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It’s a Green Gene Revolution: KeyGene's 20th Anniversary
November 2009
On the 7th of
October KeyGene celebrated its 20th anniversary, for their
clients and customers, with a festive event in Castle Doorwerth
in Doorwerth. The theme of the event was “The future of the
FFFFFF’s”: Food, Feed, Fiber, Fuel, Flower and Fun. The focus
was on the new path KeyGene has embarked on this year. The host
of the event was Dr. Arjen van Tunen, CEO of KeyGene.
 Three
keynote speakers introduced the audience into an interesting
view of the future of the world and the role green biotechnology
plays in it.
First was Rudy Rabbinge, professor in sustainable development
and food security at Wageningen University. He started by a push
on the button that started the presentation of the recently
uncovered DNA sequence of melon. He continued by stating the
importance of green biotechnology in providing the growing world
population in its food supply. For green biotechnology to live
up to its promises, focused collaboration based on excellence is
needed.
Adjiedj Bakas, trend watcher of the year 2009, showed the
audience the importance of storytelling. The green biotechnology
sector has to connect to people by showing them the
possibilities of green biotechnology. After all, the economy is
heavily influenced by the emotional responses of consumers.
Mark van Haaren, KeyGene's Vice-President Business Development,
showed the audience KeyGene’s achievements over the past twenty
years and the role it played in the development of enabling
technologies. With its new strategy focused on durable and
innovative development, KeyGene is ready for the future. KeyGene
will play an important role in building a sustainable and
profitable future for the 6F crops (Food, Feed, Fiber, Fuel,
Flower en Fun), ‘smart phenotyping’, bridging the genomes and
constructing new genomes that link breeders’ dreams to modern
agricultural requirements.
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“Biotechnology companies won’t be able
to solve world hunger on their own, but
they can play an important role in it.” |
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 In
a House of Commons, five statements were debated on ranging from
“Biotechnology companies are going to solve the world hunger” to
“GMO-rules have to disappear in Europe”.
The participants were enthusiastic and driven. The debate was
led by Gijs Weenink (CEO Debate Academy, the Netherlands), which
was a pleasant mix of dreams and pragmatism, according to the
jury.
The event ended in the evening with a festive reception and
dinner.
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