Forum Explores Issue of Genetically Modified Organisms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2004
CONTACT: Kathleen McPartland
Tel: 530-898-4260
Andrew Flescher, Religious Studies
530-898-5534
Forum Explores Issue of Genetically Modified Organisms
The Center for Applied and Professional Ethics is sponsoring a forum, “Are Genetically Modified Organisms a Good Thing or a Bad Thing?” on Wed., Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. in Performing Arts Center 134.
The issue of whether genetically modified crops and livestock can be grown in Butte County will be on the November ballot. The forum will define what genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are and what accounts for the controversy surrounding them.
Panel members for the forum include guest Alan McHughen, cooperative extension specialist in biotechnology at the University of California, Riverside, and California State University, Chico professors Jim Pushnik in biology, Cindy Daley in agriculture, and Mark Stemen in geography and planning.
The panel will address such topics as the impact of GMOs on the food industry, the safety of GMOs and the science of biotechnology that allowed their development.
Finally, the panel will discuss the ethical implications of private versus corporate ownership of plants and livestock that are a result of genetic engineering.
Andrew Flescher, professor of religious studies and director of CAPE, will moderate the panel. This event is free and open to the public.
CAPE promotes ethical reflection about issues of concern within and outside the university.
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