b"ARE VACCINES A BOOST TO THE BIOTECH DISCUSSION?Three experts weigh in to say publicity around the benefits of vaccination are making the public more comfortable with biotechnology, but challenges remain.Marc ZienkiewiczIN THE FIGHTagainst public fear over biotechnology, the scientific community could have an unexpected ally: COVID-19 vaccines.All four products developed to prevent the illnessthe Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccinesare derived through biotechnology.Stuart Smyth, enhancement chair in agri-food innova-tion and sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan, says high vaccine uptake could very well help the public to further realize that biotechnology is hugely beneficial to Canadians and not something to fear.So much of the media coverage, thankfully, is making note of the fact that these vaccines are biotechnology-developed and is highlighting the safety and efficacy ofKevin Folta is a science educator and podcaster based in Florida.this technology. The public has been seeing the words biotech and safety together as part of the daily conver-sation, he says.The public has been greatly reassured by the biotech development of COVID vaccines and are thinking, Well, if Im willing to put a vaccine developed through biotech-nology in my arm to prevent COVID, then my opposi-tion to eating a genetically modified or gene edited food product is kind of irrelevant.From Insulin to mRNA VaccinesThe use of biotechnology in medicine goes back decades, notes Ron DePauw, science advisor for SeCan, Canadas largest supplier of certified seed.In 1978, the first human insulin was prepared usingStuart Smyth is an agri-foodRon DePauw is science advisor recombinant DNA technology, DePauw notes. Recombinantinnovation expert based infor SeCan and one of Canada's DNA is a technology that was used to insert a human geneSaskatchewan. preeminent plant breeders.32GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2021"