Jeffrey M. Smith | |
---|---|
File:Jeffrey M Smith.jpg Jeffrey M. Smith, dance instructor, activist and author | |
Born | 1956 |
Nationality | American |
Education | Maharishi Institute |
Occupation(s) | Dance Instructor, Professional Activist, Author |
Jeffrey M. Smith (born 1956) is an American consumer advocate, [1] author, independent film producer, professional dance instructor and former politician. He has authored several books and made DVDs and a movie on the perceived dangers of genetic engineering and serves on the Genetic Engineering Committee of the Sierra Club Smith ran for the U.S. Congress as a candidate for the Natural Law Party, and is a frequent conference speaker at advocacy, alternative health, organic and natural products conferences. He has appeared on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Dr. Oz Show.[2]
Career
Natural Law Party candidate
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Jeffrey Smith campaigned in 1996 for the Natural Law Party In 1998, Smith was the Natural Law Party candidate for U.S. Congress in Iowa’s First District. Smith received 8 percent of the vote, losing to Republican Jim Leach.[3]
Smith has performed and provided instruction in swing dance under the professional name Swing Smith since 1996 teaching students at the University of Iowa[4][need quotation to verify] In 1999 the Smith founded Swingphoria, a Lindy Hop performance group, which performed around the Midwest.[citation needed]
Consumer activist and author
Smith worked as a marketing consultant before he became a consumer activist.[5] From 1999 –2001 he was the vice president for marketing, communications and business development for the Fairfield, IA-based GMO testing laboratory Genetic-ID. [citation needed] At Genetic-ID Smith traveled around the globe promoting food testing for and labeling of GMOs in food, personally asserting they were dangerous.[6][need quotation to verify] Smith promoted Genetic-ID services to organic food companies,[7] governments and activists groups[8][9]
Smith self-published his book, Seeds of Deception, in 2003 and received a favorable review in the September 2003 issue of The Milkweed.[10] Smith created a publishing house called Yes! Books.[11] In 2003 the Organic Trade Association sponsored Smith's appearance in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts as part of a speaking tour to promote his book.[12]
Smith founded the Institute for Social Responsibility in 2003 and serves as its executive director and in 2008 received a $24,000 annual salary.[citation needed] Smith's activist activities are supported through his speakers fees, book and DVD sales and sponsor donations.[5]
From 2004-2012 the Institute was listed as the “fictitious” business name for and operated as a project of “The Coordinating Council,”[13] a registered non-profit organization claiming no income or expenses from 2004-2007 and originally registered in Washington, State by nutraceutical lobbyist and health supplement salesman Craig Winters,[14][15] as the umbrella organization for The Campaign to Label Genetically Modified Foods political ballot initiative in that state. Smith is the only listed member and sole employee for this organization.
The Institute for Social Responsibility was created as a stand-alone tax-exempt, non-profit arm in 2012[16] Sponsoring donors listed on his website included: Organic Valley, Joe Mercola, Natural News/Mike Adams, Eden Organic, Nutiva, Nature’s Path Organic, WestSoy, EO, Earth’s Best Organic, New Chapter Organics, Rudis Organic Bakery, Silk, and various other organic and alternative health companies. From 2011-2012 Smith, via the Institute for Responsible Technology, played a key advocacy and coordinating role for a 2012 California ballot initiative seeking to label GMOs.[17] [18]
Smith has spoken to groups around the world including Brazil, Poland and the USA on the potential dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms in food.[5] According to an article in Reuters, a group of organic food companies in the U.S. see him as a someone who can champion their interests.[19]
Criticism
According to an article in Reuters, Smith has been" discounted as misinformed and misleading by supporters of biotechnology".[19] Several academics have launched campaigns[20] to dissect and review Jeffrey Smith’s claims and criticize organizations and media outlets who characterize or present Smith as an "expert" source[21] on issues of biotechnology. Other skeptics of Smith’s attacks on genetically modified crops have called his assertions "pseudoscience" and have generally discounted the transcendental meditation and yogic flying bases of his claims[22][23] due to the lack of quality research and a lack of methodological rigor in Smith's claims.[24] Smith has" no scientific or medical background".[25]
Personal life
Smith is a native of New York[5] and attended school at the Maharishi Institute for Management and has been cited as an expert in yogic flying.[citation needed] While studying at Maharishi International University he attended the "Purusha course".[26][27][28] program for the TM-Sidhi approach to advanced meditation. Smith is credited with helping form the core of the U.S. "national Super Radiance community" with TM and yogic flying demonstrations at the U.S. Capitol, World Bank and United Nations.[29] In 2002 Smith filed Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy in Iowa Federal Court.[30] He resides in Fairfield, IA with his wife.[31]
Bibliography
Books
- 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 (self published). ISBN 978-0-8144-1622-8.
- Smith, Jeffrey M (2007). Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods. Fairfield, IA. ISBN 978-0972966528.
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: Text "YES! Books (self published)" ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Smith, Jeffrey M (2003). Hard to Swallow: The Dangers of GE Food – An International Expose. Nelson, New Zealand: Craig Potton. ISBN 978-1877333118.
Filmography
- Smith, Jeffrey M (2012). Genetic Roulette the Movie. Fairfield, IA. ASIN B0096DP4CG.
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ignored (help) - Smith, Jeffrey M (2008). Dangers in Kids' Meals and Your Milk on Drugs —Just Say No! a DVD. Fairfield, IA. ASIN 0972966560.
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References
- ^ Monsanto petition tells Obama: ‘Cease FDA ties to Monsanto’, Washington Post, January 30, 2012.
- ^ Genetically Modified Pt.1, Dr. Oz Show, December 2010.
- ^ IA House Contested, Associated Press, November 2, 1998.
- ^ U. Iowa: Is swing dancing coming or going? Depends who you ask, Reinstein, Leah, The daily Iowan (U. Iowa), January 26, 1999.
- ^ a b c d U.S. activist circles globe to fight biotech crops, Gillam, Carey, Reuters UK, March 7, 2008.
- ^ Speaker warns U. Iowa students against genetic food, Standaert, Mike, The Daily Iowan (U.Iowa), April 21, 1999.
- ^ Press Release: Genetic ID's New GMO Tests Can Save U.S. Corn Exports to Japan; Restore Exports to Europe, Smith, Jeffrey Business Wire, March 23, 2000.
- ^ Sowing dissent.(Brief Article), Coghlan, Andy, New Scientist, May 27, 2000. who opposed genetically modified foods.
- ^ INTERVIEW-GM seed case highlights need for testing, Reuters News, Diderich, Joel, May 31, 2000.
- ^ Review From The Milkweed Reprint of book review on Smith's book web site
- ^ Institute for Responsible Technology & YES! Books, Academics Review, November 2012.
- ^ OTA will sponsor appearance by Jeffrey Smith, Organic Trade Association press release, September 24, 2003.)
- ^ Coordinating Council Iowa business registration # 315479, Iowa Secretary of State Business Registrations, accessed October 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.
- ^ Institute for Responsible Technology profile, GuideStar, accessed September 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.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Rueters 2008
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Jeffrey Smith Profile, Academics Review website, accessed September 2012.
- ^ An interview with GMO expert Jeffrey M. Smith, Chico (CA) News Enterprise, September 15, 2011.
- ^ Sagan, Carl (1997). The demon-haunted world: science as a candle in the dark. New York: Ballantine Books. p. 16. ISBN 0-345-40946-9.
- ^
- Carlson, Ron, Decker, Ed, Fast Facts on False Teachings Harvest House Publishers, 2003 ISBN 0-7369-1214-2, ISBN 978-0-7369-1214-3 p. 254
- Marvizon, Juan Carlos "Meditation", Shermer, Michael (ed)The Skeptic: Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience ABC-CLIO, 2002 ISBN 1-57607-653-9, ISBN 978-1-57607-653-8 p 141
- Nanda, Meera "Postmodernism, Hindu Nationalism and Vedic Science", Koertge, Noretta Scientific Values and Civic Virtues, Oxford University Press US, 2005 ISBN 0-19-517225-6, ISBN 978-0-19-517225-6 p 232
- Kinman, John M., Of One Mind:The Collectivization of Science Springer, 1995 ISBN 1-56396-065-6, ISBN 978-1-56396-065-9 p 130
- ^ Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M; et al. (2007). "Meditation practices for health: state of the research". Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) (155): 1–263. PMID 17764203.
Scientific research on meditation practices does not appear to have a common theoretical perspective and is characterized by poor methodological quality. Firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence.
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ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Entine, John (Oct.19 2012) Forbes.com Malpractice On Dr.Oz: Pop Health Expert Hosts Anti-GM Food Rant; Scientists Push Back "During the show, which was promoted as an “investigation,” Oz provided uncritical time for Jeffrey Smith, an activist with no scientific or medical background"
- ^ Maharish's Worldwide Transcendental Meditation Movement Golden Jubilee Yearbook, Maharishi University of Management, 1983.""Day-to-day activities on the Purusha course are like a cele- bration. Being with 200 happy, one-pointed, and enthusiastic individuals, life is lifted to new levels of fulfillment. There is an incredible feeling of together- ness within the group. This cre- ates not only very warm and supportive relationships but a tremendous feel- ing of inner strength and joy. The effect of this on our lives and in the environment is remark- able. The design of the Purusha course is ideal. While the intellect becomes refined and sharp- ened, the heart becomes expanded and uplifted. Easily and spontaneously, we all speed along towards enlightenment."—Jeffrey M. Smith "
- ^ 1985-1986 Prusha Business, pg. 40, MUM, 1986.
- ^ Graduates,pg, 40, MUM Yearbook, 1988.
- ^ Purusha Achievements, Maharish International University, 1983.
- ^ Public Notice filed Jeffrey M. Smith of Fairfield, IA, Case number 02-03003-rjh7,United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Iowa, June 3, 2002.
- ^ Undergraduates, pg. 50, MUM Yearbook, 1978.
Additional sources
- LaPado-Breglia, Christine G.K. (September 15, 2011). "An interview with GMO expert Jeffrey M. Smith". Chico News & Review. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
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