“Through biotechnology, we have the opportunity to transform how we produce and distribute food and how we source energy and materials,” Jim said. He added that food is increasingly a key to security and plant biotechnology will be essential in doubling global agricultural output by 2050 to meet the needs of 9 billion people expected to be on the planet. 

DuPont is investing more than $1 billion in research and development annually on these two megatrends -  increasing food productivity and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Jim noted that the potential of biotechnology to make a difference is greatest where the biggest challenges exist. Jim said, “The positive impacts of biotechnology will be especially dramatic for people in developing countries because the technology is size neutral and can efficiently deliver increases in volume and quality of crops.

“Transparency of information with our key stakeholders is key to public understanding and consumer confidence,” Jim said.  “But it will be our stewardship of the technology  - how we use it, manage it and regulate it - that will ultimately determine how quickly and how fully the potential of the technology will be realized.”

BioJapan 2009 brings together opinion leaders in biotechnology from major corporations, venture companies, financial institutions, government agencies and other organizations from around the globe to discuss the future of the world's bioindustries.

Source: DuPont News