- 2
I.
1.
INTRODUCTION
Recent advances in genetics, cell biology and molecular biology, have given rise to a wide range of techniques, including tissue culture, protoplast fusion, genetic engineering and others which have come to be known collectively as "biotechnology". These techniques offer alternative or complementary ways and means to make or modify biological products according to needs. Technical processes that make use of these newer techniques, and occasionally even the products, are also referred to as "biotechnologies".
2.
Biotechnology has been defined differently in varying contexts. One widely accepted definition (OTA-U.S. Congress, 1988) holds that "biotechnology is any technique that uses living organisms, or parts of organisms, to make or modify products, to improve plants or animals, or to develop micro-organisms for specific uses". This definition seems appropriate for a document on crop and animal production.
3.
Earlier uses of the term "biotechnology" referred mainly to the older and well-established technologies like baking and brewing and plant and animal breeding. Modern (or new) biotechnology encompasses the use of more recently available, novel bio-processing techniques. This document is concerned with the "new" biotechnologies and their potential for helping to
· solve problems of crop production in Asia and the Pacific Region. The potential for animal production is also examined briefly.
P
4.
The "conventional" crop and livestock production and protection approaches have been quite effective and would continue to be the main approach in the foreseeable future, especially in developing countries. These approaches have evolved over years and techniques and methodologies have continually changed with advances in science. Molecular biologists should be viewed as the new partners in the evolution of the multi- disciplinary approach to problem solution.
5.
Ordinarily, "new" biotechnologies will not supplant conventional approaches but will be used as an adjunct to provide new tools to solve problems. For example, biotechnology can allow researchers to identify and isolate specific genes from one species and introduce them into the genome of distantly related or unrelated species the barriers that conventional approaches were unable to overcome. It may be emphasized that biotechnology is not an end in itself, but is a group of tools to be used.
II.
6.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR CROP PRODUCTION
The state of the art in science and application of newer plant biotechnologies in and for developing, countries has been examined at a recent symposium cosponsored by FAO. It is summarized with respect to the Asia and the Pacific region in Annex I. The biotechnology terms used in Annex I and in this document are explained in the glossary given in Annex II.
1 CTA/FAO Symposium "Plant Biotechnologies for Developing Countries",
Luxembourg, 26-30 June 1989.
L
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.