The commercialization of biotechnology traits

Abstract

Over the last few decades, a vibrant base of research in model plant systems and functional plant genomics has identified the genetic basis of hundreds if not thousands of plant traits. Reports in the scientific literature often discuss the potential contribution that a trait could make if deployed in commercial agriculture. Yet, very few have actually been introduced into the farming systems of the world using biotechnology. Moving from an initial discovery, identification, and characterization of a genetic trait to the cultivation of a transgenic crop expressing that trait requires successful navigation of a series of increasingly costly and difficult research and development (R&D) challenges. © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.