Biotechnology experts bared breakthroughs in agriculture and fisheries that member-states of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) could use to increase production and guarantee food security on the global scale.

The Philippines, for one, has been developing better varieties of eggplants, papaya, corn and rice using biotechnology, even as it continues to derive natural ingredients in the lowly saluyot to develop anticancer agents.

Biotechnology products are crucial to the Philippines, which is now pursuing a campaign to increase rice and corn production, develop biofuels and conquer the global market for natural ingredients with good prospects in pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries.

Dr. Wu Min-tze of Taiwan reported that research and development of biotechnology products in his country has been going on for some years and have improved the traits of tropical fruits, vegetables, livestock, aquatic resources and orchids.

Agricultural biotechnology parks in Taiwan are expanding, he stressed, and virus-free seedlings are being produced for propagation.

Dr. Giuliano Tolusso of TBC Canada revealed that biotechnology firms in the country earned C$3.8 billion in 2004 through the development of crops that are resistant to pests, weeds, diseases and extreme weather conditions.

Dr. Karim Maredia of the Institute of International Agriculture (IIA) of the Michigan State University (MSU) revealed that biotechnology research and development gained a big boost in the United States after the Bayh-Dole Act was approved in 1990 as it allowed universities and research institutions to retain titles to their inventions and earn royalties and other benefits from commercialization.

He noted that strong partnerships between the government and the private sector boosted the biotechnology industry in the US and improved the applications of biotechnology in developing pest-free and nutrient-fortified crops.