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Putting Biotechnology into Practice in International
Development
Josette Lewis, Ph.D.
USAID
Key Challenges
• Lack of public funding for biotech research
• Need to build system from the laboratory to the farmer’s field
• Lack of experience in the public sector
• Complex sociopolitical environment
R&DInfrastructure
BiosafetyTechnology VarietalRelease
FarmersMarket
ScientificTraining
$
LaboratoryFacilities
IPR
Technology Transfer
Food & Env.Safety
Regulatory Framework
PVP/IPR Policy
Extension
Seed Industry
Economic GrowthFood SecurityImproved Nutrition
Public Outreach
Agri-industry Outreach
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Technology Development
• Asiaegg plant* potatoes groundnut ricetomatoes papaya chickpea*
• Africacowpea banana animal vaccines*cassava sweet potato* potato*
• US universities, AATF, national and African regional organizations
Lessons Learned
• Research versus Product Development– tackle big problems - set scope too widely?– global research not likely to be picked up
locally to develop products– define specific market (variety, value of trait to
farmer, how to deliver)– need to manage & invest in linkages throughout
process
Lessons Learned
• Little experience in public sector– 209 events: 44 in confined field trails
22 in large scale field trails (China)
only 7 countries have 5 trials
– low # of events: 54 in Africa in 20 crops
111 in Asia in 30 crops
30 in Latin America in 12 crops
– public crops commercialized: papaya in US and several in China
Key Challenges
• Lack of public funding for biotech research
• Need to build system from the laboratory to the farmer’s field
• Lack of experience in the public sector
• Sociopolitical context
Challenge: Sociopolitical Context
“I’d rather die than eat something toxic.”
“Genetic modification is just a weapon to bring Indian agriculture under the domination of American corporations.”
“It was my job to ensure we weren’t accused of over hastiness [in GM approvals].”
Not all Bad News: Successes
• Bt cotton shows that small farmers will benefit from biotechnology
• Field trials in developing countries
• Regulatory challenge: educating public researchers with assistance from industry
• Science continues to expand the opportunities
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