Reaping Biotechnology's Benefits

AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY Strategies for National Competitiveness. Committee on a National Strategy for Biotechnology in Agriculture Board on Agriculture National Research Council. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1987. 205 pp. $14.95. While the benefits of biotechnology have been visible more in the arena of human health care than in agriculture, this technological revolution ultimately may have its greatest impact in the enhancement of efficient agricultural productivity. Whether the full promise of agricultural biotechnology will be realized depends upon the many issues discussed in this valuable report. The authors, members of the National Research Council Committee on a National Strategy for Biotechnology in Agriculture, summarize effectively the scientific, technical, educational and research support aspects of biotechnology in agriculture. They set forth clear reasons for establishing a national strategy to encourage and sustain fundamental research in this area. Some observers argue that food surpluses combined with the condition of the farm economy reduce the necessity for innovation in agriculture. The authors deny the validity of such arguments. They argue that current farm surpluses are the result of complex factors and that the struggling farm economy actually creates a demand for innovation. Biotechnology is key to the advances that will make American farming more efficient, reliable, profitable and competitive in the world marketplace. Indeed, biotechnology is one very important step in the ongoing conversion of agriculture from a resource-based endeavor to a science-based one. A large portion of the report is devoted to a summary of recent scientific and technical advances, especially in plant molecular biology and genetic engineering. These advances have opened the door for the application of biotechnology to agriculture. Development of reliable methods for inserting new genetic material into plant cells with subsequent regeneration of transgenic plants is central to this progress. Also important are advances in the genetic engineering of agriculturally useful microbes, the development of improved methods for animal breeding, and the production of animal vaccines, therapeutic agents and growth factors. The authors review the major hurdles to realizing the full benefits of agricultural biotechnology. They make a well-documented case that basic research in plants is severly underfunded, particularly in comparison to research in other areas of the life sciences. Increased support for research is critical in part because significant scientific challenges remain to the application of biotechnology to crop plants as opposed to model systems. More attention must be paid to rapid tech. nology transfer through the use of extension services as well as the patenting and licensing system Scientifically sound regulatory procedures also are needed to permit the field-testing of genetically engineered plants and microbes safely and in a timely manner. While the authors provide good analyses of the current state of affairs and important recommendations, they leave decisions on implementation to others. Progress is being made in formulating regulatory procedures that permit testing biotechnology-based products, but the regulatory agencies have been hampered at times by public perceptions not always based on reasonable scientific risk assessment. it is encouraging to observe an increasing awareness of the importance of protecting all forms of intellectual property, including advances in biotechnology. Increasing funding for agricultural research will depend to a large extent on changing the perceptions of legislators and governmental agencies that traditionally have accorded plant science a significantly lower priority than other life sciences. A change in priorities may arise through the realization that agriculture is the most significant source of U.S. competitiveness in the world marketplace and that it is absolutely vital to maintain this highly competitive position. Montague is manager of operations for biological sciences at Monsato Co., 700 Chesterfield Village Parkway, St. Louis, MO 63198.

Reaping Biotechnology's Benefits

AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

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