Syngenta Thrive - 4Q/2013 - 30

RIPPLE EFFECT

>> In the Vanguard

Syngenta scientist Mary-dell Chilton receives world Food Prize for
her pioneering work with genetically modified crops.
iN A woRLd where the pursuit of more
abundant, better quality food is constant, it’s
fitting that the founder of the Syngenta biotechnology research facility in Research Triangle
Park, N.C., and distinguished science fellow
Mary-dell Chilton, Ph.d., is one of three 2013
world Food Prize Laureates. Commonly
considered the “Nobel Prize for food and
agriculture,” the award celebrates individuals
who have improved the quality, quantity and
availability of the global food supply.
Chilton received the honor because of her
work that led to the development of the first
genetically modified (GM) crops. Her groundbreaking molecular research showed how
scientists could insert genes from another
organism into plant cells to produce crop
varieties with innovative traits—traits that could
protect plants from environmental stresses,
enhance yield, improve nutritional content and
complement traditional plant breeding in very
precise ways. As a result, Ciba-Geigy—now
Syngenta—became the first company to
commercialize a GM trait in corn.

See more photos of
Mary-Dell Chilton.

420

millions acres
of GM crops
grown around
the world by

17
90
million
farmers,

percent of
whom are in
developing
countries.

That milestone was reached in 1996.
Almost 20 years later, the ripple effect of
Chilton’s initial work has expanded greatly to
include more than 420 million acres of GM
crops grown around the world by 17 million
growers—90 percent of whom are resourcepoor farmers in developing countries.
“what began as curiosity-driven
fundamental research has now found worldwide application in agriculture with the promise
of benefitting all mankind,” Chilton says. “The
committee’s decision to award the world
Food Prize to biotechnology researchers will
help consumers understand the value, utility
and safety of genetically engineered crops.
i am both humbled and extremely grateful
for this honor.”
Chilton’s passion for molecular biology was
first ignited when she was a graduate student
at the university of illinois at urbana–Champaign in the 1950s, an era when few women
went to college, much less pursued doctorates
in research science. Through the years, Chilton
tried to carefully balance her dual roles as a
scientist and mother, often pouring over
calculations at the kitchen table as her
children slept.
Today, her devoted grandchildren on both
u.S. coasts and the high-yielding genetics in
the ever-expanding Syngenta portfolio are
evidence that her balancing act was a
success. Now in her 70s, she continues to
work in her lab at the Syngenta RTP facility in
the building named in her honor.
“At Syngenta, our purpose is ‘Bringing plant
potential to life,’” says Michiel van Lookeren
Campagne, Ph.d., head of Biotechnology at
Syngenta. “No one better exemplifies this than
Mary-dell Chilton. Her trailblazing research in
biotechnology has transformed agriculture,
helping farmers grow more from less to meet
the needs of a growing world population in a
sustainable way.”
STORY BY TAYLOR BAIRD

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Chilton
and the world Food Prize.

28 | thrive

>>>> 4Q 2013

PHoToS: ALEX MANESS

Syngenta Thrive - 4Q/2013

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