Author and documentary filmmaker Jeffrey Smith will be speaking at SUNY New Paltz on April 7, 7 p.m., in Lecture Center 100 about the dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A healthy living fair will run from 6 to 7 p.m.
Smith is the author of Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Modified Foods You Are Eating and Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods. He is the director of the award-winning film Genetic Roulette, which will be shown at the same location on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
Smith is one of the world’s leading critics of the controversial practice of genetically modifying plants and animals to foster traits for commercial purposes. Smith’s work relies on the latest scientific research to link GMOs to a number of human health ailments, including allergic reactions, infertility and digestive disorders. He also examines the ecological implications of releasing genetically modified organisms into the environment. Smith is the founder and executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, an organization dedicated to “educating policy makers and the general public about the risks associated with dangerous technologies such as genetic modification.” Smith has toured the world speaking out against GMOs.
Michael Boms, an adjunct professor of biology at SUNY New Paltz and one of the organizers of the event, said, “There has not been one, long-term human feeding study on the consequences of eating genetically modified foods, so we are all in fact ‘lab rats’ in a massive experiment.” He also pointed out that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not test the safety of GMOs, but instead relies on industry to tell us they are safe.
The healthy living fair will take place in the south lobby of Lecture Center 100. Area farms and organizations that promote non-GMO food and a healthy life style will table at the fair. The percussion and guitar duo, Joakim and Chris will perform and organic samples will be provided by Gomen Kudasai.
Organizers will screen Smith’s film in the week leading up to his in-person appearance. Genetic Roulette, which has been described as a “life changer,” will be screened at 7 p.m. in Lecture Center 100 on the SUNY New Paltz campus on Thursday, April 3 and then again on Friday, April 4 at 8:15 p.m. at the Elting Memorial Library in New Paltz.
All events, including Smith’s talk, will be free and open to the public. For more information contact HVnoGMOs@gmail.com.
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