FOODOFTHEFUTURE?
A TWO-PART MULTIDISCIPLINARY WORKSHOP AND THINK TANK ON
GE NET I C AL LY M O D I FI E D FO ODS
Presented by Simon Fraser University at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University
Part I: May 2–4, 2001
Comparing conventional, organic and genetically modified
food crops: Understanding and managing the risks
The process of genetic modification (GM) of foods is relatively new, having been in place
for only about 20 years. McHughen (2000) contends that, to date “no fundamentally
unusual, unpredicted, or unexpected results have emanated from the GM process” and “so
far there are no documented untoward results from the release of any GM product.” However,
some scientists claim that key experiments on both the environmental risks and benefits of
GM
food crops are lacking and a recent report from the Royal Society of Canada (RSC)
expert panel recommends that “new technologies should not be presumed safe unless
there is a reliable scientific basis for considering them to be.”
Of course, humans have been using conventional breeding methods over thousands of
years to alter the genetic inheritance of all cultivated plant varieties and produce new
products which may also generate health and environmental concerns. How exactly are
GM
food crops different from conventional, or even organic, crops? On what basis does
the consuming public choose among GM, conventional and organic food stuffs? Can science
help to inform the public on issues related to the safety of food they eat?"
Sponsored by
Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts,
Simon Fraser University
Organized by
Continuing Studies in Science,
Simon Fraser University
FOR national and international experts, government and industry scientists, and mangers, academics (scientists and social
scientists), consumers, members of the farming and environmental communities, legal professionals and members of the media
1
Part I: May 2–4, 2001
FOODOFTHEFUTURE?
This invitational workshop will include presentations by scientists and other experts and plenary and small
break out group discussions. To facilitate discussions a briefing book of relevant literature will be provided
in advance of the workshop. A think tank of presenters and invited leaders from industry, government,
NGO, academic and other sectors will meet throughout the workshop and for a half-day at the end of the
workshop to provide a list of concerns and recommendations for solutions following from the workshop
and suggestions for discussion in Part II. An open public forum will be also be held on the evening of May 2.
Speakers will address the following questions as they pertain to conventional, organic and genetically modified foods.
Comparing GM with conventional
and organic food crops
• How does GM differ from
conventional plant breeding?
• How does genetic transfer occur in
nature?
• Is organic farming an alternative?
• How reliable is what we know?
• What do we not know?
• How objective is the research?
Understanding the benefits and risks
Managing the risks
• What are the benefits of genetically
modified and organic foods?
• What are the human, animal and
environmental health risks? How are
these risks assessed and interpreted?
• Is substantial equivalence an
appropriate measure of risk?
• Can the risks be applied broadly to
all areas, all times, all uses?
• What are the cumulative long-term
impacts of GM technology and
organic farming?
• Why is the public attitude toward
GM processes and products so
different in North America,
compared with Europe?
• What is effective regulatory scrutiny?
• How are GM and organic products
identified?
• What are the differences between
GM processes and products and is
this important?
• Will GM labels provide consumers
with an ‘informed choice’?
• How much risk should we be
prepared to accept?
• How should we deal with
uncertainties concerning the future
of crop foods?
• What future research is needed?
Who should conduct the research?
Who should fund it?
Social, ethical and economic issues will be raised throughout the workshop, but these
issues will be the focus of discussion in Part II of this series, November 15–17, 2001
(see next page for more information).
“When it comes to regulating biotech, the
[Health Canada Study] found, “a majority
of Canadians see scientific evidence as
more crucial than people’s concerns and
perceptions.”
—Vancouver Sun editorial, January 3, 2001
Canadian regulatory agencies “should seek
ways to increase the public transparency of
the scientific data and … rationales upon
which their regulatory decisions are based.”
— From the RSC Expert Panel report,
February 5, 2001
“The results of this [Health Canada Study]
underscore one important thing — the
need for solid scientific data on biotech
to be shared with the public. …
Unfortunately, it is precisely in the area of
public education where governments and
the industry have failed.”
— Vancouver Sun editorial, January 3, 2001
2
DRA FT C ON F EREN CE PROGRAM
Comparing conventional, organic and genetically modified
food crops: Understanding and managing the risks
Dialogue Participants
Steering Committee for Part I
Miguel Altieri, Professor, College of Natural Resources,
University of California, Berkeley
Conrad Brunk, Dean and Professor, Philosophy, University of Waterloo, and
Co-Chair, Royal Society Panel on Biotechnology and Foods, Waterloo
JoAnne Buth, Vice-President, Crop Production,
Canola Council of Canada, Winnipeg
Laurie Curry, Vice-President, Policy and Scientific Affairs, Food and
Consumer Products Manufacturers of Canada, Toronto
Willie Davidson, Dean of Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby
Malcolm Devine, Director, Research and Development,
Aventis Crop Science Canada, Saskatoon
Linda Edwards, Organic Fruit Tree Farmer and President, Organic Association of
BC, Keremeos
Brian Ellis, Professor, Agroecology and Biotechnology, Plant Sciences,
University of British Columbia, and Co-Chair, Royal Society Panel
on Biotechnology and Foods, Vancouver
Karl-Heinz Engel, Professor, Technische Universtat, Munich, Germany
Michael Gasson, Professor, Institute of Food Research, Biotechnology and
Biological Sciences, Research Science Council, Norwich, UK
Alan McHughen, Professor and Senior Research Scientist,
Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
Terry McIntyre, Head, Biotechnology Applications, Environment Canada, Hull
Jim Maryanski, Food Safety Assessment Office, US Food and Drug
Administration, Washington, DC
Maurice Moloney, Professor and Chair, Plant Biotechnology, Biological Sciences,
University of Calgary, and Chief Scientific Officer, SemBioSys Genetics Inc.
Shane Morris, Irish Visiting Research Associate, Centre for Safe Food, Plant
Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph
John Pierce, Dean of Arts, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby
Zamir Punja, Professor, Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby
Brian Rossnagel, Professor, Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture,
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
Michael Schechtman, Biotechnology Coordinator, US Department of Agriculture
Steve Temple, Agronomist, Research Extension, Department of Agronomy
and Range Science, University of California Davis
William Yan, Acting Head, Office of Food Biotechnology, Health Canada, Ottawa
Stephen Yarrow, National Manager, Plant Biosafety Office, Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CFIA), Ottawa
and other speakers to be confirmed
Dr. Ben Bradshaw, Department of
Geography, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Carolyn Egri, Faculty of Business
Administration, Simon Fraser
University
Dr. Brian Ellis, Agroecology and
Biotechnology, Plant Sciences,
University of British Columbia
Dr. Patricia Gallaugher, Continuing
Studies in Science, Simon Fraser
University (Chair)
Myriam Laberge, Centre for
Innovation Management, Faculty of
Business, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Zamir Punja, Biological Sciences,
Simon Fraser University
3
Information
For more information and program
updates, please visit our website at
www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science/
foodforthefuture/
DRA FT C ON F EREN CE PROGRAM
FOODOFTHEFUTURE?
Throughout the two days of
presentations and discussions, both in
plenary and small groups, we will be
seeking answers to the questions from
Page 2 as they pertain to conventional,
organic and GM food crops.
The workshop will be facilitated by Dr.
Willie Davidson, Dean of Science and
Dr. John Pierce, Dean of Arts, Simon
Fraser Univesity.
Wednesday, May 2
Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
(580 West Hastings Street, Vancouver)
Morning Sessions (Asia Pacific Hall)
8:00 am
Coffee and Registration
In the Belzberg Atrium
8:30 am
Opening Remarks
Willie Davidson, Dean of Science,
Simon Fraser University
Comparing Conventional, Organic and
Genetically Modified Food Crops I
Genetic Modification of Food:
An Introduction
Zamir Punja, Professor, Biological
Sciences Department, Simon Fraser
University
Organic and Conventional Food
Crop Production: A Comparison
Steve Temple, Agronomist, Research
and Extension, Department of
Agronomy and Range Science,
University of California, Davis
10:00 am–12:00 noon
1:30–3:30 pm
Understanding the Benefits and Risks I
Managing the Risks I
Plant Breeding: “Biotech” and
GM are just new tools
Brian Rossnagel, Professor, Plant
Sciences, College of Agriculture,
University of Saskatchewan (to be
confirmed)
Scientific Perspectives on
Regulating the Consumer Safety
of GM Food Crops
Michael Gasson, Professor, Institute of
Food Research, Biotechnology and
Biological Sciences, Research Science
Council, Norwich, UK
The Unique Challenges and
Opportunities of Molecular Farming
Maurice Moloney, Professor and Chair,
Plant Biotechnology, Biological
Sciences, University of Calgary and
Chief Scientific Officer, SemBioSys
Genetics Inc.
Coffee
In the Belzberg Atrium
Establishing the Environmental
Research Agenda for Transgenic
Plants
Terry McIntyre, Head, Biotechnology
Applications, Environment Canada
Agronomic and Economic
Assessment of Transgenic Canola
JoAnne Buth, Vice President, Crop
Production, Canola Council of
Canada, Winnipeg
12:00 noon
Lunch
In the ICBC Concourse
Afternoon Sessions (Asia Pacific Hall)
1:00 pm
Comparing Conventional, Organic and
GM Food Crops II
Putting Food Safety Risks into
Context: Something to Chew On
Alan McHughen, Professor and Senior
Research Scientist, Crop Development
Centre, University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon
4
Title: To be announced
Michael Schechtman, Biotechnology
Coordinator, US Department of
Agriculture
Regulation and Safety Assessment of
Novel Foods in Canada
William Yan, Acting Head, Office of
Food Biotechnology, Health Canada,
Ottawa
3:30 pm
Breakout Group Discussions
5:00 pm
Reception
In the ICBC Concourse
7:00–9:00 pm
Public Forum
Supper of the Future—Genetically
Modified, Conventional or Organic?
Panelists: Brian Ellis, Alan McHughen,
and Miguel Altieri
Across Hastings Street at Simon Fraser
University at Harbour Centre (515 West
Hastings Street), Fletcher Challenge
Theatre, Room 1900
DRA FT C ON F EREN CE PROGRAM
Comparing conventional, organic and genetically modified
food crops: Understanding and managing the risks
Thursday, May 3
Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
(580 West Hastings Street, Vancouver)
Morning Sessions (Asia Pacific Hall)
8:00 am
Coffee and Registration
In the Belzberg Atrium
Developing GM Crops:
A Private Sector View
Malcolm Devine, Director, Research
and Development, Aventis Crop
Science Canada, Saskatoon
8:30 am
Breakout groups report back
in plenary
All About Substantial Equivalence
Brian Ellis, Professor, Agroecology and
Biotechnology, Plant Sciences,
University of BC, and Co-Chair, Royal
Society Panel on Biotechnology and
Foods.
Report from the Public Forum
Managing the Risks Part II
9:30 am
Safety Assessment and Regulation
of GM food crops in Europe
Karl Heinz Engel, Professor,
Technische Universitat, Munich,
Germany
Comparing Conventional, Organic and
GM Food Crops III
A Comparative Analysis of the
Application of Biotechnology and
Agroecology in the Context of Small
Scale Agriculture
Miguel Altieri, Professor, College of
Natural Resources, University of
California, Berkeley
A Farmer’s Perspective
Linda Edwards, Organic Fruit Tree
Farmer and President, Organic
Association of BC, Keremeos
10:30 am–12:00 noon
Understanding the Risks and Benefits II
Environmental Assessment of the
Products of Plant Biotechnology
in Canada
Stephen Yarrow, National Manager,
Plant Biosafety, Canadian Food
Inspection Agency, Ottawa
Coffee
In the Belzberg Atrium
12:00 noon
Lunch
In the ICBC Concourse
Afternoon Sessions (Asia Pacific Hall)
Understanding Safety: What
Determines the Acceptability
of GMO Risks?
Conrad Brunk,, Dean and Professor,
Philosophy, University of Waterloo;
Co-Chair, Royal Society Panel on
Biotechnology and Foods.
Consumer Perceptions and Their
Impact on Manufacturers
Laurie Curry, Vice President, Policy
and Scientific Affairs, Food and
Consumer Products Manufacturers of
Canada, Toronto
3:00–4:30 pm
Breakout group discussions
4:30–5:30 pm
Breakout groups report back in
plenary
Concluding remarks
John Pierce, Dean of Arts
5:30 pm
Close of Workshop
1:00–3:00 pm
The FDA’s Approach to Safety and
Labelling of Bio-Engineered Foods
Jim Maryanski, Food Safety
Assessment Office, US Food and Drug
Administration, Washington, DC (via
Satellite from the Codex meetings in
Ottawa)
Food Under Fire: An Examination
of Risk in the Public Sphere
Shane Morris, Irish Visiting Research
Associate, Centre for Safe Food, Plant
Agriculture, University of Guelph,
Ontario
5
Think Tank
Presenters and invited representatives
of government, industry and the public
will recovene on May 4, 2001 at the
Wosk Dialogue Centre for further
discussions in a think tank session from
8:30 am–12:30 pm. Note: this session is
‘by invitation’ only.
Proceedings
Web-based and printed proceedings for
the workshop and think tank will be
available prior to the Part II Workshop
in October, 2001.
FOODOFTHEFUTURE?
A TWO-PART MULTIDISCIPLINARY WORKSHOP AND THINK TANK ON
GE NET I C AL LY M O D I FI E D FO ODS
Presented by Simon Fraser University at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University
Registration Fee
Registration for part one is $374.50 (including
GST) payable by cheque to Simon Fraser
University or by credit card (MasterCard or
VISA).
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation two weeks prior to the event results
in a full refund less a $25 administrative fee.
Please note that substitute registrants are
welcome.
Hotel
The workshop conference is the Delta Vancouver
Suites, which has direct access to the Wosk
Centre for Dialogue.
Delta Vancouver Suites
550 West Hastings St.
Toll-free 1-800-268-1133
Direct tel (604) 689-8188
E-mail vancouversuite@deltahotels.com
Information on the hotel and its amenities
(including high speed Internet access, an indoor
swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and fitness
centre) is available at the hotel’s website:
www.deltahotels.com
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