Purdue News

March 10, 2000 Roundtable sheds light on genetically engineered foods WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Genetically engineered foods in the global economy will be the topic of a roundtable discussion at Purdue University on March 23. The roundtable, which will run from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in Room 320, Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry, will feature Philip Paarlberg, associate professor of agricultural economics; Louis Sherman, head of the Department of Biological Sciences; and Mary Lyn Stoll, a doctoral candidate in philosophy. The discussion is free and open the public, but seating is limited to 90. "The roundtable is intended for Purdue students and faculty, but I think anyone who attends would find it interesting," said Paul Thompson, a professor of philosophy who is a specialist in the ethics of biotechnology. He will moderate the discussion. According to Paarlberg, the future of genetically engineered foods is uncertain. Japan, Korea, Australia and Canada, as well as the European Union, are among the countries taking a closer look at such products. "There are rising consumer problems, even in the United States, and for the short term it looks pretty cloudy. Who can say about the long term?" Paarlberg said. "If people use genetically engineered products and find that there's no problems over 10 or 20 years, then I think it'll be fine." He added that the public needs to understand genetically engineered products to make informed decisions. Paarlberg said he also plans to discuss United Nations regulations governing genetically engineered foods. CONTACT: Thompson, (765) 494-4295, pault@herald.cc.purdue.edu Compiled by Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page