In a demonstration that felt more like a parade than a protest, about 1,500 people marched in front of the convention center at the opening of the BIO2000 industry meeting held in late March in Boston. Banners included slogans such as “Terminate Monsanto” and “No Patent on Life.” Carl Feldbaum, president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (Washington, DC), which sponsored the meeting, said in a statement that biotechnology provides hope for treatment of many diseases and creation of more nutritious food, adding “I really wonder whether many of these people understand the real-life benefits of biotechnology.”