GMOs and biotechnology are phrases that have caused controversy and confusion lately in agricultural circles.

The Graduate Student Organization of Plant Physiologists put together a series of seminars this semester titled Implications of Biotechnology for Society to clear the confusion.

Genetically modified organisms entail taking a piece of DNA out of one organism and putting it into another organism, said Lisa Lorenzen, industrial liaison for biotechnology.

GMOs change “something to a way that it wouldn’t have naturally evolved,” said Andrea Flack, graduate student in botany.

Heidi Kratsch, graduate student in horticulture, said students realized the technology has promise, but said they need to learn more from proponents of both sides of the argument.

“We wanted to bring together experts and spokespersons from many points of view so that we could make informed and thoughtful decisions,” Kratsch said.

The seminars are geared toward anyone with an interest in agricultural biotechnology and how it may be used in the future food supply, Flack said.

“The biotech issue is a hot topic,” she said. “It is good to present both sides of the issue for people with and without a science background.”

The seminars will cover all parts of the biotechnology debate. The lecturers will speak on the media’s involvement to the genetic level to possible ways to profit from GMOs.

“We hope to avoid the problems in Europe by educating the public,” said David Hannapel, associate professor of horticulture.

Gregory Jaffe, co-director of the Biotechnology Project at the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C. was keynote speaker for the first session Sept. 5.

“It was a very good talk on labeling, food safety and environmental issues,” Hannapel said. “We had about 150 people turn out for the seminar.”

The seminars are sponsored by the interdepartmental plant physiology major and will be in 210 Bessey Hall at 4:10 p.m. Wednesdays starting this Wednesday.

Seminars will include:

Sept. 19 – “Who put the Genes in My Beans: A Plant Molecular Biologist’s View of the GMO Controversy,” Stephen Howell, director of the ISU Plant Sciences Institute.

Sept. 26 – ” Opportunities and Problems in Agricultural Biotechnology,” Neil Harl, ISU professor of economics.

Oct. 3 – “Exploring Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Academics,” Dan Voytas, ISU associate professor of zoology and genetics.

Oct. 10 – Topic to be announced, Dr. Charles Link, Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Oct. 17 “Exploring Biotechnology in Secondary Education,” Forum of Iowa high school educators.

Oct. 24 – “Mass Media Coverage of GMOs,” Eric Abbott, ISU professor of journalism and mass communication.

Oct. 31 – “Biotechnology to the Market: Case Studies,” Susan Martino-Catt, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Des Moines.

Nov. 7 – ” Biotechnology’s Claims: Some Assumptions We Might Question,” Fred Kirschenmann, ISU Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Nov. 14 – “Biotechnology and Global Justice,” Tony Smith, ISU professor of philosophy and religion.

Nov. 28 – “The Economics of GMOs: Who Wins and Who Loses?” Dermot Hayes, ISU professor of economics.

Dec. 5 – “Non-target Effects of Transgenic Corn,” John Obrycki, ISU professor of entomology.