Brief History of Bt cowpea project Initially conceived

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

The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata International Institute of Tropical Agriculture – Institut international d’agriculture tropicale – www. iita. org

Site of the trial

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 b

Necessary In-House capabilities to develop and deploy transgenic plants Product development planning/coordination Core Functions • Product development and delivery • Collaboration Regulatory Affairs – Biosafety Approvals Communications I. P. and Licensing Field testing 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 nontransgenic resistance) Improving the Human Condition through Plant Science

First Field Trial of a Food Crop in 1987, TMV-Resistant Tomatoes 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? In 1987 Dr. Roger Beachy, foreground at right, joins scientists to test the first genetically modified plants in a field trial in Jerseyville, Il. Improving the Human Condition through Plant Science