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Chinese delegates tour a greenhouse at a UK farm.
“It’s a
sign that our programs in plant-made pharmaceuticals at the KTRDC have
gained worldwide acclaim."
Nancy Cox
UK College of Agriculture Associate Dean for Research and Director of the UK
Agricultural Experiment Station
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By Aimee Nielson
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Sept. 23, 2005) – A delegation of Chinese agricultural
professionals recently visited the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
to learn more about the regulation of modified, or genetically engineered,
plants. Scientists and technicians at UK’s Kentucky Tobacco Research and
Development Center have a lot of experience in the production and containment of
plants modified for pharmaceutical production.
“It’s a sign that our programs in plant-made pharmaceuticals at the KTRDC have
gained worldwide acclaim,” said Nancy Cox, associate dean for research and
director of the UK Agricultural Experiment Station. “It shows that the
regulatory policies associated with these plants are of use to other countries
as well as the United States. So we are very pleased by this recognition.”
The Chinese delegates, hosted by representatives of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, toured farms in Kentucky before coming to Lexington to view tobacco
plots at one of the UK farms. Orlando Chambers, KTRDC biotechnology relations
director, explained how UK works with the USDA to make sure planting, growing
and equipment-cleaning procedures align with all the mandated regulations.
“This group from China is involved in biotechnology regulation,” Chambers said.
“They’ve visited the USDA and they’ve come to Kentucky to learn how we manage
the regulation of bioengineered plants.”
Speaking through a translator, Qiwen Wei, head of the delegation, said the group
was in Kentucky for a technical exchange of information. Wei is a deputy
director general at the People’s Republic of China Development Center for
Science and Technology and he works closely with China’s Ministry of
Agriculture.
“We believe Kentucky is good and has a very strong university particularly for
research about tobacco,” he said. “We are very impressed with the research
facilities and the research program.”
Writer:
Aimee Nielson
859-257-4736, ext. 267
Contact: Nancy Cox 859-257-3333
Orlando
Chambers 859-257-7044
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