ACTIONS

We have established three task forces that are examining the following topics:

SUB-COMMITTEE : Statement of Ethics
Chair: Paul Thompson (Purdue University)
Develop and refine a statement of principles and ethics for LGUs to use as they develop and implement research, education and communication programs related to biotechnology. This should include a series of guidelines to help the LGU system enhance and maintain its credibility when dealing with controversial issues. This should also include suggestions for building trust among various partners.

SUB-COMMITTEE 2: Communication Guidelines
Chair: Cliff Scherer (Cornell University)
Develop a set of guidelines for Land Grant Universities to use when developing and implementing communication and educational programs. This should include: principles, processes, and policies for effective communication; as well as an outline of key audiences, messages, channels, and spokespersons. Strategies for risk communication will also be important. It will also be helpful to provide some guidelines for working with the media.

SUB-COMMITTEE 3: Programs and Resources
Chair: Susan Barefoot (Clemson University)
Identify model programs and inventory key educational materials (including Internet web sites) that are already available from the LGU system, government agencies, industry, and other partners. This should include annotations as to the content, relevance, and intended use of the materials. This may also involve several case studies about how particular LGUs are dealing with biotechnology research and education issues.

We have developed an innovative Internet-based questionnaire that will provide a good deal of important background information for our deliberations and final report. An invitation letter will be sent to the following groups (along with directions on how to access and complete the survey): (1) all Deans and directors from all 1862 and 1890 Land Grant Universities (2) all scientists listed in the USDA's Directory of Agricultural Scientists. Nick Kalaitzandonakes of the University of Missouri has provide a great deal of assistance and support on this major task. This will be implemented in the very near future.

During the recent NABC meeting in Chicago we held a "public meeting" during the evening session where people attending the conference were given the chance to present ideas about the role of the LGU system in this area. The comments were taped and these have been transcribed. These will now be edited and shared with the task force members for their consideration.

MAJOR ISSUES

There are a wide range of issues associated with biotechnology. For the most part our task force is focusing on the issues related to communication and policies raised by some of the emerging controversies. This includes an assessment of the most appropriate and effective roles for the Land Grant University system.

PLANS FOR NEXT SIX MONTHS

Our final report will include the three reports from the subcommittees. It will be most appropriate to publish this electronically (by hopefully establishing a unique website).

We will analyze the results of the Internet questionnaire that is being conducted and disseminate the results through the publication of our final report. This report will also contain the results of the NABC meeting described above.

We plan to coordinate our efforts directly with the committee chaired by Dean Van Alfen that is also working on related tasks (e.g., inventory of resources). I plan to attend their meeting in late September to be held in Chicago.

[END]