PREVIOUS EVENTS

  • Mon
    07
    Jun
    2010

    GM crops: real benefits, real concerns?

    Seven Arts, Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3PD
    Professor Howard Atkinson and Dr. Peter Unwin Centre of Plant Sciences University of Leeds

    Over 1 billion people are chronically hungry including 30% of all Africans and we need 50% more food to be produced within 20 years to feed the growing world population. We have little more land available globally for productive cropping and the yield from some agricultural land may fall. There are several key questions we must address:

    - Can GM crops help feed the world and what are the real limitations to ensuring food security?

    - What are the risks for us and the environment?

    - Are the concerns real and can they be managed?

    - Is this science irrelevant to European needs?

    - How would being a hungry African rather than a well fed European alter your viewpoint?

    Scientists have a duty to listen to the concerns of society while meeting the challenge of providing new, beneficial crops that are safe to eat and ensure a healthy environment. Surely UK science must contribute to assuring future food security for all.