Biotechnology and genetic resource policies

IFPRI was established in 1975 to identify and analyze national and international strategies and policies for meeting the food needs of the developing world on a sustainable basis, with particular emphasis on low-income countries and poor people; to make the results of its research available to all those in a position to use them; and to help strengthen institutions conducting research and applying research results in developing countries. FUTURE HARVEST IFPRI is one of 16 international food and environmental research organizations known as the Future Harvest Centers. The Centers are principally funded by governments, private foundations, and regional and international organizations, most of which are members of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Researchers and policy analysts increasingly need concise, comprehensive information on all aspects of complex research issues. IFPRI's Research at a Glance series has been designed to meet this need.This volume contains the first of a series of IFPRI briefs on biotechnology and genetic resource policies. The briefs present syntheses and synopses of research conducted by a team from IFPRI's Environment and Production Technology Division and several collaborators. The team focuses on issues related to intellectual property rights, genetic resource management and conservation, biodiversity, and biotechnology.