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Our research project, funded by the Initiative
for Future Agriculture and Food Systems (IFAFS), is a collaborative
effort among members of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University,
University of Tennessee, North Carolina State University, and the
International Rice Research Institute. The goal of this 4-year project
is to inform and sharpen public debate on the benefits, costs, risks,
and tradeoffs associated with agricultural biotechnologies, using
rice and tobacco as examples
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Tobacco
was chosen because of the extensive biotechnology program currently
underway toward discovering pharmaceutical uses for the crop. These
uses have the potential to deliver broad health benefits to the
public. Moreover, the benefits
to tobacco growers, many of whom are limited resource producers,
may be large.
Rice
was chosen because  it
is the subject of one of the largest
biotechnology programs in the world, with significant implications
not only for United States producers, but producers and low income
consumers throughout the developing
world.
Project
Objectives:
- Identify the issues and concerns held by
various stakeholders regarding agricultural biotechnology.
- Document the potential benefits, costs,
and risks of these new technologies.
- Increase public understanding of biotech
benefits, costs, risks, and tradeoffs.
We anticipate that increased awareness
may lead to greater clarity on the appropriate roles for public
versus private sector biotech research and development. Additionally,
a more informed public may better contribute to shaping regulatory
oversight for agricultural biotechnologies.
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