Author’s Note: The Costa Rica Star welcomes input from the scientific research community in all topics published herein.

Professor Jaime E. Garcia G. is an agricultural scientist from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the National Distance Education University (UNED) who recently contacted The Costa Rica Star with regard to the article “Why Monsanto Left Costa Rica.” Mr. Garcia has researched GMOs for several years and holds a series of open conferences on the subject. He cordially invites readers of The Costa Rica Star to learn more about this often contentious issue that is subject to misinformation.

The name of the conference series conducted by Mr. Garcia is “GMOs and Transgenic Crops: Myths and Realities (based on evidence).” The most recent session on June 6^th was on “The Silent Contamination (Another Inconvenient Truth).” The next three sessions are listed below:

• June 13^th: Current Status and Perspectives of the Genetic Engineering Projects in the Cellular and Molecular Biological Investigation Center of UCR (pending confirmation).
• June 20^th: Considerations behind the transgenic-free territory declarations by cantons in Costa Rica.
• June 27^th: What will we eat tomorrow?
• July 4^th: Effect of GMOs on the gastrointestinal tract.

Along with his invitation, Mr. Garcia also attached an article he wrote in the Acontecer scientific journal of the UNED in 2009. That article underscores the importance to hold discussions about transgenic crops in Costa Rica. On that article, Mr. Garcia cited a 2004 survey that indicated 75 percent of Ticos were not familiar with GMOs. Bio-literacy is urgently needed in this regard, which is why Mr. Garcia’s open conferences serve a noble scientific purpose.

In the past, The Costa Rica Star has featured articles about the opposition to Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) crops by various communities in Costa Rica, as well as the genetic engineering and testing of some transgenic seeds in our country. A valid concern was raised by Professor Rodolfo Araya Villalobos of the University of Costa Rica. Mr. Araya is a leading bean researcher at the Experimental Agricultural Station Fabio Baudrit Moreno in Alajuela.

Mr. Araya took exception to an article about the Tayni red bean seed, which was mentioned along with other GMOs -particularly those from Monsanto- and he provided The Costa Rica Star with an informational brochure on the bean to clarify its status. Mr. Araya is a practitioner of ethical biotechnology, and projects like the Tayni red bean seek to fortify crops and empower farmers in Costa Rica.