I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.New head for John Innes Centre
ONE of the world’s leading centres of excellence in plant science, the John Innes Centre, has announced Professor Dale Sanders as its new Director and Chief Executive.
Prof Sanders, currently head of biology at the University of York, is a leading authority in the control crop traits such as nutritional value of foods and resistance to drought.
He has also been outspoken in his support for genetically modified technology.
“There is a burning need to enhance the bond between scientists who have developed some of these approaches, and the wider public – especially in Western Europe – which remains largely sceptical of modern technologies,” he said in response to the Government’s Food 2030 report recently.
“As the urgency of the issue of food security grows, the report sensibly suggests that we keep an open mind to new technologies. Simply being ‘pro-GM’ or ‘anti-GM’ is not an issue anymore,” he added.
The John Innes Centre, part funded by UK taxpayers, is based on the Norwich Research Park.
The centre is home to some of the world’s leading scientists and Prof Sanders said he was looking forward to taking up his post.
“JIC scientists can help to shape the future of our world, through contributing to the development of new, higher quality or disease resistant crops to improve food security, and by discovering new antibiotics from studies in microbes.
“It will be a privilege to work with front-rank scientists and to lead the Institute in the coming years,” he said.
Prof Sanders succeeds Prof Chris Lamb who died in August 2009. He will take up the post on September 1 2010.
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