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Biotechnology can help meet global food, wellness and materials needs, says DuPont chairman
Lyon, France and Wilmington, Delaware
April 13, 2005

DuPont Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles O. Holliday, Jr. today told The World Life Sciences Forum BioVision that biotechnology will enable the world to keep pace with the exponential growth in human and  societal needs.

"There is no more powerful tool at our disposal for addressing global needs than biotechnology," Holliday said.

By 2025, demand for the world's food and fiber production will have to double on virtually the same amount of land currently in production, he said. There will be similar challenges for meeting the pressing needs of health care and energy requirements as well.  Applications of biotechnology today are demonstrating the potential of the technology to help meet these future demands.

Holliday discussed the role DuPont science and innovation is playing in providing biotechnology-based pest resistant and higher yielding crops to help meet growing global demand for grain on less amounts of land.

DuPont is also using bioengineering tools to create new, high-performance materials.  Scientists have discovered a way to produce DuPont(TM) Sorona(R), the latest polymer innovation from DuPont, using corn as a key manufacturing ingredient.  Currently produced using a petrochemical feedstock, the bio-based version of Sorona(R) will be available to markets in 2006.

Additionally, DuPont is actively working to leverage nutrition for the prevention and management of disease.  Recently, the company introduced a new soybean oil to help food companies reduce trans fats.  A number of other projects are underway, including soybeans that produce omega-3 fatty acids for better health and research to help food companies offer better tasting and healthier foods using biotechnology.

"It has become convenient to talk about red, green and white biotechnology to distinguish human, plant and industrial applications," Holliday said.  "But our experience at DuPont is showing us that the various types of biotechnology are interrelated.  Working with an external, highly regarded international global panel of scientists, ethicists, policy influencers, NGOs, and other business leaders, we have established a set of guiding  principles that we use to bring the products of our research to the marketplace."

The World Life Sciences Forum BioVision is an international platform, bringing together representatives from society, science, and industry in equal numbers, to discuss, debate and put forth proposals on the major international issues concerning the future of health, food and the environment.  Held every two years, the Forum and its associated events have grown from 1,200 participants in BioVision 1999 to an anticipated 4,500 participants in BioVision 2005.    

Link: Full text of the Holliday remarks as prepared for delivery at BioVision 2005.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a science company.  Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.  Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

The DuPont Oval, DuPont(TM) and The miracles of science(TM) and Sorona(R) are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

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