Message-ID: <v0300780daf02bbbe51d7@[35.8.120.189]> Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1997 12:52:30 -0400 From: Dean Norton <mailto:nortond@CPS.MSU.EDU> Subject: Int'l Agricultural Biotechnology Conference To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR A BETTER WORLD a global biotechnology conference April 28-30, 1997 Asilomar Conference Center Pacific Grove, California
Farmers planting seeds that will require fewer pesticides and offer increased harvests... unprecedented collaborations evolving between private companies, universities and governments... developing nations creating standards for the safety and protection of the environment... scientists in developing countries learning to patent their ideas and bring them to the global marketplace...
This is agricultural biotechnology.
Agricultural biotechnology is about using new science to address a long-standing problem that continues to loom large throughout the world - ensuring that adequate food stocks are available to the people of the world, and making sure food is produced with methods that protect public health and minimize negative environmental impact.
In no other commercial sector, academic field or policy arena, do scientists from public universities unite with private sector counterparts and join representatives from development agencies, international centers, national ministries, non-profit organizations, overseas missions, and trade organizations.
This mosaic of participants and stakeholders mirrors the character of agricultural biotechnology itself, where the diversity of disciplines and convergence of goals are increasing simultaneously. Despite this, the majority of professional conference and scientific symposia in biotechnology focus on the state of the science or review progress in the industrial sector alone, giving little attention to the multidisciplinary aspects of agricultural biotechnology such as intellectual property rights, biosafety and trade. Fewer still examine expanding global development of agricultural biotechnology, and the opportunities and challenges which attend that development.
This is the inspiration for the AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR A BETTER WORLD global conference. For the first time a conference will be devoted to exploring the implications for the use of agricultural biotechnology world wide and its role in development assistance, agribusiness and trade.
The USAID-sponsored Agricultural Biotechnology for Sustainable Productivity (ABSP) project has organized the conference to give participants from around the globe the opportunity to come together from April 28-30, 1997, to share experiences and discuss the future of agricultural biotechnology.
Specialists from related fields will present progress and results from projects and programs which are involved with agricultural biotechnology internationally. Once such example, is the ABSP project, based at Michigan State University, which will present its own approach to development through commodity-oriented research, technology transfer, and integrated management and networking. Conference topics include:
* Building public and private sector linkages * Commercialization in agribusiness * Intellectual property, licensing and legal aspects of biotechnology transfer * Regulatory policy and biosafety guidelines * Technology transfer and product development * The relevance of international agreements to biotechnology (role of GATT, NAFTA, Convention on Biodiversity, Uruguay Round/TRIPs) * Enterprise, commercialization and privatization * The changing role of the public sector * Socio-economic impacts of new biotechnologies * The role of biotechnology in integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture and agronomic systems
The conference planners see these elements as part of an integrated whole. Agricultural biotechnology is an area where growth is outpacing that of nearly all other fields. It stands significantly among the cadre of cutting-edge technologies that are helping to shape our future, such as information technology, materials science and nanotechnology.
Anticipated speakers for the conference include federal agency administrators, public and private sector leaders from affiliated research centers, governmental units and corporations. Contact The conference secretariat for a detailed speakers list.
The conference will be held at the rustic and picturesque Asilomar Executive Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California on the Monterey Peninsula. Asilomar, a striking facility situated on 105 acres of beautiful California state park land, offers a retreat-style environment perfectly suited for the open exchange of ideas. Asilomar's location and informal setting are ideal for an intensive conference of this kind.
Agricultural Biotechnology for a Better World
ABSP 1997 Global Conference First Announcement
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM
1997 Global Conference Asilomar Executive Conference Center Pacific Grove, California April 28-30, 1997
__Dr. __Mr. __Ms. __Mrs. Gender: ___ M ___ F First Name: ______________________ Last Name: _______________________________ Title: ______________________________________________________________________ Organization: _______________________________________________________________ Street Address: ______________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________________________________________________ State/Province: _____________________________________________________________ Zip/Postal Code: __________________________ Country: ________________________ Telephone: __________________________________________________________________ Fax:: _______________________________________________________________________ E-mail or WWW address: ______________________________________________________
Early Registration Fee is $295.00 U.S. currency, made payable to "Michigan State University". After January 30, 1997, the registration fee is $345.00 U.S. currency. Acceptable methods of payment include certified check, credit card, or money order. To register post or e-mail completed registration form and send payment to:
Conference Secretariat ABSP Project Conference Office Michigan State University 414 Plant & Soil Sciences Building East Lansing, MI 48824-1325 mailto:global97@pilot.msu.edu
Registration forms can also be faxed to (517) 432-1982 or (517) 353-1888, however, registration will not be confirmed until receipt of payment by mail. For more information contact the conference coordinator, Mr. Dean Norton at (517) 353-5263 or by e-mail at mailto:global97@pilot.msu.edu.
Cancellations must be in writing and received no later than February 15, 1997. Cancellations will be subject to a $50 administration fee. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after February 15, 1997.
Fee entitles registrant to registration package including conference materials and publications. Accommodations with Asilomar (arranged separately) include lodging and meals.
Arrangements for lodging can be made through the Asilomar Conference Center (see below). Please be advised that the majority of rooms at Asilomar are double and quadruple occupancy. Be sure to Asilomar is aware of your gender, indicate a preference and specify another participant as a room partner, where applicable.
Asilomar Registrar Asilomar Conference Center P.O. Box 537, 800 Asilomar Boulevard Pacific Grove, California 93950 tel: 408-372-8016 fax: 408-372-7227
Poster presentation ______ *registrants who check this box indicate a preference to participate in the global conference poster sessions and will be sent poster guidelines and protocols with registration confirmation. Poster topic:_______________________________________________________________
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| AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY |
| FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVITY |
| ABSP Project |
| Institute of International Agriculture |
| Michigan State University |
| 414 Plant & Soil Sciences Building |
| East Lansing, MI 48824-1325 |
| voice: (517) 353-2290 |
| FAX: (517) 432-1982 |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------+ | DEAN P. NORTON e-mail: mailto:nortond@isl.msu.edu |
+---------------------------------------------------------+ | Network Specialist/International Conference Coordinator |
+---------------------------------------------------------+ | Home of BioLink, ABSP Project quarterly newsletter |
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