|
Biotech and Organic Demystified
Biotech and Organic Demystified
Date: 2/25/2010 9:29:01 AM ( 14 y ) ... viewed 1232 times
7:21 AM
February 25, 2010
In the continuing project on this
PLANT YOUR DREAM BLOG
I want to bring the following two
Study Opportunities to your attention;
DEMYSTIFYING BIOTECHNOLOGY
http://management.ucsd.edu/exec/open/biotech/
About the Program
This course provides executives and decision makers with a practical understanding of the basic science powering the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
San Diego is one of the nation’s top-ranking biotech centers and is home to more than 500 biotech and four major research institutions. This course is offered through the Rady School of Management in collaboration with UC San Diego’s Division of Biological Sciences and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Program Topics
Science fundamentals
Tools and techniques
Stem cell research
Risk management in life sciences
ORGANIC DYMYSTIFIED
http://www.sdnhm.org/media/pr_09/pr_sustainable_lecture0909.pdf
1
MEDIA CONTACT: Delle Willett, Director of Marketing
619.255.0244, dwillett@sdnhm.org
Or
Hallie Shere, Marketing Specialist/Public Programs and Publications
619.255.0189, hshere@sdnhm.org
San Diego Natural History Museum Announces
Sustainable Planet: Food Lecture Series Hosted By Loren Nancarrow
September 21, 2009; San Diego—Beginning Tuesday, October 6, the San Diego Natural History
Museum will continue its popular Sustainable Planet lecture series, this time looking at questions
about food—where does our food come from, are our methods of food production hurting or
harming our ecosystems, and how can we as consumers make informed decisions when choosing
what food we feed ourselves and our family? The lecture series begins with a kick-off party on
September 22, and the entire series is hosted by writer and TV personality Loren Nancarrow. The
lectures and the kick-off party are $5 per person, per program, and advance registration is
recommended. More information is available at http://www.sdnhm.org/sustainableplanet.
Food for Thought—Sustainable Planet Kick-off Party
Enjoy an evening of food and learning. Watch a screening of the documentary, Good Food. Meet
and greet the local “gurus of gardening” and learn about San Diego’s food and earth connection.
Sample local, organic foods while mixing and mingling with local food organizations.
Tuesday, September 22; 6:30–9 PM
Growing a Social Movement to Change the Food System
Lecture with Erika Lesser, Executive Director of Slow Food USA
When Slow Food was founded in 1989, the movement quickly got a reputation for representing
long lunches, abundant wine, and a utopian view of gastronomy. However, over the past 20 years,
the organization has grown dramatically in both size and scope. Learn what Slow Food is doing in
the U.S. and around the world to move us toward a food system that is good, clean and fair—and to
a society in which food is both a universal right and a pleasure.
Tuesday, October 6; 6:30–8 PM
Cultivating Justice through Sustainable Food Systems
Lecture with Heather Fenney, Community Services Unlimited, Inc.; and Ellee Igoe, San Diego
International Rescue Committee
With nearly one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions coming from the food and agriculture sector,
it’s critical that food-system changes be part of any effort to reduce and reverse effects of global
warming. Learn where the conventional/global food system has gone wrong, and how building a
2
local, sustainable and just food system can help get us back on course.
Tuesday, November 10; 6:30–8 PM
Ecology of Soil: A Public Health Concern
Lecture with Angie Tagtow, IATP Food and Society Fellow, Advocates for Good Food
As eaters, we know that our food choices directly influence our health. But many may not realize
that what we eat profoundly affects the Earth’s health and our ability to grow healthy food for future
generations. Investigate the Iowa food landscape and explore the soil-to-health connection. Learn
and how “good food” can boost the health of your family, farm, community, and the Earth. Take
home tools that will help you examine our food system with a critical eye.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010; 6:30–8 PM
Sustainable Agriculture: A Necessary Transition
Lecture with Dave Henson, Executive Director, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center
With a growing human population, climate changes, water insecurity, erosion of good soils, peak
oil, and losses in biological diversity all upon us, how will we feed ourselves tomorrow? We can,
and must, transition to an agricultural and food system that meets the “triple bottom line” of
ecologically sustainable, economically viable, and socially just. But there are competing interests
around land-use policies, chemical vs. biological inputs, water and property rights, genetic
engineering, and control of the food system, to name a few hurdles. Learn more about the current
“hot topics” surrounding our agricultural system, and discover ways to be part of the solution.
Tuesday, December 1; 6:30–8 PM
Eating Greener: The Ecology of Food
Lecture with Aaron French, Author and Eco-Chef
Learn about a unique approach to combining natural history with food ecology to understand our
food systems. Discover the truth behind current food buzzwords used in the media and in grocery
stores, such as “local,” “organic,” and “sustainable.” Utilizing research with birds and monkeys,
explore the role that flexibility has in shaping the eating habits of both humans and wild animals.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010; 6:30–8 PM
Victory Gardens: Join the Garden Revolution
Lecture with Rose Hayden-Smith, Ph.D., Director, University of Cooperative Extension, Ventura
County
At no point in our lifetimes has the interest in gardening, urban agriculture, and local food systems
been so intense. Review historical case studies, learn about current national policies and models,
and discover the future work needed to sustain the Victory Garden model as part of the overall local
food movement. Also, learn about urban agriculture and how the local food-systems movement is
addressing a wide range of challenges facing Americans today.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010; 6:30–8 PM
Developing Sustainable Foodsheds: The Next Steps in Eating Local
Panel Discussion with members of Roots of Change, moderated by Michael Dimock, President,
Roots of Change
Global climate change, competition for use of cropland, population growth, and aging farmers all
raise serious questions about our nation’s ability to feed itself over time. Moreover, the relationship
between health and diet makes it essential that we focus on access to healthful, nutritious, and fresh
food. The panel, resulting from the Developing Sustainable Foodsheds Conference in July 2009,
will discuss issues related to the development of foodsheds in the United States.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010; 6:30–8 PM
About the San Diego Natural History Museum:
Celebrating its 135th year, the San Diego Natural History Museum is the second oldest scientific
institution in California; third west of the Mississippi. A binational museum, its mission is to
interpret the natural world through research, education, and exhibits; to promote understanding of
the evolution and diversity of southern California and the peninsula of Baja California and to inspire
in all a respect for nature and the environment. Located in Balboa Park at the intersection of Village
Place and Park Blvd., the Museum is open daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Phone:
619.232.3821. Website: http://www.sdnhm.org.
THE DIALOGUE on SCIENCE, ETHICS, and FOOD
DEMYSTIFIED
The dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Food
was inspired at the American Association for the
Advancement of Science 176th annual meeting
in San Diego February 18-22, 2010.
The premise of the dialogue is that scienists
today are being asked to fully understand the playing
field between not only the current history and potential
future of Biotech advancements but the 8000 or more history
and potential future of organic systems of agriculture
that may inherently go with successful living on planet
earth.
I am not here to bring judgement on what is the best
system. I am merely here to open the dialogue
about The Future of Food as we knew it, and will
know it 1000 years from now looking back at the
decisions we make in this moment.
The Dialogue will aim to draw out fact as well
as ethical issues facing every scientist today
as we explore the deep seated issues that range
from Food Justice, globalization of our food supply,
Dynamics of Fair Trade, and history and future
of sustainable Food Safety based on principles
in harmony with successful earth living.
We can play with economic ideas, but when
all is said and down, it is essential to determine
through our dialogue if truly it is a wise investment
are being asked to invest in the Bank of Compost
as much as we invest in exploring the economic
benefits of biotechnology.
Where can the two systems of thinking exist
side by side? Can biotech ag and organic ag
exist sisde by side?
Does biotech preempt the existence of organic farming
and gardening through pollen proliferation?
Is this a civil rights and human rights issue if it does?
Ia this an issue that strikes to the very basis
of American Democracy?
What did the author of the song
America the Beautiful have in mind when
these words were written?
Let us explore.
Let us learn together.
Join with us as we follow
the dictate of the Father of Biotech Ag
Robert T. Fraley, who wrote these words
to me:
Leslie,
Let's close the gap!"
I am here to lessen the tension between
GMO and Organic Seed Lovers.
I am here to awaken to a new American Dream
as old as time, and as deep as the first
that heart song of the Founding Fathers of the
United States of America.
What did Jefferson mean when he said:
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1452740
Is there any validity to what
Hippocrates, the father of medicine meant
when he said, Let Food Be thy medicine?
PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND
the CLAIMS EXPRESSED IN THIS BLOG
MORE ABOUT THE FAILURE TO YIELD
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/science/failur...
FROM #9
Another UN study summarized 114 organic and low-input agriculture projects underway for several years across Africa, which showed average yield increases of 116 percent, along with increased income and other benefits. A recent peer-reviewed summary of world-wide organic production found that organic and near-organic methods in developing countries increased yields more than industrial production methods.
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1561714
PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND
THE STATEMENTS HERE
Innovation and the Competitive Seed Market
There has recently been increased attention to Monsanto’s role in the agricultural seed market. There is no question Monsanto is the recognized industry leader in biotech traits. Anti-biotech activists, and more recently our competition, have worked very hard to portray our success as resulting from anti-competitive behavior. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The very nature of the seed business helps to ensure it is competitive. Why? As opposed to many businesses, seeds are purchased every year. If a farmer has a bad experience with a seed product one season, he or she buys a different seed the next season. This is a very strong market force that ensures constant competition as well as innovation.
Contrary to what opponents may say, farmers have numerous choices when it comes to the seed, the traits and the companies. Consider the following facts:
http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto_today/for_the_record/innovation_and_the_comp...
Add This Entry To Your CureZone Favorites! Print this page
Email this page
 Alert Webmaster
|
