Plant Biotechnology

Farmers using improved seeds and biotech crop varieties continue to see significant economic and on-farm environmental benefits.

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) survey, “Consumer Perceptions of Food Technology & Sustainability”, shows U.S. consumers overwhelmingly support current federal rules for labeling foods. 

National Ag Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. And today’s modern agriculture practices are more beneficial than ever before for the environment, the economy, food security and consumers.

As the use of agricultural biotechnology increases globally, people need information about food production that is truthful, so they can form opinions based on facts, not fear.

“I’ve never been a farmer,” Bill Gates confessed at The Chicago Council’s Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security. “Until recently, I rarely set foot on a farm.”

All programs at the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing are open to attendance by members of the media. Complimentary media registration is available to editors and reporters with valid press credentials working full time for print, broadcast or web publications.

Despite the fact that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack believes that the regulation of genetically engineered agricultural products must be science-based, and that he has “no doubts about the safety of the products this system has approved and will continue to approve,” some state legislatures are considering bills requiring labeling for biotech-derived food. These bills defy existing science-based regulation and are wholly unnecessary.

You might have heard that the Prince of Wales, just days after hosting the Royal Wedding, paid us a visit here in Washington.  Prince Charles, a long-time organic food advocate and self-described environmentalist, was here to speak at a Washington Post symposium on the Future of Food.

Prince Charles likes to talk about “sustainability” so much that he used a version of the word 32 times in his recent speech about farming at Georgetown University.

With global food costs reaching such dangerous levels, ensuring a safe, affordable and abundant global food supply has never been as important as it is right now.

Thanks to genetic engineering, flowers are heartier and last longer after they’re cut.  And they come in a wider variety of shapes, sizes, scents and colors – even blue!

BIO has named Feike Sijbesma as the recipient of its 2011 George Washington Carver Award for innovation in industrial biotechnology.

Overhauled BIOTradeStatus lets users search for the latest information on hundreds of products.

ISAAA data shows countries around the world have embraced agricultural biotechnology.

Letters, Testimony & Comments

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...
December 13 2011
These comments are submitted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) in response to the United States Department of Agriculture...
July 28 2011
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is the world's largest biotechnology organization, providing advocacy, business...

Press Releases

February 20 2013
Adoption of agricultural biotechnology increased six percent over past year as developing countries play leading role...
January 15 2013
Washington, D.C. — The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA...
July 19 2012
Consumers to directly benefit from new foods improved through biotechnology WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 19, 2012)...
July 10 2012
Washington, D.C. (July 10, 2012) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is expressing its strong...
June 7 2012
Letter Praises Administration’s Commitment to Innovation WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 7, 2012) – A host of...