The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) fully concurs with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) initiative to hold public meetings to discuss the agency's oversight of biotech foods.

BIO also welcomes the opportunity to participate in the Chicago meeting, Nov. 18, and in
subsequent meetings in Washington, D.C., Nov. 30, and Oakland, Dec. 13. Attached to this press release is a statement from BIO President Carl B. Feldbaum.

BIO supports FDA's science-based policies regarding biotech foods. This includes FDA's
consultation process for reviewing all biotech foods and food labeling practices based on health,
safety and nutritional considerations.

The voluntary consultation is de facto mandatory and BIO's members are committed to complying
with FDA's procedures on consultations.

As for labeling, BIO supports the FDA's findings that foods derived from crops improved through
biotechnology are not necessarily different from foods derived from crops improved through
conventional plant breeding. The FDA requires labels on all foods whose nutritional content has
been changed and on all foods that may pose a health risk, such as an allergic reaction.

Purely informational labeling should be voluntary, such as the policy applied to organic and kosher foods. Informational labels, however, must continue to be rigorously examined to assure they always convey correct and non-misleading data.

Foods derived from crops improved through biotechnology have been tested more than any other
foods in history. Test data confirm they pose no greater threat to the environment or human health
than plants modified by conventional breeding. In fact, in many cases, biotech crops and foods
enhance our environment and health.

Initial application of biotechnology to agriculture has focused on improving farming. These products directly benefit growers by reducing costs and boosting yields and indirectly benefit consumers by fostering more environmentally friendly farming practices, including reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. They directly benefit consumers by maintaining stable food supplies, which also help keep prices stable.

We expect that the next generation of biotech foods will have more immediate benefits for
consumers through enriched nutrition, decreased allergenicity, lower fat content and improved
freshness and taste. Also in development are biotech foods that will deliver medicines, such as
vaccines or compounds that help prevent cancer. This is especially important for developing
nations.

BIO enthusiastically supports the public's right to know what we are all eating, especially when it
comes to health risks, changes in nutrition or the possibility of an allergic reaction. Information on
biotech crops on the market and in development is available on the websites of the FDA
(www.fda.gov), U.S. Department of Agriculture (www.usda.gov) and U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (www.epa.gov).

BIO represents more than 850 companies, academic institutions and state biotech centers in 47
states and 26 nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health care,
agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

BIO Statement on FDA Food Hearing

Carl B. Feldbaum, president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, issued the following
statement in advance of the Food and Drug Administration's upcoming hearing on foods derived
from biotechnology. The hearing, scheduled for November 18 in Chicago, is the first in a series of
three):

"For the last 20 years, biotechnology has brought breakthrough drugs and vaccines to help patients with such diseases as cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, AIDS, and cystic fibrosis. These therapies and cures have gained acceptance after years of testing and FDA review.

"Now, agricultural biotechnology is seeing the same pattern of resistance that greeted the
introduction of biotechnology into medicine.

"When biotech companies established drug research labs in the 1970s, the new technology brought forth questions and protests. Some people had thoughtful questions. Others challenged the science because they didn't like change. But today, no one can deny the benefits biotech medicines have brought to more than 200 million people suffering from or threatened by serious and life-threatening diseases.

"Introducing any new technology into our lives should be done cautiously. It is appropriate that
questions should be asked about genetically engineered crops and foods. The public's concerns
should be respected. However, we should not let those who steadfastly resist progress set the
agenda for the rest of society. People also have a right to know about the current and future
benefits of agricultural biotechnology, which eventually, like our drugs, will significantly contribute to our health.

"Here in the United States, the FDA, USDA and EPA rigorously regulate the safety of biotech
plants and foods. Biotechnology has been used to strengthen crops, improve farming techniques
and benefit the environment. These efforts have given U.S. citizens the safest, most abundant and
most affordable food supply in the world. The shortsighted protests of the few should not be
allowed to curtail the tremendous benefits possible for billions of individuals through agricultural
biotechnology.''

Company news release
N2243