European Plant Biotechnology Week
7 July 1997 - 7 July 1997
Switzerland
Events marking European Plant Biotechnology Week will be held in research establishments around Europe between 7 and 12 July 1997. The Week is supported by the European Community's Biotechnology specific RTD programme, and is organized by AMICA (Advanced Molecular Initiative in Community Agriculture), a coalition of leading European academic and industrial scientists.
The aim of the Week is for European scientists working in the field of plant biotechnology to raise public awareness of the potential contribution of plant biotechnology to Europe's citizens and economy. Both academic and commercial plant science organizations from ten countries will be organizing events such as debates, tours for school children and their parents, and exhibitions. The participating institutions will also be broadening contacts with local media and elected politicians to increase knowledge and encourage debate on biotechnology issues.
A highlight of the week will be the publication, on 11 July, of the final report from the largest ever pan-European biotechnology initiative, the PTP (project of technological priority) Plant Molecular Genetics for an Environmentally Compatible Agriculture. This project was launched in 1993, and involved 130 laboratories from across Europe. The Community's Biotechnology programme supported the project with funding of ECU 24 million.
The report will contain details of technologies that will develop efficient agricultural production methods and a healthy environment. These will include crops requiring less fertilizer, less agricultural waste, plants which are more resistant to drought and salt, and healthier foods. The project's results should also contribute to the breeding of improved non-genetically modified crops, by providing genetic markers that will allow traditional breeders to select for valuable traits much more rapidly.
Further information, including a full calendar of events during the Week, may be obtained from:
De Facto (AMICA)
Mr. Christopher Redhead
Tel. +44-1256-842274
E-mail: amica@defacto.co.uk
Information can also be found on the World Wide Web, at:
http://www.mpiz-koeln.mpg.de/~amica/index.html(opens in new window)
The aim of the Week is for European scientists working in the field of plant biotechnology to raise public awareness of the potential contribution of plant biotechnology to Europe's citizens and economy. Both academic and commercial plant science organizations from ten countries will be organizing events such as debates, tours for school children and their parents, and exhibitions. The participating institutions will also be broadening contacts with local media and elected politicians to increase knowledge and encourage debate on biotechnology issues.
A highlight of the week will be the publication, on 11 July, of the final report from the largest ever pan-European biotechnology initiative, the PTP (project of technological priority) Plant Molecular Genetics for an Environmentally Compatible Agriculture. This project was launched in 1993, and involved 130 laboratories from across Europe. The Community's Biotechnology programme supported the project with funding of ECU 24 million.
The report will contain details of technologies that will develop efficient agricultural production methods and a healthy environment. These will include crops requiring less fertilizer, less agricultural waste, plants which are more resistant to drought and salt, and healthier foods. The project's results should also contribute to the breeding of improved non-genetically modified crops, by providing genetic markers that will allow traditional breeders to select for valuable traits much more rapidly.
Further information, including a full calendar of events during the Week, may be obtained from:
De Facto (AMICA)
Mr. Christopher Redhead
Tel. +44-1256-842274
E-mail: amica@defacto.co.uk
Information can also be found on the World Wide Web, at:
http://www.mpiz-koeln.mpg.de/~amica/index.html(opens in new window)