The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) jointly announced the launch of Innovature, a new platform to spark a thoughtful dialogue around innovation in food and agriculture, with an initial focus on gene editing. A growing understanding of gene editing is spurring new developments in food and agriculture to address some of our most pressing societal challenges.
 
“There is too much at stake as a society today not to have an open and transparent conversation about how gene editing in plants, animals and microbes can help address growing global challenges, such as climate change, sustainability and hunger,” said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. “We look forward to engaging a number of voices in Innovature moving forward.”
 
“Through Innovature and other efforts, we aim to go beyond one-directional communication to engage key influencers in a dialogue around shared values,” said Andy LaVigne, President & CEO of the American Seed Trade Association. “Our goal is to cultivate broad-based partnerships in order to fully realize the potential of evolving innovation in plant and animal breeding for the benefit of our health, our planet, and our food.”
 
The aim of Innovature is to be a resource for those interested in learning more about and engaging in a conversation around the benefits of innovation in food and agriculture. Currently, the platform is focused on gene editing, but it will grow to incorporate additional innovations in food and agriculture as they develop.
 
For more information, to pose questions or to suggest stories, please visit Innovature.com.