March 16, 2010

Transgenic issues to be subject of second panel discussion

Morningside College will host a second panel discussion on transgenic issues at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 22, in the UPS Auditorium in Lincoln Center, 3627 Peters Ave.

This event is free and open to the public. 

The presentation is called “Another Look at the World of Frankenthings: Transgenic Frontiers and Their Implications.”

A transgenic organism is one where genetic material from another species has been intentionally transferred with the purpose of improving or enhancing the original organism, explained Patrick Bass, professor of history and political science.  He said this process has created genetically modified foods and animals and perhaps in the future will even impact humans.

Morningside College presented a panel discussion on transgenic issues in the fall, and then it scheduled this second panel discussion during the spring semester.

Panelists for the upcoming discussion will be John Bowitz, professor and chair of art; Jessica de Vega, assistant professor of religious studies; Tom Gilbert, professor of philosophy; Lillian López, interim associate dean and associate professor of political science; Jodi McKay, assistant professor of biology; and Jim Stroh, associate professor and chair of biology and chemistry.

Bass will serve as moderator for the discussion.