Agricultural Biotechnology

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Agricultural Biotechnology

The development of genetically modified foods and other agricultural biotechnology products has generated significant public debate. The potential for creating foods enhanced for health benefits or increasing crop yields was tantalizing, but there was also widespread concern about the technology’s health and environmental risks.

Pew's initiative on food and biotechnology spotlighted policy issues arising from these discussions and served as a credible, honest broker, bringing together people with differing viewpoints to examine the opportunities and challenges of agricultural biotechnology.

Through its reports, fact sheets, polls and conferences, the project served as a respected information source on agricultural biotechnology and related policy issues for legislators, educators, the public and the media in the United States and globally. Although the project concluded its work in 2007, its resource materials remain available here.

Report

Lessons Learned: Food for Thought and Discussion (Fall 2007 Trust magazine article)

Dec 03, 2007 - The nonprofit Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology is closing, but the need for an independent and neutral body to facilitate dialogue on U.S. biotech policy has never been greater.

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Functional Foods

May 10, 2007 - The PIFB's final report provides an overview of functional foods—foods that are enhanced to provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition—and looks at the potential to develop these foods through the application of modern biotechnology.

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Report: State Legislatures Continue to Be Active in Addressing Challenges Associated With Agricultural Biotechnology

Jun 22, 2006 - Report chronicles and catalogues state and federal legislative activity relating to agricultural biotechnology during 2005 and the first half of the 2005–2006 state legislative session.

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U.S. vs. EU: An Examination of the Trade Issues Surrounding Genetically Modified Food

Dec 16, 2005 - An issue brief which provides an overview of the history of the dispute between the U.S. and the EU over GM foods and crops, the impacts of the dispute on U.S. trade, and a summary of current EU regulations and approval processes.

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Tending the Fields

Dec 04, 2004 - A report on how state regulators are responding to agricultural biotechnology and how the federal-state partnership to ensure food safety and protect the environment was faring.

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Issues in the Regulation of Genetically Engineered Plants and Animals

Apr 01, 2004 - A report on regulatory options from the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology.

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Feeding the World: A Look at Biotechnology and World Hunger(2)

Mar 03, 2004 - An issue brief from the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology on the role of agricultural biotechnology in addressing world hunger.

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Bugs in the System? Issues in the Science and Regulation of Genetically Modified Insects

Jan 22, 2004 - Report from the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology finds the federal government lacks a clear regulatory framework for reviewing environmental safety and other issues associated with GM insects.

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University-Industry Relationships: Framing the Issues for Academic Research in Agricultural Biotechnology

Nov 03, 2003 - Proceedings from expert workshop identify salient researchable issues involving university-industry relationships in agricultural biotechnology and academic research enterprise.

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Have Transgenes, Will Travel: Issues Raised by Gene Flow From Genetically Engineered Crops

Aug 04, 2003 - Scientific inquiry into the implications of gene flow from transgenics is a relatively new and still developing field of study. But it appears that the public is interested in getting some answers to the many questions about what happens when transgenes become mobile.

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Stakeholder Forum Concludes Work, Issues Closing Report

May 01, 2003 - Report details how over the two-year period, Stakeholder Forum members sought to develop consensus recommendations that would enhance the ability of U.S. policies, programs, and regulations governing agricultural biotechnology products to protect public health and the environment.

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Post-Market Oversight of Biotech Foods: Is the System Prepared?

Apr 07, 2003 - In this report, we examine the postmarket regulatory oversight of genetically modified (GM) crops and foods by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the three federal agencies that share responsibility for this task.

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Future Fish? Issues in Science and Regulation of Transgenic Fish

Jan 06, 2003 - This report provides an overview of the issues surrounding transgenic fish. The report reviews the development of aquaculture biotechnology, the status of current research, its potential economic, environmental, and other benefits, its possible food safety and environmental risks, and the application of current U.S. laws and regulations as it moves to commercial development.

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Pharming the Field: A Look at the Benefits and Risks of Bioengineering Plants to Produce Pharmaceuticals

Jul 18, 2002 - Pharming the field: a look at the benefits and risks of bioengineering plants to produce pharmaceuticals. Workshop proceedings, July 2002, Washington, DC. Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology.

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Three Years Later: Genetically Engineered Corn and the Monarch Butterfly Controversy

Jun 10, 2002 - A retrospective of the monarch butterfly/genetically modified corn controversy.

Read: Summary View: Full Report (Adobe PDF)
U.S. vs. EU: An Initial Examination of the Trade Issues Surrounding Genetically Modified Food

Jun 03, 2002 - Issue brief summarizes the regulations under consideration by the EC and their effects on U.S.-EU agricultural trade, and looks at the background issues dividing the U.S. and EU on this topic.

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A Snapshot of Federal Research on Food Allergy: Implications for Genetically Modified Food

Jun 03, 2002 - The findings of this report suggest that an expanded and coordinated research effort could provide significant dividends in developing a more robust method for understanding and predicting potential new food allergens.

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The StarLink Case: Issues for the Future

Oct 01, 2001 - The discovery of StarLinkTM corn in human food was a seminal event in the evolving response of the American public to agricultural biotechnology. This is a discussion paper on the regulatory and public policy issues raised by the StarLink case.

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Harvest on the Horizon: Future Uses of Agricultural Biotechnology

Sep 10, 2001 - Report provides an illustrative overview of what could be the “next generation” of genetically engineered agricultural products.

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Guide to U.S. Regulation of Genetically Modified Food and Agricultural Biotechnology Products

Sep 03, 2001 - A general descriptive guide to the current set of U.S. laws and regulations under which products of biotechnology are reviewed.

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Press Release

May 10, 2007 - Final Pew Initiative Report Examines Status of Research on Functional Foods and Regulations They Will Face - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Mar 27, 2007 - Conference Proceedings on Emerging Challenges for Biotech Specialty Crops, Now Available from the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, APHIS - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Mar 07, 2007 - New Report on Moral and Ethical Issues Related to GE Food Animals From the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, Michigan State University - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Feb 08, 2007 - New Conference Proceedings Examine Genetically Engineered Food and Feed Imports, Implications For U.S. Domestic Policies - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jan 25, 2007 - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology to Conclude Its Work - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Dec 16, 2005 - Updated Issue Brief on U.S.-EU Trade Dispute over Genetically Modified Crops Released by Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Dec 06, 2005 - Workshop Proceedings on Regulatory and Commercialization Issues Related to Genetically Engineered Animals - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Nov 15, 2005 - Americans’ Knowledge of Genetically Modified Foods Remains Low; Majority Are Skeptical About Animal Cloning - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Nov 11, 2005 - Policy Dialogue Explores Genetically Modified Imports, Implications For Domestic Policies - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Oct 28, 2005 - Workshop Proceedings on Moral and Ethical Aspects of Genetically Engineered and Cloned Animals - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Oct 18, 2005 - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology Event: Policy Dialogue Exploring Genetically Modified Imports, Implications For Domestic Policies - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Sep 16, 2005 - New Grant Ensures Continuity of Pew Initiative Work on Agricultural Biotechnology; Program Will Continue to Look at Future Products and Regulatory System - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Dec 08, 2004 - Americans’ Opinions About Genetically Modified Foods Remain Divided, But Majority Want A Strong Regulatory System(2) - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Dec 02, 2004 - New Report Finds Diversity in States' Tools for Managing Ag Biotech - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Nov 10, 2004 - Scientific American Names Pew Initiative A 2004 “Top 50” Policy Leader in Agriculture - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
May 17, 2004 - Pew Initiative Analysis Finds Checkerboard of State Legislation - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Apr 01, 2004 - Pew Initiative Report Examines Regulatory Review Process for Future Ag Biotech Products - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jan 22, 2004 - New Report Finds Genetically Modified Insects May Offer Public Health and Agricultural Benefits, but Clear Regulatory Oversight is Lacking - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Nov 18, 2003 - Report Examines Impacts of University-Industry Relationships (“UIRs”) on Academic Research in Agricultural Biotechnology - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Sep 19, 2003 - Americans' Knowledge of Genetically Modified Foods Remains Low and Opinions On Safety Still Split - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jun 18, 2003 - Pew Initiative/FDA Conferences on Animal Biotechnology and Cloning Suggest Regulation and Ethical Discussions Must Keep Pace With Scientific Developments - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jun 11, 2003 - States Remain At Forefront of Efforts to Address Emerging Agricultural Biotechnology Issues - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnolog
Feb 13, 2003 - Trade War Over Biotech Food: Now, Later or Never? - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jan 14, 2003 - Pew Initiative Report Finds Genetically Altered Fish Have Promise If the Technology is Reviewed Appropriately - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jun 27, 2002 - How Consumers Process Information at Heart of Debate Over Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jun 11, 2002 - Limited Federal Funds Spent on Food Allergy Research Means Biotechnology Issues Are Not Being Addressed, New Report Finds - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jun 04, 2002 - Dispute Over Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods Threatens Billions in Trade - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
May 30, 2002 - Three Years Later: Lessons Learned From the Monarch Butterfly Controversy - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Feb 04, 2002 - Consumers Evenly Divided Over Environmental Risks and Benefits of Genetically Modified Food and Biotechnology - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Sep 06, 2001 - New Report Profiles Breadth of Current Genetic Engineering R&D - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jul 26, 2001 - Views on Genetic Modification of Food Influenced by Religious Beliefs, Not Just Science - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jun 16, 2001 - Consumer Awareness of Genetically Modified Foods May Be Taking Root - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
May 23, 2001 - Americans Express Skepticism About New Uses of Genetic Engineering - The Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Mar 26, 2001 - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology Finds Public Opinion About Genetically Modified Foods “Up For Grabs” - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology

Speech

Feb 17, 2006 - Animal Biotechnology: Public Policy and Public Perception - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
Jan 13, 2006 - Along for the Ride: the Public and Technology Development - Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology

Media Coverage

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