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BACK IN THE 1990s when products such as Roundup Ready soybeans were new Robb Fraley Monsanto execu- tive vice president and chief technology officer explains that researchers and the agricultural industry believed that the sci- ence would speak for itself and that the regulatory approvals were the end of the commercial process. Then we realized that there was a lot of work to be done to communi- cate to growers and get the technology adopted says Fraley who helped pio- neer the technology. That part went really well. GMO technologies are grown in 30 countries on about 25 percent of the worlds farmland. But questions around consumer acceptance and public accept- ance still dominate conversations. We should have put more effort back then in talking to the public and really understanding that seeds are the begin- ning of the food chain Fraley says. We have a responsibility and obligation to address the publics questions and now were doing that. Unfortunately its a little late but I see lots of opportunity and lots of progress. Today Fraley is the face of biotechnol- ogy and is often asked to speak about his experience discuss the science and participate in debates. He continues to answer questions and works to edu- cate consumers and the general public. Through these activities hes learned what works and what doesnt. What was really important for me to think about is that there are extreme voices on both sides of this debate Fraley says. There are critics who will never like new ag technologies or GMOs and there are advocates like myself. But theres a group in the middle probably 80 percent or so who are just interested in learning more about food how food is produced how its nutritious and how its affordable. Thats the group that we need to speak to. When I see us doing that we can change views we can change attitudes and people understand. Thats the first thing. Common Ground Fraley has also learned the value of being able to connect. The second thing Ive learned is that when we have those conver- sations as a scientist its hard for me to say but science is second he says. This is really about trust and establishing a connection. Finding a common ground is what I speak a lot about. Some people care about food nutrition and affordability for their families and thats a great conversation. Some folks think about a growing world and feeding people who are not as fortunate and thats a great basis for a conversation. Others really focus on the envi- ronment and how we can use technologies to minimize the impact that agriculture has on the environment. In these dialogues it is so important to find that common ground and build on that. Then talk about the science and the tools. SW Lessons LearnedWhen it comes to communicating about GMOs and other modern agricultural practices some say its too little and too late. A pioneer in the development of this technology Robb Fraley shares what he has learned in having these conversations. Julie Deering 42 SEEDWORLD.COM JUNE 2016