One whiff and every Corvallis student recognizes the ever-present reminder of the agriculturally driven locale — the not-so-pleasant odor of cow manure.

Other than an offended nose, many may not give much time to think beyond that. With the slop, a whole slew of steaming issues are brought right to table.

One such issue, biotechnology, has an OSU program in its honor and will be hosting a lecture at LaSells Stewart Center tonight.

As part of the 2005 Food for Thought Lecture Series, animal ecologist and University of Nebraska associate biology professor LaReesa Wolfenbarger, will be presenting a public lecture titled “Environmental Impacts and Social Responses to Genetically Engineered Crops” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. She will also be giving a science lecture on “Ecological Impacts of Genetically Engineered Crops: a Case Study of the Farm Scale Evaluations,” in Peavy Hall 104 from 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

Wolfenbarger has served on biotechnology committees including the Ecological Society of America, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Dr. Wolfenbarger wants to assess the pros and cons of biotechnology,” said ORB Program Coordinator Kirstin Carroll.

OSU’s OutReach in Biotechnology program was launched in November 2004 with the purpose of educating the public about biotechnology, genes and genome science, providing a legitimate, science-based issue debate forum.

ORB’s audience ranges from elementary school students to professionals, and the program offers information on biotechnology in agriculture and the effects it has worldwide.

Carroll said attendance to previous lectures was high.

“Up to 200 people have come,” said Carroll.

ORB is funded by the College of Agricultural Sciences and OSU’s College of Forestry.

Ryan Blake, staff writer

campus@dailybarometer.com, 737-2232