| A major international conference on agricultural | | | | because of their distrust for the developed countries. |
| biotechnology starts in Melbourne, Australia, today | | | | Others have been fed with lies that agricultural |
| (August 6, 2006).The Agricultural Biotech International | | | | biotechnology, and in particular Genetically Modified |
| Conference (ABIC) brings together representatives | | | | Organisms (GMOs), pose danger to the environment |
| of biotech companies, agricultural researchers and | | | | and the health of consumers. |
| policy makers from across the world. | | | | Positive attributes of agricultural biotechnology must |
| The theme of this conference is Unlocking the | | | | be played out at the Melbourne meeting for all to |
| Potential of Agricultural Biotechnology. Some of the | | | | listen. |
| topics to be discussed include: | | | | It's encouraging that delegates from developing |
| * Importance of biotechnology in meeting global food | | | | countries such as Prof. Jennifer Thomson (South |
| requirements. | | | | Africa), Dr. Jagadish Mittur (India), and Dr. Rangsun |
| * Application of agricultural biotechnology in | | | | Parnpai (Thailand) are attending this conference. They |
| biomedicine. | | | | have a chance to learn firsthand how agricultural |
| * Commercialization of innovative biotechnology. | | | | biotechnology has revolutionized the economies of |
| * Practical applications of genomics to cereal crops. | | | | such countries as the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and |
| * Using biotechnology to protect and enhance food | | | | Australia. These delegates must explore how their |
| supply. | | | | countries can similarly benefit from agricultural |
| * Biotechnology in developing countries. | | | | biotechnology. |
| Unlocking the potential of agricultural biotechnology is | | | | Since this is a gathering of experts in agricultural |
| an issue that has been with us since the | | | | biotechnology, it's expected that there will a |
| commercialization of the first genetically modified | | | | productive debate on the potential of agricultural |
| crop a decade ago. Developed countries, notably the | | | | biotechnology. Delegates should conduct their |
| U.S. and Canada, appreciate that agricultural | | | | deliberations with developing countries in mind. It's |
| biotechnology has been a prime mover of their | | | | here where agricultural biotechnology is in dire need. |
| economies. They have massively invested in it, | | | | Developing countries delegates are encouraged to |
| effectively eclipsing the so-called conventional | | | | view this conference as a window of opportunity to |
| agriculture. The gains have been innumerable. | | | | learn from as many experts as possible on the |
| Farmers in these countries have almost doubled their | | | | potential of agricultural biotechnology. |
| income from cultivating genetically modified crops, | | | | Once the curtains of this conference fall, delegates |
| that are usually high yielding and pest resistant. | | | | from developing countries must ensure that they |
| In developing countries, the picture is different. | | | | share the lessons learnt with policy makers, scientists |
| Agricultural biotechnology remains a contested issue. | | | | and farmers in their respective countries. |
| Many developing countries would not embrace | | | | |