Chinese Ethnic Minority Gains Info on Agri-biotechnology

The Inner Mongolia Association for Science and Technology, Chinese Society of Biotechnology, and the China Biotechnology Information Center organized a GMO and Biosafety Workshop during the 2012 Inner Mongolia S&T Month on May 16, 2012 in Hohhot, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, China. Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region is the home of China's ethnic minority.  It is an important agriculture and grazing area characterized by arid and semi-arid climate. Biotechnology has been identified as a potential technology to improve its agricultural sector.

During the workshop, Prof. Zhang Chunyi, Vice Director of Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, made a presentation on "Agri-biotechnology: Challenge and Opportunity for Agricultural Development". Professor Zhou Huanmin from Inner Mongolia Agricultural University introduced the progress of transgenic animal studies (e.g. cloned sheep). Ms.Zhang Tian from China Biotechnology Information Center (BIC) discussed science communication as a driving force in agri-biotechnology development.

Around 300 representatives from universities, public and private sectors of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region attended the workshop.

See the news at http://www.nmgzkj.com/shtml/?id=5582. For news on agri biotechnology in China, contact Zhang Tian of China BIC at zhangt@mail.las.ac.cn.