Sites for sore eyes

Longer versions of the articles in this issue of insights are available at www.ids.ac.uk/biotech/.

A number of online journals publish articles on agri-biotechnology in developing countries, including Biotechnology and Development Monitor, AgBioForum and the Electronic Journal of Biotechnology.

Two useful sites on biotechnology in agriculture and development are the Eldis guide to Biotechnology and governance and the Science and Development Network GM Crops Dossier.

Academic institutions include the Technology and Agrarian Development Group at Wageningen Agricultural University and the Biotechnology and Development Program at the Center for International Development at Harvard University.

Several international organisations support biotechnology in developing countries. The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology runs research programmes, seminars and training courses. The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications facilitates the transfer of biotechnologies from the private sector to public researchers in developing countries. The African Agricultural Technology Foundation is helping to remove obstacles preventing African smallholder farmers from gaining access to new technologies.

A valuable resource on the state of biotechnology research, development, policy and regulation in 70 developing and transition countries is BioDeC administered by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, whose Electronic Forum on Biotechnology in Food and Agriculture is also useful. Checkbiotech, a privately owned, non-profit website offering up-to-date news, events and information about alternative energy through agriculture, agricultural genetics, orphan and rare diseases and BioValley life sciences.

One website sponsored by the GM industry is the Biotechnology Knowledge Center sponsored by Monsanto. AgBioWorld contains pro-biotechnology views and articles, while Ag Biotech Info-Net takes a more balanced stance. FoodFirst also has material on sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.

Two listserves include GM Watch from the Norfolk Genetic Information Network and Biotech Activists from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

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