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{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| image = Jeffrey M Smith.jpg | name = Jeffrey M. Smith
| pix = 25 | image = Jeffrey M. Smith Image.jpg
| name = Jeffrey M. Smith | caption = Smith delivering speech
| caption = Jeffrey M. Smith, dance instructor, activist and author | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1958}}
| birth_place = New York, U.S.<ref name="Reuters 2008">{{cite news | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/environment-biotech-crops-activist-dc/u-s-activist-circles-globe-to-fight-biotech-crops-idUSN0750723920080307 | title = U.S. activist circles globe to fight biotech crops| last = Gillam | first = Carey | publisher = Reuters UK | date = March 7, 2008}}</ref>
| birth_date = 1956
| education = ]
| birth_place = ], ], United States
| residence = ] | occupation = ], author
| spouse =
| nationality = ]
| website = {{url|www.responsibletechnology.org/}}
| education = ]
| occupation = ], ], ]
| spouse = Andrea Vardi
| website =http://www.swingsmith.com<br> http://www.seedsofdeception.com
| subject = business-related biographical
| category = Biography stubs
| tempsort =

| name = Jeffrey M. Smith
}} }}
'''Jeffrey M. Smith''' (born 1958) is an American ],<ref name="CBS 1">(April 27, 2012) , ''CBS News'', accessed December 16, 2012</ref> self-published author, and former politician.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 23, 2013|title=Coming to Tampa – Jeffrey M. Smith, International best-selling author and filmmaker; Executive Director, Institute of Responsible Technology and leading spokesperson on the health dangers of GMOs|url=https://patch.com/florida/southtampa/coming-to-tampa--jeffrey-m-smith-international-bestselling-author-and-filmmaker-executive-director-institute-of-responsible-technology-and-leading-spokesperson-on-the-health-dangers-of-gmos_dc0d2582|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Tampa, FL Patch|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jeffrey M. Smith Biography|url=https://www.responsibletechnology.org/about/jeffrey-m-smith-biography/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Institute for Responsible Technology|language=en-US}}</ref> He is the author of two books on genetically engineered foods, ''Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating'', and ''Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives'', which he made into a film in 2012. He has appeared twice on each of the shows -'']'' and '']''.<ref name="new-yorker">{{cite magazine | url = http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/02/04/130204fa_fact_specter| title = The Operator | first = Michael | last = Specter | authorlink = Michael Specter | magazine = ] | date = February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 8, 2017|title=Drs. Exclusive: Glyphosate Lawsuit Claims Cancer Link|url=https://www.thedoctorstv.com/episodes/drs-exclusive-glyphosate-lawsuit-claims-cancer-link|access-date=2021-03-05|website=The Doctors|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Debating the Safety of Popular Herbicide|url=https://www.thedoctorstv.com/videos/debating-the-safety-of-popular-herbicide|language=en-US|access-date=2021-03-05|date=May 18, 2015}}</ref> Smith has worked with ] and ]<ref>, Health Freedom Expo, Chicago, June 7–9, 2013.</ref> to advocate against ]. Supporters identify Smith as an influential educator on the alleged risks associated with genetically modified foods, while others point out Smith's lack of formal scientific training.<ref name="new-yorker"/> In 1998, Smith ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a candidate for the ].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Statistics of the Congressional Election – Nov 3, 1998|url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/1998election/}}</ref> As of 2021, Smith is the executive director of the ''Institute for Responsible Technology'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.responsibletechnology.org/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Institute for Responsible Technology|language=en-US}}</ref> and executive director of the global campaign ''Protect Nature Now''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=http://protectnaturenow.com/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Protect Nature Now|language=en-US}}</ref><ref></ref>
'''Jeffrey M. Smith''' (born 1956) is a self-published American ], independent ], professional dance instructor and former ] known for his work in ], ] and ] in opposition to ]. He ran for the U.S. Congress as a candidate for the ], has authored several books, DVDs and a movie on the dangers of genetic engineering, .<ref>, Amazon.com profile, accessed July 2012.</ref> serves on the Genetic Engineering Committee of the ], and is a frequent conference speaker at advocacy, alternative health, organic and natural products conferences and his work is promoted on such nationally syndicated television programs as ]. Smith claims to have a background in communications and marketing,<ref></ref> has served as an occasional contributor to his local newspaper<ref>, by Jeffrey Smith, In Fairfield, December/January 1997/1998.</ref> and attended school at the ] in Fairfield, Iowa where he resides.

== Early life ==
Jeffrey Smith grew up in ], ].<ref name="Reuters 2008"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Natural Awakenings – Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess July 2018|url=https://issuu.com/wpcdesign/docs/na_july_2018|access-date=2021-03-13|website=Issuu|language=en}}</ref> He has a bachelors degree from ] and an MBA from ] in ], Iowa .<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811214405/http://www.mum.edu/pdf_yearbooks/1985-86.pdf |date=August 11, 2011 }}, MUM 1985–1986 Yearbook, pg. 40.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jeffrey Smith: Former flying yogic instructor now 'most trusted source' for anti-GMO advocacy|url=https://geneticliteracyproject.org/glp-facts/jeffrey-m-smith/|access-date=2021-03-13|website=Genetic Literacy Project|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Career== ==Career==
There are few published details on Smith’s professional life prior to his joining with the ] movement and affiliated Natural Law Party in 1992 and his campaigns against GMOs starting in 1999. Other than his time as a professional swing dance instructor, Jeffrey Smith has been a political activist, marketing and business development director and issues activist/author oriented around ventures linked to the multi-billion dollar Maharishi Institute religion<ref>, Ramdor, William, Leichman Wifert Publishing, July 7, 2012</ref> and has no known education background or other credentials.


===Political===
===Natural Law Party political activism===
Smith was a Natural Law Party member in 1996. In 1998 he became the party's candidate for ] in Iowa's First District to raise awareness about GMOs.<ref name="JC Auditor">{{cite web | last = Slockett | first = Tom | date = November 3, 1998 | url = http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/returns/9811cand.htm | title = November 3, 1998 General Election | publisher = Johnson County Auditor Commissioner of Elections and Voter Registration | access-date = December 16, 2012 | archive-date = June 2, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080602110521/http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/returns/9811cand.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref> Smith received less than 1% of the vote, losing to Republican ].<ref>, House of Representatives, January 3, 1999, page 16</ref> Smith worked for several years as a marketing consultant and nonprofit marketing advisor.<ref name="Reuters 2008"/>
] Jeffrey Smith, listing his occupation as “teacher” was a frequent donor to the ] starting with its founding in 1992.<ref>, U.S. Federal Elections Commission reports by City-Data website, accessed 2012.</ref>

Jeffrey Smith campaigned in 1996 for the Maharishi Mahesh’s Natural Law Party platform promoting transcendental meditation and yogic flying, taught and practiced at the Maharishi Institute, as a foundation for achieving world peace in politics. At campaign events in Illinois on behalf of Natural Law Party senate candidate Jim Davis, Smith provided demonstrations of ] claiming the acts would “reduce crime and other ills.” Smith claimed. to have done yogic flying demonstrations at the U.S. Capitol, World Bank and United Nations as part of his campaign efforts in support of Natural Law Party candidates and promoting the adoption of teaching transcendental meditation in public schools.<ref>'Yogic flying,' third-party candidates promoted, Bush, Bill, The Illinois State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL), October 23, 1996.</ref> At campaign events Smith presented charts he claimed showed mass meditation and yogic flying lowered the crime rate in Washington, D.C., by 21 percent in a demonstration project. <ref>Fringe Candidate's Gimmick: `Flying' Yogis, Associated Press, October 24,1996.</ref>
===Consumer activist===
Running on a platform promoting transcendental meditation and yogic flying in 1998, Smith was the Natural Law Party candidate for ] in Iowa’s First District. Smith received 8 percent of the vote, losing to Republican Jim Leach.<ref>IA House Contested, Associated Press, November 2, 1998.</ref> Other Natural Law Party proposed platform policies promoted by Smith’s campaign included the widespread adoption of organic agriculture, an 18 percent flat-tax, and creating “macro-economic stability through increased social coherence” by having tens of thousands of practitioners of transcendental meditation that would reduce unemployment, decrease inflation and improve other economic factors.<ref>, Kenneth Janda, Department of Political Science, Northwestern University, June 1996.</ref>
Smith has opposed the use of genetically modified foods since they were introduced in the 1990s.<ref name="Reuters 2008"/><ref>Unknown Author (February 25, 2011) Shoppers wary of GM foods find they're everywhere, ''USA Today,'' "Smith, an activist who has fought the expansion of genetically engineered foods since they were first introduced 15 years ago"</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Genetically altered foods a major part of our diets|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/genetically-altered-foods-major-part-our-diets-flna1C9465454|access-date=2021-03-05|website=NBC News|date=February 25, 2011 |language=en}}</ref> As of 2000, Smith was the spokesperson and vice president for the accredited ] (GMO) testing company, Genetic ID.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gersema|first=Emily|title=Farming industry, consumers leery of another biotech scare; 'Big motivator': USDAchanges how corn supplies are sampled|newspaper=Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque)|date=May 20, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brasher|first=Phillip|title=U.S. Investigates Use of Unauthorized Biotech Corn in Taco Bell Taco Shells.(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News)|newspaper=Tribune Business News|date=September 19, 2000}}</ref> Smith authored the books ''Seeds of Deception'' in 2003<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Seeds of Deception Author Exposes the Corrupt Science of GMOs|url=http://organicpei.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/acresusa_smith_interview.pdf|journal=ACRES U.S.A (February 2004)}}</ref> and ''Genetic Roulette'' in 2007. In 2012 Smith directed and produced ''Genetic Roulette'', a documentary film narrated by ] and critical of genetically modified food.<ref name="Sacramento Bee">{{cite news|last=Rosenhall|first=Laura|title=Safety of genetically modified foods is debated in California|url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/10/31/173151/safety-of-genetically-modified.html|access-date=February 13, 2013|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|date=October 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128010252/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/10/31/173151/safety-of-genetically-modified.html|archive-date=January 28, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Smith is the founder and current executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, which he founded in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=Candidate Support Expected to Boost Non-GMO Brands.|newspaper=Health & Medicine Week|date=February 4, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The Future of Food|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=July 3, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Genetically modified crops resistant to 2,4-D spur debate, calls for labeling|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/genetically-modified-crops-resistant-to-24-d-spur-debate-calls-for-labeling/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=April 28, 2012 |language=en-US}}</ref>

A variety of American organic food companies see Smith "as a champion for their interests",<ref name="Reuters 2008"/> and Smith's supporters describe him as "arguably the world's foremost expert on the topic of genetically modified foods".<ref name="ChicoNews">{{cite news | url = http://www.newsreview.com/chico/interview-with-gmo-expert/content?oid=3702536 | title = An interview with GMO expert Jeffrey M. Smith | publisher = Chico (CA) News Enterprise | date = September 15, 2011}}</ref> In contrast, others such as ], writing in '']'', reported that Smith was presented as a "scientist" on '']'' despite his lack of any scientific experience.<ref name="new-yorker"/> Bruce Chassy, a molecular biologist and food scientist, wrote to the show arguing that Smith's "only professional experience prior to taking up his crusade against biotechnology is as a ballroom-dance teacher, yogic flying instructor, and political candidate for the Maharishi cult’s natural-law party."<ref name="new-yorker"/>

==Films==

===Director===
* ''Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals'' (2008)
*'']'' (2012)<ref>Rotten Tomatoes </ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://geneticroulettemovie.com/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Genetic Roulette Movie|language=en-US}}</ref>
*''Your Milk on Drugs-Just Say No! (2013)''<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 17, 2012|title=Presentations on the risks of GMO|url=https://www.islandssounder.com/life/presentations-on-the-risks-of-gmo/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Islands' Sounder|language=en-US}}</ref>
*''Secret Ingredients'' (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Secret Ingredients Movie|url=https://secretingredientsmovie.com/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Secret Ingredients Movie|language=en|archive-date=March 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304025929/https://secretingredientsmovie.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*''Don't Let the Gene Out of the Bottle'' (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Don't Let The Gene Out of The Bottle|url=http://totalhealthmatters.co.uk/dont-let-the-gene-out-of-the-bottle/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Total Health Matters|language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Featured===
* '']'' (2008)<ref>Good Reads </ref>
* ''Seeds of Death: Unveiling the Lies of GMOs'' (2012)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vince|date=June 14, 2013|title=Seeds Of Death – Unveiling the Lies of GMOs (Documentary)|url=https://www.permaculturenews.org/2013/06/14/seeds-of-death-unveiling-the-lies-of-gmos-documentary/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=The Permaculture Research Institute|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>Rotten Tomatoes </ref>
* '']''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://responsibletechnology.org/resources/scientists-under-attack/|title=Scientists Under Attack|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-date=June 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625105137/http://responsibletechnology.org/resources/scientists-under-attack|url-status=dead}}</ref> (2010)

==Written work==

===Author===
* ''Hard to Swallow: The Dangers of GE Food—An International Expose'' (2003)
* ''Seeds of Deception'' (2003)
* ''Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods'' (2007)


===Swing Smith dance professional===
]With his wife Andrea Vardi, Jeffry Smith has performed and provided instruction in swing dance under the professional name Swing Smith since 1996 teaching students at the University of Iowa<ref>U. Iowa: Is swing dancing coming or going? Depends who you ask, Reinstein, Leah, The daily Iowan (U. Iowa), January 26, 1999.</ref> and continues via the group “Lindy Fairfield” today<ref>, Andrea Smith, Facebook Groups, 2012.</ref>. In 1999 the Smith duo founded Swingphoria, a Lindy Hop performance group, which performed around the Midwest.<ref>, SwingSmith website, accessed October, 2012.</ref>
===Genetic ID, GMO testing laboratory===
Smith worked from 1999 – 2001 as the vice president for marketing, communications and business development for the Fairfield, IA-based GMO testing laboratory Genetic-ID. Genetic-ID was founded by John Fagan, a dean and teacher at the Maharishi Institute, with Bill Witherspoon, a Midwest organizer for the Maharishi movement<ref>, Yogi, Maharishi Mahesh, MVU Press, Netherlands, 1986.</ref>,<ref>, Latham, Jay, pp. 219-220, Sunstar Publishing LTD, September 2001.</ref> and Jay B. Marcus, an attorney representing various Maharishi vedic health and organic food business interests.<ref>, Marcus, Jay b., MVU Press, Netherlands, 1990.</ref>
At Genetic-ID Smith traveled around the globe promoting food testing for and labeling of GMOs in food, personally asserting they were dangerous.<ref>Speaker warns U. Iowa students against genetic food, Standaert, Mike, The Daily Iowan (U.Iowa), April 21, 1999.</ref> Smith promoted Genetic-ID services to organic food companies<ref>Press Release: Genetic ID's New GMO Tests Can Save U.S. Corn Exports to Japan; Restore Exports to Europe, Smith, Jeffrey Business Wire, March 23, 2000.</ref>, governments and activists groups<ref> Sowing dissent.(Brief Article), Coghlan, Andy, New Scientist, May 27, 2000.</ref> who opposed genetically modified foods. <ref>INTERVIEW-GM seed case highlights need for testing, Reuters News, Diderich, Joel, May 31, 2000.</ref>
===YES! Books===
Yes! Books in Fairfield, IA has published two books by Jeffrey Smith starting with Seeds of Deception in 2003<ref>, ISBNdb database, accessed October 2012.</ref>, and was established as a retail book store in 2004;<ref>, Manta Publishing, accessed October 2012.</ref> however, there are no formal business registrations for this book publisher name with the Iowa Secretary of State. Yes! Books is co-located with Jeffrey Smith’s Institute for Social Responsibility<ref>, Show me Local, website accessed October 2012.</ref>, and its product offerings appear limited to various anti-GMO authored content and Smith’s self-published publications, DVDs and “Non-GMO Educational Materials” promotional pamphlets.<ref>, Seeds of Deception/Yes! Books website, accessed October 2012.</ref>
Smith’s wife Andrea Vardi serves as the media contact for Yes! Books and Smith’s public appearances promoting his books.<ref>, Organic Trade Association press release, September 24, 2003.</ref> Publishing under the banner of Yes! Books, Smith claims to be an international “best selling” author for his books; however, none appear verified on any such ]lists documenting sales.
===Institute for Responsible Technology===
Jeffrey Smith is currently the executive director of the Institute for Social Responsibility, an organization he founded in 2003. According to a 2008 Reuters report, Smith’s Institute derives its income, for which he is paid a $24,000 annual salary<ref></ref>, through speakers fees, book and DVD sales and sponsor donations for his advocacy efforts.<ref>, Gillam, Carey, Reuters UK, March 7, 2008.</ref> From 2004-2012 the Institute was listed as the “fictitious” business name for and operated as a project of “The Coordinating Council,”<ref>, Iowa Secretary of State Business Registrations, accessed October 2012.</ref> a registered non-profit organization claiming no income or expenses from 2004-2007 and originally registered in Washington, State by the nutraceutical lobbyist and health supplement salesman Craig Winters<ref>, Natural Products Association of the Northwest press release, October 12, 2012.</ref>,<ref>, Washington State Department of Revenue, January 10, 1995.</ref> as the umbrella organization for The Campaign to Label Genetically Modified Foods political ballot initiative in that State. Smith is the only listed member and sole employee for this organization.
The Institute for Social Responsibility was created as a stand-alone tax-exempt, non-profit arm in 2012<ref>, GuideStar, accessed September 2012.</ref> Sponsoring donors listed on his website included: Organic Valley, Joe Mercola, Natural News/Mike Adams, Eden Organic, Nutiva, Nature’s Path Organic, WestSoy, EO, Earth’s Best Organic, New Chapter Organics, Rudis Organic Bakery, Silk, and various other organic and alternative health companies.
==Criticism==
Several academics have launched campaigns<ref>, Academics Review website, accessed September 2012.</ref> to dissect and review Jeffrey Smith’s claims and criticize organizations and media outlets who report on his claims.<ref>, Contrary to Popular Belief, October 2, 2012.</ref>
Other skeptics of Smith’s attacks on genetically modified crops have called his assertions "]" and have generally discounted the transcendental meditation and yogic flying bases of his claims.<ref name="randi.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.randi.org/encyclopedia/Transcendental%20Meditation.html |title=James Randi Educational Foundation — An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural |work= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="Sagan, 1997 p16">{{Cite book|author=Sagan, Carl |title=The demon-haunted world: science as a candle in the dark |publisher=Ballantine Books |location=New York |year=1997 |page=16 |isbn=0-345-40946-9 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref><ref name=Pseudo>
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* Stenger, Victor, ''Quantum Gods: Creation, Chaos and the Search for Cosmic Consciousness'' Prometheus Books, 2009 ISBN 1-59102-713-6, ISBN 978-1-59102-713-3</ref> It is difficult to determine definitive effects of meditation practices in healthcare as the quality of research has design limitations and a lack of ].<ref name=Cochrane06>{{Cite journal|last1 =Krisanaprakornkit | first1 = T. | last2 = Krisanaprakornkit | first2 = W. |last3 = Piyavhatkul | first3 = N. | last4 = Laopaiboon | first4 = M. |title=Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders|journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=1 |pages=CD004998 |year=2006 |pmid=16437509|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004998.pub2 |quote=The small number of studies included in this review do not permit any conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of meditation therapy for anxiety disorders. Transcendental meditation is comparable with other kinds of relaxation therapies in reducing anxiety|editor1-last =Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first =Thawatchai}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M, ''et al.'' |title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |volume=|issue=155 |pages=1–263 |year=2007 |month=June |pmid=17764203 |doi= |url= |ref=harv|quote=Scientific research on meditation practices does not appear to have a common theoretical perspective and is characterized by poor methodological quality. Firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N|title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume=6 |issue=6|pages=CD006507 |year=2010 |pmid=20556767 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2 |url= |quote =As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias|editor1-last=Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first=Thawatchai}}</ref>
==Personal==
Jeffrey Smith attended school at the Maharishi Institute for Management and has been cited as an expert in yogic flying. He resides in Fairfield, IA with his wife artist, jewelry maker and dance instructor Andrea Vardi.
==Bibliography==
===Books===
* {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey M |title= Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating|publisher=YES! Books (self published)|location=Fairfield, IA |year=2003 |isbn= 978-0-8144-1622-8}}
* {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey M |title= Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods | YES! Books (self published)|location=Fairfield, IA |year=2007 |isbn= 978-0972966528 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey M |title= Hard to Swallow: The Dangers of GE Food – An International Expose |publisher=Craig Potton |location=Nelson, New Zealand |year=2003 |isbn= 978-1877333118}}
===Filmography===
* {{Cite movie |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey M |title= Genetic Roulette the Movie |studio=Institute for Responsible Technology |location=Fairfield, IA |year=2012 |ASIN= B0096DP4CG}}
* {{Cite movie |last=Smith |first=Jeffrey M |title= Dangers in Kids' Meals and Your Milk on Drugs —Just Say No! a DVD|studio=Institute for Responsible Technology |location=Fairfield, IA |year=2008 |ASIN= 0972966560}}
==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}

==External links==

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{{Authority control}}
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
| NAME = Smith, Jeffrey M.
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Smith, Jeff
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1956
| PLACE OF BIRTH = ] , ], United States
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Jeffrey M}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Jeffrey M}}
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
] ]

Latest revision as of 03:27, 12 November 2024

Jeffrey M. Smith
Smith delivering speech
Born1958 (age 66–67)
New York, U.S.
EducationMaharishi University of Management
Occupation(s)Consumer advocate, author
Websitewww.responsibletechnology.org

Jeffrey M. Smith (born 1958) is an American consumer activist, self-published author, and former politician. He is the author of two books on genetically engineered foods, Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating, and Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives, which he made into a film in 2012. He has appeared twice on each of the shows -The Dr. Oz Show and The Doctors. Smith has worked with organic food marketers and alternative health product promoters to advocate against genetically modified food. Supporters identify Smith as an influential educator on the alleged risks associated with genetically modified foods, while others point out Smith's lack of formal scientific training. In 1998, Smith ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a candidate for the Natural Law Party. As of 2021, Smith is the executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, and executive director of the global campaign Protect Nature Now.

Early life

Jeffrey Smith grew up in Rey Brook, Westchester County. He has a bachelors degree from SUNY Binghamton and an MBA from Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa .

Career

Political

Smith was a Natural Law Party member in 1996. In 1998 he became the party's candidate for U.S. Congress in Iowa's First District to raise awareness about GMOs. Smith received less than 1% of the vote, losing to Republican Jim Leach. Smith worked for several years as a marketing consultant and nonprofit marketing advisor.

Consumer activist

Smith has opposed the use of genetically modified foods since they were introduced in the 1990s. As of 2000, Smith was the spokesperson and vice president for the accredited genetically modified organism (GMO) testing company, Genetic ID. Smith authored the books Seeds of Deception in 2003 and Genetic Roulette in 2007. In 2012 Smith directed and produced Genetic Roulette, a documentary film narrated by Lisa Oz and critical of genetically modified food. Smith is the founder and current executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, which he founded in 2003.

A variety of American organic food companies see Smith "as a champion for their interests", and Smith's supporters describe him as "arguably the world's foremost expert on the topic of genetically modified foods". In contrast, others such as Michael Specter, writing in The New Yorker, reported that Smith was presented as a "scientist" on The Dr. Oz Show despite his lack of any scientific experience. Bruce Chassy, a molecular biologist and food scientist, wrote to the show arguing that Smith's "only professional experience prior to taking up his crusade against biotechnology is as a ballroom-dance teacher, yogic flying instructor, and political candidate for the Maharishi cult’s natural-law party."

Films

Director

Featured

Written work

Author

  • Hard to Swallow: The Dangers of GE Food—An International Expose (2003)
  • Seeds of Deception (2003)
  • Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods (2007)

References

  1. ^ Gillam, Carey (March 7, 2008). "U.S. activist circles globe to fight biotech crops". Reuters UK.
  2. (April 27, 2012) New GMO crops proposed, consumers want labeling, CBS News, accessed December 16, 2012
  3. "Coming to Tampa – Jeffrey M. Smith, International best-selling author and filmmaker; Executive Director, Institute of Responsible Technology and leading spokesperson on the health dangers of GMOs". Tampa, FL Patch. December 23, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  4. "Jeffrey M. Smith Biography". Institute for Responsible Technology. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  5. ^ Specter, Michael (February 4, 2013). "The Operator". New Yorker.
  6. "Drs. Exclusive: Glyphosate Lawsuit Claims Cancer Link". The Doctors. November 8, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  7. Debating the Safety of Popular Herbicide, May 18, 2015, retrieved March 5, 2021
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