[Editor’s note: Adrian Percy is the Global Head of Research and Development for Crop Science, a Division of Bayer.]
After many years involved in conducting research to evaluate the safety of our products, I’m still surprised that there are many people who not only don’t appreciate the incredible accomplishments of modern agriculture, but who also believe that its products and practices threaten people, wildlife and the environment. Where I see miraculous innovations that will help sustainably feed the world, they see a profit-driven industry with no regard to safety. Why do we view the world through such different lenses?
Much of this is due to a lack of trust. I recently explained how the general public has lost confidence in many of the institutions it once held in high regard. Conflicting accounts about the safety of food or technologies permeate social media, making it difficult for people to separate fact from fiction, especially when scientists themselves disagree over the same issues. Mistrust is amplified when the public doubts the integrity of privately-funded research studies, or if they think the industry is hiding something from them. In the mind of many consumers, what you don’t know may indeed hurt you.
That’s why I’m pleased to announce that Bayer plans to allow public access to safety-relevant crop protection study information. By sharing what was once confidential information, we hope to connect the public with our scientific community in a way that builds trust and shows our desire to create transparency.
Most people have no idea that, on average, about 1,200 registration studies are required before a new active ingredient product can be approved for use on crops, or that only one out of every 100,000 candidates screened will ever be commercialized. … The entire new product development process, from discovery to sale, averages 13 years to complete.
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[I]f seeing is believing, we think you’ll be pleased with what you see.The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Demystifying Science – Seeing is Believing
