A release of internal emails has revealed that U.S. agrochemical giant Monsanto manipulated studies of the company’s herbicide, Roundup. Experts believe the product causes cancer – and the consequences for the company could be dire. Some companies’ reputations are so poor that the public already has low expectations when it comes to their ethics and […]
Tag Archives | agriculture
Scheinheilig
Wer weniger Glyphosat schlucken will, muss mehr für Lebensmittel bezahlen. Ein Kommentar von Philip Bethge, DER SPIEGEL 21/2016 Die quälende Debatte um das Unkrautvernichtungsmittel Glyphosat ist frustrierend für den Verbraucher. Dabei könnte der die Sache selbst in die Hand nehmen. Der Einsatz von Glyphosat auf den Feldern ist nämlich die direkte Folge der Schnäppchenmentalität des […]
Totgespritzt
Es steckt im Tierfutter, im Brot, in der Milch: Das Pestizid Glyphosat belastet seit Jahrzehnten die Umwelt, weltweit. Forscher warnen vor Missbildungen und Krebs. Wie gefährlich ist der Stoff wirklich? Von Philip Bethge – DER SPIEGEL 24/2015 Das Unheil kam langsam über den Hof von Helge Voss. Zuerst gaben die Kühe weniger Milch, ihr Kot war […]
Kosmos des Süßkrams
Die Schokoladenindustrie hat es jahrelang versäumt, den Kakaoanbau zu modernisieren. Die Plantagenbäume sind alt, krank und tragen zu wenig Früchte. Auf den letzten Drücker geben die Hersteller jetzt Millionen für mehr Nachhaltigkeit aus. Von Philip Bethge, DER SPIEGEL 51/2014 – VIDEO dazu Wenn Peter Boone an Schokolade denkt, fallen ihm Wörter wie “cremig”, “süß”, “fruchtig” […]
Miracle Crop: India’s Quest to End World Hunger
Over one third of humanity is undernourished. Now a group of scientists are experimenting with specially-bred crops, and hoping to launch a new Green Revolution — but controversy is brewing. By Philip Bethge It may not make his family wealthy, but Devran Mankar is still grateful for the pearl millet variety called Dhanshakti (meaning “prosperity and strength”) he […]
Cloned Meat Soon to Hit European Supermarkets
Cattle cloning has long been standard practice in the United States. Now EU agriculture ministers have decided that cloned meat and milk should be allowed onto the European market. Not everyone is pleased. By Philip Bethge Anyone who considers creation sacred should make sure they never talk to a cattle breeder. In-vitro fertilization, artificial insemination […]
German Cities for the Bees: Wanted — Young, Urban, Professional Beekeepers
Germany is running out of bees. But urban beekeeping may just be the solution. The country’s aging beekeepers are looking to attract young city dwellers to the hobby. By Philip Bethge Emil Wiedenhöft’s bees know their way around the urban jungle. They buzz in, flying around the 71-year-old beekeeper’s head as they carry nectar and […]
Super Sorghum for the Poor: Can Genetic Crops Stop the Food Crisis?
It will take some time before genetically modified crops can help the world’s starving people. One reason is that agricultural corporations are developing the wrong types of plants. In emerging economies like Argentina and India, most GM crops are cultivated for use in export products. Sometimes the solutions to humanity’s problems are only a mouse […]