Peru Holds its First National Biotech Conference

Peru's first national biotechnology conference was successfully held last May 12-13 at Universidad Ricardo Palma in Lima. Organized by the Peruvian Association for the Development of Biotechnology (PerúBiotech), the conference featured speakers from all over South America and attracted more than 300 attendees. Issues covered in the conference included advances in agricultural biotechnology, its impact on the economy, and legal regulation of GMOs.

Jorge Benavides from Peru's National Institute for Agricultural Development (INIA) outlined the progress being made in the development of ringspot virus-resistant papaya in the country. Carlos Cano, co-director of the Central Bank of Colombia, stressed the importance of genetically modified crops in addressing the economic problems of South American countries. Eduardo Trigo, Director of Argentina-based Grupo CEO, a consulting firm specializing in agricultural organization and technology policy issues, discussed the need for the adoption of GM wheat in the region. Trigo said that increased investment in agbiotech research in Latin America will be important in the development of GM crops that will provide solution to the region's own need.

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