Food Evolution

I saw this at the DC Environmental Film Festival. I didn't know to expect, given the audience, but the crowd really enjoyed the movie. So unlike many of the people reviewing here, I've actually seen the film. There was also a panel of experts discussing the film after the showing, and they did the best they could to answer audience member questions.

This film addresses pretty much every argument you might have against GMOS, and then show how the claims against them are untrue. Issues of health, safety, environment, big business, corporate shills, weed resistance, pesticides, yield, etc. and correct the misinformation that 's out there on the web by talking to actual scientists who actually work with GMOs. A much better source than some random person who opposes them, don't you think?

This is an excellent film to watch if you're not sure where you stand on the issue of GMOs, or have heard a bit about it, but don't know enough to really go either way. If you are completely closed- minded about the issue, then don't bother, because no amount of science, logic, and reason is going to change your mind, to paraphrase Tamar Haspel in the movie.

I saw this last week. It's really great to see a science-based look at this topic, rather than the emotional, non-science viewpoint of those who don't understand it, which has been the typical Hollywood presentation of this subject. I wish it could have covered some topics in more depth, but movies have their limitations. A large portion of the population has been misled into believing genetically modified crops are inherently bad, and poor people around the world suffer because of the influence of westerners who have more money than they have science education. The only reason I gave 9 stars instead of 10 is that there should have been more subtitles for those of us English-speakers not adept at understanding heavy accents.

For years discussions of GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, have been clouded by a fog of terrible cherry-picked documentaries that opponents use as "proof" that there are scary things under the bed that are lurking for us. All the while scientists stayed in their labs, doing the actual work, that showed GMOs have great benefits and potential for solving real problems of food security and environmental challenges we face.

Finally a science-based look at genetic engineering and its applications helps explain the situation better. But it's not a nerdy lecture. It's a compelling story of papayas, bananas, and people in this drama. The heroes are the scientists and science advocates finally out of the labs to discuss this, the villains are charlatans peddling their detox potions and fear-mongering.

And I could listen to Neil DeGrasse Tyson all day long.

Disclosure: I am a scientist, and friends with many of the science participants in the film. But I had nothing to do with the film. I've just been lucky enough to see it ahead of release.

Edit to add: beware of the folks who are talking about this film who haven't seen it. They are wrong about the contents of the film, I assure you.

This is the only documentary on the subject of food myths that is funded by actual scientists - not the organic industry, not activist organizations trying to scare you into donating. There is no debate between scientists about GM. It's between scientists and science advocates, and members of the general public hoodwinked by activists and industry lobbyists to fear safe foods.

I'm a scientist in this field, and it has always driven me nuts that the GMO debate was often carried out through documentaries, but there wasn't one that made sure to get the science right. This one does. It shows both sides, as well as the faults that go along with them. If you are unsure at all about food, GMOs, or the science around it, this is an excellent place to go. It's funded independently of all sides of the issue, so they are unbiased, just led by the facts. It's a truly excellent film.