Myanmar Recognizes Need for Biotech Research and Regulatory Boost
September 26, 2018| |
The Department of Agriculture of Myanmar, ISAAA and scientists from Tsukuba University organized a symposium where researchers, members of the academe and government executives converged to assess the status of biotech crop research and adoption in the country. The forum was attended by some 50 participants held at the Department of Agriculture seminar room on September 11, 2018.
Dr. Rhodora R. Aldemita, Director of ISAAA Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology presented the highlights of the ISAAA report on the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2017. Mr. Bhagirath Choudhary of ISAAA-South Asia Biotech Center discussed the key points of the biotech adoption in Asia. Department of Agriculture Director, Ye Tint Tun, expressed his gratitude to the organizers and detailed the need for the country to revise the draft biosafety guideline, strengthen research and manpower capacity, and forge international partnership to revolutionize agriculture in Myanmar.
Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning Kyaw Swe Lin, acknowledged the contribution of biotech cotton in Myanmar's improving economy and mentioned that other biotech crops can be cultivated in the country once the biosafety guidelines are revised and functioning. Nine scientists from research institutions across the country discussed ongoing biotech research projects, as well as their challenges and needs. Current biotech research in Myanmar includes tissue culture, molecular marker-aided breeding, and Bt gene introgression to other cotton varieties.
Representatives from ISAAA, University of Tsukuba, as well as guests from United States Agency for International Development and US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service indicated their willingness to help the country in their determination to harness the potentials of biotechnology. They also provided key steps that Myanmar could take towards this path.
For more details, contact knowledge.center@isaaa.org.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Bill Gates: GMO Seeds Can Help Farmers Adapt to Climate Change
- Kenyan Policy Makers Vouch for Commercialization of Bt Cotton
- Researchers Discover 'Hotspot' Regions in Wheat Genome for High Zinc Content
- Research Confronts "Yucky" Attitudes About GE Foods
- Independent Review of South Australia's Moratorium on GM Crops Now Underway
- Myanmar Recognizes Need for Biotech Research and Regulatory Boost
- Scientists Discover SWEET Genes to Fight Bacterial Blight
- Researchers Expect More Biotech Crops to be Commercialized in Bangladesh
- Survey Reveals UK Public Favors GM Crops
-
Research Highlights
- Development the Inbred Maize lines for Fusarium Ear Rot Disease Resistance
- Expression of Antigen GP5 of PRRS Virus in Tobacco
- Seed Weight, Maternally Controlled in Canola
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- CRISPR-Cas9 for Drug Addiction Treatment
- Kiwifruit Duplicated Its Vitamin C Genes Twice
-
Plant
- Scientists Determine Structure of Cas13d, a CRISPR Enzyme for RNA Editing
- CRISPR-Cas9 Applied to Identify ToMV Defense Gene in Tomato
- Rice Flowering Gene, Characterized Using CRISPR-Cas9
- Gene-editing Used to Determine Gene Functions for Wheat Grain Traits
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 17, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 10, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet