FAO on Marker-Assisted Selection

A comprehensive assessment on Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was conducted to evaluate the technology and to determine the reasons behind its “apparent failure to deliver its promise”. Shivaji Pandey, the Chairperson of the FAO Working Group on Biotechnology, emphasized that while the technology can “revolutionize” the way varieties and breeding stocks are developed, there are several requisites that need to be in place before the full potential of MAS is realized. Pandey cited reasons such as: high costs involved in laboratory infrastructure; equipment needed for generating data; data handling and management capabilities; presence of well-qualified staff; and good funding. In addition, the application of the technology can only be fully realized when well-structured breeding programs are already in place, which is often not the case in many developing countries. The technology must also be used only when there is a clear advantage over traditional selection techniques.

Please see the full report press release in
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2007/1000630/index.html
To obtain a copy of the report please send an e-mail to nadia.sozzi@fao.org.