WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 1, 2006) --“We are pleased that the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has reaffirmed its support for the use of agricultural and food biotechnology,” said Sean Darragh, Executive Vice President of the Food and Agriculture Section of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).
“In 1995 when the ADA first expressed its position ‘that biotechnology techniques have the potential to be useful in enhancing the quality, nutritional value, and variety of food…,’ the technology was in its infancy. Today, that potential has yielded a decade of success demonstrated by more than a billion acres of biotech crops grown by more than 8 million farmers in 21 countries.
“The ADA, with its more than 65,000 members, is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. We rely on them to translate the science of nutrition into practical advice and guidance to make healthy eating choices. The ADA’s continued support for food biotechnology, its proven success, and future potential, provides valuable information for consumers everywhere.”
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
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Note to editors: The American Dietetic Association’s position statement on Agricultural and Food Biotechnology is now available in the February issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (subscription required: http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0002-8223/PIIS0002822305021097.pdf)
"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that agricultural and food biotechnology techniques can enhance the quality, safety, nutritional value, and variety of food available for human consumption and increase the efficiency of food production, food processing, food distribution, and environmental and waste management. The ADA encourages the government, food manufacturers, food commodity groups, and qualified food and nutrition professionals to work together to inform consumers about this new technology and encourage availability of these products in the marketplace."
