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Bruce Chassy
Long, Stephen P; Moose, Stephen Patrick
A Proposal
Saturday, January 30, 2016 2:35:21 PM
Biotech literacy conference at PSU final.docx
BLP II agenda outline 4-28-2015.doc
Detailed agenda - Biotech literacy conference at OSU 8-18-15.docx

Steve(s),
Steve Moose will know that over the last two years I, along with Jay Byrne at V-fluence and Jon Entine at the
Genetic Literacy Project, have organized workshops intended to help communication about modern biotechnology.
We call these workshops Biotech Bootcamps or the Biotech Literacy Project. Steve Moose attended BLP-I in
Gainesville in 2014. BLP-II was held at UC-Davis in June 2015. Both were well-attended and received high marks
from participants. I have attached a draft agenda for the Davis meeting.
In 2015 we introduced the Mini-Bootcamp into the mix. The mini-bootcamp is a one-day event that is focused on a
single campus. The primary audience will be faculty and extension specialists who need or want to communicate
about ag biotech. As you will see in the attached agendas from our first two mini-bootcamps the programs draw on
campus faculty more heavily and are more focused on specific issues that are important in the region. Draft
agendas for our very successful Penn State and Oregon State meetings are attached.
Our role for the BLP 3-day workshop is to help develop the program, to participate as speakers, and to handle as
much of the management and administrative detail as is possible. The hosts’ role is primarily in helping shape the
program, recruit local speakers, and identifying facilities and services. The BLP is a big project so we actually hire
an event manager. The mini-BLP is much easier since little travel and not many logistics are required. Basically
we need a program, some speakers, a room with a projector and a free lunch.
The 3-day bootcamp is relatively expensive since we pay everyone’s travel and lodging as well as honoraria.
Participants received $250 and presenters as much as $2500 (journalists aren’t inexpensive). In the past we have
been able to support on-campus expenses such as meals, local transportation, and A/V services. I need to be clear
up-front that our support comes from BIO, USDA, State-USAID, and some foundation money so industry is
indirectly a sponsor. We are 100% transparent about sponsorship.
As you have surmised by now, this e-mail is to explore your level of interest in helping the BLP come to
Champaign-Urbana in 2015 or 2016 and/or if you would be interested in helping to host a mini-bootcamp in late
Spring or Summer of 2016. U of I would be a great venue for either or both of these meetings.
If you have any questions e-mail me or call at
. Please do get back to me after you’ve discussed this
since we want to get our schedule for 2016 set as soon as we can. If there is someone else to whom you think I
should have addressed this proposal, let me know that.
Hope all is well for both of you
Best Regards
Bruce

Bruce M. Chassy, PhD
Professor Emeritus
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

 GMO Crops and Food: Science and Communication Literacy
Room 109, Penn Stater Hotel
1 October 2015
The goal of this one day workshop at Penn State University is to provide extension staff,
faculty, professionals, and students in the food, health, natural resources, and agricultural
fields training about crop and animal biotechnology issues. This includes background in
science, legal, and communication dimensions to help them to more effectively engage
with the public and teach others. The instructors are scientists and journalists with
extensive knowledge and experience in the area.
Rationale: While many types of transgenic crops provide measurable advantages to
farmers and tremendous potential for future advances, most consumers do not understand
the technology and why it is used. They also don’t appreciate the benefits, risks, uses,
and misuses of the technology compared to other types of genetic modification. Fearful
narratives on activist websites and by competitive marketing interests are highly
influential, and prompt those without a firm opinion to adopt “cautious” food choices that
limit producers’ options to adopt these technologies. Negative rhetoric also frequently
targets academic researchers that are engaged in educating the public about agricultural
technology, creating an uncomfortable environment that discourages students and new
scholars from work in the area.
The media, including progressive and traditional outlets, have begun reporting the debate
with more nuance—which aligns with the goals of scientists and responsible
professionals who seek to provide a rational, balanced view of GMOs and their roles.
This workshop is designed to further elevate this trend by fostering more effective,
responsible, and credible engagement with the academic, NGO, legislative, and journalist
communities.
The workshop is sponsored by the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences and
Academics Review.
Academics Review is an independent 501C3 non-profit organization. Academics Review
was founded by two independent professors of food-related microbiology, nutritional,
and safety issues on opposite ends of the planet: in rural central Illinois, and in urban
Melbourne, Australia. Bruce M. Chassy, Ph.D., and David Tribe, Ph.D., are two of the
most widely recognized experts in the world on how plants grow, and the resulting
effects plants, as foods, can have on human health.
Academics Review does not solicit or accept funds from any source for specific research
or any other activities associated with any products, services or industry. Academics
Review only accepts unrestricted donations from non-corporate sources to support its
work.

1

 Schedule
Presenters
Jon Entine, Biotechnology journalist, Genetic Literacy Project, University of California
at Davis
Bruce Chassy, Food Scientist, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois 

Jay Byrne, Food and Agriculture Communications Specialist
Troy Ott, Professor of Animal Science, Penn State
Rick Roush, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State
8:15
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Welcome: Workshop structure and intent (Roush/Chassy/Entine-moderating)
Goals for workshop (Roush)
Land grant mission, interaction with 'industry' (Roush)
Logistics (Roush)
Sources of support for workshop (Roush)
Outlining the key issues for the public engagement on food, farming and
biotechnology (Chassy)
o The need/challenge
o Biotechnology – one of many tools
o Appropriate and responsible development, use and regulation
o Challenges and sources of challenges for acceptance
o Roles and skills for effective science and policy participants
o Beyond the boot camp – staying engaged in a process of ongoing
education and skills improvement

8:45 Introduction to the Biotechnology Issues Challenge (Ott)
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Future of Food: agricultural systems & human challenges
What is biotech?
GMOs vs. conventional (mutagenesis and other practices) vs. organic
Approved GMOs and their use and distribution globally
New GMOs and new breeding techniques (e.g., gene editing)

9:30

Entine facilitate brief on topic Q&A

9:45

GMO Crops: Agricultural and environmental impacts (Roush)

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Pesticide impacts and safety, greenhouse gases, profitability, sustainability
Risk assessment from Europe: “GM crop as safe as crops grown conventionally”
Integration and co-existence across large and small-scale agriculture, organics
Pest and weed resistance management, US and global

2

 10:15 Entine facilitated brief on topic Q&A
10:30 Break
10:45 Goliath vs. Goliath: Understanding the media and marketing environment
(Chassy/Byrne/Entine)
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Organic marketing issues
GMO free labeling politics
Who is advocating and communicating about GMOs, and why
What’s the financial support for the mainstream food industry vs. organic industry
Role of social media and traditional media in shaping public opinion

11:45 Q&A and charge to audience to discuss further at lunch with opportunity to
follow up after lunch as next session will include over-lapping elements
12:00
1:00
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2:15
2:30
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3:45

LUNCH
Issues, problems, perceptions, and myths (Chassy/Entine/Roush)
Can GMOs (or organics) alone ‘feed the world’ - Chassy
Are GMOs safe? Allegenicity, autism, and cancer – Chassy
Do GMOs result in increased use of agro-chemicals? – Chassy
GMOs and farmer suicides – Chassy
Does Monsanto (corporations) control the world food supply and patent issues? Entine
GMO labeling issues – Entine
Do GMOs “contaminate” organic crops - Roush
GMOs, birds and bees: The status of pollinators – Roush
BREAK
GMOs, risk perception and communication skills (Byrne/ Chassy/Entine)
How the public perceives risk and GMOs – Byrne
Effective science advocacy – Byrne/ Chassy
Connecting emotionally – Byrne/ Chassy
Communication language – Byrne/ Chassy
Glyphosate (Roundup) as centerpiece example of understanding risk - Chassy
The societal challenge of risk related issues in a technophobic world - Entine
Finding common ground between public, journalists, and scientists –
Chassy/Entine
Communication resources (Chassy/Entine)

3

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4:00
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Social media and web-based resources
Introduction to Bonus Eventus, explain and sign up (if appropriate)
Useful communication materials for participants (PPT slides and other resources)
GMOs and political status in Pennsylvania and New York (Roush)
Statewide labeling proposals
GMO insect trials in New York

4:30

Putting it all together: Audience facilitate Q&A (Roush/Entine)

5:00

End (guests encourage to continue discussions)

4

 Biotechnology Literacy Project (BLP) Boot camp 2015 AGENDA
University of California-Davis
May 31, SUN

FUTURE OF FOOD
Venue: Hyatt Place Hotel

2-5p

Young scientists: Overseen by Anastasia Bodnar/Denneal Jamison

6:00p

Cocktails

6:45p

Welcome greeting World Food Center: Roger Beachy

7:00p

Buffet dinner

7:30p

Journalists Roundtable/Media/social media overview: Kevin Folta
(moderator), Brooke Borel, Hank Campbell, Keith Kloor, Razib Khan

June 1, MON

FUTURE OF FOOD
Venue: Mondavi Center

8:00-8:10a

Problems/Challenges: Pamela Ronald

8:10-9:00

Overview: Jay Byrne & Q&A

9:00-10:00

Organic foods, marketing and labeling: Bruce Chassy, Dave Tribe

Break
10:15-11:15

GMOs and Chemicals: Hank Campbell (moderator), Dave Stone, Brandon
McFadden

11:15-12:30

GMOs and Corporations: Keith Kloor (moderator), David Zilberman, James
McWilliams, Kevin Folta, Tim Pastoor, Cami Ryan

12:30

Buffet Lunch

12:45

Lunch discussion: GMOs and Food Fears: Christine Bruhn (moderator),
Amber Pankonin, Sylvia Melendez Klinger

1:45-3:00

GMOs and Sustainability? Nathaneal Johnson (moderator), Raoul Adamchuk,
Rob Walbridge (possible), Dave Walton, Rosamond Naylor

3:30-3:45

Bees and butterflies: Jon Entine (moderator), Cynthia Scott Dupree, Randy
Oliver, Tim Pastoor

 Break
4:00-5:30

New GM Products: Jon Entine (moderator), Simplot, Scotts Miracle Gro,
AquaBounty, Bill Powell

6:45

Cocktails/dinner

8:00

Dinner Discussion: FOI Challenges: Bruce Chassy (moderator), Keith Kloor,
Kevin Folta, Joanna Sax, Guy Cardineau

June 2, TUE

COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP
Venue: Mondavi Center

8:00-9:15

Media Skills/How Scientists Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the News
and Social Media: Jay Byrne, Tim Pastoor

9:15-10:45

Risk and Media: David Ropeik (moderator), Jennifer Kuzma, Hank Campbell,
James McWilliams

Break
11:00-12:30

Connecting with Skeptical Audiences: Emily McManus (TED), Pamela
Ronald, Nathanael Johnson, Alison Van Eenennaam

12:30

BUS/FARM VISIT/PICNIC LUNCH/ Buffet Lunch (Snacks provided by Patrick
Brown/Impossible Foods)
Animal biotech: Future & Safety/UC-Davis GM goat farm visit, plus
presentations: James Murray, Alison Van Eenennaam, Mark Westhusin

3:00-4:30

GMO 2.O? Impact of New Breeding Techniques on Regulation and Policy:
Razib Khan (moderator), Peggy Lemeaux, Michael Udvardi, John Stier, Guy
Cardineau

4:30-5:30

Reviewing Highlights of Conference: Alison Van Eenennaam (moderator),
Keith Kloor, Hank Campbell, David Ropeik, Razib Khan

6:45

Cocktails/Dinner

8:00

GROUP DISCUSSION: Will the Constructive Discussion on GMOs and
Technology Broaden to Include the Environmental Community? Brooke
Borel, David Cleary, David Ropeik

June 3, WED

GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY
Venue: Mondavi Center

8:00

Breakfast- Possible discussion of how to address GMO debate in the moment

8:30-9:45

Global scientists engagement TBA

Break

 10:15-11:30

Student Breakout Sessions: What was learned: Anastasia Bodnar/Denneal
Jamison

1:00-6:00

PUBLIC CONFERENCE: Institute for Food and Agricultural Literacy
Venue: Mondavi Center

 GMO Crops and Food: Science and Communication Literacy
Kearny Hall 112, Oregon State University
17 September 2015
The goal of this one-day workshop at Oregon State University is to provide extension
agents, faculty, professionals and students in food, health, natural resources, and
agriculture basic knowledge about GMO technology and communication. This includes
background in science, issues, and communication methods to help them to more
effectively engage with the public and teach others. The instructors will be scientists
and journalists with extensive knowledge and experience in the area.
Rationale: The world faces tremendous challenges in sustainably producing food and
energy of adequate quantity, quality, and affordability. Meeting these challenges will
require the use of many types of tools and technologies. Transgenic crops have been
shown to provide measurable advantages to millions of farmers around the world, and
the science on which they are based hold tremendous potential for future advances.
However, most consumers do not understand the technology and why it is used. They
also don’t appreciate the benefits, risks, uses, and misuses of the technology compared
to other types of genetic modification. There are also diverse ideologies and market
interests that provide contrasting messages about the value and safety of transgenic
technology, confusing professionals and consumers.
The media, including progressive and traditional outlets, have begun reporting the
debate with more nuance—which aligns with the goals of scientists and responsible
professionals who seek to provide a rational, balanced view of GMOs and their roles.
This workshop is designed to further elevate this trend by fostering more effective,
responsible, and credible engagement with the academic, NGO, legislative, and
journalist communities.
Please register here.
For additional information, please contact:
Dave Stone, Dave.Stone@oregonstate.edu
or
Steve Strauss, Steve.Strauss@oregonstate.edu

1

 Detailed Schedule
8:30
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8:45
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9:15
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Welcome: Workshop structure and intent (Chassy/Stone/Strauss)
Sources of support for workshop
Nature of engagement: Land grant mission, interaction with industry
Goals and sideboards for workshop
Logistics
Future of food and agricultural systems (Entine/Chassy)
Population, malnutrition and the challenges ahead
Diversity of agricultural systems, scales, and technologies
Agroecology and (GMO free) organic certification: Benefits and limits
GMOs as tools with diverse applications, benefits, and risks
Basic science background (Strauss)
History of plant breeding and domestication
Definitions of biotech and GMOs
GMOs vs. conventional plant breeding
Approved GMOs and their extent in the world
New GMOs in the pipeline

10:00 BREAK
10:30 Case study I: Herbicide and pest tolerant crops (Stone/Chassy)
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What is the nature of the herbicide and pest tolerance traits in wide use
Hazard vs. risk: Primer on toxicology
Importance of dose
Food and chemical safety assessment
Roundup and IARC determination
Safety assessment of new herbicide tolerant crops
Herbicide resistant weed development/management

11:30 Understanding the media and marketing environment (Byrne)
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Who controls the food supply
Who is advocating and communicating about GMOs, and why
Sources of funding and efforts in GMO communications.
Role of social media and traditional media in shaping public opinion
2

 12:00 LUNCH
1:00
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2:00
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2:45
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Case study II: GMO “wheatgate” in Oregon (Strauss/Mallory-Smith)
Discovery and analysis of illegal GMO wheat
Related case of GMO bentgrass in Oregon
Genetic drift and biocontainment principles
Regulatory and legal environment
Market/financial repercussions
Broader issues of unintended gene movement: Research, patents, and lawsuits
GMOs, risk perception, and communication skills (Stone)
How the public perceives risk and GMOs
Effective science advocacy
Connecting emotionally
Communication language
Finding common ground between public, journalists, and scientists
Social media and communication resources (Byrne)
Social media and web-based resources about science, issues and myths
Introduction to Bonus Eventus, explain and sign up (if appropriate)
Useful communication materials for participants (PPT slides and other resources)

3:15

BREAK

3:45

GMOs and legislative/political activities in Oregon (Dahlman)

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4:15
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Statewide labeling proposal
County level ballot initiatives
Contemporary/expected legislative initiatives
Putting it all together: A panel with perspectives from professionals, followed by
open discussion
Agroecologist
Conventional plant breeder
International biotechnologist
Food systems anthropologist
Corporate representative
Agricultural administrator
3

 5:15

Attendee survey of meeting structure and content (Strauss/Stone)

5:30

Meeting concludes

4

 Expected presenters
Jon Entine, Biotechnology journalist, Organizer of Biotechnology Literacy Project
Bruce Chassy, Food Scientist, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois
Jay Byrne, Biotechnology Communications Specialist
Dave Stone, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University
Steve Strauss, College of Forestry, Oregon State University
Scott Dahlman, Executive Director, Oregonians for Food and Shelter
Panel discussants with diverse science and public views (in development)

5