WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) jointly announce the launch of Innovature, a new platform to spark a thoughtful dialogue around innovation in food and agriculture, with an initial focus on gene editing. Growing understanding of gene editing is spurring new developments in food and agriculture to address some of our most pressing societal challenges.
“There is too much at stake as a society today not to have an open and transparent conversation about how gene editing in plants, animals and microbes can help address growing global challenges, such as climate change, sustainability and hunger,” said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. “We look forward to engaging a number of voices in Innovature moving forward.”
“Through Innovature and other efforts, we aim to go beyond one-directional communication to engage key influencers in a dialogue around shared values,” said Andy LaVigne, President & CEO of the American Seed Trade Association. “Our goal is to cultivate broad-based partnerships in order to fully realize the potential of evolving innovation in plant and animal breeding for the benefit of our health, our planet, and our food.”
The aim of Innovature is to be a resource for those interested in learning more about and engaging in a conversation around the benefits of innovation in food and agriculture. Currently, the platform is focused on gene editing, but it will grow to incorporate additional innovations in food and agriculture as they develop.
For more information, to pose questions or to suggest stories, please visit Innovature.com or follow @InnovatureNow.
About BIO
BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIOtechNOW is BIO's blog chronicling “innovations transforming our world” and the BIO Newsletter is the organization’s bi-weekly email newsletter.
About ASTA
Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) represents over 700 companies involved in seed production, plant breeding and related industries in North America. ASTA is the leading voice of action in all matters concerning the development, marketing and movement of seed, associated products and services throughout the world. The association’s broad membership offers varieties from alfalfa to zucchini and all production types including conventional, organic and biotech. ASTA promotes the development of better seed to produce better crops for a better quality of life. For more information, please visit www.betterseed.org.
About Innovature
A joint effort of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), Innovature is a platform to engage people in a dialogue that is thoughtful, wide-ranging and inclusive of varying viewpoints to realize the benefits of innovation in food and agriculture, including evolving breeding methods, such as gene editing.
