Webinar To Discuss Genetically Modified And Genetically Engineered

A webinar on Friday, October 31 will compare and contrast genetically modified and genetically engineered.

Robin Groose, an associate professor of horticulture and plant breeding in the Department of Plant Sciences, is presenting “All food is genetically modified” at 1:10 p.m. in Room 1032 in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The webinar is accessible via the web at http://goo.gl/oyPfTi.

The National Academy of Sciences notes that genetically modified, or GM, is used interchangeably with genetically engineered, or GE, in the popular vernacular, said Groose. According to the academy, GM refers to a range of methods to alter the genetic composition of a plant or animal, including traditional hybridization and breeding. GE is one type of GM that involves making an intentional change in a plant or animal gene sequence for a specific result.

“I will discuss how many modern plant cultivars involve significant GM via myriad breeding techniques and multiple biotechnologies,” said Groose.

He will compare and contrast GE with several classical and ultra-modern plant breeding techniques as well as with biotechnologies that are not GE.

“Some question the safety of GE,” said Groose. “But I will ask the questions, “Is GE safer than conventional breeding?”

Groose joined UW in 1987.