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Research & development
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Corporate Environmental Initiative
Interview with Dr. Roger N. Beachy,
President of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Q: What sort of timescales are we talking about for renewable fuel research?A: It’s generations. President Bush has set targets for displacing a proportion of our gasoline with biofuel over the next 10 years, but we’ll be dependent on gasoline for decades. Currently there’s insufficient corn for the refinery capacity and production isn’t economically viable without subsidy, so we’ve challenges ahead.
Q: Genetic engineering is contentious – aren’t there other ways you can work?
A: There are, and we use classic plant breeding where possible, but it doesn’t always provide solutions. Genetic engineering has shown years of success and an excellent safety record.
We need to take a broad view and consider the benefits of increased nutritional content, drought-resistant crops, lower pesticide use, and so on, particularly for developing countries.
Q: Research like this is taking place elsewhere. What’s special about what you’ll be doing?
A: Two things. The first is our location and specialism in plant sources local to areas in which Enterprise operates. The second is our holistic approach. With the range of scientists at the Center, we can bring invaluable expertise on issues such as how to develop drought-resistance in these plants.
