CHICAGO -- How does recombinant DNA technology (genetic engineering) differ from other plant breeding methods? Is the process by which plants are produced important in light of plant characteristics? How is the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) ensured by the U.S. government? Should food containing GMOs be labeled by U.S. producers for domestic sale and/or exportation? Why are European consumers and policy-makers more hesitant to accept GMOs than Americans? Addressing these and other questions, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) will present the video conference "Genetically Modified Organisms: Current Science and Global Issues" on Tues., Nov. 16, 1999, from 7 to 8 PM EST for IFT section members and journalists. Conference sites will be in several North American cities.*
The video conference will feature Anne K. Vidaver, Ph.D., professor and head, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska; James H. Maryanski, Ph.D., biotechnology coordinator, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and Tassos Haniotis, Ph.D., counselor of agriculture, European Commission Delegation to the United States.
In the first 20 minutes, following brief comments by IFT President Charles Manley, Ph.D., Vidaver will explain recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, comparing it to traditional cross-breeding methods. She will address hypothetical risks associated with GMOs and allergenicity, gene-jumping, out-crossing, and antibiotic-resistant marker genes. Moreover, she will discuss the potential effects of labeling GMOs and halting GMO development. Maryanski will follow with a 20-minute discussion on how the U.S. government regulate and ensure the safety of GMOs. Haniotis will provide European political and economic perspectives on GMOs, explaining European consumers' desire for labeling and education about rDNA technology. He also will explain differences in U.S. and European food policy-making and scientific evaluation. The video conference will conclude with an interactive question and answer session.
Speaker information may be found on IFT's web site
http://www.ift.org/careers/video.
To register for the video conference** and
obtain a local site address, contact Angela Dansby at 312-782-8424 x227 or via
e-mail at
* Video conference sites will be in Washington, D.C.; McCormick, Md.; Ithaca,
N.Y., Madison and River Falls, Wis.; St. Louis, Mo.; Lincoln and Omaha,
Neb.; Brookings, S.D.; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Jose, Calif.; and Vancouver,
B.C. More sites may be added up to the week of the conference. Check IFT's web
site for an updated list or contact Angela Dansby.
** There is no fee for journalists to attend.
Founded in 1939, IFT is a non-profit scientific society with 28,000 members
working in food science, technology and related professions in industry,
academia, and government. As the society for food science and technology, IFT
brings sound science to the public discussion of food issues.