Ag Horizons Educates Educators Participants met in small groups to discuss how to effectively relay the truth about scientific advances to a public who Is easily swayed by misinformation from outspo ken oppontents. (Continued from Page A 1) to winemaking in 4000 B.C. An example from the beginning of this century is the treatment developed for insulin dependent diabetes. Biotechnology in the barnyard promises to unlease a new age of agriculture. Already scientists can separate sperm for female and male prodigy. This will help the poultry industry become mote effi The finest milk begins with new Feedtechf Silage. A Alfa Laval Agri cient by selecting male offspring for raising broilers that gain weight faster than females. Or, for produc ing female offspring for the dairy farmer. Other technologies being deve loped are improved feed utiliza tion. providing healthier products such as leaner meats, reducing los ses from disease with more effec tive vaccines, reducing environ- mental pollution through the use of enzymes to improve phosphorous and carbohydrate utilization of feedstuff, increase productivity in milk production associated with the use of bST. Possibilities being developed are selecting desired bacteria to take the odor out of pig manure. Enzymes to improve phosphorous digestion in poultry and swine. What you feed your cattle has a direct effect on the quality of milk you produce. To achieve the finest quality of milk possible, treat your silage with new Feedtech™ Silage from Alfa Laval Agri™ Feedtech Silage offers a unique combina- tion of pasture-selected bacteria and specific enzymes designed to enhance silage quality. Fast-acting Feedtech Silage speeds up fer- mentation creating a palatable, highly digestible feed product with greater nutritional value for your cattle Tested in five major American Agricultural Colleges over a wide range of conditions, Feedtech Silage has been proven to improve animal performance... plus, it’s safe and easy to use For more information about Feedtech Silage from Alfa Laval Agri, call 1-800-365- 1883, or contact your nearest independent Alfa Laval Agri dealer today! 11100 N Congress Ave, Kansas City, Missouri 64153 © 1997, Alfa Laval Agri Inc AUK-003-96 W! ‘juwa gqfor.e‘l tJMurJ t'J. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 2, IM7-A35 Dr. Roland Leach Jr., tells how biotechnology offers the potential to provide safer and more nutritious foods for the increasing world population. Leach showed slides to demons trate the difference in sizes evident by using gene therapy injections in rats and chicken. Processes such as these will eventually enable hens to produce antibodies to suppress selected diseases. World population is expected to double during the next 40 years, which will put tremendous pres sure on the planet to increase food production at the current rate. Ag biotechnology can help in its ability to improve yield, quality, and nutritional value. It can help reduce waste, control pollutants, enhance safetly, and esnure an adequate food supply. Steps for successful commercialization of biotechnology must enable the technology to be affordable, to be safe for animals and for humans and to be acceptable to the public. The last criteria is perhaps the most diffi cult because of public misconceptions. “The U.S. has the finest scientists in the world but the worst science education,” Leach said of the public’s inability to understand many of the scientific advances being made today. ■ Resistance to the use of animals in exper imentation is largely based on misunderstand ings, according to Leach. This was brought to the forefront by bovine somatotropin (BST), a protein hormone produced naturally by cows. Of the public’s misconception about BST, Leach said, “All hormones are not created as equal. Consumers should realize that the BST hormone that is ingested orally is digested like any other food protein. Thus, to be bio logically effective, it must be injected. In con trast, steroid hormones are absorbed and bio logically active when consumed orally. Examples include vitamin D and oral contraceptives.” Unfortunately, this difference in hormones is not recognized by the general public.” Dr. Kathryn Kolacz, molecular biologist with Monsanto, explained how biotechnology is used in developing insect resistant soy beans and canola. The process took 11 years from start to fin ish in developing Soybean Ready. Extensive trial plantings and records needed to be kept during the development stages. In addition to creating an insect resistant soybean, Monsan to was also intent on developing a soybean that was not resistant to Roundup. Slides of the trial gardens showed the many different aspects of testing. In the middle stages, some plantings were overcome with weeds, but the end result appears weed free. Kolacz said that two different methods are used to insert desired genes into plants. The agrobacterium method employs the use of soil bacteria. In the other method, a particle gun is used. A DNA coating is put on the desired gene and inserted into a gun which shoots the particle into the plant The necessity to clearly foresee potential problems before investing the hugh amounts of time and money involved in product engi neering is evidence by the plight of the Fla vor Savor tomatoes. Although the process works in keeping the tomato fresh 45 days after ripening, the variety of tomato used was not a popular choice. The process is now being developed in varieties that consumers
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