GMO Presentation Press Info

“What’s Fishy About Your Tomatoes? A Forum on the Genetically Modified Foods Controversy,” will be presented on Saturday November 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 3700 Baseline in Boulder. Donations requested at the door. The forum explores the social, environmental, ethical and spiritual issues surrounding genetically modified foods and includes a (GMO-free) lunch following the discussions. “What’s Fishy About Your Tomatoes?” is sponsored by Interface, the Colorado Genetic Engineering Network, and Whole Foods. To Attend, please RSVP by October 26th, 2003 to: (720) 565-3672.

Genetic modification is the process of splicing genes from one organism into another (often unrelated) organism to create, improve, or modify plants, animals, and microorganisms. Benefits can be derived from genetic modification—yet social, environmental and health risks of genetically modifying foods also exist and have yet to be adequately addressed. For example, what are the consequences of GMOs on our health, the environment, sustainability, and our economy? How have genetically modified crops infiltrated our food supply without public knowledge? How do GMO's impact small-scale farmers around the world? Might they lead to greater hunger and inequality?

“What’s Fishy About Your Tomatoes?” provides an opportunity to discuss these issues with some of Colorado’s foremost experts on the social, environmental, health and ethical issues surrounding genetically engineering food.

Speakers include:

- Suzanne Wuerthele, Ph.D., a Board-Certified Toxicologist with the EPA, supports the Pesticides, Toxics, Air and Enforcement Programs as a National Expert in Toxicology and Risk Assessment. Her enforcement support includes expert testimony on a number of federal criminal and civil cases, administrative hearings and before federal and state grand juries.
- David Georgis, Director of the Colorado Genetic Engineering Action Network (COGEAN), a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the people of Colorado about the impacts of genetic engineering on our health, the environment, sustainability, and our economy.
- Bill Melvin, co-founder and Executive Director for BIOS, the Boulder Institute of Sustainability working to promote sustainable living practices in our community. He is an adjunct faculty member at Boulder’s Naropa University. As an environmental activist Bill works to promote the preservation of our agricultural heritage, educating the public on the risks of genetically engineered foods and “farmaceutical” crops. He is also co-owner of Ecoscape Environmental Design, a landscape design and consultation company specializing in Permaculture design and native landscapes.

Interface is a community forum for exploring the common interface of spirituality and psychotherapy among care providers of religious, spiritual and therapeutic helping professions in Boulder Colorado. Now is our 27th year, this is our first sponsored event open to the public.