Fooling Mother Nature: Seminar at York U. to Examine Biotechnology in Agriculture, Its Environmental and Economic Impact and Growing Debate

TORONTO, April 5, 1999 -- As the debate over the use of biotechnology in agriculture continues to gain international attention, Prof. Les Levidow will share his unique insights on the environmental and economic impact of genetically altered foods at a seminar entitled Biotechnology: Simulating Mother Nature, Industrializing Agriculture, Naturalizing Neo-liberalism at York University, Wednesday, April 7, 1999, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Levidow, a Research Fellow at Open University in England, and a leading expert on the safety regulations of agricultural biotechnology in the European Union, will examine both sides of the debate. For proponents, biotechnology offers a natural means of protecting crops from disease, reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers and ensures higher crop yields. Opponents, on the other hand, view biotechnology as genetic pollution, something which gives multinational companies greater control over agriculture.

Sponsored by York University's Faculty of Environmental Studies, Bethune College, and the Centre for Practical Ethics, Levidow's lecture is free and open to the public.

WHO:
Professor Les Levidow, Open University, England (expert on the safety regulations of agricultural biotechnology in the European Union)

WHAT:
Seminar: Biotechnology: Simulating Mother Nature, Industrializing Agriculture, Naturalizing Neo-liberalism

WHEN:
Wednesday, April 7, 1999, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Senate Chamber, N940 Ross Bldg.
York University, 4700 Keele Street

-30-

For more information, please call:

Carina Hernandez
Faculty of Environmental Studies
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22643

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
YU/032/99