02/24/05 A bioscience industry using Idaho crops

Carl Feldman believes that Idaho farmers can help develop a bioscience industry that will create high paying jobs. The founding president of Washington DC based Biotechnology Industry Organization Feldman feels the state can use its research and agricultural strength to grow crops that can be used to produce biopharmaceuticals. FELDMAN "The market for plant made pharmaceuticals is just beginning to be scoped. For example what's happened in Arizona with the potato. The potatoes are grown with the vaccine for Hepatitis B and then they're processed and eventually reduced to a powder that's wrapped with a gelatin and made into a pill. But the potential here is for Idaho farmers to achieved a much greater productivity and profit per acre." Feldman who recently moved to Ketchum says Idaho colleges and universities can be involved in the research and the Idaho lifestyle and work ethic are sure to lure companies to the state. Feldman will talk about all of this when he and other bioscience experts meet with a group of state legislators next Monday. He will tell them the topography in Idaho will help isolate bioengineered crops and prevent them from pollen contamination by a neighboring crop. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott