Many developing countries are exploring whether biotechnology has a role in addressing national issues such as food security and environmental remediation, and are considering whether the putative benefits of the technology-for example, enabling greater agricultural productivity and stability in the food supply-outweigh concerns that the technology might pose a danger-to biodiversity, health, and local jobs. Some policy leaders worry that their governments are not prepared to take control of this evolving technology and that introducing it into society would be a risky act. Others have suggested that taking no action carries more risk, given the dire need to produce more food. This book reports on an international workshop held to address these issues. Global Challenges and Directions for Agricultural Biotechnology: Mapping the Course, organized by the National Research Council on October 24-25, 2004, in Washington, DC, focused on the potential applications of biotechnology and what developing countries might consider as they contemplate adopting biotechnology. Presenters at the workshop described applications of biotechnology that are already proving their utility in both developing and developed countries.

Contents

• THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
• STEERING COMMITTEE ON GLOBAL CHALLENGES AND DIRECTIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY: MAPPING THE COURSE
• BOARD ON AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Summary
• 1. Introduction
  • WORKSHOP ORGANIZATION
  • ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT
• 2. Opportunities for Applying Biotechnology
  • IMPROVING CROP PRODUCTIVITY
  • IMPROVING THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF CROPS
  • IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY
  • PROTECTING AND PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY
  • ENHANCING NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION
• 3. Challenges and Future Considerations in Realizing the Global Potential of Agricultural Biotechnology
  • CHALLENGE 1: DEVELOPING APPROPRIATE AND AFFORDABLE TECHNOLOGIES
  • CHALLENGE 2: DETERMINING PRIORITIES FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY
  • CHALLENGE 3: ENGAGING THE CITIZENRY
  • CHALLENGE 4: BUILDING SCIENTIFIC AND LOCAL CAPACITY
  • CHALLENGE 5: DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS
  • CHALLENGE 6: ENGAGING IN GLOBAL DIALOGUE ON AGREEMENTS AND PROTOCOLS
  • CHALLENGE 7: ANTICIPATING FUTURE NEEDS AND DIRECTIONS
  • CLOSING THOUGHTS
• References
• Appendix A Steering Committee Biosketches
• Appendix B Workshop Agenda
• Appendix C List of Workshop Participants

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

This workshop was supported by the U.S. Department of State Award No. SLMAQM-03-M-4207 and the National Academies. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not constitute their endorsement by the sponsoring agency.