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MSU Field Crop Information Now Available On CD

Imagine one source for information to use in making cropping decisions. The 2004 Field Crops Manual CD offers farmers a compilation of bulletins, reports and guides in a single CD-ROM.

The CD includes research impact sheets, MSU Extension bulletins, weed control guides, crop trial results and crop advisory reports.

With more farmers turning to computers and other digital technologies every year, the CD-ROM provides materials formerly available only in print with Web resources and contacts for MSU faculty and staff members.

"We're very excited about the possibilities that new technologies like CDs offer in helping to provide information and education," said Dale Mutch, MSU Extension specialist based at MSU's Kellogg Biological Station (KBS). "We plan to produce a new CD with updated research, technology and cropping information each year."

Farmers can purchase the CD from any county MSU Extension office for $25. It is also available online.

The 2004 Field Crops Manual CD was produced by MSU Extension, the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs).

MAES Scientist Discusses Cloning in Wall Street Journal Editorial

Jose Cibelli, MAES animal science and physiology researcher, said that therapeutic cloning is about compassion for those suffering.

"It is about millions of patients around the world that deserve a better quality of life," the scientist said in an editorial in the March 1, 2004, edition of The Wall Street Journal.

Cibelli's editorial:

Somewhere in Seoul, South Korea, there is a woman endowed with the best health insurance in the world. She is the only person on this planet with her own tailor-made embryonic stem cells banked away for later use.

I played a role in the Korean experiment, but due in part to the laws in the state of Michigan I was only able to help them validate their results after the cloning procedure was performed. It is understandable why many U.S. scientists, far more talented than myself, hesitate to apply their knowledge to this research. It is a legal minefield here.

While immersed in a paralyzing atmosphere of finger-pointing and endless political debates, American society has lost control of one of the most promising research areas of this century. During the late 1990s, a series of scientific milestones laid out the foundation for this type of new medicine to occur. In 1997, Scottish scientists were able to recreate a whole new individual -- Dolly the sheep -- from a body cell. Early in 1998, we published the generation of embryonic stem cells yielded up by cloning in cattle; and later, colleagues at Rockefeller University did similar experiments in mice. That same year, James Thomson and colleagues unleashed the power of human stem cells produced via fertilization.

The scientific community received these developments with open arms. Every expert in every biomedical field started planning strategies -- based on 30 years of cumulative research in the mouse -- to turn these cells into heart, neuron, liver, blood and pancreatic cells, among other tissues. A flurry of scientific review articles soon followed, discussing the power of cloning and stem cells and their potential uses for the cure of many human diseases.

We named the act of recreating a whole copy of an existing (or deceased) individual "reproductive cloning," and called the procedure used for the generation of embryonic stem cells derived from a living person "therapeutic cloning." We soon realized that although possible, reproductive cloning of animals was (and still is) extremely inefficient and that trying to use it in people to help them conceive babies would be suicidal and must be banned. Therapeutic cloning, on the other hand, has the potential to recreate all tissues of the human body and thus help those patients whose cells or organs are no longer functioning due to disease, degeneration, injury or old age.

Both techniques, reproductive and therapeutic cloning, rely upon the creation of a five-day-old human embryo. This is the polarizing issue of the political debate. As Sen. Sam Brownback recently said, "If we think this is a human being, then it is unethical to destroy it; if not, this technology would be allowed to proceed."

Therapeutic cloning has three major appealing features: 1) It can create embryonic stem cells that are 100% compatible with the patient; 2) the supply of cells is unlimited; and 3) if done properly, these cells are totally rejuvenated independently of the age of the donor.

A recent study published in the journal Science estimates that 128 million people in the U.S. could benefit from the use of this procedure. These patients include, among others, 58 million with heart disease in need of cardiac myocytes, 16 million diabetics who could be treated with pancreatic beta cells, and 250,000 with spinal cord injuries who could be treated with their own neurons.

The Koreans' cloning of human stem cells has brought therapeutic cloning nearer the realm of reality. But the finish line is not therapeutic cloning. The biggest challenge will be finding the elusive molecule (or molecules) that can perform the same miracle without having to rely on human eggs. Once that is achieved, it will no longer be necessary to create or destroy a human embryo.

Transforming human cells into tailor-made, life-saving embryonic stem cells may seem just a dream, but I believe it will materialize in our lifetime. Work from our group and that of other laboratories around the world indicates that this is within reach. However, in order to fulfill this goal, we must explore further the nature of the Korean experiment on our own soil. We as scientists, politicians and journalists must communicate this potential and this excitement to the public.

How soon should we expect this medicine to reach the bedside? I am afraid not soon enough if we consider the legislative landscape and the funding the U.S. is putting behind it. At present, there are no federal laws in place; and in their absence, states are left to legislate guidelines. So far, 69 different bills have been introduced in all 50 states in attempts to deal with this issue. Results range from outlawing the research altogether to actually encouraging it, as is happening in California and New Jersey.

The second fundamental requirement to get this therapy to the patients is funding. Of the $27 billion budget the National Institutes of Health had last year, a mere 0.055% of it was allocated to human embryonic stem-cell research. The road that leads this technology to the bedside is long and arduous just from the scientific standpoint, let alone if we have to do it with limited resources and uncertain laws. Meanwhile in Korea, the issue of stem-cell research has been thoroughly debated and decisions made. Scientists were encouraged to pursue this area of biomedical research, and succeeded.

Wake up, America! This is not about Republicans vs. Democrats, pro-life vs. pro-choice, scientists vs. intellectuals, embryonic stem cells vs. adult stem cells. It is about compassion for those suffering. It is about millions of patients around the world that deserve a better quality of life.

Agriculture and Natural Resource Leaders Receive MSU Distinguished Service Awards

Four Michigan leaders in agriculture and natural resources have been honored with Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Distinguished Service Awards.

Dennis Grinold, of Lansing; Amy Frankmann, DeWitt; and Duane and Velmar Green, Elsie, received the awards for their leadership of and success in agriculture or natural resource fields and their dedication to community affairs.

Peter McPherson, MSU president, and Jeff Armstrong, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, presented the awards March 11 during Agriculture and Natural Resources Week at MSU.

Grinold has served as president and vice president of the Michigan Charter Boat Association (MCBA), a non-profit organization serving more than 300 charter boat captains in Michigan. He serves as U.S. adviser to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, chairperson of the Lake Michigan Task Force and external adviser for the Michigan Sea Grant College Program.

Frankmann has developed educational programs addressing the needs of every segment of the state's green industry. She also organized and coordinated the Great Lakes Trade Exposition and the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association Summer Field Day. Additionally, Frankmann serves as a member of the FFA Foundation board of directors.

Duane and Velmar Green have been active in several state and national organizations. Duane has been active with Holstein Association USA, serving as national board member, vice president and president. Velmar has been active with the Michigan Milk Producers Association and currently serves as director and treasurer.

Scientists Urge Improved Tracking of Animal Diseases at National Conference

To protect humans against constantly evolving new disease threats, public health will have to turn its attention in a new direction, experts said: toward the health of animals.

Three-fourths of the new diseases that have menaced humans over the past 20 years and 11 of the 12 most dangerous bioterrorism agents are animal diseases that have gained the ability to infect people, researchers said at the Fourth International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta in March.

Adequate surveillance systems for animal diseases potentially could have spotted SARS, West Nile virus and monkeypox before their spread became so devastating, said Lonnie King, dean of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

"We need to have a system that merges surveillance of people, wildlife and animals so that, as these microbes are spread from one population to another, we will understand the nature of the spread and come up with prevention strategies," King said.

The need to track the movement of disease organisms among animal species and into humans has been sharpened by awareness of the still-expanding avian influenza epidemic in Southeast Asia, which has killed 22 of its 33 known human victims and caused the death or slaughter of more than 100 million poultry and other birds.

The flu virus causing that outbreak, dubbed A H5N1, has behaved in unpredictable ways, including killing waterfowl and other wild bird species that were presumed to be immune, said Keiji Fukuda, chief of influenza epidemiology at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fukuda, who has led the CDC's major bird flu investigations, called on manufacturers and governments to develop and stockpile a vaccine to protect humans against H5 flu, in case the disease takes off from Asia and cannot be controlled.

Recognizing economic factors will be a critical component of disease detection systems, other researchers said. Those range from tracking smuggled animals - not only exotic wildlife but poultry that was moved around Asia to escape slaughtering orders - to recognizing the influence of developing world agriculture on the growth of new disease strains.

"The fastest growing poultry and pork production in the world is in Asia, to match the protein needs of the fastest growing human population," said Michael Osterholm, founder of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. "It is the ultimate Darwinian genetic laboratory for diseases: birds, people and pigs, all together."

The biannual conference of 1,700 medical, public health and veterinary scientists featured research highlighting the dangers posed by poorly understood animal infections.

Michigan Tourism Industry Projected to Rebound in 2004

After declining in 2001 and 2002 and experiencing lackluster growth last year, Michigan's tourism industry can look forward to healthy growth in 2004, if a forecast presented at the Michigan Tourism Outlook Conference proves to be correct.

A research team headed by Don Holecek, MAES scientist and director of the Michigan State University Tourism Resource Center, projects that the number of travelers will increase by 3 to 4 percent in 2004 over last year and travelers' spending will increase by 4 to 5 percent. The team reviewed a multitude of factors known to influence travel activity in Michigan and surveyed industry leaders across the state.

Travel prices are projected to increase only slightly - 1 to 2 percent - so Michigan travelers can expect to receive a high value at a very reasonable price again this year. But, with demand building, Holecek recommends booking preferred accommodations early to avoid possible disappointment.

Gaming, shopping market segments and outdoor recreation are expected to show the largest increases at 4 to 6 percent, Holecek noted.

Other projections include:

  • The Upper Peninsula is expected to show the largest increase in tourism volume -- 4 to 5 percent.
  • The northern Lower Peninsula and southeastern Michigan will show a 3 to 4 percent increase.
  • The southwest region will show the smallest increase -- 2 to 3 percent.

The projected growth for Michigan's tourism industry is in line with average industry growth over the past 20 years. Holecek noted that the economy, consumer confidence, stock markets and international political climate have all improved since last spring and will boost travel activity in 2004.

The weaker U.S. dollar should also benefit Michigan's tourism industry because it will discourage residents from traveling to other countries while making traveling to Michigan less expensive for international travelers, especially those from Canada, the most important source of foreign travelers to Michigan.

On the other hand, a continuing high rate of unemployment in the state, relatively high gasoline prices and scarce funding to promote travel to Michigan are expected to weigh negatively on the rate of travel growth this year. Industry profits will improve but not keep pace with growth in travel volume because high-margin business and conference travel has not fully recovered from the recession, and both business and leisure travelers are maintaining a tight rein on their travel expenditures.

Holecek said that consumers have become wedded to discount shopping necessitated by the recession, and the emergence of the Internet greatly makes shopping for the best prices easier.

This year and beyond, Michigan's tourism industry faces mounting competition for travelers' dollars, a challenge even though the travel market is expanding. Participants in the Michigan Tourism Outlook Conference last year concluded that Michigan would need to invest in its travel products to maintain and grow its travel market share.

The 2004 Michigan Tourism Outlook Conference was designed to set the scene for the first Michigan Tourism Investment Forum, May 26-27 in Dearborn. The forum, co-hosted by the MSU Tourism Resource Center and the School of Hospitality Business, will provide more in-depth information about tourism development opportunities in Michigan, as well as an opportunity for investors, developers and others to come together.

Biosecurity Advisory Board Established

In March, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the creation of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) as part of a governmentwide effort to improve biosecurity measures for classes of legitimate biological research that could be misused to threaten public health or national security -- so-called "dual-use" research. The new board will advise all federal departments and agencies that conduct or support life sciences research that could fall into the dual-use category. The NSABB will be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The NSABB will advise on and recommend specific strategies for the efficient and effective oversight of federally conducted or supported potential dual-use biological research, taking into consideration both national security concerns and the needs of the research community.

Specifically, the NSABB will:

  • Advise on strategies for local and federal biosecurity oversight for all federally funded or supported life sciences research.
  • Advise on the development of guidelines for biosecurity oversight of life sciences research and provide ongoing evaluation and modification of these guidelines as needed.
  • Advise on strategies to work with journal editors and other stakeholders to ensure the development of guidelines for the publication, public presentation and public communication of potentially sensitive life sciences research.
  • Advise on the development of guidelines for mandatory programs for education and training in biosecurity issues for all life scientists and laboratory workers at federally funded institutions.
  • Provide guidance on the development of a code of conduct for life scientists and laboratory workers that can be adopted by federal agencies as well as professional organizations and institutions engaged in the performance of domestic and international life sciences research.

The need for additional oversight in this arena was highlighted in a recent report by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, "Biotechnology Research in an Age of Terrorism: Confronting the Dual Use Dilemma."

The NSABB will have up to 25 voting members to be appointed by the HHS secretary in consultation with the heads of relevant federal departments and agencies. Members will be experts in a broad range of fields, including molecular biology, microbiology, infectious diseases, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, public health/epidemiology, health physics, pharmaceutical production, veterinary medicine, plant health, food production, bioethics, national security, biodefense, intelligence, law and law enforcement, and scientific publishing. The board will also include non-voting ex officio members from at least 15 federal departments and agencies.

MAES Scientist Honored by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Alvin J. M. Smucker, MAES crop and soil sciences researcher, received a Humboldt Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany. He was nominated for the award by German scientist Rainer Horn. The award recognizes Smucker's lifetime achievements in science. In addition, he was invited to carry out research projects in cooperation with specialist colleagues in Germany. Smucker will be honored with an award ceremony in July.

As part of the cooperative research associated with the award, Smucker is working with four doctoral students and three post doctoral students in Germany, as well as two international programs at the Kiel Soils Institute in China and Brazil. The scientists also are writing joint proposals and manuscripts to support future multinational research at the International Long-Term Ecological Research (ILTER) site, the international branch of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site at the Kellogg Biological Station.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation grants up to 100 Humboldt Research Awards annually to scientists and scholars from abroad with internationally recognized academic qualifications. Smucker is the third MSU faculty member to receive a Humboldt Research Award this year. The others areAnil Jain, university distinguished professor of computer science and engineering, and Mercouri Kanatzidis, university distinguished professor of chemistry.

MAES Biochemistry Scientist Appointed to WMU Board

Rawle Hollingsworth, MAES biochemistry and chemistry researcher, an internationally recognized researcher in carbohydrate chemistry, was one of 10 people appointed to the governing board of directors of the Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center (BRCC) at Western Michigan University.

Conceived in the spring of 2003, the BRCC aims to turn bioscience discoveries into new processes and products for the commercial market.

The board provides external and internal management oversight for the new center.

Last Updated: January 16, 2007
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