ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the potential of biotechnologies in providing a basis for sustainable development especially in the context of developing countries. It examines the constraints emanating from the emerging trends in biotechnology research and development for the exploitation of this potential and examines some policy imperatives. Integrated with conventional plant breeding, biotechnologies can play an important role in providing the basis for economic and ecological sustainability of further increases in agricultural yield and thus ensure food security for developing countries. A great variety of food processing and chemical processes such as fermentation involve the use of microbes. Almost all of the biotechnology research and development activity is concentrated in the industrialized countries—the United States, Japan, and Western Europe. The emerging biotechnology industry in these countries is characterized by the following significant trends which have implications for developing countries.
