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A study on applicability of biotechnology to development in the Caribbean opportunities and risks

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Abstract

The present study analyzes the potential opportunities and risks involved in employing biotechnologies in the Caribbean region. This information would support developmental policies in the areas of food security, climate change and poverty reduction. The report provides a brief overview of biotechnology development, covering industrial and other microbial biotechnologies, tissue culture and molecular biology. Details of opportunities and risks of biotechnology development are provided for agricultural, industrial, environmental, industrial and medical biotechnology, with information on the global agreements for regulation of genetically modified organisms. The rest of the report analyzes the Caribbean situation. Biotechnology applications, opportunities and risks in the Caribbean are described in detail, with focus on industrial and agricultural biotechnology, and including climate change and constraints to biotechnology development. The report closes with a discussion of the applicability of biotechnology to the region in terms of agricultural, industrial, environmental, medical and marine biotechnology. Conclusions and recommendations are provided. The main conclusion of the study is that there is an urgent need for development and use of biotechnology in the Caribbean, especially in nonagro- biotech sectors, to address food security, climate change, poverty, environmental degradation, among other issues. In so doing, countries must take advantage of the opportunities presented by biotechnology to gain competitive advantage and benefits, while at the same time put measures in place to reduce or remove associated risks. This must be done taking into consideration economic as well as social and cultural issues.

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  • -, 2010. "A study on applicability of biotechnology to development in the Caribbean opportunities and risks," Sede Subregional de la CEPAL para el Caribe (Estudios e Investigaciones) 38632, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    • Handle: RePEc:ecr:col095:38632
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    1. Zilinskas, R.A. & Lundin, G.G., 1993. "Marine Biotechnology and Developing Countries," World Bank - Discussion Papers 210, World Bank.
    2. -, 2007. "Implications for the use of biofuels with special reference to the Caribbean," Sede Subregional de la CEPAL para el Caribe (Estudios e Investigaciones) 27634, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    3. Florence Wambugu, 1999. "Why Africa needs agricultural biotech," Nature, Nature, vol. 400(6739), pages 15-16, July.
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