Canada Markets

The War on Wheat and the Challenge for Agriculture

Cliff Jamieson
By  Cliff Jamieson , Canadian Grains Analyst
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(DTN photo by Elaine Shein)

The Los Angeles Times released a story Feb. 27 which showed how scientists may be rewriting the historical importance of wheat in the diet. They're using DNA evidence to show how wheat was present in the British Isles as much as 8,000 years ago -- 2,000 years before any proof of wheat being farmed on the island. Due to the lack of any pollen present during the time frame in question, this has lead to theories which involve the trade of wheat between the island and mainland Europe which may have lasted for a few thousand years.

Only a day later, by coincidence, Canada's public broadcaster CBC aired a Fifth Estate episode titled the War on Wheat, thrusting claims of wheat's potential ill-health effects into the spotlight. (http://bit.ly/…) The focus was on Dr. William Davis and his book Wheat Belly suggesting that wheat has been modified over the years and is the sole cause of almost every disease known to man. (http://bit.ly/…)

The results of claims such as this, also supported by pop-culture stars who rapidly gain followers or believers from television appearances and social media communication, can be severe. Approximately 1% of the population has celiac disease and must avoid gluten and another 4 to 6% has gluten sensitivity and may choose to limit their exposure; the rest of the population has no reason to avoid wheat products. Yet, CBC quotes a poll suggesting 56% of Canadians are cutting back on their consumption of wheat-based products.

The CBC's work showed that science is clearly behind the continued inclusion of wheat and whole grains in the diet for improved health, which also has a stamp of approval from organizations such as the Canadian Celiac Association and the American Heart Association.

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Central to the threat faced by the agriculture industry is the growing mistrust of science-based conclusions: A recent U.S. study showed that 88% of scientists trust genetically modified foods, while only 37% of the general public shared this trust. (http://pewrsr.ch/…)

In his recent article, Why don't people trust science?, Tom Spears of the Ottawa Citizen writes on the growing complexities in today's society surrounding science. (http://bit.ly/…) This issue of mistrust affects the science behind the food we eat, but also the public's views on vaccines, climate change, the theory of evolution and even whether the earth is round. Spears quoted Alan Lesher, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, who stated that "science is being trumped" by lack of understanding, views on economics or politics, and religious belief.

Comments posted on the CBC's website after the show indicated how personal views can and will continue to distort the facts. More than one comment brought up the notion of genetically modified wheat, only to be corrected by an advocate that stated that GMO wheat does not exist. A respondent name Farm Girl indicated her concern over the spraying of Roundup on crops and its impact on health. Once again, an advocate clarified that because GMO wheat does not exist, Roundup is not used.

While our knowledge might be growing about the history of wheat based on research, the future of trusting wheat as a healthy food may be shortening in spite of research.


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Cliff Jamieson can be reached at cliff.jamieson@dtn.com

Follow Cliff Jamieson on Twitter @CliffJamieson

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Cliff Jamieson