Agenda 21: biotechnology at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

Abstract

Preparation has yet to be completed for the 1992 Earth Summit UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Nonetheless it has been planned as a forum in which recommendations will be made to governments and international organizations on how to alleviate environmental damage caused by human activities and how to prevent future damage without retarding development in the Third World. It will declare basic principles for national and individual conduct regarding environmental preservation and sustainable development; adopt international conventions to protect biodiversity and manage climatic change; lay out Agenda 21 activities as specified by UNCED; provide an agenda to help Third World governments manage environmental matters; and provide an agenda for improving the transfer of technology to developing countries. Where biotechnology is concerned scientists and policy makers in developing countries have shown their interest. Limited resources and capabilities however constrain their abilities to engage in serious research and development. International organizations such as the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) may help UNCED and developing countries with biotechnology. Since 1986 UNIDO has held the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) as a special project. The ICGEB conducts research and development (RD trains scientific and technical personnel from member countries in advanced biotechnology techniques; helps member countries implement and operate ICGEB-affiliated RD and manages an information exchange for internationally affiliated centers. To maximize the potential of biotechnology to help Third World nations clear their environments of pollutants while safely exploiting natural resources organizations should promote full use of available training resources; promote biosafety and the dissemination of information on risk assessment and risk management; increase funding to support existing information networks; help make equipment and supplies available to developing countries; help bridge the gap between research and applications by encouraging universities and research institutions to market their research; and promote entrepreneurship in developing countries.