Science

progressoid

(49,999 posts) Fri Oct 16, 2015, 05:23 PM Oct 2015

The GMO Corn Experiment.

The GMO Corn Experiment

vimeo.com/142014466

About This Project

We are testing the hypothesis that wild animals such as squirrels and deer prefer non-GMO corn.

What is the context of this research?

Anecdotal reports suggest that animals avoid eating genetically engineered or GMO corn when given a choice, while others suggest that animals have no preference. With the right materials, this is an easy experiment to do, but there are no peer-reviewed, published scientific studies to answer this question - yet.

In this experiment, we will send ears of GMO and non-GMO corn to volunteers. Adults and children, individuals and classrooms can be part of the first Citizen Science experiment to test claims about GMOs. Everyone’s results will be combined in a peer-reviewed scientific journal article

What is the significance of this project?

If there is something that makes animals avoid GMO corn, we should know about it. Such a finding would have widespread impacts. If animals don’t have a preference, then we can focus on other issues.

In addition to answering an important scientific question, this experiment is an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to connect with science. How many people get to test popular claims about an emerging field of science?
Volunteers of all ages will learn how to conduct an experiment. They will develop critical thinking skills as they collect data, interpret results, and see how research is published. Volunteers can share their results with friends and even present the results at school!

What are the goals of the project?

Our goal is to assemble and distribute at least 250 experiment kits to our Citizen Scientist volunteers. Each kit includes a feeding stand and corn for two experiments: two ears of GMO corn and two ears of non-GMO corn.

We will provide clear instructions so each volunteer can conduct two experiments to test the research hypothesis. They will send pictures of their corn to us for analysis. Once we have collected the results, we will analyze the data, present the results to our volunteers, and write a paper that we will submit to a scientific journal.
If we exceed our initial fundraising goal, we will make more experiment kits (up to 1,250) and provide the kits for free to kids and schools!

More at: https://experiment.com/projects/the-gmo-corn-experiment?s=discover

BTW, they've already exceeded their fundraising goal but you can still participate if you want. $25.00

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

The GMO Corn Experiment. (Original Post) progressoid Oct 2015 OP

Does not seem like a very useful hypothesis. longship Oct 2015 #1

If it turns out to be true then clearly the squirrels have fallen for the anti-GMO hysteria. hunter Oct 2015 #2

Actually, the people doing it aren't anti-gmo. progressoid Oct 2015 #3

Regardless, what will such a study accomplish? longship Oct 2015 #4

It's more of an education outreach act. HuckleB Oct 2015 #5

longship

(40,416 posts)

1. Does not seem like a very useful hypothesis.

Reply to progressoid (Original post)

Fri Oct 16, 2015, 06:29 PM

Oct 2015

Especially since there is absolutely no qualitative difference between GMO corn and non-GMO corn. All corn is genetically modified! (as it has been for centuries, just like the rest of the plants we eat)

Those are the facts that the anti-GMO crowd will not acknowledge. That is why their arguments are shown to be ideological and not based on the best science.

This study is indicative of a fishing expedition with no basis to believe that it will tell anybody anything, let alone about genetic modification. The hypothesis is ridiculous. By what mechanism do these researchers suggest that squirrels can tell the difference?

I highly suspect that this is just more utter bullshit from the anti-GMO crowd. Just like the rest of their bullshit.

And I despise Monsanto! It is just that what Monsanto does as a corporation does not negate the fact that genetic modification is how agriculture has been done since the beginning of agriculture.

hunter

(38,334 posts)

2. If it turns out to be true then clearly the squirrels have fallen for the anti-GMO hysteria.

Reply to longship (Reply #1)

Sat Oct 17, 2015, 12:43 PM

Oct 2015

Those gullible squirrels will believe anything they read on the internet.

progressoid

(49,999 posts)

3. Actually, the people doing it aren't anti-gmo.

Reply to longship (Reply #1)

Sun Oct 18, 2015, 02:39 AM

Oct 2015

If you look at the supporters at the link, you'll see that they are pretty level headed.

longship

(40,416 posts)

4. Regardless, what will such a study accomplish?

Reply to progressoid (Reply #3)

Sun Oct 18, 2015, 04:51 AM

Oct 2015

What is the hypothesis? It does not make any sense whatsoever.

It seems like junk science to me. And the anti-GMO crowd is very likely to latch onto any results, no matter what they are.

HuckleB

(35,773 posts)

5. It's more of an education outreach act.

Reply to longship (Reply #4)

Tue Oct 20, 2015, 01:04 PM

Oct 2015

The organizers help people get a simplified understanding of very basic science, and, as a side benefit, they take on the ludicrous nature of the anecdotal anti-GMO memes that inspired this "study."

Reply to this discussion