UA Philosophy Today Series Looks at ‘In Defense of Genetically Modified Food’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. Paul Thompson, a professor at The University of Toronto, will speak Feb. 24 at The University of Alabama on “In Defense of Genetically Modified Food” at 7:30 p.m. in room 205 of Smith Hall.

The talk continues UA’s 2010-2011 Philosophy Today lecture series that features four experts discussing controversial and provocative philosophical topics.

The lectures are geared toward a general audience and should be of interest to those in any profession or academic discipline. The presentations are free and open to the public.

Genetically modified agricultural plants (cotton, soybeans, corn and canola, for example) have been grown in North America for 16 years and food derived from them marketed for almost as long.

“Contrary to the impression the Greenpeace label “Frankenfood” conveys, increasing the food derived from genetically modified plants is essential for environmental protection and a safe abundant supply of food in the future,” Thompson said. In his lecture, Thompson will present the case supporting his claim.

Thompson holds appointments as a professor and director in the Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology; in the departments of ecology and evolutionary biology, cell and systems biology, and philosophy; and also with the Joint Centre for Bioethics.

He has published extensively on evolutionary theory, population genetics, mathematical modelling in biology, theory structure in biology, and ethics.  He is the author of three books “The Structure of Biological Theories,” “The Moral Question,” and “Agro-Technology,” available in July from Cambridge University Press, and he is editor of Issues in Evolutionary Ethics.  He has held numerous consulting positions with governments and industry.

He is a member of the Research Integrity Committee and the standing committee on Ethics of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and is a member of The Expert Panel on Biodiversity sponsored by Council of Canadian Academies. He is a past president and a director of the Green Door Alliance Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving agricultural land.

UA’s department of philosophy is part of UA’s College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.