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Vote for “Gene Editing and The Future of Food and Agriculture” panel at the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festival in Austin, TX, March 8-17, 2019!

It seems like every where you turn, somehow, someway, gene editing is being talked about. Just recently, 60 minutes ran a piece about the tremendous promise gene editing tools like CRISPR hold in human health. For the first time ever, CRISPR is being licensed to agricultural companies like J.R. Simplot Company to sustainably produce enough food to feed a growing planet, keep food fresh longer and reduce food waste. Not to mention, gene editing is being studied as a solution to some of the world’s toughest, most urgent challenges, like the citrus-greening disease that is wiping out Florida’s orange groves.

So, it makes since that at the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festival in Austin, TX, gene editing take center stage. The world’s largest gathering of creative professionals, SXSW has evolved from a music and film festival to an expansive display of innovations happening across industries. From Health & MedTech, to Social & Global Impact, to Media & Journalism, SXSW covers it all.

To ensure the innovation of gene editing takes center stage, BIO has teamed up with the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) to put together a panel on “Gene Editing and The Future of Food & Agriculture.” Representing academia and farmers, the panel will use case studies to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing modern ag today and explore how science (gene editing) will shape our future. Additionally, the panel will provide unparalleled insights into gene editing innovations coming down the pipeline and the social conversation around gene editing.

Panelists include:

• Brandon McFadden, Asst. Professor, Department of Applied Economics & Statistics, University of Delaware
• Randy Spronk, Farmer, Spronk Brothers III LLP and Ranger Farms LLP
• Fred Gmitter, Professor, University of Florida Citrus Research and Extension Center

Vote and learn more about the “Gene Editing and The Future of Food & Agriculture” here. Voting for the 2019 SXSW panels is open now until Thursday, August 30 – click here to create an Outlook reminder to vote before it ends! To vote, you’ll need to create a free SXSW account first (takes less than one minute), then you’re all set. Each account is allowed one vote during the voting period, so be sure you vote correctly.

For more information about the 2019 SXSW Festival and Conference, and to register to attend, click here.