Iowa Beef Center Director John Lawrence (standing) moderates a panel discussion at the Sixth BIGMAP symposium.

Sixth BIGMAP Symposium Focuses
on Food and Fuel Crops

Over 130 individuals attended the Sixth Annual BIGMAPsymposium titled “Food and Fuel Crops: Issues, Policies, and Regulation.” Prabhu Pingali, deputy director for agriculture development for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Josette Lewis, USAID, were among the featured speakers at the event held April 21 and 22 in Ames. The symposium focused on the needs of Iowa and the developing world.

Carver Sculpture Dedicated at Seed Science Center

Members of the seed industry as well as center and campus faculty and staff were on hand to help dedicate a life-sized statue of George Washington Carver November 18 at the Seed Science Center. As a special part of the ceremony, ISU alumnus Paxton Williams, who impersonates Carver, addressed the audience on the importance of service. Read more.

Seed Science Center, BIGMAP Expansion
Dedication Held October 14

Over 150 individuals attended the dedication ceremony of the $2 million, 5,000-square-foot Seed Science Center/ BIGMAP addition held Tuesday, October 14. Keynote speaker for the event was Namanga Ngongi, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. Ngongi and ISU President Gregory Geoffroy took part in a ceremonial seed exchange as part of the event. 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.

News & Events

Borlaug Fellow Faciliates Seminar
on GM Crops

Former Borlaug Fellow and Seed Science Center visiting scientist V.L. Maheswari organized a national seminar titled "Genetically Modified Crops: Status, Issues, and Awareness," at North Maharashtra University in Jalgaon, India, in January. Read more.

BIGMAP Policy Associate Speaks at Biotech Congress in Kenya

James Aketch Okeno, BIGMAP policy associate, traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, on September 2008 to discuss policy initiatives to embrace biotechnology in Africa. Read more.

BIGMAP, CABI Sign
Agreement to Develop Compendium

On April 22, 2008, the Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products (BIGMAP) at Iowa State University and representatives from CAB International (CABI) signed an agreement to begin development of acompendium on GM agriculture and biosafety.Focusing on genetically engineered plants and animals, the compendium will be designed tocommunicate science-basedinformation about the expressed traits andproducts of genetically modified agricultural products (GMAPs) and will serve as a tool to informscientists, industry, educators, and the public about their safety and use. Read more.

Harries/
Cortes Promote
Quality Seed in Africa

Adelaida Harries and Joe Cortes are working to promote quality seed in Africa by facilitating establishment of a procedure manual and web-based variety catalog for regional seed variety release. Read more.