Myth Makers

An A-Z of the people and groups behind the push for GM. It includes links to the web portal GMWatch SpinProfiles - our in-depth guide to the networks of power, lobbying and deceptive PR around the GM issue.

 

Indianfarmers.org
India
Website of the Federation of Farmers Associations (FFA), which promotes GM crops in India. FFA's president is Chengal Reddy, a politician who has had a long association with Monsanto.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also: Federation of Farmers AssociationsSharad JoshiChengal Reddy

Niger Innis
USA
Spokesman for Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), pro-corporate anti-environmentalist lobby group.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also: Congress of Racial EqualityNational Center for Public Policy ResearchProject 21, Paul Driessen

Institute of Arable Crops Research
UK
Crop research institute, now known as Rothamsted Research. Has partnered with GM firms and took part in the UK's farmscale trials of GM crops.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Rothamsted Research

Institute of Economic Affairs
UK
Free-market think tank. Its environment unit headed by Roger Bate and Julian Morris.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also: Roger BateJulian Morris

Institute of Food Research
UK
Institute funded by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and headed by Professor Mike Gasson, who has made contested claims for the safety of GM food.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research CouncilDerek BurkeMike Gasson

Institute of Plant Biotechnology for Developing Countries (IPBO)
Belgium
Founded by Marc Van Montagu, President of the European Federation of Biotechnolgy (EFB)
Article: UN launches biotech network for developing countries
See also: International Industrial Biotechnology Network (IIBN)

Institute of Public Affairs
Australia
Pro-corporate think tank that's numbered Monsanto among its funders. Among the scientists who have promoted GMOs from its platforms are C. S. Prakash and Klaus Ammann.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also: Klaus AmmannC. S. Prakash

International Food Information Council
USA
Food industry-backed lobby group with GM giants among its funders. Its controversial polls claim to show public acceptance of biotechnology.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also: Thomas Hoban

International Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources
USA
Lobby for hunting rights which also lobbies against environmentalists and for GMOs.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also:

International Grain Trade Coalition
USA
Represents commercial grain, feed and processing interests, some aligned with biotech companies.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also: American Farm Bureau FederationNational Corn Growers Association

International Industrial Biotechnology Network (IIBN)
Belgium
Targets developing countries. Coordinated by the the Institute of Plant Biotechnology for Developing Countries
Article: UN launches biotech network for developing countries 
See also:
Marc Van Montagu

International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI)
Industry-funded scientific group that (re)designs regulatory risk assessment processes worldwide according to industry's wishes. Denies it's a lobby group; functions like one.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile

International Policy Network
UK
Connects to Roger Bate and Julian Morris.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also: Roger BateCompetitive Enterprise InstituteInstitute of Economic AffairsJulian Morris

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Philippines
Part of CGIAR. Both IRRI and CGIAR criticised for supporting corporate pro-GM agenda.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also: Gerard BarryConsultative Group on International Agricultural ResearchIngo Potrykus

International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)
Philippines, Kenya, USA 
Biotech industry funded body promoting GMOs in the South. Known for its controversial annual reports and for seeding pro-GM lobby groups in the South.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also:  Clive JamesMonsantoSyngenta

Iowa Farm Bureau
USA
Part of the American Farm Bureau, linked to Truth About Trade.
Profiles: GMWatch SpinProfile
See also:



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