HUMAN EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDE RESIDUES, NATURAL TOXINS AND GMOs: REAL AND PERCEIVED RISKS

Is the public's reaction to exposure to synthetic chemicals, natural chemicals and food produced by gene modification balanced, rational and justified? Pesticides and their products are thoroughly evaluated to determine potential hazard and risk to human-health, yet concern remains high. In comparison, hazard and risk from nature's counterparts are not regulated and concern is low. Genetically modified crops (GMOs) are thought to pose limited hazard and, after appropriate safety testing, negligible risk but concern is high.

The Monday Symposium will review how hazards and risks to human-health are determined in each of these three areas. In addition, the real and perceived risks will be compared and contrasted. Ample opportunity will be provided for question and answers and general debate during and at the end of the symposium.

Chairman's Introduction
Professor Sir Colin Berry
The Royal London Hospital, UK

Pesticides
Philosophy of hazard assessment of pesticides
Dr Neil Carmichael
Aventis CropScience, Sophia Antipolis, France

New methodologies for assessment of risk from pesticide residues
Dr Robert Tomerlin
Novigen Sciences, Washington, USA

Natural Toxins
Why pesticides reduce our exposure to food-borne toxicants
Dr Joel Mattsson
Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, USA

Mycotoxins - quantification, control and regulation in agricultural produce
Dr Frank Ellner
BBA, Berlin, Germany

Genetically Modified Organisms
Philosophy of hazard assessment of GMOs
Dr Mark Martens
Monsanto, Louvain, Belgium

Risk assessment, perception and communication for GMOs
Professor Joyce Tait
University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Summary
Hazards, risks and benefits
Professor Sir Colin Berry
The Royal London Hospital, UK

Chairman
Professor Sir Colin Berry
The Royal London Hospital, UK

Organisers
Naresh Atreya, Zeneca Agrochemicals, Bracknell, UK &
Richard Billington, Dow AgroSciences, Wantage,UK