Rural Issue
Biotech in food production was ‘conversation’ topic
Wednesday’s U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance “online conversation” with consumers featured some lively discussion about biotech’s role in food production.
Panelist Michael Dimock, president of the Roots of Change Fund, says the safety of GMO’s in the food supply has still not been adequately addressed.
“We know 90 percent –when asked—90 percent of people say ‘I’d like to know if I’m buying a genetically modified crop or food’. Why? Because people want to understand what they’re ingesting,” Dimock said.
“This is really important going forward. If (you) want genetically modified crops to be part of the marketplace, there’s going to have to be a lot more in-depth explanation and answering of concerns regarding those issues.”
Defending GMO’s and biotech was University of California-Davis plant pathologist Pam Ronald.
“The genetically engineered crops that are on the market now are safe for the environment and safe for human health,” Ronald said. “It’s science-based reasoning—and every academic society around the world that has looked at this issue has said that.”
The conversation with consumers was a follow-up to the USFRA’s Food Dialogues Town Hall event held in September. A replay of Wednesday’s discussion can be found at fooddialogues.com.
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