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North Carolina Food Biotechnology Roundup, Part 1: Viewpoints From Academia

As the world population continues to explode and unusual weather patterns bring heavy floods, extreme droughts and devastating outbreaks of animal disease, our planet's food supply is continuously challenged.

As we ponder how to provide nutritious food to a world population that could reach 12.5 billion by 2050, there is more focus on biotechnology as an important part of a global feeding solution.

North Carolina is home to a number of biotechnology food leaders that are tackling the complex issue of world hunger. Our state is the world headquarters to numerous agricultural biotechnology companies, namely in Research Triangle Park and the Piedmont Triad, and there are many agricultural researchers at universities such as North Carolina State University (NCSU).

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Below is a roundup of the concerns and projects of some of the state's agricultural researchers. See next month's BT Catalyst for views from the state's food biotechnology industry.

Hoban debunks the controversy The field of food biotechnology has not been without controversy as evidenced by this year's StarLink corn-related product recalls and an increasing number of activist groups..

Thomas Hoban, Ph.D., is a professor of sociology and food science at NCSU and a world-renowned researcher and speaker about the public's perception of biotechnology. "These activist groups try to shape public opinion for their own benefit, rather than reflect true consumer interests," he said.

"Research has shown that most U.S. consumers are excited about the benefits of agricultural biotechnology -- especially regarding the reduced use of pesticides and the potential for reducing world hunger. They eagerly await new foods developed through biotechnology that are more nutritious and have other direct benefits."

Sawyer brings biotechnology to developing countries Richard Sawyer, Ph.D., adjunct professor of international programs in the horticulture department of NCSU, has a life mission of bringing biotechnology crops to developing countries where food is scarce. Since 1953 Sawyer has been involved in agricultural research and has held executive agricultural posts around the world, including director general emeritus of the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru.

"We need to recognize that the new tools of biotechnology will do more for human health and food and environment this new century than any other factors present in sight," Sawyer said.

"The environmentalists are becoming well organized in developing countries. You can't put genetically modified foods in the fields in Bolivia or Peru due to the environmentalists. I blame part of this on the scientists in not letting the average person on the street know what's been going on all these years."

Jaynes forms nonprofit to help cure world hunger Echoing Sawyer's life mission to bring nutritious, transgenic foods to developing countries to fight famine is longtime colleague Jesse Jaynes, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of veterinary medicine at NCSU and chairman and chief scientific officer of NovaTero of Raleigh. NovaTero is a nonprofit that seeks to alleviate world hunger through biotechnology.

As a biochemist by training, Jaynes has a particular aptitude for discovery. When asked just how many patents he holds, Jaynes humbly replied, "I've been awarded 50 United States and foreign patents over the last decade, with over 15 related to transgenic plants that would help increase protein content and nutrient value that could be applied to any crop worldwide."

Jaynes hopes to have projects underway soon in Lima, Peru, for potatoes and in Montpelier, France, for bananas and plantains.

Wilder Communications develops and implements strategic communications plans for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and provides communications guidance to businesses involved in food biotechnology.

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North Carolina Food Biotechnology Roundup, Part 1: Viewpoints From Academia

BT Catalyst, May, 2001

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