Food & Agriculture

Sustainable development is no small undertaking for international companies looking to meet today’s energy, food and environmental needs without compromising the Earth’s resources or its future. The innovative solution these corporate leaders are turning to is biotechnology, whether it’s to augment agricultural productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create an innovative disease therapy or diminish the use of pesticides.

Sometimes a clarification is in order. Such was the case in December, when Brian O’Connor, BIO’s manager of state government relations, testified at a hearing before the Maine Department of Agriculture.

At BIO’s recent Focus on Compliance workshop, participants learned about the responsible use of plant biotechnology during R&D.

A controversial report on genetically engineered crops claims farmers are increasingly critical of these crops. But is it really so?

Today's world population is more than 6.6 billion people and growing. Fast. By some projections there will be 9 billion people inhabiting our planet by 2050. That may sound far off, but it is less than a single lifetime away—meaning that many of us alive today will still be alive then. Perhaps even you.

The world’s population is projected to reach 9.1 billion by the middle of this century. Feeding that number of people — in addition to producing animal feed, fiber and biofuels — will require a 70 percent increase in overall agricultural production, primarily in the developing world, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO).

Transgenic seed technology began to transform India's cotton industry in 2002. Genetically modified cotton acreage has increased three-fold since that year, and the lives of millions of Indian families have been improved as cotton farmers income has increased by $124 million (USD). Indian farmers today represent some of the world's most rapid adopters of biotech crops.

Transgenic seed technology began to transform India's cotton industry in 2002.

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.

New vaccines employing biotech innovations are changing the way we prevent illness.

What do pandas, bantengs, and panthers have in common? Their populations have all been assisted by biotechnology.

Dr. Targan explains how the biotech industry is using the biology of taste to create healthier sweeteners, block bitter tastes, and help make unpleasant-tasting medicines more palatable.

Dr. Targan explains how biotechnology is working to create drought resistant crops.

Letters, Testimony & Comments

September 3 2012
I. Agricultural and Animal Biotechnology The Government of Canada has long been a trusted ally to the United States on agricultural...
July 10 2012
Dear Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson: Our members are engaged in the development, use and future utilization of agricultural...
June 21 2012
Senators Sanders and Boxer have introduced an amendment that will result in costly and extreme food labeling requirements. Senate...
June 21 2012
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), which represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state...
June 11 2012
On behalf of the 23 undersigned industrial, environmental, food and agricultural biotechnology companies, we write to express our...

Press Releases

February 20 2013
Adoption of agricultural biotechnology increased six percent over past year as developing countries play leading role...
February 13 2013
  Now is not the time to gut job-creating investments in science and innovation The U.S. Food and Drug...
January 15 2013
Washington, D.C. — The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA...
December 21 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 21, 2012) – Today, as part of its rigorous, scientific regulatory review governing...
November 15 2012
Washington, D.C. (November 15, 2012) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the American Seed...