BIOTECHNOLOGY along with the other core technology viz. Information Technology, is at the heart of technology revolution in Asia. Asian countries have adopted strategies for harnessing the potential of biotechnology for their industrial Development. The areas of applications both in pharmaceutical and agriculture sector have widened, finding new vistas of economic growth.

Policy challenges, however, are arising among others, concerning trade in GMOs, impact of genetic engineering on environment and human health, biosafety management, and ethical aspects that are yet to be addressed at any collective forum in Asia. One of the missing links is a dialogue between natural and social scientists so as to identify socio-economic requirements and policy priorities in the realm of biotechnology and development in the region.

This book brings together perceptions on some of these issues by eminent experts from the Asian region. As a sequel to the pioneering Biotechnology Revolution and the Third World : Challenges and Policy Options (RIS 1988), this volume draws lessons from the experiences of Asian developing countries and revisits some of the concerns raised earlier.

The contributors to the volume draws policy lessons from country experiences in capability building in Asia, in particular on the role of regional cooperation. It is clear that the Asian countries need not only technical assistance for capacity building, but also financial support to upgrade their facilities to meet challenges emerging from the introduction of the new organisms. As most of the Asian economies face common challenges including the management of biodiversity resources, cooperative efforts may prove fruitful. An examination of regional cooperation in Europe and ASEAN may help in identifying a roadmap. Volume Editors present a synthesis of key lessons emanating from different contributions.

Biotechnology and Development: Challenges and Opportunities for Asia is a valuable resource for governments, multilateral institutions, academics and practitioners in the field of the economic development and technology policy management.

Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, Fellow, RIS and Managing Editor of the Asian Biotechnology and Development Review (ABDR) has been working on Intellectual Property Regime; trade and environment related issues in WTO. His areas of specialization include economics of biotechnology and biodiversity. Dr. Chaturvedi has authored two books and has published several research articles in various prestigious journals. He has also worked at University of Amsterdam under a project supported by the Dutch Government on International Development Cooperation and Biotechnology for Developing Countries. Dr. Chaturvedi has also been a member of the IGSAC Committee of Experts to evolve a framework of Co-operation for conservation of biodiversity in the SAARC region; and Editorial Board of Biotechnology Development Monitor, Netherlands.        

Dr. S.R. Rao, obtained his PhD from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He has postdoctoral experience in molecular plant pathology in Japan and Australia. Currently, Dr. Rao is Director in the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and is responsible for international co-operation especially in Asian region and establishment of biotech facilities and centers of excellence. He is member of many important committees on biotechnology policy and research. Dr. Rao has established a niche in blending economics with technology and specializes in capacity building and regional cooperation and has published several important papers in national and international journals on biotechnology priorities, policy, regulation and management.