Cathleen Enright, Ph.D., executive director of the Council for Biotechnology Information and GMO Answers spokesperson answers questions about GMOs.
"We need to do a better job talking about the technology—what GMOs are, why farmers choose them, what benefits they provide, and what about those assertions of safety risk? If you are skeptical about GMOs and have questions, please ask me," Enright said. While Reddit has covered the topic of GMOs and agricultural biotechnology, this is the first time that an executive from the biotechnology industry is participating in an Ask Me Anything event.
"Our engagement here in a real-time, unmoderated conversation on Reddit is one of the many ways the industry is engaging in an open, transparent conversation about GMOs; a commitment that served as the central tenet for the creation of GMO Answers and GMOAnswers.com, an initiative designed to provide information about GMOs in one, easy-to-access public resource."
The hallmark of GMO Answers is a public Q&A. In-person, across social media and online we invite folks to ask us anything. And they have. More than 700 questions have been answered on the website alone, by independent experts—farmers, dietitians, scientists, grocers, and academics—and by biotech company employees. A community of more than 100 experts is volunteering to provide responses to all questions asked on the site.
"In addition to the conversation on Reddit today, you can ask us any question any time at GMOAnswers.com," Enright said. "A national dialogue is taking place about GMOs, and it's imperative for us to ensure consumers have access to information they want so they can make up their own minds about GMOs, with facts in hand."
About GMO Answers
GMO Answers is committed to responding to your questions about how our food is grown. Our goal is to make information about agricultural biotechnology easier to access and evaluate. The members of GMO Answers commit to five core principles—welcoming and answering questions on all GMO topics; making GMO information, research and data easy to access and evaluate, and supporting independent safety testing of GM products using validated science-based methods; supporting farmers as they work to grow crops using precious resources more efficiently, with less impact on the environment and producing safe, nutritious food and feed products; respecting farmers' rights to choose the seeds that are best for their farms, businesses and communities and providing seed choices that include including making non-GM seeds based on market demands; and respecting people around the world and their right to choose healthy food products that are best for themselves and their families. GMO Answers is produced by the members of The Council for Biotechnology Information, which includes BASF, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences LLC, DuPont, Monsanto Company and Syngenta. Our members are dedicated to the responsible development and application of plant biotechnology.
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