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Resources and Insights: Food Biotechnology: A Communicator’s Guide to Improving Understanding

• Part 1: Kimberly Reed, IFIC Foundation• Part 2: Andrew Benson, IFIC Foundation

Food Biotechnology: A Communicator’s Guide to Improving Public Understanding

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http://www.foodinsight.org/articles/food-biotechnology-guide-additional-languages



www.foodinsight.org/foodbioguide.aspxFood Biotechnology: A Communicator’s Guide to Improving Understanding

About the Food Biotechnology Communicator’s Guide

Purpose of the Guide: To aid in communicating about the controversial topic of biotechnology.

• Prepared under a partnering agreement between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation.

http://www.foodinsight.org



What’s in the Guide

• Updates on the latest science, regulatory, and product pipeline information

• Consumer-friendly handouts• Glossary of food and ag

biotechnology terms• Customizable PowerPoint

presentation• Tips for engaging with the media• Directory of Additional Resources• Listing of food and ag biotech

experts




• Christine M. Bruhn, PhD, University of California, Davis

• Lowell B. Catlett, PhD, New Mexico State University

• Mary Lee Chin, MS, RD, Nutrition Edge Communications

• Marsha Diamond, MA, RD, M. Diamond, LLC

• Connie Diekman, Med, RD, LD, FADA, Washington University in St. Louis

• Terry Etherton, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University

• Martina Newell-McGloughlin, DSc, University of California, Davis

Thank You to Our Academic Reviewers!

References

African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). 2012; http://www.aatf-africa.org/. Africa Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) Project. ABS project: Technology development. 2012; http://biosorghum.org/abs_tech.php.American Medical Association (AMA). Bioengineered (genetically engineered) crops and foods. 2012; https://ssl3.ama-assn.org/apps/ecomm/PolicyFinderForm.pl?site=www.ama-assn.org&uri=%2fresources%2fdoc%2fPolicyFinder%2fpolicyfiles%2fHnE%2fH-480.958.HTM. Backas N. Developing healhtful fast foods. Food Product Design: Concepts August 2004; http://www.foodproductdesign.com/articles/2005/08/food-product-design-concepts--august-2005--deve.aspx.Brookes G, Barfoot P. Global impact of biotech crops: Environmental effects, 1996–2010. GM Crops and Food: Biotechnology in Agriculture and the Food Chain.2012;3(2):129-137.Brookes G. The impact of using GM insect resistant maize in Europe since 1998. International Journal of Biotechnology. 2008;10:148-166.Capper JL, Castañeda-Gutiérrez E, Cady RA, Bauman DE. The environmental impact of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) use in dairy production. PNAS. 2008;105(28):9668-9673. Clive J. Global status of commercialized biotech/GM crops. ISAAA Brief No. 44. Ithaca, NY: ISAAA; 2012.Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC). Facilitating conservation farming practices and enhancing environmental sustainability with agricultural biotechnology. CTIC, West Lafayette, IN: 2010. http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/media/pdf/BioTechFINAL%20COPY%20SEND%20TO%20PRINTER.pdfCouncil for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). U.S. soybean production sustainability: A comparative analysis. Special Publication 30. April 2009.Crawford AW, Wang C, Jenkins DJ, Lemke SL. Estimated effect on fatty acid intake of substituting a low-saturated, high-oleic, low-linolenic soybean oil for liquid oils. Nutrition Today. 2011;46(4):189-196. Damude H, Kinney A. Enhancing plant seed oils for human Nutrition Plant Physiology. 2008;147(3):962-968.DiRienzo MA, Lemke SL, Petersen BJ, Smith KM. Effect of substitution of high stearic low linolenic acid soybean oil for hydrogenated soybean oil on fatty acid intake. Lipids. 2008;43(5):451-456.Edgerton MD. Increasing crop productivity to meet global needs for feed, food, and fuel. Plant Physiology. 2009;149(1):7-13.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). United States Regulatory Agencies Unified Biotechnology Website. 2012; http://usbiotechreg.epa.gov/usbiotechreg/. Fawcett R, Towery D. Conservation tillage and plant biotechnology: How new technologies can improve the environment by reducing the need to plow. CTIC, West Lafayette, IN:2002; http://croplife.intraspin.com/Biotech/papers/35%20Fawcett.pdf.Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Feed the world, eradicating hunger. Paper presented at: World Summit on Food Security 2009.

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http://www.aatf-africa.org/

http://biosorghum.org/abs_tech.php

https://ssl3.ama-assn.org/apps/ecomm/PolicyFinderForm.pl?site=www.ama-assn.org&uri=/resources/doc/PolicyFinder/policyfiles/HnE/H-480.958.HTM

http://www.foodproductdesign.com/articles/2005/08/food-product-design-concepts--august-2005--deve.aspx

http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/media/pdf/BioTechFINAL%20COPY%20SEND%20TO%20PRINTER.pdf

http://usbiotechreg.epa.gov/usbiotechreg/

http://croplife.intraspin.com/Biotech/papers/35%20Fawcett.pdf


Get a Copy Today!

Electronic (free) and print (for

purchase) copies available at:

www.foodinsight.org/foodbioguide.aspx



The Handouts: Materials for your audience• Complement the presentation, reinforce key

points • Include broader range of topics• Make copies of the Glossary or other sections to

use as handouts, depending on your audience.

Supporting Handouts to Download

Handout: Food Biotechnology Timeline

10

“Did You Know” Postcards: Make sure to grab one before you leave!

Customizable PowerPoint Presentation

Developed to facilitate discussions on food biotechnology with the public. • Communicates the latest information • Highly visual to engage audience. • Notes Pages contain additional examples, details • Not a script – Tailor to your audience

• See Tips for Communicating with Impact

• Use some or all slides in your PPT• Cite IFIC Foundation

The Role of Biotechnology in Our Food Supply www.foodinsight.org/

foodbioguide.aspx

Staying Positive: Food Biotechnology Communications in a Contentious World


Presented to[insert name here]

Date


Definition and History of Food Biotechnology Why Do We Use Biotechnology?

Four Key Benefits Agricultural Biotechnology Today What Does the Future Hold?

Communication Lessons from Other Food Technologies

What We Will Cover

15


Using biology

(the study of life) to create or improve

tools, products,

or processes.

E.g., Food Crops & Animals

What is Biotechnology?

“Bio” means “life"“techno” means "tools"

“ology” means "the use or study of”

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“…The First Essential Component Of Social Justice Is Adequate Food For All Mankind.”

Why Biotechnology?

Norman Borlaug, Agronomist & Humanitarian, Father of the ‘Green Revolution,’ 1970 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Scientists and farmers have been striving for

generations to increase quality and quantity of

food for world’s growing

population.

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Four Key Benefits

1. Food Safety2. Consumer Benefits3. Sustainability4. Feeding a Hungry World

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SUSTAINABILITY

Just one of many examples of the depth of insight provided throughout the Guide is reflected in the section on sustainability …..

19




Sustainability

Sustainability in agriculture is about meeting today’s needs in a manner that ensures we can continue to meet those needs tomorrow, as well

as or better than today.

20




Biotechnology Allows for More Judicious Use of Insecticides

Important tools for protecting crops, the environment:• Responsible use of biotech seeds • Responsible use

of crop protection products

• Integrated weed and pest management practices

21




Biotechnology Contributes to a Consistent, Affordable Food Supply

Biotechnology facilitates:• Greater efficiencies on the

farm.• More reliable harvests.• Less risk of spoilage or

contamination from farm to store.

22




Biotechnology Allows for Use of Safer Herbicides

• Glyphosate: 16 times less toxic than older herbicides

• Newer biotech varieties addressing weed resistance

New types of herbicide-tolerant corn and soy have been developed that help address ongoing challenges with herbicide resistance of certain weeds.

23




Biotechnology Protects Soil Quality

Biotech-nology

allows for improved

soil quality.

Moldboard Plowing: Exposes soil to wind,

erosion

No-Till Farming: Plants seeds directly into residue of

previous crop

Less Sustainable More Sustainable

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Biotechnology Reduces Carbon Footprint

• No-till / Conservation tillage:• Agriculture’s “carbon

footprint” decreased by: 46.5 billion pounds

• Carbon emissions are lower on farms that use biotechnology• 2011: Estimated carbon

dioxide reductions: 4.19 billion pounds

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Biotechnology Makes it Possible to Produce More Food Per Acre and Per Animal

• Crops thrive with better weed and insect control.

• Less land, insecticides, fertilizers, fuel, animals, and feed needed to produce same amount of food.

• With rbST and proper management, 5 cows can produce as much milk as previously took 6 cows = More Sustainable

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Biotechnology Improves Economic Sustainability for Family Farms Worldwide

We can help poor farmers sustainably increase their productivity so they can feed themselves

and their families. By doing so, they will contribute to global food security. But that will

happen only if we prioritize agricultural innovation.”

- Bill Gates, co-founder, The Bill & Melinda Gates

Foundation, 2012

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Biotechnology Improves Harvest Per Acre

• Increasing yield in developing nations, ensuring greater access to food.

• Strengthening crops against extreme temperatures, drought, poor soil conditions –critical in developing nations

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More Food, Better Nutrition Needed for a Growing Global Population

By 2050, the global population is expected to reach

9 billion people, requiring 70%

more food than is produced

today.

“The past 50 years have been the most productive period in global agricultural history, leading to the greatest reduction in hunger the world has ever seen.”

Former President Jimmy Carter.Wall Street Journal, October 14, 2005.

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Biotechnology Offers Solutions for Reversing Malnutrition

In development:• Golden Rice

• beta-carotene vitamin A

• Biofortified sorghum• vitamin A, iron, zinc

Where malnutrition is rampant, nutritionally improving staple food crops and native foods has great potential to improve the health of

entire communities

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Resources and Insights: Food Biotechnology: A Communicator’s Guide to Improving Understanding

• Part 1: Kimberly Reed, IFIC Foundation• Part 2: Andrew Benson, IFIC Foundation


Four Key Messages

The guide provides four Key Messages about food biotechnology, including:

1. Food Safety2. Consumer Benefits3. Sustainability4. Feeding a Hungry World

The Key Messages are accompanied by supporting talking points and examples that can help you

communicate your message about biotechnology!

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Key Message #1: Food Safety

Foods produced using biotechnology that are currently available are safe for people and

our planet, and in some cases the technology may be used to

improve safety.




Notable Quotes: Food Safety

“For thousands of years we’ve been breeding plants…so that we can have fruits and

vegetables that are safe and healthy. We’re now using the latest generation of

biotechnology to…make them even safer.”

Ronald Kleinman, MD, Physician in Chief, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children

Top medical professionals

agree that biotechnology is a safe food technology.

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Food Safety

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Food biotechnology is being used to improve nutrition, enhance food safety and quality, and protect food crops and animals

from diseases that would otherwise threaten our stable, affordable, and wholesome food

supply.

Key Message #2: Consumer Benefits


Consumer Benefits

Biotechnology creates:• More reliable harvests greater

access to food.• Less risk of spoilage or contamination

from farm to store.• Healthy oils• Enzymes• Fortified crops

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Biotechnology supports the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture.

Key Message #3: Sustainability



Key Message #4: Feeding a Growing World

Biotechnology has a role to play in ensuring that safe abundant food can be produced on

existing farm land to meet the increasing needs of the world’s growing population.


PUTTING THE GUIDE INTO ACTION



Words to Use and Words to Lose

• Words that have been found to evoke

positive or negativereactions from

consumers.• Note: To communicate

with impact, your words must be uniquely yours.

• No hard and fast rules – know what will

resonate with your audience!


DNACloning Scary

Unnatural

X-Files

Test tubes

LaboratoriesSource: Alliance for Better Foods (focus groups), 1999

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “genetic modification”?




Factors Affecting Consumer Attitudes Toward Food Biotechnology• Awareness• Information Sources• Education• Trust• Perceptions on Food Safety• Terminology

• “Biotechnology” – not “GMO”




IDENTITY SCOPE TIME ENERGY RESULTS

Who we are, values and deeds

Respect for nature and limits

Ties to past, commitment to future

We work hard, have a vision

Benefits must be worthy, not frivolous

IFIC Food Biotechnology Consumer Research


•Place biotechnology in context•Explain goals and benefits

•Give accurate view of safety•Speak in familiar terms

•Tell stories about real foods

Responding to Consumers


• Consumer group activism does not necessarily reflect consumer attitudes, and many consumer groups support or do not oppose biotechnology

• Seek consistency in communications between government and stakeholders

• Emphasize the exhaustive research over many years that led to the introduction of new products

Responding to Consumers

HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER THIS QUESTION?

Answering Tough Questions #1

“Isn’t there an inherent danger in genetically altering foods to be something that nature could

never create?”

*Don’t forget the tips for communicating with impact!

SUGGESTED RESPONSE:

1. First, acknowledge the concern: “I appreciate your concern.”2. Then, explain the facts: “While it may not seem natural, in reality,

all crops have been ‘genetically modified’ from their original state by domestication, selection, and traditional breeding over thousands of years.”

3. Finally, follow with an example: “Farmers have practiced selective breeding, choosing plants with preferred characteristics and saving them to plant for the next season. Biotechnology is just the latest advance in breeding, an extension of the food development process that has given us new foods with appealing traits more precisely than can be done through traditional breeding.”



Physicians Answer





“Shouldn’t ‘GMO’ foods be labeled so consumers know

what’s in their food?”


1. First, acknowledge the concern: “Having access to sound nutrition and safety information about food is something I’m very interested in as a [insert profession].”

2. Then, explain the facts: “Thankfully, the FDA has labeling requirements for all foods, including biotech foods. A biotech product must be labeled if its nutritional content or composition has changed or a food safety issues has been identified.”

3. Finally, support your argument: “According to a survey by the International Food Information Council, most consumers report being satisfied with this FDA policy. Foods produced through biotechnology are indistinguishable from conventional foods.


SUGGESTED RESPONSE:



“Are there any long-term studies on the health effects of

genetically modified foods? I’m concerned that these foods

haven’t been tested enough.”


1. First, acknowledge the concern: “It is understandable that people do not want to potentially put their families or themselves at risk. As a [insert], the safety of our food is of the utmost importance to me.

2. Then, explain the facts: “There is broad scientific consensus that foods produced through biotechnology that are currently on the market are safe to eat. Food biotech products are more strictly regulated than any other food to date.”

3. Finally, provide a supporting statement: “In nearly two decades of extensive governmental, academic, and industry oversight, not a single instance of harm to health, safety, or the environment has ever been confirmed from any biotech crop placed on the market.”


SUGGESTED RESPONSE:


Get a Copy Today!

Electronic (free) and print (for

purchase) copies available at:




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