Former director of the Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology António Xavier (ITQB NOVA), Margarida Oliveira is a pioneering scientist in plant molecular biology.
In the latest episode of the podcast dedicated to innovation, technology and science, the “plant enhancer” addressed the issue of commercialization of transgenic foods, questioning the relevance of current European legislation.
She also presented her arguments on the significance of mutagenesis, which is fundamental to meet the challenges that society faces, particularly in the area of food production.
In particular, she reinforced the key role that the production and marketing of transgenic vegetables can play in farmers’ work, who often cannot respond to pests and diseases without resorting to chemicals.
She also draws attention to how much of the food we consume today was genetically altered during the 20th century’s “green revolution”, allowing a more attractive and less indigestible consumption.
Margarida was also challenged by the newspaper Expresso to present an image of a rice plant’s “early life”, a vegetable that has been strongly studied at the Institute in Oeiras, or of the “wind blowing over a rice field”.
