Future growth in biotechnology in the developing countries.

Abstract

Conditions in developing countries are nowhere near what they should be to reap the benefits of modern biotechnology. Be that as it may, there are possibilities in which intelligent thinking and rational planning by the people concerned, combined with input from international agencies and national centres of excellence, can lead to potential economic gains. One possibility is the establishment of collaborative research on a regional basis to tackle common problems and to train each other's manpower in acquired skills. Similarity of circumstances would make these programmes more relevant and cost effective. To ensure the success of joint programmes in the local setting, foreign input in the form of finances, provision of critical laboratory materials, and expert advice in the selection of technically solvable problems becomes inevitable. Thus participation by the developed-country agencies and laboratories in the developing countries presents a purposeful pooling of efforts that will sow the seeds for sustainable development of the developing world. Given that, new technology would prove a boon and a blessing for humanity in general and for the developing world in particular.