Nina Fedoroff

Nina Fedoroff is Evan Pugh Professor of Life Sciences and the Verne M. Willaman Chair in Life Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, and a leading geneticist and molecular biologist who has contributed to the development of the techniques used to study and modify plants today.

She received her Ph.D. from the Rockefeller University and as a post-doctoral fellow at the Carnegie Institution of Washington she successfully sequenced one of the first animal genes ever sequenced. Switching to plants, she set out to study the “jumping genes” discovered in corn plants by geneticist Barbara McClintock in the 1940s. She isolated the DNA of these mobile genes then went on to study their structure, movement, and how they are controlled.

In 1995 she joined the faculty of the Pennsylvania State University, where she studies genes that protect plants from biological and non-biological stresses. Dr. Fedoroff is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and is currently serving on the National Science Board.

It is interesting to note that the new eleventh edition of the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary added the word "Frankenfood" as another term to describe genetically engineered food. This view is far more prevalent in Europe that in America. In the UK, 6 out of 10 people claim they are seriously concerned about the safety of such foods. There are many questions that we should consider asking Dr. Fedoroff, such as: What about these beneficial genes escaping into weeds? Are they harmful to other animals, like butterflies? Can they cause surprise, maybe deadly, allergic reactions? Will they drive poor farmers out of business? Do we risk another Irish potato famine, if all crops are the same GM stock?

Dr. Fedoroff and Nancy Brown have written the current definitive account of genetically-modified foods, in a book that is very accessible to the non-expert reader. It was recently reviewed:

Mendel in the Kitchen: A Scientist's View of Genetically Modified Foods  "Finally, we hear from scientists in the public debate on genetically modified foods. Geneticist and molecular biologist Fedoroff and science writer Brown present the history of genetic engineering and the advancements that have been made in plant breeding since Gregor Mendel's experiments with peas in 1866. The authors respond to critics and shatter myths by explaining what genetic engineering is, the role it plays in crop improvement, and the successes and failures that have occurred along the way. The result is a real learning experience for readers who want to know more about hybrids, gene splicing, crossbreeding, mutagenesis, and other procedures that have been the mainstay of genetic engineering. Overall, the authors clearly show that when applied responsibly with appropriate scientific oversight, genetic engineering plays a vital role in sustainable agriculture. It has the potential to produce enough food for a growing world population and improve nutrition while protecting biodiversity and ecosystem balance. A necessary acquisition for all collections with biotechnology resources." Irwin Weintraub, Brooklyn College Library. From the Library Journal, New York. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.