In celebration of the 6th National Biotechnology Week, the Philippine Department of Agriculture held “Promising Agricultural Biotechnologies: A Technology Presentation Contest” to encourage public research agencies and private individuals/groups to present and promote their home-grown technologies to the public. For this contest, the best technology kiosk and best technology presenter were selected and awarded.

The high yielding and bunchy-top virus-resistant abaca cultivars of the Institute of Plant Breeding of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) bagged first place for both best kiosk and best presenter; the biofertilizers of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) of UPLB followed second in both categories.

Meanwhile, the microbial rennet for cheese making (BIOTECH-UPLB) and the potential rapid detection kit for Foot-and-Mouth disease (Philippine Carabao Center) were the third placers for the best kiosk and best presenter, respectively.

The other technologies in the contest were the production of sweet potato pickles (Visayas State University) and the detection kits for disease-causing food borne bacteria (BIOTECH-UPLB).

The technologies were displayed in exhibit booths during the National Biotechnology Week (November 22-28), at the SM Mall of Asia.

Dr. Navarro presented the media studies in a "Seminar on Biotechnology: Communication and Technology Impact," held on November 23, 2010 at the SM Mall of Asia, Manila, Philippines. It was co-organized by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSPII) and the Southeast Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Biotechnology Information Center, as part of the celebration of the 6th Philippine National Biotechnology Week.

For a related article, visit http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/science/4240-study-media-helps-the-public-form-opinion-on-biotech.(Sophia M. Mercado)

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Jenny A. Panopio
Special Project Coordinator & Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEAMEO SEARCA
College, Laguna 4031
Email: jap at agri.searca.org
Tel: (63-49)536-2290 loc 169 or 406
Tele/Fax: (63-49)536-4105
URL: www.bic.searca.org