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Robert Fraley - Modern Era

Dr. Robert Fraley was instrumental in developing techniques that allowed for the improvement of crops through the introduction of transgenic herbicide resistance and insect protection traits. Dr. Fraley, who spent most of his career with Monsanto, was also involved in the business decisions to license the new technology broadly for rapid adoption in the world marketplace.

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Abstract

Interview Session - Audio


Photos

Caption
Robb Fraley was pretending to drive his father’s tractor near Hoopeston, Illinois in 1957.

Where:
Hoopeston, Illinois

When:
1957

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Rob Fraley grew up on a small farm outside Hoopeston, IL. “The tractor was one of my favorite toys!” recalled Fraley of this 1958 photo.

Where:
Hoopeston, IL

When:
1958

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Robb Fraley holds a Petri dish with fellow scientist Rob Horsch in the Monsanto research lab in 1983. The petri plates contain some of the very first transformed plant cells that would regenerate into transgenic plants.

Where:
Unknown

When:
1983

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Dr. Fraley and his colleagues during a test of transgenic tomato plants resistant to Roundup in a field plot at the Monsanto research field in Jerseyville, IL in 1987. From left to right are Doctors Steve Rogers, Roger Beachy, Rob Horsch and Fraley.

Where:
Jerseyville, IL

When:
1987

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Robb Fraley proudly stands behind the first transgenic tomato and petunia plants he helped develop at Monsanto’s St. Louis research lab. In 1987 they planted the first field tests of transgenic tomatoes resistant to Roundup, insect and viral diseases.

Where:
St. Louis, MO

When:
1987

Ownership:
(This image is considered to be in the public domain.)

Caption
Dr. Fraley, closest to the President, received the National Medal of Technology from President Bill Clinton in 1997 during a visit to Washington, D.C.

Where:
Washington, D.C.

When:
1997

Ownership:
(This image is considered to be in the public domain.)

Caption
Receiving the National Medal of Technology from President Bill Clinton in 1997 was one of the proudest moments of Dr. Fraley’s life.

Where:
Washington, D.C.

When:
1997

Ownership:
(This image is considered to be in the public domain.)

Caption
Dr. Morman Borlaug, often called "the father of the Green Revolution," visited Monsanto in 2005, and discussed how biotechnology can benefit developing country farmers with Dr. Fraley.

Where:
Unknown

When:
2005

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Dr. Fraley received the World Food Prize in October 16, 2013 along with co-recipients Marc van Montague and Mary-Dell Chilton at the Iowa State Capitol.

Where:
Iowa State Capitol

When:
October 16, 2013

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Hugh Grant and Robb Fraley met with Bill Gates in 2016 to discuss a Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) Project and other technologies to benefit African farmers.

Where:
Unknown

When:
2016

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Fraley stands by an exhibit honoring Pioneers in Agriculture at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Washington, DC in 2017. He was praised for his leadership helping develop the first biotechnology crops including Roundup Ready soybeans.

Where:
Washington, D.C.

When:
2017

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Robb Fraley had an opportunity to meet with Bill Nye, ‘the science guy.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Rob Fraley enjoyed a lighter moment with fellow bow tie wearer Bill Nye, ‘the science guy.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo



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