is University Professor at the University of Amsterdam in the field of the foundations of sustainable development in international perspective. As Assistant Director-General in the Agriculture Department of FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome (2000-2006), she made an important contribution to the international public debate on life sciences and sustainable development. She is also Distinguished Professor at Wageningen University, where she was professor of Plant Production Systems from 1991 till 1997. Besides scientific publications, Louise Fresco also writes novels, columns and literary criticism.