Asian Perspective on GMO and Biotech Issues

Genetically modified (GM) foods will most likely become an increasing feature of the Asian diet in the light of the region’s growing demand for high volumes of quality food. “Asia has the potential to lead the world in using biotechnology for new classes of products with the way paved by GM crops and food”, says Dr. Paul Teng of the National Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

In a review article published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Teng concludes that the first wave of agri-biotech applications in biofarming involving biotech crops, biopesticides and biofertilizers, will soon be added by biopharming or use of biotech crops to produce pharmaceuticals; biofuels involving use of crops to produce fuels such as ethanol and diesel;  bioplastics involving use of crops to produce complex hydrocarbons for multiple uses; and bioremediation involving the use of biotech plants engineered to absorb toxic or undesirable chemicals, in soil, air and water.

Email Dr. Paul Teng at paul.teng@nie.edu.sg for more information.