UNH Hosts Screening and Discussion of ‘Food Evolution’ Film Nov. 16

Monday, October 16, 2017

GMO Grim Reaper

A scene from the film Food Evolution.
Credit: Black Valley Films

DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire will host a screening of the film “Food Evolution,” which explores the debate surrounding plant breeding approaches, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, at 6 p.m. in the Johnson Theatre of the Paul Creative Arts Center. A panel discussion moderated by Lorraine Merrill, commissioner of the N.H. Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food, will follow. Tickets for the screening are free and available on a first come, first served basis.

“The film provides a science-based overview of aspects of our food system, including the suite of genetic approaches used to modify plants toward desired traits,” said Jon Wraith, dean of the UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, and director of the NH Agricultural Experiment Station. “Some of these are beset with controversy, and the co-sponsoring UNH partner organizations consider that our public land-grant university is an appropriate venue to initiate presentation and discussion of the topic. I have a set of opinions that I’ll bring to the event, and hope to have those challenged, informed and perhaps modified by the time I leave.”

Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the film separates the emotion and hype from the science and data of the GMO debate, and brings a fresh perspective to critical issues facing global society today. How do we ensure that our food supply is safe, and that everyone has enough to eat? How do we feed the world while also protecting the planet? Has genetic engineering increased or decreased pesticide use? Are GMO foods bad for your health? And, most importantly, what data, evidence and sources are we using to approach these important questions?

The screening is sponsored by the NH Agricultural Experiment Station, UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, UNH Cooperative Extension, UNH Sustainability Institute, and the Carsey School for Public Policy.

The University of New Hampshire is a flagship research university that inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. UNH’s research portfolio includes partnerships with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, receiving more than $100 million in competitive external funding every year to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea and space.