CRISPR, TALENS, zinc finger nucleases – these are the new genetic technologies that claim to be the closest to nature yet, and which promise to make farming more sustainable.
They are being hailed as “game-changers” by a surprising variety of people and institutions across business, environment, health and policy worlds. But are these technologies – more formally known as genome editing – really the future of sustainability or are they making promises they might not be able to keep?
Join us on July 22nd at 10.30am GMT for an exclusive webinar where specialists from farming, campaigning, science, business and media will be gathering together for an in-depth discussion of the possibilities and the pitfalls.
The discussion is part of an ongoing collaboration between BeyondGM/A Bigger Conversation and Natural Products Global aimed at exploring the future of natural and organic farming and food. Past panel sessions at Natural Products Europe and the Nordic Organic Food Fair have shown that there is interest, confusion and conflicted loyalties and emotions as natural and organic brands, farmers, growers and the public grapple with what it is going to take to make our food system truly sustainable.
Can genome editing and agroecology co-exist in the sustainable food and farming mix? The UK government thinks it can and as a result is now seriously considering the deregulation of genome edited organisms in agriculture, via the new Agriculture Bill.
What does that mean for organic and natural farmers, businesses and certifiers? For traceability and transparency? Does the promise of crops like genome edited gluten-free wheat, or genome edited animals bred to resist devastating diseases make this technology more acceptable to natural brands and their customers? Crucially, do we all mean the same thing when we say ‘sustainable’?
Joining us for this discussion will be:
· Philip Lymbery – Global CEO, Compassion in World Farming
· Wendy Harwood – Senior Scientist, Genes in the Environment, John Innes Centre
· Guy Singh-Watson – Farmer, Founder Riverford Organics
· Sheila Dillon – Host of BBC Radio 4 Food Programme
· Jack Heinemann – Professor of genetics and molecular biology. University of Canterbury, New Zealand
The event will be chaired by Pat Thomas, Director of Beyond GM/A Bigger Conversation.
It promises to be a fascinating discussion and a must for anyone involved in any part of the food chain from farm to table and for all those interested in a sustainable food future.
Audience members will be able to put questions to the panel in a special Q&A session.
Leave a question for our speakers here.