Audios and Powerpoints from the 2012 BIGMAP Symposium "Agricultural Biotechnology Regulation, Trade & Co-existence" held Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames, Iowa are now available at:

Over 110 ag industry leaders, scientists, and experts from around the world attended the Ninth BIGMAP Symposium April 18, 2012, at the Gateway Hotel in Ames, Iowa.The 1 day event, titled "Agricultural Biotechnology Regulation, Trade, and Co-existence" focused on current research and perspectives on the role of regulation in biotechnology and genetically modified agricultural production.

Featured speakers at this year's event included:

—Mukta D. Tomar, Consul General of India;
—Catherine Woteki; Under Secretary for Research Education & Economics, USDA;
—Greg Jaffe, Center for Science in the Public Interest;
—Alison Van Eenennaam, University of California-Davis;
—Thomas P. Redick, Global Environmental Ethics Counsel;
—Jack Bobo, Department of State;
—Sano Shimoda, BioScience Securities, Inc.
—Nicholas Kalaitzandonakes, U of Missouri-Columbia;
—Adrianne Massey, BIO; and
—Wallace Huffman, Iowa State University.

Grant to Improve Quality Seed Access in Sub-Saharan Africa

Iowa State University seed scientists will partner with regional and national organizations in Malawi, Zambia and Nigeria to conduct a pilot study in Africa on enabling better access to improved seed varieties with the help of a new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Seed Policy Enhancement in African Regions (SPEAR) project is funded by a $1.45 million three-year grant. As part of the grant, Iowa State University scientists will work to advance harmonization policies into actionable reality in western and southern Africa. They will improve varietal evaluations and timely releases of candidate seed varieties. Read More

Seed Science Center Director Manjit Misra, AGRA President Namanga Ngongi and Distinguished Fellow David Lambert collaborate on the creation of a seed institute during a visit to AGRA.

ISU Seed Science Center, University of Nairobi to Establish African Seed Institute

Iowa State University seed scientists are working with the University of Nairobi and other groups to increase food security and reduce poverty in sub-Saharan Africa with help from a new $4.49 million grant from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Read more.

News & Events

ISU/IFPRI Partner to Enhance Biosafety Systems in Africa and Asia

The Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products (BIGMAP) at Iowa State University recently signed an agreement with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to enhance biosafety systems in Africa and Asia as part of the Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS).

The three-year project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was designed to benefit partner countries in Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda) and Asia (Vietnam and Indonesia) that are interested in using biotechnology to promote agricultural innovation. The goal of the project is to empower the countries by fostering science-based decision making at each stage of product development and use, while strengthening capacity for the implementation of biosafety regulatory systems. Read More.

The Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products (BIGMAP) is the first institute of its kind in the nation. BIGMAP was established in 2004 as an independent, science-based institute to help provide guidance to the public and policy makers on genetically modified agricultural products. As part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the institute develops tools and methodologies to analyze the risks and benefits of genetically modified plant and animal products and to provide strategies for mitigating the risks to safeguard consumers and the environment.