The Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT) was founded in 2003 by Jeffrey Smith, an internationally known spokesperson on the risks of genetically modified (GM) foods. IRT publishes Mr. Smith’s internationally syndicated monthly column, Spilling the Beans, and other educational materials.
 
Mr. Smith has conducted an extensive investigation into the health dangers of GM foods. He interviewed independent scientists worldwide and carefully documented the safety issues and how the risks were ignored, distorted or denied by those promoting the technology. Mr. Smith compiled his evidence in the book Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating , which quickly became the world’s best-selling critique of GM foods. Available in English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Italian, Croatian, Polish, Greek, and Finnish, it is still used as a primary resource by anti-GMO campaigners. It has motivated many people to become active on the issue.
 
During its first 18 months, the Institute distributed several hundred of copies of Seeds of Deception to key opinion leaders. As part of a world tour, Mr. Smith made presentations to representatives from more than 80 countries and reached tens of millions of people through hundreds of media interviews.
 
In 2005, Smith and the Institute produced its first video, entitled Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals: Genetically Engineered Foods. The video raises the alarm that food containing genetically modified (GM) ingredients may result in long-term unpredictable health problems among children, and calls on parents and schools to remove GM foods from kids’ diets. The Institute also released an audio CD, You're Eating WHAT?, a lively one-hour audio lecture by Smith describing the health dangers of genetically engineered foods and how industry manipulation and political collusion allow them into our diet. These two resources have been key educational components of IRT's GM-Free Schools campaign, started in 2006.

In 2007, after Smith worked with a team of international scientists for over two years documenting the known health risks of GMOs, he published Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods. It presents 65 health risks in a unique two-page spread format, facilitating a quicker scan by busy policy makers or an in-depth evaluation by scientists and physicians. Upon its release, organizations in more than 20 countries presented Genetic Roulette to key policy makers and the press as evidence that GM foods need to be banned. It is reframing the debate and is proving to be a powerful tool at a critical time.
 
The Institute has gathered insights from anti-GM leaders throughout the world about their tactics, campaign strategies, and successes. Combining this with input from experts in communications, TV production, radio, public relations, and political campaigning, we created our current core strategies. The central component is the Campaign for Healthier Eating in America, designed to inspire the tipping point of consumer rejection of GMOs in the US.

IRT has produced additional videos, audio CDs, a scripted PowerPoint presentation, campaign materials, Non-GMO Shoppers' Guides, and a brochure on GMO health risks.

We work with a broad network, including leaders in the natural foods industry, NGOs, government officials, media, and consumers, and continue to aid the work of anti-GMO groups around the world with materials and strategic support.