Asian Conferences on
Biotechnology and Development

The expansion of the biotechnology industry in the Asian region during the last decade has raised many possibilities that have taken the interest not just of governments, but also of almost every sector of society. With these many opportunities, the need for a venue to discuss various aspects of biotechnology, as an engine of economic growth and development has never been felt more. However, national development plans involving modern biotechnology must be discussed and harmonized among economies if the region is to harvest the benefits of this novel technology without being dissipated by duplication of efforts and unnecessary competition with one another, given the limited resources within the region. In other words, there is need for cooperation.

Aware of this need, the Research and Information System for the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries (RIS) of India decided to organize the Asian Conference on Biotechnology and Development. RIS is an autonomous research institution established with financial support from the government of India and functions as a think tank on issues pertaining to international economic relations and development. The conference sought to bring together representatives of different stakeholders such as the various departments of governments, academe, environmental conservation groups, scientists, businesses, consumers and other interest groups, in order to review and discuss the issues surrounding biotechnology and identify how this technology can be used to spur development and growth of countries within the Asian region. Two conferences have been so far organized, both of which were held in India. The Third Conference in the series would be in Manila on November 9th and 10th, 2006.