In 2003, FAO launched an on-line searchable database called FAO-BioDeC, providing information on biotechnology products/techniques in use or in the pipeline in developing countries (including countries with economies in transition). A report by Z. Dhlamini and co-authors, entitled "Status of research and application of crop biotechnologies in developing countries: Preliminary assessment", has just been published which provides a first analysis of about 2,000 crop-sector entries from 71 developing countries contained in the database as of 31 August 2004. Entries cover genetically modified (GM) crops and non-GM biotechnologies (such as micropropagation, molecular markers, diagnostics (e.g. ELISA) and microbial techniques). See an FAO press release at http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2005/102236/index.html (in Arabic, English, French and Spanish); download the 53-page report from http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/y5800e/y5800e00.htm or contact [email protected] to request a copy.

17/05/2005