Journalists given ‘study tour’ of South Dakota biotechnology

The 2005 International Media Biotechnology Study Tour visited the Fremar Farmers Coop outside of Marion on Friday. The tour was composed of journalists from Japan, Taiwan, Romania, Spain, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Argentina and Brazil.

A new approach to showcase South Dakota agriculture and biotechnology is attracting international media as the state looks to tap world markets.

Big payoffs could come for South Dakota, which has been quick to develop and implement biotechnology but slow to capture a broad foreign market.

On Friday, eight journalists from major newspapers toured a farm, ethanol plant and elevator in the southeastern part of the state, with some traveling from Bulgaria, Japan and Romania.

“Many nations, including much of Europe, are not tolerant of biotechnology. There’s not a lot of debate going on yet, but I feel that people will be afraid of it,” said Javier Ansorena González, a science reporter visiting from Spain. “Because they can’t see the scientific process, they don’t know how it works.”

SAM BURRISH
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