Smart Talk: Are genetically modified crops safe?

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, February 17, 2015:

In the twenty-first century the vast majority of corn, soybeans, and cotton grown in the United States is genetically modified to resist pests or pesticides. Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, such as “Roundup-ready corn” have caused some of the most controversy among anti-GMO advocacy groups. They fear that the widespread use of the pesticide Roundup on herbicide-resistant crops like corn may cause health problems in adults and children.

Close to home, anti-GMO groups like GMO Free Lancaster County have voiced concerns about the use of genetically modified crops and their pesticides in the county famous for having the highest density of organic farms in the state of Pennsylvania.

Appearing on Tuesday’s show are molecular biologist Dr. Nina Fedoroff from Penn State University to discuss how genetically modified crops are developed and what problems they are designed to solve. We’ll also speak with the founder of GMO Free Lancaster, Zoe Swartz as well as Emily Givler, a pediatric nutrition consultant, who are advocating to stop the use of genetically modified crops and their pesticides in Lancaster County.