COLLABORATION between the public and the private sectors to spearhead the local biotechnology industry is undeniably crucial. 

In his presentation at the recent BioMalaysia 2002 Symposium, Paul S. Teng, vice president, Asia-Pacific, Monsanto Philippines, says the private sector is currently the main developer and owner of intellectual property in biotechnology. 


Monsanto is a global biotechnology provider of agricultural products and integrated solutions that bring together chemicals, seeds, and biotechnology traits to improve farm productivity and food quality. 

For small, resource-poor farmers of traditional food crops to benefit from the new technologies, partnership modalities, which recognise specific differences and common goals between the two sectors, must be developed. 

Small farmers, such as the over one million cotton growers in China, are deriving much benefit from biotechnology, Teng exemplifies. 

Aside from facilitating and encouraging research in the use of biotechnology tools, collaborations could significantly improve food security in developing countries, while being a good corporate citizen. 

Inter-sectoral cooperation has also extended to areas of sharing knowledge on regulatory requirements, public education and ecological or economic impact analysis, he adds. 

Some of the mechanisms the private sector can consider towards the sharing of technology are direct sales of biotechnology products, joint ventures, royalty sharing, and donations and grants, Teng suggests. There is also a need to involve various combinations of parties, such as the non-governmental organisations, farmer groups, regulators, religious institutions, and the public at large. 

MONSANTO'S EXPERIENCE Since 1991, Monsanto has been working with scientists around the world to share fundamental scientific data and technology, including genes and traits. 

The company also advises on environmental stewardship and information on food safety, and provides licences to patented technologies, Teng says. 

Some of Monsanto's technology co-operation projects include virus-resistant sweet potatoes in Kenya, virus-resistant potato in Mexico, virus-resistant papaya in Southeast Asia, high beta-carotene mustard oil in India, rice genome sequence data, and the development of the "Golden Rice". 

The latter, invented by UK-based AstraZeneca and other research institutes around the world, was aided by royalty-free technology licences from Monsanto and its counterparts during its development. 

Golden Rice has increased pro-vitamin A that may provide nutritional benefits to those suffering from vitamin A deficiency-related diseases, including irreversible blindness in hundreds of thousands of children annually, Teng points out. 

"The inventors are working together to further develop the Golden Rice and bring it to the poor farmers for free," Teng concludes.