Biotech corn test successful
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Iowa State officials and researchers say they've successfully conducted a field test of biopharmaceutical corn.
The project was carried out in the confines of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant near Middletown, in southeast Iowa, where two small plots were sown with genetically engineered corn.
Kan Wang, director of the Center for Plant Transformation, is conducting the research. The corn produces a protein that may stimulate immunity to diarrhea-causing bacteria in livestock, thus reducing antibiotic use. The corn will be used in animal feeding studies and to analyze efficient methods to extract and purify the protein.
To prevent crossing with conventional corn, the biopharmaceutical plants were planted later than commercial fields. Also, plants were hand-pollinated; the plots were 1.2 miles from the nearest commercial field; guards regularly checked the site; an 8-foot fence discouraged wildlife; and surveillance cameras monitored the plots.
"To ensure that people were comfortable with the experiment, the university implemented extra safeguards that exceeded federal regulatory requirements," said Beryl Packer, biosafety specialist for Iowa State. "Federal and state inspectors have reacted positively to how we've handled the research."
That's important for the future of Iowa's biopharmaceutical industry, said Wendy Wintersteen, interim agriculture dean: "If Iowa is going to realize the potential of growing these crops, then the research must demonstrate that it can be done in a way that doesn't threaten the commodity grain trade here or in neighboring states."
