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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION
Mimi Ricketts, NCGA (314-308-4290)
Peter Mascia, Ceres (310-317-8911)
Rob Rose, Danforth Center (314-587-1231)
Courtney Chabot Dreyer, DuPont (515-334-4663)
Ben Kampelman,
Monsanto (314-694-6192)
NATIONAL CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION LEADS INDUSTRY INITIATIVE TO ADVANCE SEQUENCING OF THE MAIZE GENOME
Ceres, DuPont, Monsanto Transfer Important Genetic Information to Improve
Public Research
ST. LOUIS (March 15, 2004) – Efforts
to sequence the maize (corn) genome received a boost with the announcement
today by the National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) that three industry leaders will share
their corn genome sequence data. The valuable data provided by Ceres,
Inc., Monsanto Company, and DuPont subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc., combined with corn sequence data already in the public domain,
will significantly accelerate the identification of genes within the
entire corn genome.
The data will be available to research scientists through a searchable
database on the Web, and is intended to be hosted at the Donald Danforth
Plant Science Center, a not-for-profit research institute. To gain
access to the data, scientists must complete a licensing agreement
that will be downloadable on the NCGA Web site, www.ncga.com.
With the availability of sequencing data from Ceres, DuPont and Monsanto,
the corn genome could be completely sequenced by 2007, potentially
years ahead of when it would have been completed without this initiative.
“The sharing of these data will pave the way toward future
improvements in corn that hold great promise for corn growers and consumers
around the globe,” said Gary Davis, chairman of NCGA’s
Research and Business Development Action Team. “We would like
to build on this momentum to develop a broader coalition that supports
this important effort.”
NCGA believes completion
of the maize genome sequence will increase breeding efficiency, streamline
the delivery of new traits, allow the
discovery and enhancement of properties such as drought tolerance and
further the recognition and understanding of traits that will enhance
corn’s position as the ideal crop for food, feed, fuel and industrial
uses. Leaders from the NCGA and the companies involved believe this
sequencing information has the ability to benefit existing and future
research for the U.S. corn industry.
Leaders at Pioneer, the
world’s largest seed company, agree. “Henry
Wallace founded Pioneer in 1926 with the sole purpose of increasing
the value farmers get on each harvested acre,” said Jim Miller,
vice president, Crop Genetics Research & Development. “One
of the most effective ways to increase value is to discover and develop
top performing seed. Sharing our corn genome sequence data to further
public understanding of this important crop will allow farmers even
more choices in improved plant genetics in the future.”
Richard Hamilton, president
and CEO of Ceres, commented, "Ceres
was founded to apply genomics technologies to crop improvement. Allowing
public researchers to access this sequence information will significantly
enhance the rate of discovery and crop improvement.”
Such discovery and crop
improvement echoes Monsanto’s commitment
to facilitate and encourage research of corn. “Monsanto is proud
to support corn research through this collective agreement,” said
Robb Fraley, Monsanto’s chief technology officer. “This
is a concrete example of our strength in genomics research and involvement
in sharing scientific knowledge within the agricultural research community
to help support the U.S. growers’ continued success in the global
marketplace.”
This project underscores
NCGA’s continued commitment to advancements
through research. NCGA took a leading role in getting the Plant Genome
Initiative signed into law in 1997 and continues to support this important
effort. Today’s announcement reinforces that commitment.
The NCGA’s mission is to create and increase opportunities for
corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn’s profitability
and usage. NCGA represents more than 33,000 members, 25 affiliated
state corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers
who contribute to state checkoff programs.
Ceres, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company utilizing multiple
integrated plant genomics technologies to develop innovative products.
For more information on Ceres, see: www.ceresbiotechnology.com
Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock
producers, and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop
protection solutions, and quality crop systems to customers. DuPont
is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work
by solving problems and creating solutions that make people’s
lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries,
the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets
including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety
and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is a leading global provider of technology-based
solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity
and food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see: www.monsanto.com.
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit
research institute with a global vision to improve the human condition.
Research at the Danforth Center will enhance the nutritional content
of plants to improve human health, increase agricultural production
to create a sustainable food supply, and build scientific capacity
to generate economic growth in the St. Louis region and throughout
Missouri. This sequencing sharing agreement builds on the Center's
leadership role in the NSF-sponsored Maize Genomics Consortium currently
evaluating and validating a gene-enrichment strategy. Please visit
www.danforthcenter.org for additional information.
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