Radical Noesis - Thinking outside the box

DuPont's current focus here is not bioengineering in the framework of food crops and products, though they are also heavily involved in that area - as is Monsanto. Rather, they are looking to replace petroleum-based chemicals and products with plant-based ones. These products range from carpet fiber to nail polish.

Most chemical companies, and company analysts, don't see a big (or near term) profit in replacing petroleum chemicals and products. But the article notes:

Then, again, so is the prospect of relying on foreign oil. Albert H. Segars, professor of technology management at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, notes that against the backdrop of political instability in so many oil-producing regions, DuPont's biotechnology strategy seems almost safe. "If a war breaks out with Iran," he said, "your biology-based fuels will look at lot better than your petro-based ones."