Useful Links

The following web links have been identified as useful sources of information by
our biotechnology web site development team.

Bioethics

Nuffield Council on Bioethics - "A readable overview of bioethics and biotechnology in food production. As England was embroiled in debate about biotechnology in food crops, a group of workers in bioethics reviewed issues and presented public policy recommendations" - Shelby Fleischer, Associate Professor, Entomology

Consumer/Environmental Groups

Union of Concerned Scientists - an Advocacy Group, anti-transgenic crops, critical, but more responsible than many such web sites.

The Henry A. Wallace Center for Agricultural & Environmental Policy at Winrock International, recently published a report, "Transgenic Crops: An Environmental Assessment," that reviews scientific evidence about the positive and negative environmental effects of transgenic crops, and research about the social institutions that shape those environmental impacts. Based on the review and analysis of findings, the authors recommend an increase in public research and reform of U.S. biosafety regulation to minimize environmental risks and achieve durable environmental benefits.

Crops

Sweet corn

EPA - "The EPA fact sheet detailing transgenic sweet corn" - Shelby Fleischer, Professor, Entomology

Biotech Vegetables For Insect And Insect-Vectored Disease Management - This site contains Abstracts and PowerPoint presentations for the symposium, Biotech Vegetables for Insect and Insect-Vectored Disease Management, that was held at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 28, 2003. This symposium brought together scientists, regulators, marketers and consumer advocates to discuss various issues about vegetables produced through biotechnology that have traits for insect management. - Shelby Fleischer, Professor, Entomology

Government, Regulatory Agencies, and Public Policy

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA Office of Pesticide Programs - "EPA's home page for all pesticides derived from natural materials, including animals, plants, bacteria, certain minerals, and transgenics. Links and downloadable pdfs about Starlink, a Scientific Advisory Panel review of Bt-protected crops, and a variety of other transgenic crop issues." - Shelby Fleischer, Associate Professor, Entomology

FDA Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) Biotechnology Program

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U. S. Department of Health and Human Services

Information Systems for Biotechnology - "Searchable database of APHIS permits or other regulatory approvals for biotech crops in the US and internationally. Provides insight to the scope of technological possibilities" - Shelby Fleischer, Associate Professor, Entomology

USDA Agricultural Biotechnology

US Department of State, International Information Programs, Biotechnology

Industry Sites

Council For Biotechnology Information - "Quality and educational outreach from the larger companies developing and marketing biotech crops, and some plant protection companies. Presents the primarily positive rationale for biotechnology in agriculture" - Shelby Fleischer, Associate Professor, Entomology

DuPont, Straight Talk about Biotechnology. "Although we recognize that there are some prejudices in industry publications, this seems to be a better one." - Herbert Cole, Jr., Professor of Agricultural Sciences

DNA From the Beginning - "An excellent animated primer on DNA, genes and heredity. Bring yourself up to date on the basic science and scientific breakthroughs that underlie much of biotechnology in agriculture and medicine". - Shelby Fleischer, Associate Professor, Entomology

Monsanto

Instructional and Self-Teaching Resources

Bacillus thuringiensis, Sharing Its Natural Talent With Crops - This four-module curriculum was prepared by the Office of Biotechnology at Iowa State University and published by ISU Extension for high school teachers or extension educators to use with grades 9-12 or adult audiences.... learn more

Transgenic Crops: An Introduction and Resource Guide - "Excellent source for self-teaching about what a GMO crop is." - Shelby Fleischer, Associate Professor, Entomology

Land Grant Universities

Cornell’s Genetically Engineered Organisms Public Issues Education Project - "One of the best university efforts I have seen in bringing understanding to issues of concern through good science." - Herbert Cole, Jr., Professor of Agricultural Sciences

Transgenic Crops: An Introduction and Resource Guide - "Excellent source for self-teaching about what a GMO crop is." - Shelby Fleischer, Associate Professor, Entomology

The Ohio State University, Ohioline

Information on Genetically Modified Organisms: - The Ohio State University

Iowa State University Extension, Iowa Grain Quality Initiative, Preplant 2000 Update

Purdue Agriculture, Biotechnology

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Agricultural Biotechnology, Before You Judge

Purdue Agricultural Economics Report, March 2000

Purdue News, October 2000

University of California, Davis; Center for Consumer Research

Scientific Sites

AgBioForum - A magazine devoted to the economics and management of agro-biotechnology.

Ag Biotech InfoNet - news on the debate, latest reports and articles on agricultural biotech issues -- from technical analyses to environmental impacts, health risks, crop segregation and regulation.

AgBio World - Since its birth in January 2000, the AgBioWorld Foundation has collected endorsements from more than 3,200 scientists who support the use of biotechnology to improve agriculture in the developing world.

Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, Genetically Modified Foods

The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) - A consumer education consortium concerned with issues related to food, nutrition, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, lifestyle, the environment

Council for Biotechnology Information

Federation of Animal Science Societies - This organization represents the major animal science professional societies and is an excellent source of science based information.

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Institute of Food Technologists, Biotechnology and Foods

The NCBE Guide - The NCBE is part of the University of Reading, and has been in existence since 1985-6. It is not funded by government or industry, but receives funds mainly by charging for the courses it runs for teachers, school students and others, and from the sales of equipment and materials to schools. They are concerned with promoting biotechnology education, not promoting biotechnology per se. Understanding the technology, how it is applied and regulated and informed debate about the issues it raises are essential if society as a whole is to benefit from the technology while minimizing the adverse effects that many fear may arise.

Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, funded by a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts