08/27/07 Biotechnology future

The University of Idaho ag economist Joe Guenthner says there will be global acceptance of biotechnology early in the next decade. It will not be complete acceptance however. Guenthner studies and uses mathematical models to forecast how long it takes consumers to accept new technology, in this case biotech crops. GUENTHNER "In Asia acceptance is coming through governments, governments of China and India being pro-GM. I think on the African continent hunger is an important driver. Borders between countries that accept GM technology and those who do not, causing a change." Guenthner says in most of the world genetically modified crops will be more rapidly accepted and it may come from many of those now opposed to the technology. GUENTHNER "Some are accepted commercially now, are in the marketplace. GM potatoes are a case study in market failure. I think technology itself may be used to I guess the concerns of some of the people who are against it but I think eventually this technology won't be stopped." According to Guenthner's study biotechnology will have the widespread acceptance within five to six years, by about 2013. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott