Four University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) professors will examine and debate the controversial topic of genetically modified food and how it affects public health, the environment and the global food supply at the premiere UMBC Mosaic Roundtable on November 7 at 1:00 in the Albin O. Kuhn Library.

The roundtable's diverse mix of expert panelists reflects the philosophy of the event's sponsor, the UMBC Interdisciplinary Studies Program. Four UMBC faculty members will argue the pros and cons of bio-engineered fruits, grains and vegetables from the perspective of their respective disciplines. Ecologist Carl Weber, mechanical engineer Tony Farquhar, molecular biologist Lynn Zimmerman and ethicist Carol Voeller will debate the moral, ecological, agricultural and technological facets of this controversial science.

The Mosaic Roundtable is the first in a planned series of debates on significant issues with potential global impact. The debates will examine complex issues while drawing from a range of knowledge and methods.

Through the Interdisciplinary Studies (INDS) major, students, with faculty mentorship, design their own unique course of study according to their specific educational and career goals. Independent study, internships, research, study abroad, and creative work are strongly encouraged parts of every INDS degree path. The UMBC Interdisciplinary Studies Program (www.umbc.edu/inds) has over 650 alumni in a variety of fields.

The Premiere Mosaic Roundtable debate and discussion will be held on the seventh floor of the A.O. Kuhn Library on UMBC's campus from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7. For more information, please call 410-455-2004 or visit the event's web site at www.umbc.edu/mosaic.