rewrite to utilize third-party sources; combine tiny sections; rm section on GMO since the only reliable source (NY Times) doesn't mention Smith at all |
→Biography: rm; promotional tone, entirely lacking in independent, reliable sources |
||
Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
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}} |
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}} |
||
===Self-publishing business=== |
|||
In 2003 Smith created a publishing house called '''Yes! Books''' and self-published his book ''Seeds of Deception''. The Organic Trade Association sponsored Smith's appearance in [[Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts]] as part of a speaking tour to promote the book.<ref>OTA Press Release (September 24, 2003 )[http://www.ota.com/news/press/119.html OTA will sponsor appearance by Jeffrey Smith] Organic Trade Association </ref><ref>Unknown Author [http://www.chelseagreen.com/authors/jeffrey_m_smith Jefrey Smith] Chelsea Green Publishing web site, accessed Dec 16, 2012</ref> He also spoke about the studies reported in ''Seeds of Deception'' to the [[New Straits Times]] at the [[Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety]] that was held in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia.<ref>John, Elizabith (February 25, 2004) `Potential threats from GM foods, Potential threats from GM foods', New Straits Times"Results of these and other studies were reported by Jeffrey Smith, author of the book Seeds of Deception, on the sidelines of the First Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (MOP1) at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur"</ref> In 2007 he published a second book about [[genetically modified food]] called ''Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods''. |
|||
===The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods: Institute for Responsible Technology=== |
===The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods: Institute for Responsible Technology=== |
Revision as of 21:27, 5 February 2013
Jeffrey M. Smith | |
---|---|
Born | 1956 |
Nationality | American |
Education | Maharishi University of Management (formerly Maharishi International University) |
Occupation(s) | Consumer advocate, Author, politician |
Spouse | Andrea Vardi |
Website | http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-smith/ |
Jeffrey M. Smith (born 1956) is an American consumer advocate,[2] author and politician. He is the author of three books on genetically engineered foods and has appeared twice on The Dr. Oz Show.[3] In 1998, Smith ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a candidate for the Natural Law Party, which is closely associated with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the Transcendental Meditation movement.[4]
Biography
Smith is a native of New York.[1] 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.[3] 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.[5][6][need quotation to verify]
Smith was a Natural Law Party member in 1996 and participated in a TM-Sidhi program yogic flying demonstration in Des Moines, Iowa.[7] In 1998 he became the party's candidate for U.S. Congress in Iowa’s First District.[4] Smith received 8% of the vote, losing to Republican Jim Leach.[8][need quotation to verify] 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..[9][need quotation to verify]
The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods: Institute for Responsible Technology
In 2003 Jeffrey Smith started the Institute for Responsible Technology as a project of the Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods (a.k.a. The Coordinating Council).[10] Jeffrey Smith is an activist whose campaigns have been focused against the use of genetically modified (GM, or GMO) foods.[11] His activist activities are supported through his speakers fees, book and DVD sales and sponsor donations.[1] Groups of organic food companies in the US financially support Smith as a champion of their interests[1] and his followers describe Smith as "arguably the world's foremost expert on the topic of genetically modified foods".[12][13] However, The New Yorker Magazine reports that Smith "has no experience in genetics or agriculture, and has no scientific degree from any institution" citing academics who assert he is unqualified to impart health information about GMOs.[3] Critics claim Smith is "misinformed and misleading"[1] and "an activist with no scientific or medical background" who is known for his "near-hysterical criticism of biotech foods". [14]
Smith has served in and founded various consumer groups advocating against genetically modified foods including the Genetic Engineering Committee of the Sierra Club. In 2007 he founded the Campaign for Healthier Eating in America.[15] He is listed by the Iowa Secretary of State web site as the 2005 registered agent for the Institute for Responsible Technology; DBA for a now defunct legal entity called: The Coordinating Council.[16] 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.[17] In 2010, Smith became the registered agent for the non-profit advocacy group, Institute for Responsible Technology[16] which played a role in promoting Proposition 37 the 2012 California ballot initiative seeking to label products containing GMO foods.[18][19] He became the registered agent for the non-profit Institute for Responsible Technology Food Policy Fund in 2011.[16] Smith founded the Institute for Social Responsibility (ISR) in 2012[20] and is a member and employee of The Campaign to Label Genetically Modified Foods political ballot initiative for the state of Washington, USA.[21][22]
Smith has appeared on TV and conducted interviews around the globe including Brazil, Poland and the USA.[1] 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.[23][24][need quotation to verify] In 2012 Smith appeared on The Dr. Oz Show.[14] In April he was interviewed by CBS News while attending the Green Festival in New York City, USA,[25] where he raised concerns about "GMOs resistant to 2,4-D" and said that "more than 20 states have introduced bills for mandatory labeling".[26]
Kaiser Permanente's Northwest Fall 2012 newsletter recommended the Institute for Responsible Technology's Non-GMO Shopping Guide iPhone App, 'ShopNoGMO'. [1] "Willamette Live", accessed Dec 23, 2012 </ref>
Bibliography
Books
- Smith, Jeffrey M. (1981) Preventing legal malpractice, West Pub. Co, St. Paul, Minn.
- Smith, Jeffrey M (2003). Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating. Fairfield, IA: YES! Books. ISBN 9780972966504.
- Smith, Jeffrey M (2003). Hard to Swallow: The Dangers of GE Food – An International Expose. Nelson, New Zealand: Craig Potton. ISBN 978-1877333118.
- Smith, Jeffrey M (2007). Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods. Fairfield, IA: YES! Books. ISBN 978-0972966528.
Filmography
- 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
- Smith, Jeffrey M. (2012) Genetic Roulette the Movie, Institute for Responsible Technology, Fairfield, IA, ASIN= B0096DP4CG
References
- ^ a b c d e f U.S. activist circles globe to fight biotech crops, Gillam, Carey, Reuters UK, March 7, 2008.
- ^ "Monsanto petition tells Obama: 'Cease FDA ties to Monsanto'". Washington Post. January 30, 2012.
- ^ a b c The Operator, by Michael Specter, The New Yorker, February 4, 2013.
- ^ a b Slockett, Tom (November 3, 1998). "November 3, 1998 General Election". Johnson County Auditor Commissioner of Elections and Voter Registration. Retrieved Dec 16, 2012.
- ^ Unknown author (Feb 2002) Ballroom Dance Announcement Iowa State Education archives, accessed 12/14/12
- ^ U. Iowa: Is swing dancing coming or going? Depends who you ask, Reinstein, Leah, The daily Iowan (U. Iowa), January 26, 1999.
- ^ 'Yogic flying,' third-party candidates promoted, Bush, Bill, The Illinois State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL), October 23, 1996.
- ^ IA House Contested, Associated Press, November 2, 1998.
- ^ Fringe Candidate's Gimmick: `Flying' Yogis, Associated Press, October 24, 1996.
- ^ Institute for Responsible Technology & YES! Books, Academics Review, November 2012.
- ^ Unknown Author (Feb 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"
- ^ An interview with GMO expert Jeffrey M. Smith, Chico (CA) News Enterprise, September 15, 2011.
- ^ Burlison, Dani (JUly 20, 2012) Hell No, GMO, Pacific Sun"the annual GMO SYMPOSIUM brings experts like Jeffery Smith,"
- ^ a b Entine, John (Oct 19, 2012) Malpractice on Dr. Oz: Pop Health Expert Hosts Anti-GM Food Rant; Scientists Push Back Forbes, accessed Dec 16, 2012
- ^ (Sept 20, 2007) Third annual Renewable Energy Fest returns to Kempton, Reading Eagle (Reading, PA)
- ^ a b c Coordinating Council Iowa business registration # 315479, Iowa Secretary of State Business Registrations, accessed October 2012.
- ^ Hidden Dangers In Kids Meals Chelsea Book Publishing web site, accessed Dec 16, 2012
- ^ Safety of genetically modified foods is debated in California, Kansas City Star, October 31, 2012.
- ^ Ryan Jaslow (2012-02-27). "Genetically modified crops resistant to 2,4-D spur debate, calls for labeling". CBS News.
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.
- ^ Institute for Responsible Technology profile, GuideStar, accessed September 2012.
- ^ Natural Products Association Northwest Donates to Washington State GMO Labeling Initiative, Natural Products Association of the Northwest press release, October 12, 2012.
- ^ Full Spectrum Health business tax ID #601597337, Washington State Department of Revenue, January 10, 1995.
- ^ Sowing dissent.(Brief Article), Coghlan, Andy, New Scientist, May 27, 2000, "critical consumer advocate, Jeffrey Smith, who campaigns against genetically modified foods".
- ^ INTERVIEW-GM seed case highlights need for testing, Reuters News, Diderich, Joel, May 31, 2000.
- ^ (April 27, 2012) New GMO crops proposed, consumers want labeling, CBS News, accessed Dec 16, 2012
- ^ (April 27, 2012) Genetically modified crops resistant to 2,4-D spur debate, calls for labeling CBS News, accessed Dec 19, 2012
External links
- Jeffrey Smith bio at the Institute for Responsible Technology
- Jeffrey Smith bio at the Seeds of Deception