"Food Security: Can Transgenic Crops Feed the World?"

Crossroads Asia Lecture by Dr. Charito P. Medina

Abstract: Genetically modified crops had been introduced over the past three decades. Agrochemical/ biotech corporations and some scientists claim that this is the new Green Revolution that will feed the world. Yet, farmers and consumers are strongly opposing this technology due to economic as well as environmental and health safety.  Indeed, there are early warnings about the negative impacts of the technology but these are generally ignored by proponents. Evidences on contribution and impacts of GM crops and conventional breeding technology will be discussed.      

About the speaker: Charito (Chito) P. Medina is an agriculturist and environmental scientist. He holds a PhD degree in environmental biology from the University of Guelph, Canada. Currently, he is the national coordinator of MASIPAG, a national network of farmers, scientists and NGOs working on agrobiodiversity conservation, food security, climate resiliency and farmer-led development in the Philippines. He is also member of the National Organic Agriculture Board of the Department of Agriculture in the Philippines.  He was involved in the design as well as a lead author in the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD). His areas of interest include food systems and sustainable organic agriculture, agroecology, pest management, climate change resilience, natural resource management, environmental science, systems analysis and rural development. You can find an article of Dr. Medina here.

Time and Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2014, 4.30pm at Center for Development Research (ZEF), ground floor, right conference room, Walter-Flex-Str. 3, 53113, Bonn