Thomson, Jennifer A. 1947–

(Jennifer Ann Thomson)

PERSONAL:

Born 1947. Education: University of Cape Town, B.Sc.; Cambridge University, M.A.; Rhodes University, Ph.D.; postdoctoral study, Harvard Medical School. Hobbies and other interests: Hiking.

ADDRESSES:

Office—Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa. E-mail—jat@science.uct.ac.za.

CAREER:

University of Witwatersrand, Witwatersrand, South Africa, began as lecturer, became associate professor of genetics; Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, founder and director of Laboratory for Molecular and Cell Biology; University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, professor of microbiology. Lecturer on genetically modified organisms. Member of board, International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications, BIO-EARN, and European Action Group on Life Sciences (EAGLES).

MEMBER:

South African Academy of Science, South African Women in Science and Engineering (cofounder and chair).

AWARDS, HONORS:

Fellow, Royal Society of South Africa; UNESCO/L'Oreal Woman in Science for Africa award, 2004.

WRITINGS:

NONFICTION

Recombinant DNA and Bacterial Fermentation, CRC Press (Boca Raton, FL), 1988.

Genes for Africa: Genetically Modified Crops in the Developing World, UCT Press (Lansdowne, South Africa), 2002.

GM Crops: The Impact and the Potential, CSIRO Publishing (Collingwood, Victoria, Australia), 2006, published as Seeds for the Future: The Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on the Environment, Comstock Publishing (Ithaca, NY), 2007.

Contributor to books, including Innovative Approaches to Plant Disease Control, edited by I. Chet, John Wiley (New York, NY), 1987; Biotechnological Prospects for Plant Pathogen Control, edited by I. Chet, Wiley-Liss (New York, NY), 1993; and Biotechnology and Sustainable Development: Voices of the South and North, edited by I. Serageldin and G.J. Persley, CABI Publishing, 2003. Contributor of numerous articles to professional journals, including South African Medical Journal, Applied Microbiology, Gene, and Applied Bacteriology.

SIDELIGHTS:

Jennifer A. Thomson is a South African professor of microbiology and an expert in the field of genetically engineered organisms (GMOs). Some groups, particularly in Europe, argue that GMOs are potentially dangerous to humans and the environment, and advocate strict control or even abolition of them. Thomson and others are strongly in support of their use. She believes that plants that have been modified to resist drought and disease can be greatly beneficial and even help in alleviating human suffering. Thomson has been the leader of a team of biologists seeking to create a maize plant that can resist the maize streak virus, which is widespread in Africa and stunts the growth of plants. Thomson stated in a piece written for the Africa News Service: "African farmers already suffer from drought, disease, internal trade barriers, corruption and lack of property rights; refusing them the benefits of genetically modified food is a cruel and nasty trick."

Reviewing Thomson's book Seeds for the Future: The Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on the Environment for Library Journal, Irwin Weintraub pointed out that while it is aimed primarily at a specialized audience, "it should be read by all who want to get beyond the debate to a lucid understanding of GM crops and their place in modern biotechnology." Seeds for the Future was also highly recommended by Carol Haggas in Booklist, where she called it "critical reading for members of the scientific community and concerned consumers."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Africa News Service, April 1, 2004, "UCT Professor Savours Taste of Scientific Success"; February 7, 2006, "Cruel to Deny Africa a Hand Up."

Australasian Business Intelligence, August 6, 2006, "Scientist Set for GM Push into Africa."

Australian Doctor, June 1, 2007, Reynard, "Letter Writer Not Limelighter."

Booklist, March 1, 2007, Carol Haggas, review of Seeds for the Future: The Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on the Environment, p. 47.

Ecos, December, 2006, review of GM Crops: The Impact and the Potential, p. 32.

Library Journal, March 1, 2007, Irwin Weintraub, review of Seeds for the Future, p. 103.

M2 Presswire, November 7, 2002, "We Cannot Be Indifferent to Genetically Modified Crops, Secretary-General Says in Introducing Lecture Speakers."

SciTech Book News, September, 2007, review of Seeds for the Future.

ONLINE

African Agricultural Technology Foundation,http://www.aatf-africa.org/ (October 5, 2007), biographical information about Jennifer A. Thomson.

International Food Policy Research Institute,http://www.ifpri.org/ (October 5, 2007), biographical information about Jennifer A. Thomson.

University of Cape Town Department of Molecular and Cell Biology Web site,http://www.mcb.uct.ac.za/ (October 5, 2007), biographical information about Jennifer A. Thomson.