Agricultural biotechnology : strategies for national competitiveness

1. Executive Summary and Recommendations 1 The International Dimension 1 The Power of Biotechnology 3 Strategies for National Competitiveness 4 Recommendations 7 2. Scientific Aspects 16 The Power of Biotechnology 16 Using Gene Transfer to Enhance Agriculture 17 Isolation of Important Genes 18 Gene Transfer Technology 19 Cell Culture and Regeneration Techniques 20 Monoclonal Antibody Technologies 21 Summary 23 New Approaches to Crop Production 23 The Genetic Engineering of Plants 24 The Genetic Engineering of Microorganisms Associated with Plants 27 Genetic Engineering for Crop Protection 30 New Approaches to Animal Agriculture 33 Animal Breeding 33 Microorganisms Associated with Animals 37 Bioprocessing Opportunities 41 Alternative Fuels 41 Alternative Feed and Food Sources 42 Other Products 43 Conclusions 44 Recommendations 48 3. Funding and Institutions 51 Funding Biotechnology in the Agricultural Research System 51 The Federal-State Agricultural Partnership 52 Past Contributions from Agricultural Research 53 Pressures for Change 54 The Emergence of Biotechnology 56 Institutions that Support Agricultural Research 59 Federal Agencies 59 State Support of Agricultural Research 68 Private Sector 70 A Summary of Agricultural Research Funding 71 Peer Review 75 Realigning the System for Biotechnology 76 Funding for Agricultural Biotechnology 77 Integration of Agricultural Research Disciplines 81 Recommendations 86 4. Training 90 Introduction 90 Personnel Required for Biotechnology 91 Demand for Scientists 91 Demographic Trends 93 Education and Training 95 Programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture 98 Programs at the National Science Foundation 100 Programs at the National Institutes of Health 101 Other Government Programs 102 Private Support 103 Conclusions 103 Interdisciplinary Cooperation 104 Recommendations 106 5. Technology Transfer 108 Introduction 108 The Economic Dimension 108 University, Industry, and Government Interactions 109 Research Relationships in Technology Transfer 111 Alliances Related to Agriculture 115 Implications of Alliances and Research Relationships 121 Merging Biotechnology into Agriculture 123 Land-Grant Universities 123 Cooperative State Extension Service 125 Regulation and Field Testing 126 Patenting and Licensing 130 Patents and the Federal Government 131 Patents and Universities 135 Revenues from Licenses 137 Biotechnology Patenting Activity 138 Nonpatented Intellectual Property 139 Conclusions 140 Recommendations 142 Summary 143 References 145 Appendix: Gene Transfer Methods Applicable to Agricultural Organisms Phyllis B. Moses 149 Introduction 149 Direct DNA Uptake 154 DNA Microinjection 157 Cell Fusion 161 Vector-Mediated Gene Transfer 163 Prospects 181 References 184 Index 193