Cost of Transgenic Crop R&D in Indonesia

Producing a transgenic plant and complying with regulatory approval  for commercial release  is quite expensive and entails a long process. Hence, it is necessary to set research priorities based upon country capacity and need. This is forwarded in the article "The Cost of Research and Development for Producing a Transgenic Crop and Its Biosafety Regulation Compliance in Indonesia" by Bahagiawati Amirhusin, Erna Maria Lokollo, Supriyati, and Sutrisno published in the Asian Biotechnology and Development Review.

Results of a survey of selected crops in Indonesia showed that it took 4-8 years to engineer a transgenic plant. An estimated US154,000 to US$522,000 was spent to do R and D. Compliance with regulatory requirements amounted to US$93,000 for a Bt cotton crop. Hence, it was also recommended that research priorities should also be based on estimation of the risk and benefit of all activities as well as fund requirements from the initial activity to the release of the new variety.

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