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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #263351
Title: Transgenic horticultural crops in Asia

Author
item Cruz, von Mark
item HAUTEA, DESIREE - University Of The Philippines
item HAUTEA, RANDY - International Service For The Acquisition Of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)
item VIJAYARAGHAVAN, VIJAY - Sathguru Management Consultants Pvt Ltd

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/21/2010
Publication Date: 6/16/2011
Citation: Cruz, V.V., Hautea, D.M., Hautea, R.A., Vijayaraghavan, V. 2011. Transgenic horticultural crops in Asia. pp.155-173. In B. Mou and R. Scorza (eds.) Transgenic horticultural crops: challenges and opportunities. Taylor & Francis, LLC, Boca Raton, FL. Book Chapter.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Modern biotechnology applications, including genetic engineering, are a powerful tool to complement the conventional methods of crop improvement. Asia currently has three countries cultivating biotech/transgenic crops – China, India, and the Philippines, but only China commercially grows a transgenic fruit crop, a papaya engineered for virus resistance. Research on genetic engineering of various horticultural crops is being extensively pursued by most countries in the region that have developed the basic capacity to undertake modern biotechnology R and D. Factors that prevent the timely development and commercial deployment of biotech horticultural crops in the region are identified in this paper. Overcoming these constraints are key to effective development and use of a broader range of biotech crop products that meet national/local needs. Two examples of such regional initiatives, working on a biotech eggplant and papaya products were cited to draw some lessons and insights.