WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture, today held a hearing on the benefits of biotechnology.

The purpose of the hearing was to examine ways in which consumers and society can benefit from biotechnological advances and to address the challenges that biotechnology faces in consumer acceptance.

“It is clear from the hearing today that biotechnology plays a critical role in meeting a number of consumer and societal needs,” said Congressman Scott. “In a world where it is important to help feed our expanding population while ensuring that everyone has access to safe, diverse, and quality food, the U.S. can, and should, be a leader in biotech development to address the coming challenges for future generations.  Whether it is treating vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, or addressing hunger, biotechnology has and will continue to play a large role in global agriculture.” 

The witness panel included Dr. David Just, Professor of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University; Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, Assistant Professor at Tuskegee University; Dr. Josette Lewis, Associate Director for the World Food Center at University of California-Davis; Dr. Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International Development at Harvard University; and Mrs. Joanna Lidback, Owner and Operator of The Farm at Wheeler Mountain, a small, family dairy operation. 

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