Business School events
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50 years after Asilomar: the past, present and potential futures of GMOs in the environment
Abstract:
The Asilomar conference, which took place in February 1975, brought around 140 scientists, journalists and representatives of firms and government together to discuss the future of recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology. Described as “a landmark of social responsibility and self-governance by scientists”, the conference delivered guidelines for rDNA experiments presenting various levels or potential for pathogenicity or “ecological disruption”. This seminar discusses some of the key regulatory developments since Asilomar, in particular around the environmental release of genetically-modified microorganisms and plants in North America and Europe. It draws upon my previous work on comparative biotechnology regulation, as well as a recent project that explored the last 50 years of “environmental biotechnology as a field”. Highlighting some of SPRU’s various contributions to policy over the years, I will aim to outline the current situation in the UK. I will end by considering what kinds of futures are likely to emerge in this space over the coming decades and what research opportunities these might open up.
Bio
Adrian Ely is currently Professor of Technology and Sustainability and Director in Policy Training & Executive Education at SPRU. For the last 25 years, he has investigated the links between science, technology and sustainable development in various sectors across different world regions. Since his postgraduate research on the environmental risks of genetically modified crops, he has maintained an interest in the regulation and governance of emerging biotechnologies, in particular their application in agri-food systems.