Syngenta AG (SYT)

Syngenta’s approach to innovation seeks to take into full consideration the range of public attitudes around the world. For instance in Europe, it will be important to focus on consumer benefits in order to foster widespread confidence. In the developing world, the promise of biotechnology for food production and health improvement is considerable. For example, Syngenta is contributing to the development of “Golden Rice”, which produces beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in partnership with the public sector. In many developing countries, vitamin A deficiency is a common cause of illness and is an important contributor to blindness, especially in children. As Syngenta’s science develops, it will introduce techniques that mitigate perceived risks. For example, Syngenta has introduced a novel marker gene system called POSITECH™ as a new and efficient alternative to antibiotic resistance markers. Furthermore, Syngenta has a research project to produce wheat varieties which resist the fungal disease fusarium graminarium, thus reducing levels of mycotoxin in the resulting grain.

As the public becomes more informed about products with consumer benefits and about the use of science to explore and understand safety issues and risks, Syngenta believes that products created through biotechnology will gain widespread public acceptance. However, attitudes toward biotechnology continue to evolve and Syngenta cannot provide absolute assurance of how quickly such products will receive widespread support.

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Syngenta’s approach to innovation seeks to take into full consideration the range of public attitudes around the world. For instance in Europe, it will be important to focus on consumer benefits in order to foster widespread confidence. In the developing world, the promise of biotechnology for food production and health improvement is considerable. For example, Syngenta is contributing to the development of “Golden Rice”, which produces beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in partnership with the public sector. In many developing countries, vitamin A deficiency is a common cause of illness and is an important contributor to blindness, especially in children. As Syngenta’s science develops, it will introduce techniques that mitigate perceived risks. For example, Syngenta has introduced a novel marker gene system called POSITECH™ as a new and efficient alternative to antibiotic resistance markers.

As the public becomes more informed about products with consumer benefits and about the use of science to explore and understand safety issues and risks, Syngenta believes that products created through biotechnology will gain widespread public acceptance. However, attitudes toward biotechnology continue to evolve and Syngenta cannot provide absolute assurance of how quickly such products will receive widespread support.