Biotechnology: balancing research and risks
From Dean of Agriculture Victor Lechtenberg

We in Purdue Agriculture always strive to assure the integrity of crop biotechnology research while protecting commodity markets and being good stewards of the environment. In addition to meeting federal requirements for genetically modified organisms, we are taking further steps to safeguard research into new technologies at the Purdue Agriculture Centers around Indiana. Among our guidelines:

• Observing "set-back" requirements – planting transgenic research plots in field areas that do not compromise neighboring farm crops or interfere with other research studies.

• Notifying neighbors – alerting nearby farmers to field studies that involve precommercial transgenic crops. Neighboring farmers will also be asked to supply information about transgenic crops grown near Purdue Agriculture Centers.

• Documenting marketable crops – keeping complete records of transgenic crops sold on the market. The crops will be handled, stored and shipped in a manner that does not compromise other commodities.

We are reviewing animal biotechnology research at Purdue and will adopt similar guidelines to maintain public confidence in biotechnology and Purdue Agriculture.

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