Radio
Plant Biotechnology Beneficial to Workforce and Economy
Source: NBN/CP RadioWire
Dec 16, 2003, 10:45

Plant biotechnology is creating high-paying jobs and economic value, according to a study by University of Minnesota Professor C. Ford Runge.  Four biotech crops; corn, soybeans, cotton and canola, generated 20 billion dollars in economic value last year, Runge says states rapidly adopting biotechnology are reaping the greatest rewards:

�The economic impacts of biotechnology are increasingly evident beyond the farm gate and in the states active in biotech research and development.  New plant biotech firms and research facilities are being created.  For example, the number of ag and food scientists are increasing as workers are attracted to the sector which is paying above-average wages and a large number of individual states are reaping the benefits of this activity.�

While 41 of 50 states have a biotech initiative, the study suggested continued investment in research and development is key to future gains.