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NEWS RELEASE

09-22-03

Contacts:
Diane Birt, Food Science and Human Nutrition, (515) 294-3011
Jane Love, Food Science and Human Nutrition, (515) 294-4361
Lani McKinney, Food Science and Human Nutrition Communications,
(515) 294-4432
Teddi Barron, News Service, (515) 294-4778

SPEAKERS WILL DISCUSS BIOTECHNOLOGY'S POTENTIAL IN IOWA'S FOOD AND HEALTH INDUSTRIES OCT. 3 AT ISU

AMES, Iowa -- The food science and human nutrition department at Iowa State University will host a program, "What is the Potential Impact of Biotechnology on Food and Nutrition for the Health and Economy of Iowa?" on Friday, Oct. 3, in the Food Sciences Building.

The event brings together people from industry, government and academia to focus on some of the current challenges and opportunities related to biotechnology in Iowa's food, nutrition and health industries.

The program is part of the food science and human nutrition department's open house. Registration begins at 1 p.m. in the lobby next to room 1041. The biotechnology program will be from 1:45 to 4:30 p.m. in room 1095, followed by a research poster session, tours and social hour. A picnic in the LeBaron Hall Courtyard will begin at 6 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested. To register, contact Lani McKinney, (515) 294-4432; or go online to www.fcs.iastate.edu/fshn/openhouse/default.htm.

The program features two speakers from the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Joe Jones, program manager for value-added agricultural products and processes, and Mike Fastenau, business assistance manager, will talk about biotechnology initiatives in Iowa.

Other speakers include College of Agriculture Dean Catherine Woteki, who will give a presentation on safety aspects of biotechnology; Paul Flakoll, director of the Center for Designing Foods to Improve Nutrition, who will discuss how biotechnology can influence nutrition and health; and Diane Birt, chair of the food sciences and human nutrition department, who will talk about the department's contributions in food and nutritional biotechnology.

A panel of industry leaders will present their perspective on biotechnology's impact. Panel members include: David Hettinga, former vice president and chief technical officer, Land O' Lakes, Minneapolis; John Greaves, president, Kemin Americas, Des Moines; and Steve Nissen, ISU animal science professor and chief executive officer, Metabolic Technologies, Ames.

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