NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 21, 2000 CONTACT: Karen Scanlon or Dan Towery (765) 494-9555

CTIC TO HOLD FORUM ON GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs)

Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) will host a forum on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on Feb. 2, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The forum, titled The Future of GMOs: Driven by Perception or Reality?, will feature six experts from the fields of agricultural science, ethics and law. Rick Haines, president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, will moderate.

GMOs are relatively new to agriculture, but in 1999 more than 50 percent of the soybeans, 25 percent of corn and 45 percent of cotton were planted with GMO seeds. Primarily used for weed and insect control on cropland, GMO crops also have potential to improve nutritional value of food crops, replace pharmaceuticals, plastics and other industrial and societal products.

American farmers, however, are cautious about planting bio-engineered seed in spring 2000 because of consumer reaction against GMOs and uncertainty of foreign markets.

Forum speakers will cover both sides of the GMO issue, discussing an overview of GMOs, plant protection traits and how GMOs are viewed by growers as well as drawbacks and ethics of GMOs.

The GMO Forum is hosted by CTIC, a natural resource conservation alliance of agricultural interests working to develop public/private partnerships that promote soil and water quality and equip agriculture with realistic, affordable and integrated management solutions. For more information on the GMO Forum, contact CTIC at 765-494-9555.

###