BIO Strengthens Food & Agriculture Section
Phillips was director of the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources at the National Academy of Sciences for three years. He also was a Senior Study Director for Special Academy Wide Studies, which included an examination of the regulation of genetically modified pest protected plants.
ôThis appointment comes at a critical time in the worldwide debate over genetically modified foods,ö said BIO President Carl B. Feldbaum. ôMike's scientific expertise will strengthen our efforts to make sure lawmakers, the news media and the public understand the facts of applying biotechnology to agriculture.ö
Phillips earned a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Purdue University. Before joining the National Academy of Sciences, he directed a W.K. Kellogg Foundation project on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics for the 21st Century. He worked as a senior associate in the U.S. Congress' Office of Technology Assessment and served as a U.S. Department of Agriculture staff economist.
ôMike will have a key role in representing the agbiotech industry on domestic policy and international trade issues,ö said L. Val Giddings, vice president of BIO's Food and Agriculture section. ôHe has more than 25 years of experience as an agricultural economist and vastknowledge and understanding of agriculture and the challenges we face on the cusp of the 21st Century.ö
BIO represents more than 850 biotechnology companies, academic institutions and state biotech centers in 47 states and 26 nations. BIO members are involved in research and development of health care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.