Jon’s interest in genetics arose from a family history of breast and ovarian cancer. He is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Food and Agricultural Literacy at the University of California-Davis. Jon has written or edited seven books, including: Abraham’s Children: Race, Identity and the DNA of the Chosen People (2007), Let Them Eat Precaution: How Politics is Undermining the Genetic Revolution in Agriculture(2005) and Taboo: Why Black Athletes Dominate Sports and Why We’re Afraid to Talk About It (2001). He has been a contributing columnist at Forbes, Huffington Post and the UK-based Ethical Corporation magazine, and has contributed to hundreds of newspapers, magazines and websites around the world. He spoke before the National Academy of Sciences and the Australian National Press Club on the issue of GMO safety. Before launching his writing career, Jon was an a producer and executive for 20 years at NBC News and ABC News, winning 20 journalism awards, including a National Press Club Award and Emmys for specials on the reform movements in China and the Soviet Union. He was head of documentaries and Tom Brokaw’s long-time producer while at NBC News. He received his degree in philosophy from Trinity College (CT) and studied at the University of Michigan under a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship.