Plant and agricultural biotechnology : achievements, prospects and perceptions / Albert Sasson

Incluye referencia bibliográfica: p.432-444

Plant and agricultural biotechnology encompasses a wide range of techniques that consist of culturing plant tissues and/or organs on liquid or solid media, followed by the clonal multiplication of the relevant plants, and thus supplies genetically identical plantlets to farmers, horticulturists, forest-tree growers and nurseries all the year round. This kind of plant biotechnology is by far the most widely adopted biotechnology in developing countries, particularly by those where agriculture plays a key economic role. Other plant biotechnologies use genetic markers to aid selection of new crop varieties, and include diagnostic tools to detect plant pathogens and diseases. Also, using techniques of genetic engineering, genetically modi-fied crops with new agronomic and nutritional traits have been produced and grown on almost 100 million hec-tares worldwide by the end of 2006. This book, authored by Professor A. Sasson, provides a state of the art overview of conventional agricultural biotechnology; genetically engineered crops extensión, commercialization, benefits and prospects; innovations in advanced crop biotechnology with many examples from developing countries; the future of agricultural bio-industry in both technologically advanced and developing countries. The book also presents the benefits and potential hazards of genetically modified crops, as well as the evalua¬ron and management of risks associated with their cultivation; the biosafety systems and regulations existing at national and international levéis. It discusses the issues of traceability and labe!Iing of products derive: from these crops, as well as the coexistence of the latter with conventional and organic agriculture. Controversy has not spared agricultural biotechnology and the author presents the terms of the current debate on genetically modified crops, the results of public perception surveys and enquiries, the views of the scientific community, the behaviour of companies and the role of the media. This book is therefore a valuable contribution to the state of knowledge of agricultural biotechnology and to the efforts aimed at raising awareness among all stakeholders and informing university students, teachers and civil society about the implications and prospects of this major sector of biotechnology.