marker-assisted selection in wheat - ictsd

Chapter 18 – Marker-assisted selection in crop and livestock improvement 377planned outputs will eventually lead tothe creation of many new products andprocesses of commercial value. Thus, theactivities during its first phase are designedto resolve basic, common technologicalproblems – a sufficient reason to mobilizeseveral private companies (that arecompetitors in the market) and publicorganizations. After the first phase of sixyears, the network will have generated aconsolidated base of knowledge and toolsthat will promote the development of specificinterest projects, either in partnershipor individually, according to specific businessstrategies and market targets.Also, team organization and managementare based on modern tools andconcepts, involving a competent, highlyrespected scientist with talent to lead networkoperations, a steering committee anda technical committee for adequate planning,decision-making and follow-up, aswell as contract models and negotiationstrategies appropriate to the complexity ofthe network. Intellectual property rightsprovisions are based on access limited toparticipants, with all genetic materials andpatents produced being co-owned by the20 participating institutions. Scientific publicationsare highly encouraged.As in the Generation ChallengeProgramme, the Genolyptus network is anoriginal initiative to integrate and align acomplex mix of tools, capacities, conceptsand strategies. The ability to mobilize sucha wide range of organizations, including12 private companies operating in a highlycompetitive market space, indicates that thenetwork design was successful, while itspre-competitive nature, organization andmanagement strategy allowed the definitionof a “zone of mutual benefits” (Figure 3),facilitating the pursuit of goals that are notattainable through isolated research. TheGenolyptus network is therefore an excellentexample of the feasibility of developinga structured public/private effort for integratedand effective use of advanced toolssuch as MAS.Conclusions• Although advances in molecular markertechnology have uncovered many possibilitiesfor easing the transfer of genesinto desired crops and livestock throughMAS, there is still limited recordedimpact of these technologies in breedingprogrammes.• It is generally recognized that geneticimprovement of complex traits usingMAS is more difficult than previouslyconsidered. Therefore, more methodologydevelopment, better planning andimplementation strategies will be neededfor its successful and rapid application tobreeding programmes.• The future configuration of breedingprogrammes is dependent on knowledgeto guide strategic decisions aboutstructures, methods and capacities thattake advantage of new opportunitiesand technological niches. Unfortunately,there are very few efforts directed atthinking about the future of breedingprogrammes, especially in less developedcountries. Research organizations needinformation, which is not currently available,about changes and influences andtheir impact in the future on key activitiessuch as crop and livestock breeding.To acquire and organize this information,prospective studies on the presentand future performance of breeding programmesand their related activities willhave to be developed.• Priority-setting strategies, together withcost–benefit analysis are necessary toguide informed decisions on how best