biotechnology satellite symposium

[Annette Campbell 618-242-9310]

           Press Release
          University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

     Satellite Program to Highlight Biotechnology Issues
         Plant biotechnology is the focus of a three-part satellite symposium
 beginning in September. Designed
     for research faculty, graduate students,
     Extension professionals, and private-sector
     plant biotechnology professionals, this program brings
     together leading experts from education, industry and
     government.
          Participants will learn about important
     developments and issues in the biotechnology field.
     Satellite viewers will also have the opportunity to
     call in questions during the programs. This series
     of two-hour videoconferences is offered free of charge
     by a trio of major research universities, Texas A&M,
     University of Illinois and University of Maryland.
     Funding is provided by the USDA Agricultural
     Telecommunications Program and A*DEC, the distance
     education consortium of 50 universities in the United
     States and Canada. Broadcast time for each program is
     noon to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
         The first program on September 25 concentrates on
     plant transformation. Plant scientists, educators,
     private-industry researchers, and students will get a
     first-hand look at how agrobacterium and the
     gene gun are used in the transformation of plants.
     Participants will see video-taped laboratory
     techniques, including processes shot through a
     microscope. Developed by Texas A&M University, this
     program features noted researchers Roberta Smith and
     Ron Newton. Smith conducts research in transformation
     of crop plants and teaches tissue culture courses at
     Texas A&M. Newton teaches plant physiology at
     Texas A&M. His research concentrates on the
     transformation of pine trees and other plants.
        Commercialization is the focus of the
     second broadcast on October 9. Representatives from
     Monsanto, Mycogen Plant Sciences, DNA Plant
     Technology and Calgene will take participants through
     the commercialization process, from product development
     to sales. Developed by the University of Illinois, this
     program highlights the successes, challenges and
     lessons learned in the development of such new products
     as RoundupReady Soybeans, Mycogen NatureGard Corn,
     FreshWorldFarms Sweet Minipeppers, and FlavrSavr
     Tomatoes.
          The final program in the series, set for
     November 6, addresses risk assessment. Developed by the
     University of Maryland, leading experts in the field
     will discuss protocols and methods for verifying
     molecular risk and safety data. Featured speakers
     include Alan Goldhammer of the Biotechnology Industry
     Organization, Rebecca Goldburg, head of the
     Environmental Defense Fund's Biotechnology Program,
     Elizabeth Milewski, special assistant for
     biotechnology at the U.S. Environmental Protection
     Agency, Terry Medley, associate administrator of the
     U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
     and Morris Levin, research professor at the University
     of Maryland Biotechnology Institute.
         To find out how you can participate in this
     important program, call 618/242-9310. Registration
     details and more information about the
     biotechnology satellite symposium are also on the A*DEC
     home page at:
     http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/~adec. Or, e-mail Annette
     Campbell at: Campbella at idea.ag.uiuc.edu.

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     Contact:  Annette Campbell, University of Illinois,
     618/242-9310
     Date:     July 8, 1996