AbstractThe bumpy ride of gene technology in agriculture is often presented as aconsequence of differences in the way in which Europeans and Americanslook at food and agriculture, and this is certainly part of the reasonfor the controversy in Europe. Part of the failed introduction of GMfood in Europe has been accidental, occurring concomitant with the yearwhen BSE developed into a full-blown crisis. This crisis, along withother impinging factors, has led to the most comprehensive attack on therole of science and technology against an essential part of the worldeconomy of the past half-century. After five years in the ag-biotechwar, European agriculture policy is driven by the motto that science andtechnology are part of the problem.

The consequences are felt far beyond the borders of "Fortress Europe."The EU is exporting its uninformed views on the future of agriculturewith a missionary zeal to the rest of the world, in the process doingenormous damage to the drive towards food security. As a result, nowthat we have unprecedented capability to reduce the environmentalfootprint of agriculture while increasing our chances to feed morepeople better than ever before, we are philosophically rejecting scienceas part of the solution.

About the SpeakerMr. DeGreef speaks worldwide on the issues of agricultural biotechnologyand policy. He is the head of Regulatory and Government Affairs forSyngenta Seeds (formerly Novartis). Mr. DeGreef has been Director of theInternational Service for Acquisition of Agri-Biotechnology Applications(ISAAA) and other research and regulatory positions in Africa. He is amember of the Group of National Experts on Biosafety convened by theOECD, and the Chairman of the Plant Biotechnology Unit of EuropaBio. Hehas been a trainer and lecturer in both biosafety and plant genetics. Heholds an MSc in Botany from Brussels University.

American Association for the Advancement of Science
Directorate for Science & Policy Programs
Al Teich

George Washington University
Center for International Science andTechnology Policy
JohnLogsdon
NicholasVonortas

Center for Science, Policy & Outcomes
Columbia University & GeorgiaTech
Dan Sarewitz

George Mason University
Science & Technology Policy Program
Don Kash

Georgetown University
Program in Science, Technology & InternationalAffairs
ChuckWeiss

RAND Science & Technology Policy Institute
Caroline Wagner

SRI International
Science & Technology Policy Program
Cathie Ailes
Bob Carr

Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center
Science & Technology StudiesProgram
Barbara Allen