Replies to post #77 on Monument Circle Acquisition Corp (MON)

[DewDiligence]

Biotech Advance to Add Heart-Healthy Omega-3s to U.S. Diet

[The United Soybean Board (USB) is a non-profit advocacy group for US soybean farmers that is separate from the American Soybean Association; it has dual websites at http://www.unitedsoybean.org and http://www.soyconnection.com/about_usb . USB’s group’s position paper on ag biotech can be downloaded at
http://www.soyconnection.com/soybean_oil/benefits_of_biotechnology.php . A banal 3-minute video (including clips of Deere combines in action) accompanies this PR is at http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1187348 .]

http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=591889

›Source: United Soybean Board
March 24, 2010, 3:30 pm EDT

ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - 03/24/10) - A new heart-healthy, essential omega-3 fatty acid is about to improve an American pantry staple: soybean oil. The new scientific advance will move biotechnology onto the average consumer's daily radar. U.S. soybean farmers are also using biotechnology to deliver positive environmental impacts.

Increased Omega-3 Crops on Horizon

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a notice confirming that increased omega-3 soybean oil can be used in foods and beverages. Pending similar clearance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers can plant these new soybeans. The oil will lend itself well to a wide range of food products such as yogurts, salad dressings, breakfast cereals, baked goods, nut products and soups.

Omega-3s are known to protect the heart, and may also play a role in cancer prevention and brain health. While fish oil is the preferred current source of omega-3s, many Americans do not consume the recommended levels. Lead author of an American Heart Association human clinical study presented in 2009, Dr. William Harris, chief of cardiovascular health research and professor of medicine at Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, states that the increased omega-3 "soybean oil could be an effective alternative to fish oil as a source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids."

Also forthcoming are new soybeans that may help deliver more of soy's health benefits (from heart and bone health to some types of cancer prevention to easing symptoms of menopause) without having to dramatically eat more soy. Another soybean may help women and children with iron deficiency anemia absorb nutrients.

Soybeans with Significantly Less Pesticides

Soybean farmers have made major advances in production systems. Today, 92 percent of U.S. soybeans are derived from biotechnology. Farmers like Laura Foell, a USB director from Iowa, says, "As a parent and a farmer, I chose biotechnology because I wanted my kids eating safe, nutritious foods. After all, our vegetable garden for the family's meals is right next to our soybean fields, so it was important to reduce my farm's pesticide use. Biotechnology cut it by half."

About the United Soybean Board

The United Soybean Board (USB) is comprised of 68 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. To learn more about the science supporting biotechnology's safety and benefits for human health, the environment and farm communities around the world, USB publishes a brochure in 13 languages, available here: http://www.soyconnection.com/soybean_oil/benefits_of_biotechnology.php .‹

[DewDiligence]

USDA Approves DuPont’s High-Oleic Soybeans

[This product has some overlap with MON’s SDA Omega-3 soy product (#msg-45261598) insofar as both provide enhanced nutritional qualities and increased stability to facilitate use in processed foods.]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/DuPont-Receives-USDA-prnews-3454778480.html?x=0&.v=1

›June 8, 2010, 8:00 am EDT

WILMINGTON, Del., June 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DuPont (NYSE:DD - News) announced it has reached a regulatory milestone and the final step of the U.S. regulatory process with confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that its Plenish™ high oleic soybean trait has been approved for cultivation in the United States.

"Obtaining USDA deregulation for Plenish™ high oleic soybeans is an example of Pioneer's increased focus and capability in moving biotech traits through global regulatory systems and into farmers' fields," said Paul E. Schickler, president – Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. "This is a significant milestone as we work to develop biotech traits that provide direct consumer benefits and solid results in the fields."

Plenish™ high oleic soybeans from Pioneer contain the highest oleic acid content (more than 75 percent) of any soybean product under commercial development. This significantly increases the stability of the oil and provides greater flexibility in food applications, and yields a product with 0g trans fat. Plenish™ high oleic soybean oil also has 20 percent less saturated fat than commodity soybean oil, making it a more attractive ingredient for consumer food products.

"We continue to see solid results and strong interest from food companies looking for a soybean oil with consumer benefits and functionality," said Craig F. Binetti, president – DuPont Nutrition & Health. "This announcement allows our partners to move to the next phase of product testing and development with PlenishTM high oleic soybean oil."

High oleic soybean oil also presents opportunities for industrial applications. The high heat stability of this oil in industrial settings allows companies to develop renewable, environmentally enhanced alternatives to petroleum-based products such as lubricants, foams and adhesives.

"Growing Plenish™ high oleic soybeans adds value to the bottom line of my farming operation with comparable yields and demand for the improved oil produced," said Rob Roettger, a contract Plenish™ high oleic soybean grower from Dysart, Iowa.

Pioneer will launch the high oleic soybean trait in its industry-leading line-up of Pioneer® brand Y Series soybean varieties, and field testing has confirmed yields on par with elite commercial products. Plenish™ high oleic soybeans will be grown under contract for ongoing field and oil testing in the United States and Canada in 2010 and 2011. Full commercialization of the trait is anticipated in 2012, upon global regulatory approvals and ongoing field testing.

Canada and Mexico were the first countries to complete regulatory reviews of the Plenish™ high oleic soybean trait. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed its review of Plenish™ high oleic soybeans in 2009 and this announcement from the USDA allows Plenish™ high oleic soybeans to be grown under contract for ongoing field testing in the United States and additional oil testing by major oil processors and food companies. Regulatory submissions for the trait also have been submitted to key soybean importing countries around the world.‹

[DewDiligence]

USDA clears MON’s high-omega-3 soybeans: #msg-77518552.