U.S. Embassy sponsors Conference for Vatican
to promote GE Food

Feeding a Hungry World: The Moral Imperative of Biotechnology

Friday, September 24, 2004
The Pontifical Gregorian University
Piazza della Pilotta, 4, Rome, Italy

According to the United Nations, one person dies from hunger and malnutrition every six seconds -- nearly 15,000 every day. As many as 1.5 billion worldwide, mostly in developing countries, suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The magnitude of these avoidable deaths should challenge everyone to take steps to alleviate this crisis. At the beginning of the 21st century, mankind has the ability to create crops that resist extreme weather, diseases and pests, use less water, require fewer chemicals, and are more nutritious than conventional crops. Scientists the world over have attested that these genetically modified, biotech foods could be a crucial element in the fight against hunger in the developing world. The world's needs and the potential of this proven new technology give rise to a moral imperative to investigate ways in which genetically modified foods can help the poor.

Among many who have spoken out on the subject is the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which has argued that intellectual property rights "should not inhibit wide access to beneficial applications of scientific knowledge." The Academy has also called for closer study of ways to facilitate cooperation between the public and private sectors in the development of this modern genetic technology that can help promote solidarity and justice between the industrialized and developing worlds.

This conference will bring together prominent scientists, leading experts in humanitarian relief and agricultural development in the developing world, and farmers working with biotech foods to explore the potential of genetically-modified organisms to address hunger and malnutrition. We hope to share the experience of the experts with concerned individuals like you. Please join us in examining how biotechnology can contribute to protecting human life and promoting human dignity.

Speakers will include:

Rev. Gonzalo Miranda, L.C., Dean of the School of Bioethics, Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, Rome

Dr. Piero Morandini, Professor of Genetic Biotechnology, Department of Biology, University of Milan

Dr. Prabhu Pingal, Director of the Agricultural and Development Economics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome

Dr. C.S. Prakash, Professor, Tuskegee University, Alabama, U.S.A.. Founder and President of AgBio World Foundation.

Dr. Carl Pray, Professor, Rutgers University, New Jersey, U.S.A. Director of the Department of Agricultural Food and Resource Economics, Graduate Program.

Dr. Peter Raven, Member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden and Engelmann Professor of Botany at Washington University in St. Louis, U.S.A.

Sessions will examine: The Current State of the Global Food Crisis; The Theological and Moral Case for Biotech Food; Scientific Advances in Biotech Crops; How Developing-World Farmers Have Used Biotech Crops;
and Debunking the Myths of Biotechnology.

Simultaneous translation will be provided. No reservations required.

For media inquiries call:
Amy Roth Turnley
Public Affairs Coordinator
U.S. Embassy to the Holy See
06.4674.3433 / RothTurnleyAE@state.gov

For more information call:
06.4674.3425/8

U.S. Embassy sponsors Conference for Vaticanto promote GE Food

U.S. Embassy sponsors Conference for Vatican
to promote GE Food