Agriculture

When we look at the challenges affecting our world today, many come to mind - energy demand, food security and climate change, just to name a few.

Biotechnology provides tools to meet all of these challenges. The sustainable farming practices afforded to today’s modern farmers allow us to produce more food, fuel and fiber on less land with less environmental impact.

These technologies – and the policies and infrastructures needed to realize their benefit – will be the focus of a very important panel discussion taking place here in Washington on February 12th.

This week according to the New Energy World Network

“The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Navy are to develop advanced biofuels and other renewable energy systems.”

“Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus emphasised how partnering with USDA supports his vision for energy reform

Biotechnology is a global enterprise.  The United States continues to play the dominant role but European and Asian nations are continually expanding their capabilities. 

In preparation for BIO’s first ever partnering meeting in India in September 2010, I am travelling the subcontinent to promote the event and to assess the country's biotech capabilities and needs.

On November 4th in Mumbai, I visited Reliance Life Sciences which represents a huge investment in biotech from one of India’s largest and most well known companies.  Whil

Dr. Targan explains how biotechnology is working to create drought resistant crops.  Learn how this agricultural biotech innovation could have a global lifesaving and economic effect for people living in drought plagued areas like sub-Saharan Africa.

Download to listen or view the podcast.

This week, Farmer Gene blogs on biotechnology for sustainability, writing,

“On the Tomorrow’s Table blog, Kent J.

Dr. Targan explains how biotechnology is helping to reduce our carbon footprint through the production of biofuels, which are  manufactured from various renewable resources found  naturally in our environment.

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In August, 2009, I attended the 7th International Transgenic Animal Research Conference in Tahoe, California. I visited with Dr. Bruce Whitelaw, at the Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Dr. Whitelaw is a premiere researcher in the field of transgenic animals.

In August, 2009, I attended the 7th International Transgenic Animal Research Conference in Tahoe, California. I visited with Dr. James Murray, Professor, University of California in Davis. Dr. Murray is the organizer of the Conference. His research is producing genetically engineered (GE) goats. He and scientists in Brazil are teaming up to develop a herd of GE dairy goats, whose milk is expected to protect against the types of diarrheal diseases that each year claim the lives of more than 2 million children around the world.

In August, 2009, I attended the 7th International Transgenic Animal Research Conference in Tahoe, California. I visited with Jerry Pommer, Director of Animal Regulatory Compliance and Quality Assurance works for Hematech, Inc. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The company is currently developing genetically engineered (GE) cattle that can efficiently produce large quantities of human polyclonal antibodies. These antibodies are expected to help in the treatments of viral or bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders and other medical conditions occurring in humans.

This week Farmer Gene talks about World Food Day 2009.