Brief History of Bt cowpea project

•Initially conceived by a group** at Purdue in 1987, in collaboration with scientists from IITA

**Network for the Genetic Improvement of Cowpea for Africa

•Early funding by Rockefeller Foundation

•Current funding: USAID grant to AATF -AATF coordinates efforts with partners, including CSIRO, NGICA, PBS, etc

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture – Institut international d’agriculture tropicale – www.iita.org

The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata

Site of the trial

b

Transgenic potato plants with resistance to potato beetle, using B. t. protein; Produced and field tested by ABI, Sofia, Bulgaria. Pre-2005

Alternative: multiple applications of insecticides

Improving the Human Condition through Plant Science

Necessary In-House capabilities to develop and deploy transgenic plants

Core Functions•Product development and

delivery•Collaboration

I.P. and LicensingRegulatory Affairs – Biosafety Approvals

Field testing

Product development planning/coordination

Communications

With emphasis on good stewardship

Improving the Human Condition through Plant Science

Regulatory Hurdles for Transgenic Disease and Insect Resistance Include:

• Confirming efficacy

• Confirming safety of transgenic event for:• Agricultural environment• Consumer

• Confirming low/no risk of weediness in crop or outcrossing species

(similar requirements are not made for non-transgenic resistance)

Improving the Human Condition through Plant Science

First Field Trial of a Food Crop in 1987, TMV-Resistant Tomatoes

In 1987 Dr. Roger Beachy, foreground at right, joins scientists to test the first genetically modified plants in a field trial in Jerseyville, Il.

Coat Protein Mediated Resistance first described in December, 1986. To date fewer that six public sector transgenic crop have reached market. Why not more success? What steps can be taken to enhance contributions of public sector scientists to food production (and economy) in the future?