Dr. Pamela Ronald with her best-selling book "Tomorrow's Table"
CBI Expert Dr. Pamela Ronald, Professor of Plant Pathology at Univ. of California- Davis, along with James McWilliams, fellow in the Agrarian Studies Program at Yale University, penned an op-ed in the New York Times that discusses a National Research Council (NRC) report about biotech crops that was recently released. The scientists write that many people who reported on the study overlooked or dismissed the findings in the report that acknowledge genetic engineering’s (GE) positive contributions to society and the opportunity for GE crops to help farmers in the developing world achieve greater yields despite difficult growing conditions.
Dr. Ronald and Dr. McWilliams write,
Lost in the din is the potential role this technology could play in the poorest regions of the world - areas that will bear the brunt of climate change and the difficult growing conditions it will bring. Indeed, buried deep in the council’s report is an appeal to apply genetic engineering to a greater number of crops, and for a greater diversity of purposes.
What do you think of the argument Ronald and McWilliams put forth in this New York Times op-ed? Do you agree that opponents to the technology have hindered the advancement of crops that can save lives and access to this technology for those who need help most?
CBI panelists from L to R: Sally Squires, moderator, Dr. Bruce Chassy, Dr. Margaret Zeigler, Michael Specter, Kenneth Kamiya and Maywa Montenegro
On Wednesday we hosted a panel about public perceptions and the impact misperceptions can have on the adoption of ag biotechnology. In a crowded conference room, Sally Squires moderated a lively discussion about some of the common misperceptions of ag biotechnology and how scientists, journalists and third party hunger advocates can help correct those misperceptions for the benefit of all. READ MORE »
Models of conventional and GE corn at the Food & Ag Pavilion exhibit booth (BIO International Convention 2010). Guess which one is which!
Yesterday was our first day at the BIO 2010 International Convention in Chicago. With over 15,000 attendees, it is the largest biotech conference in the world. Just a glance in the exhibit hall gives you a good view of how far ag biotech has come in the last decade. China, India, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica have staked a claim in the ag biotech sector. Did you know that Puerto Rico has more biotech companies per square mile than any other country/region? We spoke to the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Corporation (PRIDCO), who talked about the many benefits of expanding biotech operations and research and development on this tiny island. Notably, he pointed out that the tax incentives and access to highly-skilled human capital are the main drivers behind this expansion. READ MORE »
