 |
|
Media source impacts ag biotech communication
October 21, 2009Communication between the public and government is a necessary component of public trust. For many modern issues, constituents trust that their legislators understand the science behind these topics and pass legislation for the betterment of society. While science has its uncertainties, much of that public trust is subsequently transferred to the scientists who inform legislators. Past studies show that scientists were seen as trustworthy sources of information; however, the public would like scientists to be more open, sharing their scientific knowledge through information sources such as mass media. For an issue as debated as agricultural biotechnology, communicating factual scientific information is a necessary ingredient in public acceptance.
Dr. Gary Wingenbach, a professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications at Texas A&M University, collected data from 2004 to 2005 to examine current and possible future legislators' perceptions of biotechnology. Also, data collected on information sources used by respondents to learn more about agricultural biotechnology helped the authors understand the impact of media types when communicating the science of biotechnology to others. Results from this study have been published in a recent edition of the Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education.
Two groups selected for this descriptive study included elected state officers of the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization and Texas House and Senate legislators. The National FFA provides opportunities for high school and college students to increase their knowledge of agriculture and develop leadership skills. The group was chosen because state FFA officers have a propensity for seeking elected public offices.
Both groups relied on the Internet and newspapers as sources for agricultural biotechnology. However, Texas legislators used the Cooperative Extension Service significantly more often than did state FFA officers, whereas the FFA officers relied more on the Internet.
"We weren't surprised by the group differences in information source preferences," said Wingenbach. "State FFA Officers were 18 to 20 years old, while Texas legislators were 45 to 55 years old. Information source preference through online access only has become the norm for young audiences."
Other results showed that respondents believed it was important to continue agricultural biotechnology research on seven issues: safer food, reduction of pesticides, added nutritional value, risk compared to pesticides, benefits and/or harm to the environment, and control of released genes. Both groups thought biotechnology practices had "positive" not negative effects on the environment.
Science-based education about agricultural biotechnology through the most accessed media could produce more informed leaders. To prepare a more informed future public, other studies should assess the effects of an agricultural science curriculum on students' understanding of agricultural biotechnology and/or other agricultural topics (e.g., BSE, avian influenza, etc.) in the media. Informed understanding of current agricultural topics, such as biotechnology practices, may lead to an informed public, and to future leaders who could more readily understand the science of agricultural biotechnology.
American Society of Agronomy
Both groups relied on the Internet and newspapers as sources for agricultural biotechnology. However, Texas legislators used the Cooperative Extension Service significantly more often than did state FFA officers, whereas the FFA officers relied more on the Internet.
"We weren't surprised by the group differences in information source preferences," said Wingenbach. "State FFA Officers were 18 to 20 years old, while Texas legislators were 45 to 55 years old. Information source preference through online access only has become the norm for young audiences."
Other results showed that respondents believed it was important to continue agricultural biotechnology research on seven issues: safer food, reduction of pesticides, added nutritional value, risk compared to pesticides, benefits and/or harm to the environment, and control of released genes. Both groups thought biotechnology practices had "positive" not negative effects on the environment.
Science-based education about agricultural biotechnology through the most accessed media could produce more informed leaders. To prepare a more informed future public, other studies should assess the effects of an agricultural science curriculum on students' understanding of agricultural biotechnology and/or other agricultural topics (e.g., BSE, avian influenza, etc.) in the media. Informed understanding of current agricultural topics, such as biotechnology practices, may lead to an informed public, and to future leaders who could more readily understand the science of agricultural biotechnology.
American Society of Agronomy
Biotechnology Current Events and Biotechnology News RSSMilestone biodefense publication by Elsevier journal Vaccine
Last week during the 'Vaccines for Biothreats and Emerging and Neglected Diseases Symposium' in Galveston TX, USA, the Elsevier journal Vaccine released a supplement dedicated to vaccines for biodefense.
WPI Researchers Take Aim at Hard-to-Treat Fungal Infections
A team of researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center at Gateway Park has developed a new model system to study fungal infections.
Cancers' Sweet Tooth May Be Weakness
The pedal-to-the-metal signals driving the growth of several types of cancer cells lead to a common switch governing the use of glucose, researchers at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University have discovered.
GEN reports on enhancing the applications of qPCR
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology is experiencing a surge of interest and rapid expansion as a result of advances such as instrumentation that pushes capacity to 1,536 wells and optimization-free multiplexing.
Sweet as can be: how E. coli gets ahead
Scientists at the University of York have discovered how certain bacteria such as Escherichia coli have evolved to capture rare sugars from their environment giving them an evolutionary advantage in naturally competitive environments like the human gut.
UCSD discovery allows scientists for the first time to experimentally annotate genomes
Over the last 20 years, the sequencing of the human genome, along with related organisms, has represented one of the largest scientific endeavors in the history of mankind.
DNA molecules in moss open door to new biotechnology
Plasmids, which are DNA molecules capable of independent replication in cells, have played an important role in gene technology.
Scientists of the UGR obtain a bioinsecticide to control the Mediterranean fruit fly
UGR News The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, is a world plague which represents one of the most serious problems for agriculture. However, the control methods currently present in the market for this plague are ineffective.
Biochemical 'on-switch' could solve protein purification challenge
Drugs based on engineered proteins represent a new frontier for pharmaceutical makers. Even after they discover a protein that may form the basis of the next wonder drug, however, they have to confront a long-standing problem: how to produce large quantities of the protein in a highly pure state.
New structure discovered in butterfly ears
A clever structure in the ear of a tropical butterfly that potentially makes it able to distinguish between high and low pitch sounds has been discovered by scientists from the University of Bristol.
More Biotechnology Current Events and Biotechnology News Articles
 |
Biotechnology for Beginners by Reinhard Renneberg (Author), Arnold L. Demain (Editor) Biotechnology is the applied science of using living organisms and their by-products for commercial development. It has grown and evolved to such an extent over the past few years that increasing numbers of professionals work in areas directly impacted by it. For the first time, this book offers an exciting and colorful overview of biotechnology for professionals and students in a wide array of the life sciences including: Genetics, Immunology, Biochemistry, Agronomy, Food Science, and Animal Science. This book also appeals to the lay reader without a scientific background who is interested in an entertaining and informative introduction to the key aspects of biotechnology. Authors Renneberg and Demain discuss the opportunities and risks of individual technologies and provide... |
 |
Introduction to Biotechnology (2nd Edition) by William J. Thieman (Author), Michael A. Palladino (Author)
Thoroughly updated with practical information on the latest developments in the biotechnology field, this popular book provides the tools, practice, and basic knowledge for success in the biotech workforce. The Biotechnology Century and Its Workforce, An Introduction to Genes and Genomes, History of Genetic Manipulation: Recombinant DNA Technology, Proteins as Products, Microbial Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology, DNA Fingerprinting and Forensic Analysis, Bioremediation, Aquatic Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Regulatory Biotechnology, Ethics and Biotechnology Market Description: Intended for readers interested in learning the basics of... |
 |
Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology (2nd Edition) by Lisa A. Seidman (Author), Cynthia J. Moore (Author) Presented from the perspective of the biotech industry, this laboratory handbook/textbook reference gives a systematic, understandable, and practical introduction to fundamental laboratory methods and provides a foundation upon which students can build a career in the lab. The authors balance background and theory with practical information, drawing material from many sources: analytical chemistry texts, molecular biology manuals, industry standards, government regulations, manufacturer and supplier information, and the useful laboratory “lore” that is part of the industry’s oral tradition. The Modern Biotechnology Industry: A Broad Overview, The Business of Biotechnology: The Transformation of Knowledge into Products, Pharmaceutical/Biopharmaceutical... |
 |
Biotechnology Demystified by Sharon Walker (Author) This self-teaching guide explains the basic concepts and fundamentals in all the major subtopics of biotechnology. The content advances logically from the basics of molecular and cellular biology to more complex topics such as DNA, reproductive cloning, experimental procedures, infectious diseases, immunology, the Human Genome Project, new drug discoveries, and genetic disorders. |
 |
The Future of Food Starring: Exequiel Ezcurra, Sara Maamouri, Percy Schmeiser, Andrew Kimbrell, Dr. Charles M. Benbrook Directed By: Deborah Koons Garcia THE FUTURE OF FOOD offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled patented genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade. From the prairies of Saskatchewan Canada to the fields of Oaxaca Mexico this film gives a voice to farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been negatively impacted by this new technology. The health implications government policies and push towards globalization are all part of the reason why many people are alarmed about the introduction of genetically altered crops into our food supply. Shot on location in the U.S. Canada and Mexico The Future of Food examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to... |
 |
Biotechnology: Applying the Genetic Revolution by David P. Clark BA (honors)Christ's College Cambridge 1973 PhD University of Brsitol (England) 1977 (Author), Nanette Pazdernik (Author) Unlike most Biotechnology textbooks, Dr. David P. Clark's "Biotechnology" approaches modern Biotechnology from a Molecular Basis, which grew out of the increasing biochemical understanding of physiology. Using straight forward, less-technical jargon, Clark manages to introduce each chapter with a basic concept, that ultimately evolves into a more specific detailed principle. This up-to-date text covers a wide realm of topics including forensics and bioethics using colorful illustrations and concise applications. This book will help readers understand what molecular biotechnology actually is as a scientific discipline, how the research in this area is conducted, and how this technology may impact the future. · Up-to-date text... |
 |
Basic Biotechnology by Colin Ratledge (Editor), Bjorn Kristiansen (Editor) Biotechnology's wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary activities include recombinant DNA techniques, cloning, and the application of microbiology to the production of goods from bread to antibiotics. In this new edition, biology and bioprocessing topics are uniquely combined to provide a complete overview of biotechnology. A distinctive feature of the text is the discussions of the public perception of biotechnology and the business of biotechnology, which set the science in a broader context. This comprehensive textbook is essential reading for all students of biotechnology and applied microbiology, and for researchers in biotechnology industries. |
 |
Biotechnology by John E. Smith (Author) Biotechnology is the major technology of the 21st century, yet few people realise how much it impacts on many aspects of human society. The defining aim of this new fifth edition is to re-establish the correct understanding of the term biotechnology. Using the straightforward style that made the previous editions of his textbook so popular, John Smith once again helps students with the deciphering and use of biological knowledge. He explains the historical developments in biotechnology and the range of activities from brewing beer, the treatment of sewage and other wastes, and the creation of biofuels. He also discusses the innovations in molecular biology, genomics and proteomics, systems biology and their impact on new biotechnology. In this edition John Smith also re-examines the... |
 |
From Alchemy to IPO: The Business of Biotechnology by Cynthia Robbins-roth (Author) A fascinating glimpse inside the life-and-death business of biotechnology. "A tour-de-force for anyone who is interested in the biotech industry. I applaud the enormous achievement of Cynthia Robbins-Roth." -Frederick Frank, Senior Managing Director & Vice Chair, Lehman Brothers "From Alchemy to IPO tells the dramatic story of this revolutionary industry as only an insider can." -George Rathmann, President and CEO, ICOS Corporation, Chairman Emeritus, Amgen Written by a well-known industry insider, From Alchemy to IPO addresses the coming-of-age of biotech products and companies and traces the history of biotechnology from its early inception in the seventies to today's heyday of new solutions and breakthrough treatments. It describes the amazing entrepreneurial trail of... |
 |
Science Business: The Promise, the Reality, and the Future of Biotech by Gary P. Pisano (Author) Why has the biotechnology industry failed to perform up to expectations—despite all its promise? In Science Business, Gary P. Pisano answers this question by providing an incisive critique of the industry. Pisano not only reveals the underlying causes of biotech’s problems; he offers the most sophisticated analysis yet on how the industry works. And he provides clear prescriptions for companies, investors, and policymakers seeking ways to improve the industry’s performance. According to Pisano, the biotech industry’s problems stem from its special character as a science-based business. This character poses three unique business challenges: 1) how to finance highly risky investments under profound uncertainty and long time horizons for R&D, 2) how to learn rapidly enough to... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |