Annotated Bibliography Entry

Reference: Persley and MacIntyre 2001
Title: Agricultural Biotechnology: Country Case Studies: A Decade of Development
Authors: Persley, G.J. and MacIntyre, L.R. (eds)
Publisher: CAB International, Wallingford, UK
Publication details: 2001, CAB International Biotechnology in Agriculture Series, No. 25, 256p

Summary
Table of Contents 

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Summary

Context

The 1990–2000 decade has seen extraordinary advances in all areas of biotechnology, and international agriculture has benefited from this ‘promethean’ science. This publication, through its overview chapter and twelve selected country studies, contains much useful information on the evolving biotechnological research in the main geographical regions. The emphasis is on the potential these new technologies hold for agriculture in developing countries. The reports vary in the depth of coverage, but all combine to show the urgent need that exists for public and private sector investment to ensure that all countries share in the benefits of modern biotechnologies, while minimizing any unintended effects.

Biotechnology is having a profound impact on agricultural research and productivity, and developing countries need to organize their national research systems accordingly. Expertise in the basic biological sciences is still in short supply in many developing countries, though great strides have been made in training during the past decade. Mobilization of the basic science laboratories usually found in the universities to solve agricultural problems will require new policy and institutional arrangements and additional resources. Most countries also need to upgrade their teaching of biological sciences at all levels.

The increasing dominance of private-sector research and development (R & D) in agricultural biotechnology may increase the cost of access by the developing countries to advances in science and technology, which were previously freely available as public goods. The international agricultural research centres (IARCs) may assume greater importance as points of access to advanced technologies for the national agricultural research systems (NARS), especially for the many smaller countries.

The status of biotechnology has been assessed over several years in the twelve countries included here. Some of the countries included have well-formulated policies, national programmes and adequate financial resources. Others, although committed to biotechnology at a policy level, have not formulated a national programme and do not yet have significant financial support for their activities. The development of a well-defined national biotechnology strategy and a plan of activities that clearly delineates priorities for the public and private sector is a critical step for the implementation of an effective national programme in biotechnology that makes efficient use of domestic and external resources.

Important issues now on the international agenda include biodiversity, biosafety and environmental concerns. Many countries have taken up these issues, and some have developed standards for the safe handling and movement of genetically altered plants and animals. All countries must be concerned about the conservation of their natural resources, and the effects that the new developments in the biosciences will have on this goal. 

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Persley G. J.  and MacIntyre L.R.  2001.  Agricultural Biotechnology: Country Case Studies: A Decade of Development

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contributors

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Dedication

Part I: Introductory Review

1. Agricultural Biotechnology: Global Challenges and Emerging Science
Gabrielle J. Persley

Part II: Asia/Pacific

2. China
Qifa Zhang

3. India
Manju Sharma

4. Indonesia
P.J. Dart, I.H. Slamet-Loedin and E. Sukara

5. Pakistan
Yusuf Zafar

6. Philippines
Reynaldo E. de la Cruz

7. Thailand
Morakot Tanticharoen

Part III: Africa

8. Egypt
Magdy A. Madkour

9. Kenya
N.K. Olembo

10. Zimbabwe
C.J. Chetsanga

Part IV: Latin America

11. Brazil
Maria Jose Amstalden Sampaio

12. Colombia
Ricardo Torres and Cesar Falconi

13. Costa Rica
Ana Sittenfeld, Ana Mercedes Espinoza, Miguel Munoz and Alejandro Zamora

Index

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Website: http://www.cabi-publishing.org/Bookshop/book_detail.asp?isbn=0851998164