Biotechnology in Agriculture: Examining the Promise, Performance, Concerns and Economics

Abstract

Major advances in biotechnology have made it possible to directly identify genes, know their functions, isolate and transfer them from one organism to another. This has led to major developments and possibilities as well as controversies. This research makes an assessment of the potential benefits of agri-biotechnology particularly for India, as well as the concerns. It examines the information available on the performance of biotechnology so far in physical and economic terms, and the record of biotechnology in India and elsewhere. It also examines the reasons behind the resistance to agri-biotechnology in India, including risks and the risk perception of people. Based on this, it seeks to suggest policies and a possible path of actions for agri-biotechnology in India in the future.