An overview of regulation, perceptions and priorities for GM crops in Asian countries

Issue Date

7-2005

Abstract

Resolving hunger and poverty requires many diverse interventions. In certain cases, use of genetically modified (GM) crops can play a role. Rapid adoption of GM crops has occurred for those incorporating traits most relevant for industrial or market oriented farming. Some private sector GM crops are also found in specific regions of Asian countries, like insect resistant cotton and maize in the Philippines. Approvals to use food and feed crops from public sector research lag behind those of the private sector, as only China has released products from its own public research. What will be the future for acceptance, regulatory approval, and use of publicly developed GM crops in developing countries? To address this question, we identified and examined public research pipelines for GM crops in Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, China and India, with records updated through 2003. In addition, special studies were made in India on farmer acceptance, opinion, and on farmer's understanding of GM crops and biotechnology. Genetic transformation events are reported for 30 crops and for the Indian analysis of perceptions. Findings are presented for events nearing final stages of development, analysis of the crops, traits and genes involved, and details regarding biosafety. The paper concludes with a summary offering various policy, institutional, perceptual, and regulatory suggestions. © 2005, RIS. All rights reserved.

Source or Periodical Title

Asian Biotechnology and Development Review

ISSN

9727566

Volume

7

Issue

3

Page

2024-09-01

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Subject

Asia, Biosafety, Biotechnology, Genetic modification, Public research

Digital Copy

none

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