3090 Challenges in the Development of Transgenic Crops by the Public Sector

Friday, February 18, 2011: 3:00 PM
147A (Washington Convention Center )
Hector Quemada , The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO
Challenges in the development of transgenic crops by the public sector

The public sector can play a very important role in the development of transgenic crops, especially in developing countries.  However, public institutions have had limited success in the deployment of transgenic crops.  This has often been attributed to the regulatory hurdles and associated costs that have to be overcome before such a variety can be released for use by the public.  However, other challenges also face public sector developers of transgenic crops, including the lack of practical product development experience, and lack of support for development efforts compared with research.  The few examples that have completed the regulatory process can provide lessons that could help others, and will be used in this presentation as illustrations of how public researchers can deal with existing regulations.  Other models for dealing more efficiently with regulatory matters will also be discussed.  On the other hand, given the experience already gained from the widespread deployment of transgenic crops, it should be time to re-examine some of the the scientific assumptions underlying current regulatory requirements.