Genetically modified organisms have become a hot button topic in recent years and a panel discussion in Prince George next week aims to demystify the issue.
UNBC and Genome BC are hosting a forum on Tuesday called Bringing Genomics Home, which aims to present a balanced picture on the benefits and risk that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) present.
"We don't want to advocate one way or another, but have an educational forum so you can go away learning more about what it is," UNBC research partnership and innovation officer Garth Frizzell said.
Proponents of GMOs in food tout the fact that they can produce better yields and more products, while critics are concerned about the long-term impact of ingesting foods that have been modified at the genetic level. Frizzell said the discussion on Tuesday will touch on the food debate, but will also be broad enough to include how GMOs are used in other industries.
The four member panel includes UBC forestry professor Shawn Mansfield, UNBC graduate student Serena Black, organic farmer Yvonna Breed and Beyond the Market co-ordinator Jillian Merrick. Former city councillor Don Bassermann will moderate the discussion.
Frizzell said the evening session is intended to tackle issues that surround the use of GMOs in northern B.C.
"Where would GMOs be being used in northern B.C.? Are they actually used in a climate like ours or not?" he said. "So we have people who have done studies on the farming communities here and can talk about what types of crops it could be used in or is being used in right now."
In the lead up to the panel discussion, Frizzell said he's personally learned a lot about the topic, from how the discussion needs to include the global perspective of world demographics to the molecular level of cellular changes.
"For me before starting to prepare for this, I knew less about genomes and less about GMOs than I knew about the Kardashians," Frizzell said. 'It's important to have group of people who know what they are and who understand the implications are of them."
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Exploration Place. Due to the size of the venue advance registration is required. Information on how to register is available at www.genomebc.ca/pg
