Milling & Baking News - June 22, 2004 - 14

C O R N

W E T

M I L L I N G

Biotechnology broadens in scope

86% bioengineered. The growth in
biotechnology use has been steady,
BY PETER A. MEYER
the venue. People were advised not which indicates the financial model
THERE IS AN old saying about not to wear badges outside the hall. Al- has been working. The seed compahaving been truly cold until you have though it is difficult to believe that nies still have obstacles in Europe
spent July 4th in San Francisco. This a badge was the only differentiating and Asia, but the gathering evidence
easily might have applied to June 6-9, factor between a navy blue suited indicates that bioengineered crops are
2004, in San Francisco, where the an- conventioneer and a three headed both safe and economically viable.
nual International Convention of the Frankenmonster protester. Altogether,
The future for biotech and the corn
Biotechnology Industry Organization it was more difficult to get a table at processing industry holds several opwas held.
a good restaurant than to navigate portunities some of which are being
It is the largest event celebrating between hall and hotel.
realized now. Conversion of glucose
the biotechnology industry and incorPerhaps because of the protesters to fiber on a commercial scale is a
porates an increasingly wide swath of over the years, BIO has achieved one of reality, with at least two companies'
technology as analyzing DNA is be- its stated purposes of being inclusive. facilities built or under construction.
coming increasingly a function of com- As Mr. Feldbaum reiterated, "BIO also Seed modification can focus on growputer power. Its products range from continues to grow stronger by includ- ing corn that produces healthier oil
- which can
replace trans
Acreage planted to bioengineered crops
fatty acids in
Corn
Soybeans
Cotton
food producHerbicide Insect Stacked Total Herbicide Insect Stacked Total Herbicide Insect Stacked Total
tion; or more
resistant resistant gene biotech resistant resistant gene
biotech resistant resistant gene
biotech
malleable
1998
9%
26%
0%
35%
42%
42%
33%
23%
56%
starch
that
1999
8%
30%
0%
38%
57%
57%
38%
27%
65%
provides ben2000
6%
18%
1%
25%
54%
54%
26%
15%
20%
61%
efits to cus2001
7%
18%
1%
26%
68%
68%
32%
13%
24%
69%
tomers.
The
2002
9%
22%
2%
34%
75%
75%
36%
13%
22%
71%
search for a
2003 11%
25%
4%
40%
81%
81%
32%
14%
27%
73%
commercially
2004 14%
27%
5%
46%
86%
86%
28%
18%
30%
76%
viable
apSource: U.S. Department of Agriculture
proach to biomass converpharmaceuticals to fuel. It touches ing all responsible applications of bio- sion to ethanol continues. This could
plants, animals and humans.
technology under one protective roof. reduce ethanol's cost and make the
The retiring president of the indus- Medical, agricultural, industrial and cellulosic volume of crop production
try association, Carl Feldbaum, in his environmental sectors need to contin- such as rice straw, corn stalks and
final speech as head of the BIO organi- ue standing together. As their interests husks and bagasse from sugar cane
zation had this comment: "First a little and issues become more distinct, there more valuable.
perspective: The last time BIO came might come a time for a natural diverGrowing crops for processing with
to San Francisco back in the spring of gence into new associations. But right enhanced nutrient benefits and possi'95, we attracted 2,700 individuals and now we still need the strength that bly pharmaceutical applications is congenerated a few local newspaper ar- unity provides."
troversial, but may bring health benticles. Here we are just nine years later,
One of the reasons for agricultural efits at low cost and therefore greater
with more than 16,000 in attendance, biotechnology to move under the availability to consumers around the
including hundreds of appointed and umbrella was to associate with the world.
elected local officials, state and pro- consumer friendly aspects of bioAmong the states represented at the
vincial officials, U.S. and international technology, for example life saving BIO Conference were Illinois, Indiana,
government officials, and more than pharmaceuticals, while ag's initial Iowa and Minnesota, each touting the
500 journalists. Our BIO TV station, focus has been on producer econom- attractions of their state for biotech
centered here in the Convention Hall, ics. Now, from meat safety and ten- investment. It is no coincidence that
is now broadcasting the highlights of derness to crops that provide added these are all states with large corn wet
this meeting to millions of viewers nutrition for subsistence agriculture, milling interests capable of convertworldwide."
the pendulum, if not swinging in the ing BIO technologies into commercial
Unmentioned above and also pres- other direction, seems to have moder- products. In fact, the BIO Conference
ent for the meeting were the expected ated its arc. Even the E.U. recently arrives in Chicago in 2006. MBN
gaggle of protestors in full battle rega- approved a new edible bioengineered
lia - three-headed masks, grim reaper corn variety.
costumes and Frankenstein dress. The
Meanwhile, in the U.S., the growth
police in riot gear, who outnumbered in bioengineered crops continues
the protesters about 2 to 1, set up a apace. The U.S.D.A. has begun rePeter A. Meyer is
cordon around the hall and reacted porting regularly on the percentage
president of PMI
quickly to every confrontation that of major crops for which bioengiConsultants, a
might block access to the hall by con- neered seed is readily available and
Chicago-based conventioneers.
has been planted. In 2004, the corn
sultant to the food
It was reported that some par- crop will be 46% bioengineered, the
and agribusiness
ticipants wearing badges had been cotton crop 76% bioengineered and
industry.
paint-balled on their way to and from the U.S. soybean crop a staggering
14 / Milling & Baking News, June 22, 2004

bakingbusiness.com / world-grain.com

http://www.bakingbusiness.com http://www.world-grain.com

Milling & Baking News - June 22, 2004

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Milling & Baking News - June 22, 2004