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2014 BIO Livestock Biotech Summit Concludes with a Glance into the Future of Animal Biotechnology

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2014 Livestock Biotech Summit three day programming touched on issues such as engaging consumers, animal welfare, the promise of the technology.</p>

Sioux Falls, SD (September 19, 2014) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2014 Livestock Biotech Summit three day programming touched on issues such as engaging consumers, animal welfare, the promise of the technology. The Summit closed with remarks by renowned animal scientist Dr. Jim Murray, Professor of Animal Science and Population Health at the University of California at Davis.  This unique conference was held September 16-18, 2014, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

"We need to find a way to feed the world in sustainable way through means that require less land, less water and less resources," said Murray. "Genetically Engineered livestock are needed to help feed a rapidly growing population’s demand for protein." 

Celebrating its third Summit, BIO hosted more than 150 attendees at this year’s conference – of which 30 percent were at a Director or an Executive career level while the majority of attendees consisted of researchers, scientists, academics, and chief scientific officers.  Additionally, this year BIO hosted several academic students from the local universities, including South Dakota State University (SDSU), as well as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) South Dakota chapter.

“The 2014 Livestock Biotech Summit successfully brought together all parties and partners within the animal biotechnology community to address concerns and to help find solutions to current challenges being encountered within the industry,” said Cathy Enright, Executive Vice President, Food and Agriculture at BIO.  “Additionally, we were fortunate to hold this year’s Summit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota which houses a plethora of innovative animal biotech companies and research facilities, making it an ideal location to hold these important discussions and providing attendees with a first-hand view into this critical industry.”

High profile speakers for this year’s Summit included Dr. James Murray, Professor Animal Science and Population Health at the University of California at Davis, Dr. Richard Raymond, former undersecretary of agriculture for food safety at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, director of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and journalist Christie Nicolson, the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.  

Visit BIO’s Livestock Biotech Summit website for post-Summit blogs and tweets highlighting session discussions and keynote presentations.  The 2014 Livestock Biotech Summit examined the scientific potential and political challenges of using animal biotechnology to improve human and animal health, food production and the environment.