In another paper in its IFPRI Discussion Papers series, the International Food Policy Research Institute has just published "Introducing a genetically modified banana in Uganda: Social benefits, costs, and consumer perceptions" by E. Kikulwe, J. Wesseler and J. Falck-Zepeda. The purpose of this 29-page paper is to examine potential social welfare impacts of adopting GM bananas in Uganda. See http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/dp/ifpridp00767.asp or contact [email protected] for more information. IFPRI Discussion Papers contain preliminary material and research results and are circulated in order to stimulate discussion and critical comment.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) has just published "Breeding Quality Protein Maize (QPM): Protocols for developing QPM cultivars" by B.S. Vivek and co-authors. The 50-page manual is intended for maize breeders who would like to start developing QPM cultivars. It is a compilation and consolidation of several breeding protocols successfully used at CIMMYT over two decades of QPM development and breeding. A brief background and the basic theory of QPM genetics are explained, leading up to detailed methods and procedures of QPM development. A chapter is dedicated to marker-assisted selection. QPM grain contains enhanced levels of the essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan, along with other characteristics that make more of its protein useful to humans or farm animals. See the manual (1.7 MB) or contact [email protected] for more information.

In 2002, the World Bank and FAO initiated a global consultative process to determine whether an international assessment of agricultural knowledge, science and technology was needed. These initial consultations resulted in the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), an inter-governmental process with a multi-stakeholder Bureau co-sponsored by FAO, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO). The Bureau comprised 30 government and 30 civil society representatives (NGOs, producer and consumer groups, private sector entities and international organizations). The IAASTD brought together around 400 scientists from around the globe to produce a global assessment and five sub-global assessments reports (for Central and West Asia and North Africa [CWANA], East and South Asia and the Pacific [ESAP], Latin America and the Caribbean [LAC], North America and Europe [NAE] and sub-Saharan Africa [SSA]). At its final plenary session, held on 7-12 April 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa, the IAASTD reports were launched and governments approved (a small number not fully) the Global Summary for Decision Makers (based on the global assessment); the five sub-Global Summaries for Decision Makers (one each for the sub-global assessments); and the Executive Summary of the Synthesis Report. The Synthesis Report integrates the key findings from the global and sub-global assessments, and focuses on eight topics: bioenergy; biotechnology; climate change; human health; natural resource management; traditional knowledge and community based innovation; trade and markets; and women in agriculture. See http://www.agassessment.org/ or contact [email protected] for more information.

On 12 October 2007, FAO organised a seminar on "The role of agricultural biotechnologies for production of bioenergy in developing countries" in Rome, Italy. Papers from invited speakers are now available on the web. The first covers issues such as the current global situation regarding biofuels; the potential impacts of genetic modification; trade implications; biofuels certification; and product differentiation under the World Trade Organization (by S. Zarrilli). The second focuses on technical issues and options for the use of genomics for production of lignocellulosic biomass and its conversion to biofuel (G.A. Tuskan). The third describes some of the biochemical aspects behind breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass to bioethanol; the importance of cellulases; as well as giving some of the history of Brazilian research in this area (E.P.S. Bon and M.A. Ferrara). See http://www.fao.org/biotech/seminaroct2007.htm or contact [email protected] for more information.

Biosecurity is a strategic and integrated approach to analysing and managing relevant risks to human, animal and plant life and health, and associated risks to the environment. It covers food safety, zoonoses, the introduction of animal and plant diseases and pests, the introduction and release of living modified organisms (LMOs) and their products, and the introduction and management of invasive alien species. The "FAO Biosecurity Toolkit" has now been published, providing practical guidance and support to develop and implement national biosecurity frameworks at the country level. The toolkit comprises three parts: biosecurity principles and components; a guide to assess biosecurity capacity; and an overview and framework manual for biosecurity risk analysis. See http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a1140e/a1140e00.htm (in English, French and Spanish) or contact [email protected] for more information.

On 22 February 2008, the FAO Working Group on Biotechnology organised a side event to the 13th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA), entitled "Biotechnology as a toolbox to study and monitor agricultural genetic resources". Summaries and presentations from the event are now available on the web, covering the application of molecular markers to conservation biology of fishes or to monitoring adaptation and migration of forest tree species, as well as FAOs work in the field of biotechnology. See http://www.fao.org/biotech/seminarsbstta.htm or contact [email protected] for more information.

The report of the 29th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling, that took place on 10-14 March 2008 in Budapest, Hungary, is now available. Agenda Item 6, on "Criteria for the methods for the detection and identification of foods derived from biotechnology", is covered in paragraphs 87-93 of the report. See document ALINORM 08/31/23, as well as the meeting agenda, at http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/archives.jsp or contact [email protected] for further information.

The Animal Production and Health Section of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division in Vienna, Austria has recently published "Developing methodologies for the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis and monitoring of trypanosomosis". Trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne disease affecting people and animals caused by various species of blood parasites called trypanosomes. This 287-page book presents the final results from a Coordinated Research Project, lasting from 2001 to 2005, initiated to try and improve the diagnosis of trypanosomoses using molecular based methods. See the publication (4.1 MB) or contact [email protected] for more information.

On 7-8 April 2008, a symposium on "Public policy patent landscaping in the life sciences" was held in Geneva, Switzerland, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with FAO. Patent landscapes provide information on "what is actually patented, where and by whom". The event focused on how to develop improved information products that meet the needs of policymakers in the life sciences to strengthen the factual background for policy discussions. It took place in the context of a cooperation program between FAO and WIPO on patent landscaping for policy makers and included, among others, a session dealing with patent landscapes on gene promoters for rice, maize, potato and soybean and the patent landscape of the rice genome. While there were no formal outcomes from this exploratory symposium, it identified possible future areas of cooperation that would see closer integration between patent information tools and the ongoing needs of policymakers concerned with plant genetic resources. See the website (agenda and some presentations) or contact [email protected] for more information.

The Africa Rice Center (WARDA), FAO and the Sasakawa Africa Association have just published "NERICA: the New Rice for Africa a Compendium", edited by E.A. Somado, R.G. Guei and S.O. Keya. The 210-page document brings together the results of scientific research on NERICA rice varieties, ranging from the choice of land to planting, integrated crop and pest management, harvest and post-harvest operations, agro-processing technologies and nutritional quality, and adoption impact on rice farmers` livelihoods. It is split into 17 modules, one of which is dedicated to molecular characterisation of NERICA lines. NERICA rice varieties are derived from the crossing of two species of cultivated rice, the African rice and the Asian rice, using embryo rescue and anther culture techniques, combining the high yields from the Asian rice with the ability of the African rice to thrive in harsh environments. See http://www.warda.org/warda/techreport.asp or contact [email protected] for more information.

On 2-4 July 2006, an expert meeting on "Sustainable utilization of animal genetic resources" was held in Ferentillo, Italy, jointly organized by FAO and the World Association for Animal Production. It outlined guiding principles for sustainable utilisation of animal genetic resources (AnGR) and key strategies for achieving this objective. The report of the meeting, edited by D. Weary, D. Pilling and B. Rischkowsky, has now been published, containing e.g. a paper on the implications of health regulations on sustainable use of AnGR, covering advances in reproductive biotechnologies. See http://dad.fao.org/cgi-bin/getblob.cgi?sid=-1,297 or contact [email protected] for more information.

The 4th meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP 4) took place on 12-16 May 2008 in Bonn, Germany, back-to-back with the 9th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, on 19-30 May. The meeting addressed a number of standing issues on the COP-MOP agenda (i.e. compliance; operation and activities of the Biosafety Clearing-House; capacity building; financial mechanisms and resources; cooperation with other organizations, conventions and initiatives; and administration and budgetary matters). It also addressed a number of substantive issues arising from the medium-term programme of work and previous COP-MOP decisions (i.e. handling, transport, packaging and identification of living modified organisms; risk assessment and risk management; liability and redress; subsidiary bodies; monitoring and reporting; assessment and review; socio-economic considerations; public awareness and participation; and notification requirements). See http://www.cbd.int/mop4/ for background and access to official documents (in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and information documents (in English) or contact [email protected] for more information.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Worldwide Academy is offering a distance learning advanced course on biotechnology and intellectual property (IP). One of the aims of the course is to enable participants to learn about definitions and concepts that are commonly used in the IP field, especially by IP professionals who work in the biotechnology field. The course covers topics such as the nature of plant breeder`s rights systems and IP as a factor in research in development. It involves about 100 hours of study time over a period of 10 weeks and is offered twice a year, initially in English, French and Spanish. See the website or contact [email protected] for more information.

As part of its IFPRI Discussion Papers series, the International Food Policy Research Institute has just published "Regional biotechnology regulations: Design options and implications for good governance" by R. Birner and N. Linacre. In this paper the authors develop a conceptual framework that identifies key factors for consideration when designing a regional system for regulation of genetically modified organisms. The case of West Africa is used to illustrate the framework, and reference is made to the European Union for comparison purposes. See http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/dp/ifpridp00753.asp or contact [email protected] for more information.

The summary document of the FAO e-mail conference entitled "Coping with water scarcity in developing countries: What role for agricultural biotechnologies?" has now been published. It provides a summary of the main issues discussed during this moderated e-mail conference, hosted by the FAO Biotechnology Forum from 5 March to 1 April 2007, based on the messages posted by the participants, 75% of which came from people in developing countries. The major topics discussed were the application of biotechnologies (mainly genetic modification and marker-assisted selection) to develop crops with improved drought resistance or water use efficiency; the use of bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi in water-limited conditions; and the use of biotechnology in wastewater treatment. See http://www.fao.org/biotech/logs/C14/summary.htm or contact [email protected] to request a copy.

The annotated list of on-line documents has been updated, so it now includes 180 web links to a wide range of articles, books, meeting reports, proceedings and studies published by FAO, or prepared in collaboration with FAO, over the last 10 years concerning biotechnology in food and agriculture. In addition, the FAO newsroom has just released a news story (in Russian) about the recent launch of the Russian version of the FAO biotechnology website. See http://www.fao.org/biotech/doc.asp and http://www.fao.org/newsroom/ru/news/2008/1000785/index.html respectively or contact [email protected] with questions or comments.