Following is an announcement from the U.S. Embassy in London about an upcoming conference on agricultural biotechnology:

Seeds of Opportunity:
The Future of Biotechnology in Agriculture

May 31-June 1, 2001

The U.S. Embassy, the University of London, School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS), Queen Mary, the University of London, and the Royal Agricultural College are hosting a conference from May 31-June 1, 2001 entitled: "Seeds of Opportunity: The Role of Biotechnology in Agriculture." The venue for the conference is in central London, at the Brunei Gallery, SOAS.

Agricultural biotechnology is probably the most contentious food issue facing the UK and Europe. The "Seeds of Opportunity" conference will bring together leading international figures in agricultural biotechnology in order to demystify this technology and to discuss its potential advantages and disadvantages. Two Nobel Laureates will speak at the conference: Norman Borlaug, Nobel Peace Price Winner and "Father of the Green Revolution" and Professor Sir Harold Kroto, Nobel Price Winner in Chemistry. Another theme that will be discussed at the conference is the importance of increasing the public's understanding of science and raising their awareness of scientific achievement.

The conference will be broken into three sections: (1) the consumer; (2) the environment; and (3) the developing world and pharming. To keep the speakers on their toes, commentary will be given at the end of each section by a distinguished journalist.

Participation will be broad-based, including leading policy makers; eminent academics; top scientists; senior business figures from the food and biotechnology industries; notable farmers; and representatives from consumer organizations, environmental groups and the news media. A highly participatory and robust debate is anticipated -- don't miss it!

Participants are also invited to add to the debate by presenting a commercial/scientific display or research poster (approx. 4ftx 3ft). Please submit a half-page summary describing the content of the poster to the Conference Administrator.

We look forward to seeing you in London on May 31, 2001!

For further information please contact: The Conference Administrator, "Seeds of Opportunity" 132 Ebury Street, London SW1W 9QQ, U.K. Tel: +44 (0)207 824 8681 Fax: +44 (0)207 730 1390 e-mail: Andrew [email protected]

Or visit our website for conference updates at www.seedsofopportunity.com

"Seeds of Opportunity:
the Future of Biotechnology in Agriculture"

THURSDAY 31st MAY, 2001

8.30 am -- 9.30 am: Conference Registration (Brunei Gallery, SOAS). 9.00 am: Press Conference for the media with key speakers. 9.30 am: Opening remarks by the Conference Chair, Professor Philip Stott of the University of London.

9.45 am -- 12.30 pm: CONFERENCE SESSION 1 -- Agricultural Biotechnology and the Environment. Chair: Sir Crispin Tickell. Speakers: Dr. Phil Dale, Leader of the Genetic Modification and Biosafety Research Group, John Innes Centre, U.K.; Dr. Rosie Hails, Ecologist and Principal Scientific Officer, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Oxford, U.K.; Mr. Graham Wynne, CEO of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

11.00 -- 11.30 am: TEA/COFFEE.

Commentator: Mr. Paul Brown, Environmental Correspondent, 'The Guardian' newspaper.

Q: & As until lunch.

12.30 pm -- 1.45 pm: LUNCHEON.

1.45 pm -- 4.15 pm : CONFERENCE SESSION 2 -- Agricultural Biotechnology and the Consumer.

Chair: Lord Taverne.

Speakers: Dr. Phil Kerr, Protein Technology Incorporated, U.S.A.; Professor Michael Wilson, Chief Executive of Horticultural Research International, U.K.; Lord Haskins, Chairman of Northern Foods.

3.10 pm -- 3.30 pm: TEA/COFFEE.

Commentator: Mr. Clive Beddall, 'Grocer Magazine'.

Q: &As until Conference Keynote Speakers.

4.15 pm: KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Dr. Norman Borlaug, Nobel Peace Prize Winner; Mr. George McGovern, U.S. Ambassador to the FAO (to confirm).

6.30 pm: Reception at Winfield House, Regents Park.

FRIDAY 1st JUNE, 2001

9.00 am -- 12.15 pm: CONFERENCE SESSION 3 -- Agricultural Biotechnology: the Developing World and 'Pharming'.

Chair: Mr. Jonathan F. Taylor.

Speakers: Dr. C.S. Prakash, Tuskegee University; Dr. Margaret Karembu, The AfriCentre, Kenya; Dr. Aerial Alvarez-Morales, Mexican Center for Research and Advanced Studies. 10.15 am -- 10.35 am: TEA/COFFEE. Dr. Charles Arntzen, Arizona State University, U.S.A. Commentator: Dr Tom Stuttaford, 'The Times' newspaper.

Q: &As until Keynote Speaker

12.15 pm: KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Professor Sir Harold Kroto, Nobel Laureate, The Vega Science Trust.

1.00 pm -- 1.15 pm: Conference Summing Up. 1.15 pm: Light Luncheon. 2.00 pm: Final media briefing. 2.30 pm: Optional: Guided Tour of The British Museum.

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