perspectives on gem from a small company. perspectives on gem early issues & efforts initial...
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Perspectives on GEMfrom a
Small Company
Perspectives on GEM
• Early issues & efforts
• Initial vision about the project when we sought funding and its additional value today
• Potential impact on small independent seed companies
Early Issues
• 1992 ASTA Corn & Sorghum Basic Research Committee
• Reduced support for public corn research; especially breeding
• Perception that private industry can and will do it all
Early Issues
• Critical need for 1. Greater diversity in U.S. germplasm base
2. Process to understand, adapt & improve exotic germplasm
3. Wider availability of above to all stakeholders
4. Training of future corn breeders
Early Issues & Efforts
• LAMP and need for enhancement process
• Proposal for a public/private effort
• Sought in-kind support from industry
• Technical Steering Group & Protocol established
Early Issues & EffortsProtocol issues in the early days• Breeding method• Extent of sampling: Within vs. Among• How to access/use elite lines in breeding• Choice of testers• Traits to pursue• Communication, data handling, etc.
Early Issues & Efforts
• Trips to Washington to meet congressional staff
• Ag Appropriations Subcommittee hearings
• Base funding of $500K annually received in 1995
Initial Vision for GEM
1. Increase diversity of U.S. germplasm
2. Develop process to enhance exotic germplasm for U.S. Corn Belt use
3. Process for improving access to improved, diverse germplasm to all stakeholders
4. Add to support of public corn research
Additional Value Today
1. Increased level of collaboration among and within public and private sectors for corn improvement
Additional Value Today
1. Increased level of collaboration …
2. Wider source of germplasm than initial LAMP materials with more international cooperators
Additional Value Today
1. Increased level of collaboration …
2. Wider source of germplasm …
3. Increased opportunities to train plant breeders and those in related plant science areas
Additional Value Today
1. Increased level of collaboration …
2. Wider source of germplasm …
3. Increased opportunities to train …
4. Flattened the world for access to germplasm, technology, and information
Additional Value Today
1. Increased level of collaboration …
2. Wider source of germplasm …
3. Increased opportunities to train …
4. Flattened the world for access …
Potential impact onsmall seed companies1. Access to diverse & improved
germplasm that otherwise would not be possible
Potential impact onsmall seed companies1. Access to diverse & improved germplasm
2. Access to value-added traits that smaller companies may capitalize on better in niche markets
Potential impact onsmall seed companies1. Access to diverse & improved germplasm
2. Access to value-added traits …
3. Participate, contribute to, and benefit from a long-term breeding effort
Potential impact onsmall seed companies1. Access to diverse & improved germplasm…
2. Access to value-added traits …
3. Participate, contribute to, and benefit from a long-term breeding effort
4. Collaborate with both large and small stakeholders in the private and public sectors (both domestic and globally)
Potential impact onsmall seed companies1. Access to diverse & improved germplasm…
2. Access to value-added traits …
3. Participate, contribute to, and benefit from a long-term breeding effort
4. Collaborate with both large and small stakeholders in the private and public sectors (both domestic and globally)
