b'Where to Reach People EUROPES SCIENCE DESERTThe world of communications has changed dramatically since the early 1990s when the first GMO products were commercialized. ThisScientists looking for new opportunities to apply the latest and greatest technologies in agriculture: steer presents immense opportunity to reach a wideclear of the European Union. Policies in the region are political decisions based on pressure from activist array of people, but that opportunity is notgroups, along with misunderstanding and emotions.without challenge. For example, the 27-member countries are facing the proposed Farm to Fork Strategy that threatens When I first joined Monsanto, you published papers, did newsprint and that kind of thing,producer access to technologies and could force them to abandon common farming techniques.Fraley says. Today most of the informationIm not sure there was much science involved [in creating the Farm to Fork Strategy], says David people get is on social mediaits digital. IfZaruk, EU risk and science communications specialist. The proposed strategy, in a nutshell, would reduce youre not on social media, basically, your voice doesnt count. pesticide use by 50%, fertilizers by 20% and convert 25% of all agricultural land to organic production Social media takes the audience from aunder the assumption these moves would reduce the impact of climate change.small one or two people, to potentially millions.This isnt the first-time agricultural practices have come under fire in the EU either. The countries However, its not just any post that will capturepreviously passed regulations that require all products made with gene editing technology to be labeled the attention of the massescommunication looks different online. as GMOregardless of whether or not new genes were introduced in the process.Ive basically made a career by buildingResearchers in the EU who oppose such rules are between a rock and a hard place, Zaruk explains. Many over-the-top projects, explains Baute. Forscientists who support GMOs, gene editing, pesticide use and other common agricultural technologies example, I set up 13,799 dominoes so I couldfind themselves without jobs or under attack personally from activist groups.show a timeline of the history of the universe. It was a spectacle that engaged people in per- Most of the scientist that do speak out are retired, he continues. Regardless of the risk, Zaruk still sonal storytelling so I could talk about science inspeaks out about the benefits of changing policies to enable farmers to use the latest agricultural a real way. technologies available and encourages other scientists to do the same.There are amazing stories to be toldwe shouldnt miss that opportunity, he continues. For example, if theres a new product engage people in personal storytelling about how theseCANADAS GENE EDITING CONUNDRUMproducts came to be. For some technology, it could be 100 years in the making.Not everyone will want to set up nearlyCanadian seed companies and farmers are at the edge of their seats as they await a decision regarding 14,000 dominos or live in a bubble like BauteCanadas Novel Food Regulations. This regulation could make or break the future of plant breeding. did to talk about climate change, but theresThis decision will directly impact how gene editing, through technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, is used opportunities to find a fun way to talk about sci- and identified to consumers. The question? Should there be additional regulations for crops created by ence all the same. Perhaps it makes more sense to tell someone about a personal connection togene editing like the regulations applied to GMO crops?agriculture and science. Find the story and tell it. Cas9 [based gene editing] is a great example of something thats happened naturally for billions I once baked a cake in 418 steps to explainof years and now were applying a process to our benefit, says Kurtis Baute, a Canadian native who genetics, Baute says. Sometimes it helps to have a little fun when explaining complex topics. advocates for science literacy. Its important to communicate the benefit. This technique will be more precise, and well know exactly what were breeding for, compared to older breeding techniques.Protect Science for Tomorrow CRISPR/Cas9 and other gene editing technologies could revolutionize the breeding industryif given It has never been more critical than today tothe latitude to be used. The precision associated with the technique results in better products, faster advocate for science literacy with the young and old.production and the ability to cater breeding to the needs of todays farmer and consumer.While social media, television and otherThe decision will be rendered at a later date. Follow Seed WorldGermination s sister magazine for platforms represent opportunity to talk aboutup-to-date information.science, it also dispels a tremendous amount of misinformation.We need to be champions and advocates across the biological, the digital and the agro-nomic space to amplify the accurate messages,WHEREFor more information about #ScienceLiteracy and explaining difficult concepts to consumers, ON THE Fraley says. Because its just 1% of the popula- WEB visit SeedWorld.com/science-literacytion in agriculture reaching out to the 99%.SW72/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2021'