Overview

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World population today is increasing at the same time arable land is decreasing. As a result, agriculture today needs to feed more people in a sustainable manner at an affordable cost. For centuries, humans have bred plants and animals to obtain offspring with desirable traits such as improved yields and disease resistance. Recent scientific advances in molecular biology and genomics have allowed scientists to identify and map genes, describe their function, and transfer genes for specific traits into organisms where they are needed. Biotechnology is a set of techniques that scientists use to improve or modify plants, animals, and microbes for specific uses. When biotechnology involves recombinant DNA, it may also be called genetic engineering. CSREES funds research, training, and outreach activities in food and agricultural biotechnology in the areas listed below under IN FOCUS.

In Focus

• A CSREES stakeholders' workshop on plant and pest biology elicited research, education, and extension priorities from scientific and commodity groups.
• A CSREES co-hosted workshop explored the issue of multi-sector cooperation on the issue of specialty, biotechnology-derived crops.
• CSREES partners will draft plans and obtain stakeholder input on a Specialty Crops Regulatory Initiative.
• Plant biotechnology cuts costs and increases yields, resistance to disease, stress, and pests; and remediates environments.
• Microbial biotechnology provides new sources of food ingredients and provides new tools for removal of toxins from the environment.
• Animal biotechnology (including aquatic animals) enhances growth and development, improves health and nutrition, and produces valuable substances.


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Partnerships

• CSREES, ARS, APHIS, Langston University and the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy developed a workshop and Specialty Crops Regulatory Initiative.
• CSREES partners with the Agricultural Research Service and the Forest Service in administering the Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program.

Events

• Competitive Grants Grantsmanship Workshops, Washington, DC/Salt Lake City, UT, September/October, 2008.
• Galaxy III Conference: "Celebrating the Extension System: Strengths, Diversity, and Unique Qualities," Indianapolis, IN, September 15-19, 2008.

Selected Results and Impacts

• A costly cereal crop disease is the target of CSREES-funded research
• CSREES-funded research may help lessen the negative impact of ozone layer thinning on corn.
• CSREES-funded research examines how a common algae can contribute to food production.


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Resources

• Genetically Modified Pest-Protected Plants, National Academy Press.
• Glossary of Biotechnology Terms.
• Biotechnology Risk Assessment Data, University of Florida. Provides information on genetic engineering and the safety of genetically modified organisms.


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Contacts

Daniel Jones

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