Biotechnologies and genetic resources for food and agriculture

Abstract

The article stresses the complimentarity of genetic resources and biotechnologies in ensuring food security. Genetic resources are being lost at an increasing and alarming rate. A small number of crops and farm animals contribute an ever increasing percentage of human food. The conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources have many socio-economic, political, cultural and legal implications. Genetic resources are the raw material to which biotechnology is applied. Biotechnologies are increasingly protected by intellectual property rights, no such incentive for the conservation and sustainable use currently exists. The article discusses the role of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, currently being negociated in FAO countries, and of the Code of Conduct on Biotechnology being developed by the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.