic instructor now 'most trusted source' for anti-GMO advocacy|url=https://geneticliteracyproject.org/glp-facts/jeffrey-m-smith/|access-date=2021-03-13|website=Genetic Literacy Project|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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Smith is a native of New York.<ref name="Reuters 2008"/> He attended the [[Maharishi University of Management]] from 1983–1986, where he studied business. While Smith has been presented on television as a scientist, he does not possess any scientific degrees.<ref name="new-yorker"/> Smith is a professional dance instructor and taught a dance workshop at [[University of Iowa]] as "Swingsmith". He and his wife Andrea Vardi are the founding directors of a [[Fairfield, Iowa]] dance troupe called Swingphoria.<ref>Unknown author (Feb 2002) [http://www.public.iastate.edu/~mehl/archives/ballroom-dance/announcement.02feb Ballroom Dance Announcement] Iowa State Education archives, accessed 12/14/12</ref><ref>U. Iowa: Is swing dancing coming or going? Depends who you ask, Reinstein, Leah, The daily Iowan (U. Iowa), January 26, 1999.</ref>{{quotation needed|date=December 2012}} |
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==Career== |
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Smith was a [[Natural Law Party (United States)|Natural Law Party]] member in 1996 and participated in a [[TM-Sidhi program]] yogic flying demonstration in [[Des Moines, Iowa]].<ref>'Yogic flying,' third-party candidates promoted, Bush, Bill, The Illinois State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL), October 23, 1996.</ref> In 1998 he became the party's candidate for [[U.S. Congress]] in Iowa’s First District.<ref name="JC Auditor"/> Smith received 8% of the vote, losing to Republican Jim Leach.<ref>IA House Contested, Associated Press, November 2, 1998.</ref>{{quotation needed|date=December 2012}} At campaign events, Smith presented charts which purported to demonstrate the effect of mass meditation and yogic flying on the crime rate in Washington, D.C..<ref>Fringe Candidate's Gimmick: `Flying' Yogis, Associated Press, October 24, 1996.</ref>{{quotation needed|date=December 2012}} |
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===Political=== |
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=== Advocacy against genetically modified food === |
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Smith was a Natural Law Party member in 1996. In 1998 he became the party's candidate for [[U.S. Congress]] in Iowa's First District to raise awareness about GMOs.<ref name="JC Auditor">{{cite web | last = Slockett | first = Tom | date = November 3, 1998 | url = http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/returns/9811cand.htm | title = November 3, 1998 General Election | publisher = Johnson County Auditor Commissioner of Elections and Voter Registration | access-date = December 16, 2012 | archive-date = June 2, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080602110521/http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/returns/9811cand.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref> Smith received less than 1% of the vote, losing to Republican [[Jim Leach]].<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electioninfo/1998election.pdf Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1998], House of Representatives, January 3, 1999, page 16</ref> Smith worked for several years as a marketing consultant and nonprofit marketing advisor.<ref name="Reuters 2008"/> |
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In 2003, Smith founded the Institute for Responsible Technology as a project of the Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods (a.k.a. The Coordinating Council).<ref>[http://academicsreview.org/reviewed-organizations/institute-for-responsible-technology-ifrt/ Institute for Responsible Technology & YES! Books], Academics Review, November 2012.</ref> Smith's activism is focused against the use of [[genetically modified foods]], and is funded through his speakers fees and royalties as well as by organic food companies who support Smith as a champion of their interests.<ref name="Reuters 2008">{{cite news | url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/2008/03/07/environment-biotech-crops-activist-dc-idUKN0750723920080307 | title = U.S. activist circles globe to fight biotech crops| last = Gillam | first = Carey | publisher = Reuters UK | date = March 7, 2008}}</ref> |
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===Consumer activist=== |
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⚫ | Smith's supporters describe him as "arguably the world's foremost expert on the topic of genetically modified foods".<ref name |
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Smith has opposed the use of genetically modified foods since they were introduced in the 1990s.<ref name="Reuters 2008"/><ref>Unknown Author (February 25, 2011) Shoppers wary of GM foods find they're everywhere, ''USA Today,'' "Smith, an activist who has fought the expansion of genetically engineered foods since they were first introduced 15 years ago"</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Genetically altered foods a major part of our diets|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/genetically-altered-foods-major-part-our-diets-flna1C9465454|access-date=2021-03-05|website=NBC News|date=February 25, 2011 |language=en}}</ref> As of 2000, Smith was the spokesperson and vice president for the accredited [[genetically modified organism]] (GMO) testing company, Genetic ID.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gersema|first=Emily|title=Farming industry, consumers leery of another biotech scare; 'Big motivator': USDAchanges how corn supplies are sampled|newspaper=Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque)|date=May 20, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brasher|first=Phillip|title=U.S. Investigates Use of Unauthorized Biotech Corn in Taco Bell Taco Shells.(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News)|newspaper=Tribune Business News|date=September 19, 2000}}</ref> Smith authored the books ''Seeds of Deception'' in 2003<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Seeds of Deception Author Exposes the Corrupt Science of GMOs|url=http://organicpei.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/acresusa_smith_interview.pdf|journal=ACRES U.S.A (February 2004)}}</ref> and ''Genetic Roulette'' in 2007. In 2012 Smith directed and produced ''Genetic Roulette'', a documentary film narrated by [[Lisa Oz]] and critical of genetically modified food.<ref name="Sacramento Bee">{{cite news|last=Rosenhall|first=Laura|title=Safety of genetically modified foods is debated in California|url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/10/31/173151/safety-of-genetically-modified.html|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|date=October 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128010252/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/10/31/173151/safety-of-genetically-modified.html|archive-date=January 28, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Smith is the founder and current executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, which he founded in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=Candidate Support Expected to Boost Non-GMO Brands.|newspaper=Health & Medicine Week|date=February 4, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The Future of Food|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=July 3, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Genetically modified crops resistant to 2,4-D spur debate, calls for labeling|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/genetically-modified-crops-resistant-to-24-d-spur-debate-calls-for-labeling/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=April 28, 2012 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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⚫ | A variety of American organic food companies see Smith "as a champion for their interests",<ref name="Reuters 2008"/> and Smith's supporters describe him as "arguably the world's foremost expert on the topic of genetically modified foods".<ref name="ChicoNews">{{cite news | url = http://www.newsreview.com/chico/interview-with-gmo-expert/content?oid=3702536 | title = An interview with GMO expert Jeffrey M. Smith | publisher = Chico (CA) News Enterprise | date = September 15, 2011}}</ref> In contrast, others such as [[Michael Specter]], writing in ''[[The New Yorker]]'', reported that Smith was presented as a "scientist" on ''[[The Dr. Oz Show]]'' despite his lack of any scientific experience.<ref name="new-yorker"/> Bruce Chassy, a molecular biologist and food scientist, wrote to the show arguing that Smith's "only professional experience prior to taking up his crusade against biotechnology is as a ballroom-dance teacher, yogic flying instructor, and political candidate for the Maharishi cult’s natural-law party."<ref name="new-yorker"/> |
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According to the bio in his 2005 video ''Dangers in Kids' Meals and Your Milk on Drugs'', Smith serves on the Genetic Engineering Committee of the [[Sierra Club]].<ref> [http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/hidden_dangers_in_kids_meals/# Hidden Dangers In Kids Meals] Chelsea Book Publishing web site, accessed Dec 16, 2012</ref> In 2010, Smith became the registered agent for the non-profit advocacy group, Institute for Responsible Technology<ref name="Iowa Sec"/> which played a role in promoting [[Proposition 37]] the 2012 California ballot initiative seeking to label products containing GMO foods.<ref>[http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/31/3893907/safety-of-genetically-modified.html Safety of genetically modified foods is debated in California], Kansas City Star, October 31, 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Ryan Jaslow|title=Genetically modified crops resistant to 2,4-D spur debate, calls for labeling|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=2012-02-27|quote=The proliferation of GMOs in the country's food supply and environment is of primary importance to many, including Jeffrey Smith of The Institute for Responsible Technology.|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1181580/}}</ref> He became the registered agent for the non-profit Institute for Responsible Technology Food Policy Fund in 2011.<ref name="Iowa Sec"/> Smith founded the Institute for Social Responsibility (ISR) in 2012<ref>[http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/90-0607450/institute-responsible-technology.aspx Institute for Responsible Technology profile], GuideStar, accessed September 2012.</ref> and is a member and employee of The Campaign to Label Genetically Modified Foods political ballot initiative for the state of Washington, USA.<ref>[http://npanw.org/uploads/NPA_NW_Donation_WA_I-522.pdf Natural Products Association Northwest Donates to Washington State GMO Labeling Initiative], Natural Products Association of the Northwest press release, October 12, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://dor.wa.gov Full Spectrum Health business tax ID #601597337], Washington State Department of Revenue, January 10, 1995.</ref> |
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==Films== |
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Smith has appeared on TV and conducted interviews around the globe including Brazil, Poland and the USA.<ref name="Reuters 2008"/> He has spoken about the perceived dangers of genetically modified foods to the media and opposed the appointment of [[Michael R. Taylor]] as senior advisor to the U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) in 2000.<ref>Sowing dissent.(Brief Article), Coghlan, Andy, New Scientist, May 27, 2000, "critical consumer advocate, Jeffrey Smith, who campaigns against genetically modified foods".</ref><ref>INTERVIEW-GM seed case highlights need for testing, Reuters News, Diderich, Joel, May 31, 2000.</ref>{{quotation needed|date=December 2012}} In 2012 Smith appeared on ''[[The Dr. Oz Show]]''.<ref name="Forbes"> Entine, John (Oct 19, 2012) [http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonentine/2012/10/19/malpractice-on-dr-oz-pop-health-expert-hosts-anti-gm-food-rant-scientists-push-back/ Malpractice on Dr. Oz: Pop Health Expert Hosts Anti-GM Food Rant; Scientists Push Back] ''Forbes'', accessed Dec 16, 2012</ref> In April he was interviewed by [[CBS News]] while attending the Green Festival in New York City, USA,<ref> (April 27, 2012) [http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7406794n New GMO crops proposed, consumers want labeling], ''CBS News'', accessed Dec 16, 2012</ref> where he raised concerns about "GMOs resistant to 2,4-D" and said that "more than 20 states have introduced bills for mandatory labeling".<ref> (April 27, 2012) [http://m.cbsnews.com/fullstory.rbml?catid=57423245&feed_id=5&videofeed=41 Genetically modified crops resistant to 2,4-D spur debate, calls for labeling] ''CBS News'', accessed Dec 19, 2012</ref> |
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===Director=== |
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[[Kaiser Permanente]]'s Northwest Fall 2012 newsletter recommended the Institute for Responsible Technology's ''Non-GMO Shopping Guide'' iPhone App, 'ShopNoGMO'. [http://www.willamettelive.com/2012/news/kaiser-speaks-about-gmos/] "Willamette Live", accessed Dec 23, 2012 </ref> |
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* ''Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals'' (2008) |
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*''[[Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives]]'' (2012)<ref>Rotten Tomatoes [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/genetic_roulette_the_gamble_of_our_lives/ Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives (2012)]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://geneticroulettemovie.com/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Genetic Roulette Movie|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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*''Your Milk on Drugs-Just Say No! (2013)''<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 17, 2012|title=Presentations on the risks of GMO|url=https://www.islandssounder.com/life/presentations-on-the-risks-of-gmo/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Islands' Sounder|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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*''Secret Ingredients'' (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Secret Ingredients Movie|url=https://secretingredientsmovie.com/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Secret Ingredients Movie|language=en}}</ref> |
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*''Don't Let the Gene Out of the Bottle'' (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Don't Let The Gene Out of The Bottle|url=http://totalhealthmatters.co.uk/dont-let-the-gene-out-of-the-bottle/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Total Health Matters|language=en-GB}}</ref> |
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===Featured=== |
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* ''[[The World According to Monsanto]]'' (2008)<ref>Good Reads [http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18119699-the-world-according-to-monsanto The World According to Monsanto (DVD) by Marie-Monique Robin, Jeffrey M. Smith]</ref> |
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* ''Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMOs'' (2012)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vince|date=June 14, 2013|title=Seeds Of Death – Unveiling the Lies of GMOs (Documentary)|url=https://www.permaculturenews.org/2013/06/14/seeds-of-death-unveiling-the-lies-of-gmos-documentary/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=The Permaculture Research Institute|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>Rotten Tomatoes [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/seeds_of_death_unveiling_the_lies_of_gmos/ Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMOs (2012)]</ref> |
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* ''[[Scientists Under Attack: Genetic Engineering in the Magnetic Field of Money]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://responsibletechnology.org/resources/scientists-under-attack/|title=Scientists Under Attack|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-date=June 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625105137/http://responsibletechnology.org/resources/scientists-under-attack|url-status=dead}}</ref> (2010) |
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==Written work== |
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* Smith, Jeffrey M. (1981) ''Preventing legal malpractice'', West Pub. Co, St. Paul, Minn. |
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* {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey M |title= Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating|publisher=YES! Books|location=Fairfield, IA |year=2003 |isbn= 9780972966504}} |
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* {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey M |title= Hard to Swallow: The Dangers of GE Food – An International Expose |publisher=Craig Potton |location=Nelson, New Zealand |year=2003 |isbn= 978-1877333118}} |
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* {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey M |title= Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods |publisher=YES! Books |location=Fairfield, IA |year=2007 |isbn= 978-0972966528 }} |
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===Author=== |
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* ''Hard to Swallow: The Dangers of GE Food—An International Expose'' (2003) |
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* Smith, Jeffrey M. (2005) Dangers in Kids' Meals and Your Milk on Drugs —Just Say No! a DVD, Institute for Responsible Technology, Fairfield, ASIN= 0972966560 |
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* ''Seeds of Deception'' (2003) |
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* Smith, Jeffrey M. (2012) Genetic Roulette the Movie, Institute for Responsible Technology, Fairfield, IA, ASIN= B0096DP4CG |
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* ''Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods'' (2007) |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.responsibletechnology.org/about Jeffrey Smith bio at the Institute for Responsible Technology] |
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* [http://seedsofdeception.com/about/ Jeffrey Smith bio at the Seeds of Deception] |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{Persondata |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Smith, Jeff |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American activst |
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| DATE OF BIRTH = 1956 |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Ottumwa]], [[Iowa]], United States |
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| DATE OF DEATH = |
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| PLACE OF DEATH = |
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}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Jeffrey M}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Jeffrey M}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1958 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:American activists]] |
[[Category:American activists]] |
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[[Category:Anti-GMO activists]] |
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[[Category:Consumer rights activists]] |
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[[Category:Iowa politicians]] |
[[Category:Iowa politicians]] |
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[[Category:People from Fairfield, Iowa]] |
Latest revision as of 00:40, 14 November 2023
Jeffrey M. Smith | |
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Born | 1958 (age 65–66) New York, U.S.[1] |
Nationality | American |
Education | Maharishi University of Management |
Occupation(s) | Consumer advocate, author |
Website | www |
Jeffrey M. Smith (born 1958) is an American consumer activist,[2] self-published author, and former politician.[3][4] He is the author of two books on genetically engineered foods, Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating, and Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives, which he made into a film in 2012. He has appeared twice on each of the shows -The Dr. Oz Show and The Doctors.[5][6][7] Smith has worked with organic food marketers and alternative health product promoters[8] to advocate against genetically modified food. Supporters identify Smith as an influential educator on the alleged risks associated with genetically modified foods, while others point out Smith's lack of formal scientific training.[5] In 1998, Smith ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a candidate for the Natural Law Party.[9] As of 2021, Smith is the executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology,[10] and executive director of the global campaign Protect Nature Now.[11][12]
Early life
Jeffrey Smith grew up in Rey Brook, Westchester County.[1][13] He has a bachelors degree from SUNY Binghamton and an MBA from Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa .[14][15]
Career
Political
Smith was a Natural Law Party member in 1996. In 1998 he became the party's candidate for U.S. Congress in Iowa's First District to raise awareness about GMOs.[16] Smith received less than 1% of the vote, losing to Republican Jim Leach.[17] Smith worked for several years as a marketing consultant and nonprofit marketing advisor.[1]
Consumer activist
Smith has opposed the use of genetically modified foods since they were introduced in the 1990s.[1][18][19] As of 2000, Smith was the spokesperson and vice president for the accredited genetically modified organism (GMO) testing company, Genetic ID.[20][21] Smith authored the books Seeds of Deception in 2003[22] and Genetic Roulette in 2007. In 2012 Smith directed and produced Genetic Roulette, a documentary film narrated by Lisa Oz and critical of genetically modified food.[23] Smith is the founder and current executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, which he founded in 2003.[24][25][26]
A variety of American organic food companies see Smith "as a champion for their interests",[1] and Smith's supporters describe him as "arguably the world's foremost expert on the topic of genetically modified foods".[27] In contrast, others such as Michael Specter, writing in The New Yorker, reported that Smith was presented as a "scientist" on The Dr. Oz Show despite his lack of any scientific experience.[5] Bruce Chassy, a molecular biologist and food scientist, wrote to the show arguing that Smith's "only professional experience prior to taking up his crusade against biotechnology is as a ballroom-dance teacher, yogic flying instructor, and political candidate for the Maharishi cult’s natural-law party."[5]
Films
Director
- Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals (2008)
- Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives (2012)[28][29]
- Your Milk on Drugs-Just Say No! (2013)[30]
- Secret Ingredients (2018)[31]
- Don't Let the Gene Out of the Bottle (2021)[32]
Featured
- The World According to Monsanto (2008)[33]
- Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMOs (2012)[34][35]
- Scientists Under Attack: Genetic Engineering in the Magnetic Field of Money[36] (2010)
Written work
Author
- Hard to Swallow: The Dangers of GE Food—An International Expose (2003)
- Seeds of Deception (2003)
- Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods (2007)
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