St. Louis, Missouri
October 9, 2007
In a new online video and podcast
released today, renowned plant pathologist Dr. Roger Beachy –
president of the Donald
Danforth Plant Science Center and pioneer of the development
of virus-resistance through genetically engineered plants –
describes biotechnology and the potential benefits of traits
currently in development.
“Crop biotechnology is perhaps one of the most precise forms of
plant breeding that we could ever imagine,” says Beachy as he
describes the ability to discover what genes do and to then move
genes from one organism to another. “I can say with great
assuredness that the products of biotechnology that are on the
market today are as safe, if not safer, than those varieties
that they started with.”
The ability to transfer genetic information is known as genetic
engineering, one process used in biotechnology that has enabled
researchers to develop improved crop plants, such as crops
naturally protected from diseases and insects. The first
genetically engineered plants were commercially grown in 1996.
Last year, more than 10.3 million farmers across 22 countries
grew more than 252 million acres (102 million hectares) of
biotech soybeans, corn, canola and cotton.
“What’s been amazing to many of us is that …we’ve seen advances
that have gone far beyond our expectations,” comments Beachy.
“We knew by the early ‘80s that it was possible to develop
improved crops using genetic transformation techniques, but to
actually do the work and observe the successes in the field has
been very satisfying. And now, after more than 10 years of
commercialization of transgenic crops, there is a scientific
report that the genetically engineered varieties are increasing
crop yields while reducing the use of agriculture chemicals by
more than 50 million pounds a year. The overall benefits to the
farmer and to the environment are quite astounding.”
A PG Economics study on the cumulative global impacts of plant
biotechnology for the first nine years of production (1996-2004)
shows a decrease in pesticide applications of 72,000 metric
tons, a US$27 billion increase in net income for farmers, a
savings of 1.8 billion liters of diesel fuel from reduced
tillage or plowing, and a subsequent elimination of 10 million
metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions through fuel savings.
“When we have such breakthroughs from the first 10 years of a
scientific field, one can expect much more in the future,” says
Beachy. “Farmers will have new varieties that survive drought.
And, there will be crops that deliver higher levels of essential
vitamins and minerals. Also, there will be crops that have new
uses and will bring financial benefits to the farming community;
all while reducing the impact on the environment.”
“I’d love to see potato or cassava that has more protein or more
vitamins in it, so that those whose diets are built around these
starch crops can have a healthier living,” continues Beachy.
“We’d like to see better, more nutritious foods, including those
developed by new genetics, available to those who need it.”
In addition to this video with Dr. Roger Beachy, visitors to the
Conversations about Plant Biotechnology
Web site can view videos with other researchers and experts who
study genetically engineered plants including Dr. Norman Borlaug
who shares his perspective on the benefits of biotechnology, Dr.
Clive James who discusses the importance of biotech crops to
agriculture in developing countries, and Graham Brookes who
shares the results of his study on the advantages of
biotechnology in agriculture from the first nine years of
production.
Conversations about Plant Biotechnology is designed to give a
voice and a face to the farmers and families who grow GM crops
and the experts who research and study the benefits of
biotechnology in agriculture. The Web site contains nearly 60,
two- to three-minute, extremely candid, straightforward and
compelling video segments with the people who know the
technology best. The Web site is hosted by Monsanto Company — a
leading global provider of technology-based solutions and
agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food
quality. |
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