The use of biotechnology is big within the health industry, the area of industrial envrionment and agriculture, but while it is widely adopted and accepted within the first two, it’s acceptance is another matter in the ag industry, according to Dr. Cathy Enright, executive vice president for Food and Agriculture at the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Enright spoke at the recent BioIndustry Summit in Fargo, which was sponsored by the Red River Valley Research Corridor and North Dakota State University’s Department of Ag and Biosystems Engineering.
In looking at the success of biotechnology in the first two areas, Enright noted the health industry adopted biotechnology about 35 years ago, and now many of the popular pharmaceuticals like human insulin, human growth hormones, vaccines, and antibiotics are all genetically engineered.
“And there isn’t any debate surrounding the application and use of these biologics,” she said.
Enright listed three components to the strategy to change the conversation about using GMOs in food production. The first is communication and education; the second is a federal legislative vehicle to move the GMO community beyond the challenges offered by individual states; and third, to continue to defend the proprietary interests.
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“If I can leave you with any point today, it’s as we go forward in advancing technologies, talk about them. Make time to talk about what they are, why you use them and how they will help us,” she said.
Read the full, original article: Giving biotech in ag and food production a level playing field
