A debate between two professors Wednesday will explore the pros and cons of biotechnology as a means of alleviating the United States’ energy woes.

Tadeusz Patzek, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, and Bruce Dale, professor of chemical engineering and materials science at Michigan State University, will be debating the U.S. energy consumption issue.

Dale will argue that biofuels, which are fuels made from plant material, including ethanol, biodiesel and methanol, are good for society and are a valid means of changing dependencies on unsustainable resources.

Patzek said he disagrees.

“By going after biomass for fuels, the Europeans and North Americans will destroy some of the most pristine and important ecosystems in the tropics,” Patzek said.

He will hit a little closer to home when he discusses Iowa’s contribution to the issue.

“Iowa should start rethinking mass-production of undifferentiated commodities – corn and soybeans – which have bankrupted the farmers, damaged the local communities and made the state dependent on a federal welfare system called agricultural subsidies,” he said.

Sarah Carlson, graduate student in agronomy, will be attending the debate and said she thinks it is important that others attend, as well.

“Everyone should go to this debate because all citizens consume energy and food. As spirited young adults, it is our duty to hold decision makers accountable for their actions to make sure that the world we leave to our children is just, equitable, safe and healthy,” Carlson said.

She said she thinks students need a better understanding of how lawmakers reach their decisions.

“I want students to realize that we need to understand and be aware of the world around us and how decisions that are made are intentional and usually better for a few select citizens, but rarely the entire population.”

Patzek and Dale may not agree at the podium, but they do agree that students should care about the issue.

“Anybody who cares about our future and the future of energy [should come to the debate],” Dale said.

Patzek said he agreed the issue is relevant to students even if they are not scientists.

“If you do not do something to change the status quo, your children may not know what prosperity was, and you will not have jobs as well,” he said.

The debate is sponsored by the Graduate Program of Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State. The debate is being held Wednesday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in 2245 Coover Hall.