A major attraction of biotechnology for investors has been the allure of new market opportunities and the prospect of revolutionary medical, food, and other products that will change our lives. However, biotechnology’s critics have long expressed concern that the unpredictability of the effects of such changes are reasons for prudence and caution. In spite of some false starts, unrealistic expectations, and unfulfilled promises, recombinant DNA biotechnology is now maturing as an important discipline that will underpin much of our biological research and development during the next century. Surprising to some is the important role of agricultural biotechnology to not only the food and feed industry, but also to the chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental, and energy industries, as new products are emerging in these marketplaces.

Speakers and participants at this meeting debated the social, ethical, economic, research, development, and commercialization issues and opportunities that the new products of biotechnology pose for consumers, farmers, industry, public interest groups, government, and universities.