Washington, D.C.
September 17, 2008
Today the
Biotechnology Industry Organization
(BIO) and the American Trade
Seed Association (ASTA), in cooperation with the
Congressional Biotech Caucus, shed light on the progress of the
agricultural biotechnology industry by celebrating the
contribution that agricultural biotechnology brings to
consumers, farmers and the environment.
During an Agricultural Biotechnology Exhibition at the U.S.
House of Representatives, key members of the agricultural
biotech community showcased visual displays, sample products,
research and development, and take-home literature designed to
educate attendees on the importance of biotechnology in modern
agriculture and its future possibilities. The event serves as an
opportunity to educate Members of Congress and their staff about
the importance of these issues, and raise awareness of the
significant and tangible benefits that agricultural
biotechnology is providing toward feeding, fueling and healing
the world.
“Today’s event provides an opportunity for our biotechnology
companies to showcase the many innovations being developed in
the area of agricultural biotechnology,” said Sharon Bomer
Lauritsen, Executive Vice President of Food & Agriculture,
Biotechnology Industry Organization. “Agricultural biotechnology
helps to contribute to sustainable agricultural production with
crops that yield more on less land with reduced environmental
impacts. Further innovations include bio-based products that can
be converted cleanly and affordably to energy, and animal
biotechnologies that can enhance human and animal health, food
production and the environment.”
“This has been a tremendous opportunity to represent the seed
industry and explain its role in bringing new technology and
innovation to agricultural production in the United States.”
said Andrew LaVigne, President and CEO, American Seed Trade
Association. “Although people may be aware of the seed industry,
and may even have an understanding of the current application of
biotechnology within the agricultural industry, the role of
quality seed in delivering the technologies of today and the
innovation of tomorrow is often not understood. Today we have
had a chance to tell people about the exciting future of the
seed industry and how our members will continue to be pioneers
in modern biotechnology.”
Agricultural biotechnology provides solutions to meet the
increasing global demand of food, feed and fuel. Agriculture and
its consumers have benefited from biotechnology through
increased productivity, disease and pest resistance, and food
safety and nutrition. Agriculture biotechnology also has
substantial environmental benefits, because biotech crops
require less cultivation and fewer pesticide applications,
thereby saving fuel and reducing carbon dioxide emissions into
the air and improving soil health and water retention.
The companies participating in the Agricultural Biotechnology
Exhibition include Arcadia Biosciences, Aqua Bounty Pacific,
Inc., BASF, Bayer CropSciences, Ceres, Dow AgroSciences, LLC,
DuPont Agriculture and Nutrition Pioneer, Edenspace Systems
Corporation, Monsanto, SemBioSys, Syngenta and ViaGen.
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies,
academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related
organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other
nations. BIO members are involved in the research and
development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial
and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the
BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of
the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor
and partnering meetings held around the world.
Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA),
located in Alexandria, Va., is one of the oldest trade
organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of
about 750 companies involved in seed production and
distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North
America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates
science and policy issues of industry.
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