From the Lab, to the Field, to the Market . At our last hearing, we heard from distinguished scientists about some of the benefits that agricultural biotechnology promises, like better-tasting, healthier foods, continued improvements in crop production and quality, and delivery of needed vaccines and medicines, to name just a few. At our first hearing, we heard from NSF, USDA and others about the advancement of gene technology and tremendous potential for consumers.
Consumers already benefit from gene modification in developing pharmaceuticals and medicines.
Insulin, which once had to be extracted and purified from pigs, now is made by bacteria genetically modified to produce it. In agricultural biotechnology, consumers will see the benefits of lower costs, a cleaner environment, and enhanced foods with improved nutrition and taste. We will only see these promising new products, however, if there is a market for them. And this market will only exist if people believe that these products are safe. Activists in Europe have been very successful in generating distrust of gene technology.