Strategies for Competitiveness - Biotechnology

STRATEGIES FOR COMPETITIVENESS

It is important to develop a national strategy for biotechnology in agriculture because biotechnology offers opportunities for increased sustainability, profit ability and international competitiveness in agriculture. Such a strategy should address improving the full spectrum of activities, from the quality and direction of research to the realization of the benefits of this research in agricultural production.

The potential benefits of biotechnology will not be realized without a continued commitment to basic research. Six research areas on merit emphasis:

1.        Gene identification: Locating and identifying agriculturallyimportant genes and creating chromosomemaps for elite varieties.

2.        Gene regulation: Understanding the mechanisms of regulationand expression of these genes and refiningthe methods by which they may be genetically engineered.

3. Structure and function of gene products: Understanding the structure and function of gene productsin metabolism and the development of agriculturally important traits.

4.        Cellular techniques: Developing and refining techniques forcell culture, cell fusion, regeneration ofplants and other manipulations of plant cells and embryos.

5.        Development in organisms and communities: Understandingthe complex physiological and geneticinteractions and associations that occur within an organism and between organisms.

6.        Environmental considerations: Understanding the behaviorand effect of genetically engineeredorganisms in the environment.