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. JUNE 2021SEEDWORLD.COM /61'