Geneticist Dr. Alan McHughen Makes the Scientific Case for Using GMOs

October 4, 2008

McHughen is pictured presenting the Polish language version of his book, Genetically Modified Foods: A Guide for Consumers to Ambassador Victor Ashe at his residence

Author and plant geneticist Dr. Alan McHughen spoke about the safety of agricultural biotechnology at the American Corner in Wroclaw and the Municipal Library in Warsaw during his visit to Poland Oct. 1-4.  McHughen, a member of the American Academy of Sciences, a professor of plant genetics at the University of California Riverside, supports agricultural biotechnology as the key to unlocking the growth in yields needed by poor farmers in Africa and Asia, and as a way to help developed countries reduce farm chemicals and fuel use as well as support wildlife.  McHughen’s published Pandora’s Picnic Basket in 2000, which provides a consumer’s guide to the technology and attempts to help consumers understand the controversy and make informed judgments.  The book is available in Polish under a title that equates to Genetically Modified Foods: A Guide for Consumers.
 
Polish consumers say they don’t like the technology, but often they don’t understand what the so-called genetically modified organisms (GMO) really are.  McHughen, in his presentations to audiences in Poland, explained that there is no legitimate scientific study that points to any food safety or environmental threat despite the unscientific attacks of pressure groups like Greenpeace.  Allegations that the technology is unsafe aim to frighten people, he said, but they are not substantiated by facts and have each been disproved by scientists.  McHughen said that the hysteria created over the technology is false, and misleading to consumers.  He said that consumers do not need to fear GMOs and have everything to gain from their use in the food supply.  Europeans consume GMOs all the time, including in their meats, and cheeses, even those produced in Poland.

McHughen also reported that the use of the technology now in Africa will address the drought resistant needs of farmers there for crops.  New strains of GM rice will soon be planted in Asia increasing their yields for a hungry planet.

McHughen’s visit was organized by the Public Affairs Sections at the Embassy in Warsaw and the Consulate in Krakow as well as USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

The professor’s PowerPoint presentation is included here for download.