The document discusses issues around new potato technologies and communicating with the public. It provides background on the speaker's research funding and department. It then discusses challenges with potato breeding, benefits of past GM potatoes, and new genetic solutions on the horizon. The rest of the document outlines strategies for effectively communicating with the public, such as appealing to shared values, personalizing the message, and discussing opportunities rather than focusing only on risks. The goal is to have more engagement from the agricultural community to provide accurate information to non-experts.

1. Will Potato Growers be Allowed
to Benefit from New
Technology?
Kevin M. Folta Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman
Horticultural Sciences Department
kfolta.blogspot.com
@kevinfolta
kevinfolta@gmail.com
www.talkingbiotechpodcast.com

2. What my lab does. Use of light to increase fruit quality
USDA $500,000
Past funding for work in photomorphogenesis, plant
photoreceptors and light – USDA $500,000, NSF
$1,065,000, NIH - $100,000; Light Emitting Computers
$5000.
Past funding for work in strawberry genomics, strawberry
flavors, disease resistance, USDA $470,000, NSF
$1,550,000, FDACS - $550,000, FSREF - $310,000, UF
Plant Molecular Breeding Program - $180,000, JR Simplot
Co - $50,000; Driscoll’s $10,000; Roche/454 $10,000,
Graduate students supported by CAPES
(Brazil); Malaysian Government, Chinese
Scholarship Fund (2); Islamic Development
Fund, Belgian Graduate Student
Development Fund.
Internal grants: $145,000
Dean for Research toward strawberry
genome sequencing $40,000

3. My main job:
Chairman of the Horticultural Sciences Department (Fruit and Veg crops)
56 Faculty over six locations throughout the state
-Breeding / new varieties
-Crop physiology and production
-Molecular genetics
-Genomics
-Organic and sustainable production
-Weed science
-Plant nutrition, water use
-Space biology
-Cell and developmental biology
-Postharvest physiology
-Florida is the 9th
largest potato producing state in the USA

4. Potato Genetic Improvement
As fast as glaciers
Complicated genetics, difficult
to breed varieties that combine
all traits of industry interest
Plus, strong expectations from
end users

5. Potato was a pioneer crop in genetic
engineering
Benefits to Producers
Significant decrease in
insecticide use
Better yields due to less insect
pressure
Less virus spread because of
suppression of virus in field.

6. Potato was a pioneer crop in genetic
engineering
Impacts on Environment
The environment in Idaho and the
Columbia Basin benefitted because nearly
2 million pounds of insecticides and
30,000 spray plane sorties were not
needed on the NewLeaf fields (
Kaniewski & Thomas, 2004). According to
Phipps and Park (2002) and Brookes and
Barfoot (2005), GM potatoes could
significantly reduce the 2.6 million pounds
of pesticides applied annually to the US
potato crop.

7. Where are we in 2016?
New genetic solutions are on the horizon for potato
The technologies could have good impacts for growers
(and others)
There is a vocal minority steering the conversation
Producer participation is needed to push back
It is not just about facts, it is how you present them

8. A Few Central Core Concepts
Humans have always participated in plant and animal genetic
improvement.
Genetic engineering (familiar “GMO”) is a precise extension of
conventional plant breeding.
“The techniques used pose no more risk (actually less risk) than
conventional breeding.” (NAS, AAAS, AMA, EFSA many others)
In 20 years of use in plants, there has not been one case of illness
or death related to these products. No approved animals.
In the USA there are several traits used in only 10 (- +) commercial
crops, and salmon

9. StructureStructure
• Review of how genetic engineering worksReview of how genetic engineering works
• How it applies to potato, pendingHow it applies to potato, pending
situationssituations
• Communications strategies- how do weCommunications strategies- how do we
talk to others effectively?talk to others effectively?
• Where to get involved in the conversationWhere to get involved in the conversation

10. What Plant Genetic Improvement Is
More varieties
Grow better under
given conditions
Improved yields
Safer products
Improved nutrtion

11. What Plant Genetic Improvement Is
People t hink
Improved yields

12. What is Natural?
2. Dispel the appeal to nature
Humans have played a
pivotal role in plant and
animal improvement.
Genetics
Management
Nutrition, etc.

13. What Animal Genetic Improvement Is

14. Humans have always manipulated crop genetics

15. All existing crops and animals
have been radically reshaped by
humans, to enhance performance
that has aided the human
condition.

16. GM Crops Available Now
10
potato
apple

17. What are the Three Main Traits?
Virus Resistance
Insect Resistance
Herbicide Resistance
(how the traits work lecture online – (google “ UF biotechnology literacy day”)

18. How Does Transgenic Technology Work?
Turn OFF something that normally is ON
Turn ON something that is normally OFF or not there

19. How Do We Add a Gene to a Plant?

20. How Do We Add a Gene to a Plant?
Agrobacterium tumefaciens

21. Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
DNA – genetic material, Hard
copy safe in the nucleus of a cell
RNA – Transient copy of the
same information (+/-)
Protein – Does the work!
Enzymes, structures, etc.

22. Gene Silencing
Turns off a gene already
present, using the same
sequence
Uses RNAi technology

23. Papaya Ringspot Virus
Good example of RNAi suppression

26. Golden Rice
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
Opposition to golden rice cost $2 billion to
farmers in developing countries and 1.4
million human years – Wesseler et al., 2014

27. Cassava
Virus Resistant Cassava (VIRCA)
Biocassava Plus (BC Plus)
250 million depend on cassava
50 million tons lost to virus.
X
X Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy

28. Golden Bananas Beta carotene producing
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy

29. Bacterial Wilt in Bananas
>70% of carbohydrate calories for
some areas
GM trials in Uganda
X
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
X

30. Allergy-Free Peanuts
Peanut – RNAi suppression Ara h2
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy

31. GE chickens do not pass on Avian Influenza
Episode 007
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
X
X
X
X Animal welfare

32. AquaBounty Salmon – attains market weight in less time.
Salmon may be farmed on inland pools, generating high protein food
on fewer inputs.
Episode 008
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
X
X
X
X Wild populations

33. Non Browning Apples
Silencing a gene that leads to discoloration
X
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
Small Business!X

34. X
X Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy

35. Stopping Citrus Greening Spinach defensin
NPR1
Lytic peptides
Many show promise
Earliest deregulation is
2019
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
X
X

36. X
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
X
Fungicide-Free Strawberries?
Silva et al., 2015

38. Reduced acrylamide, low bruise
X
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy

39. Non-Browning Trait
RNAi technology to
interfere with enzyme
production
No enzyme, no browning
*same mutation happened naturally in ‘golden’ raisins

40. Low Acrylamide Potatoes
RNAi technology interferes with asparagine
production in the tuber

41. Late Blight Resistance
A gene from a potato relative was added to
confer resistance to Phytopthroa infestans
25-50% decrease in
fungicide treatments

42. Enhanced Cold Storage
Processing potatoes placed in cold convert starches to sugars that lead to
browning and production of objectionable products.
Clausen, 2015

45. How do our industries discuss this issue with
a concerned public
1.Know the fundamentals
2.Memorize a a few core concepts
3.Understand your audience
4.Dispel the appeal to nature
5.Establish your shared values
6.Personalize your message, engage with
honesty, transparency, and establish trust.
7.Emphasize missed opportunities
Last- Your eReal Estate- Go Get It.

46. Why is there a problem?
Our most credible sources of
information are not engaging

47. We are warm and competent! Why do we hide?

48. Why is there even a problem?
We need to
understand
food, farming
and technology!
We’re actually
farmers, producers
and scientists, but
we’re too busy.
How can we help
you? We’re sorta
farmers, producers
and scientists.

49. When scientists and producers talk to theWhen scientists and producers talk to the
public, we tend to do it wrong!public, we tend to do it wrong!

50. F
Relativenumberinpopulation
Nonexperts
Farmers,
scientists,
Etc.
MOST PEOPLE!!!!
FEAR FACTS
Favorable views of genetic engineering

51. YOUR AUDIENCE
NOT
YOUR
AUDIENCE
1. Understand your audience

52. Don’t lead with what you know… instead
appeal to Shared Values
FACTS
DON’T
MATTER.

53. LOGOS PATHOS
ETHOS

54. LOGOS PATHOS
ETHOS
Start with ETHOS to
establish common ground

55. LOGOS PATHOS
ETHOS
Start with ETHOS to
establish common ground
Use LOGOS to provide
evidence

56. LOGOS PATHOS
ETHOS
Start with ETHOS to
establish common ground
Use LOGOS to provide
evidence
Use PATHOS to reinforce
and visualize

57. Shared Values?
FarmersDeveloping World
The NeedyFood Safety
Environment
Consumers
Animal Welfare

58. 4. Personalize your message.
Understand why they feel the way they do.
Tell your story. Start with your concerns.
Talk about points that everyone can agree upon
Refer to your family, your personal goals.
Be transparent. Establish trust.

59. WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE?
The center of the curve is composed of
people that don’t know about food
production, farming, and science.
They are concerned about food.
Share your story with them.

60. Avoid these Mistakes
Avoid “feed the world” rhetoric– Provide specifics.
Always discuss strengths and limitations
Don’t ever claim it is a single solution– it is not.
Embrace integration around other production methods.

61. Grab your e-Real Estate
Talking to public audiences – Get Involved!
1. Obtain a dedicated Gmail account- use your real name.
2. Sign up for facebook, twitter, instagram, pintrest, etc.
3. Get a blog space on blogspot.com or wordpress.
4.Answer questions in comments sections of news articles.
I’m glad to help you set up your accounts and get
connected

62. The good news is….The good news is….
• Consumer sentiment seems to be shiftingConsumer sentiment seems to be shifting
• The response to the new GE potatoThe response to the new GE potato
varieties was favorablevarieties was favorable

63. How do we communicate about
modern potato innovation?
X
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
X
X

64. Farmers taking action.
Jennie Schmidt
@FarmGirlJen
Brian Scott
www.thefarmerslife.com
@thefarmerslife
Sarah Schultz – Nurse Loves Farmer
@NurseLovesFarmr
Amanda
@farmdaughterusa

65. #farm365
AMPLIFICATION

66. Who will talk to the concerned consumer?
Science
Reason
Truth
Facts

67. Conclusions:
We live in a time with the best food supply- safe and abundant.
A few vocal critics are dominating a science-limited public conversation.
Scientist engagement questionable.
There are many good opportunities for crop and animal improvement
that can benefit the farmer, the environment, the consumer and the
needy.
Future solutions may be extremely valuable to the producer. No matter
how you feel about genetic engineering, you should be allowed access
to safe and proven technology
Find your electronic real estate and start using it. Participate with your
expertise.

68. I work for you.
kfolta.blogspot.com
@kevinfolta
kfolta@ufl.edu
www.talkingbiotechpodcast.com
iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM
Sponsors:
Current Research: USDA
Outreach: www.talkingbiotech.com
Today’s talk – KPPA

69. “Don’t tell me it can’t be done,
tell me what needs to be done
and help me do it.”