Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology - Asian Productivity ...

Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology Products
evaluation according to the biosafety guidelines. In the animal realm, transgenic ornamental fish
containing a fluorescence gene created by a private company and duplicated goats derived from
somatic cell cloning created by the Livestock Research Institute and National Taiwan University
are two examples of outstanding achievements. Many of these genetic engineering products are
ready for application, although so far none has been commercialized or marketed.
POTENTIAL OBSTACLES IN THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF
AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS
The Republic of China has considered the development of biotechnology to be important.
Today a substantive business in plant tissue culture has been established, and commercialization
of some microbiological products has also been achieved. However, the business of agricultural
biotechnology is still far from maturity, as it lacks the application of molecular biology.
Although some good advances in research in GMOs have been made during the past decade, no
products have been marketed. The following issues may represent obstacles in the development
of this industry:
A framework for the legal and regulatory systems has not been established. Although much
work has been done, legislation and regulations concerning GMOs such as transgenic animals
and fish have not been completed.
There is a need for a stronger connection between laboratories and factories. NSC and COA
have been working for more than a decade to build a strong linkage between researchers and
producers to speed up commercialization and marketing in this field, but connection needs
strengthening.
As most of the companies are Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), their size may limit
their competitiveness due to the relatively higher production costs of biotech products and their
low R&D budgets.
There is a need for more public communication and education. Many people do not
understand biotechnology and its products, which may hinder the commercialization and marketing
of agricultural biotechnology products.
More traditional nursery companies need to join the GMO business. To date many companies
associated with the nursery business have shown no interest in transgenic technology and
GMO products, perhaps due to concern about end user response. Their experience in marketing
will be very helpful and is needed in the development of GMO business.
More international cooperation in research is required. This is one of the weakest points in
the Republic of China’s agricultural biotechnology.
CONCLUSION
Two important factors will strongly influence the Republic of China’s future development.
First, the Republic of China has to become a member of the WTO. Second, the 21st century will
be the century of biotechnology. To be a player, the Republic of China cannot neglect the role of
biotechnology in international trade. The challenges must be confronted: increase R&D capability
in both basic research and manufacturing procedures; build a complete system for managing
biotechnology that will take into account all related matters, including laws and regulations, risk
assessment, product monitoring, etc. Most of these issues are in the process of being dealt with,
but the speed of progress must increase; create an ideal environment for SMEs so that they can
become more competitive. It will be crucial to intensify cooperation in research and to establish
biotech science parks as future production bases; and increase public communication and education
to strengthen support from within society for research and commercialization.
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