One area that appeared to be well advanced in some developing countries was the development and application of biological pest control, and biopesticides, especially in India. A very successful example of regional cooperation in biotechnology from Latin America was described, which had crossed national boundaries and led to many cooperative research projects to join resources and result in successful projects. In addition to the reports there were also keynote addresses on the scientific developments until now, and likely in the future, on the nutritional safety of farm products produced by genetic manipulation, on ethical issues, on environmental safety, and on sustainable development. A variety of issues were raised, which are familiar to the pages of this newsletter. What was unique of this conference was its focus on the issues for developing countries.
Justice demands that the benefits and risks of new technology development are shared by all people.
It may however, be difficult to control individual abuses, such as the secret release of genetically modified organisms in a developing country. Perhaps the only reassurance that we can take is that most such releases appear to be safe, but we should still attempt to regulate internationally in a consistent method. The conference had enjoyable discussions, and we visited the Centre for Biotechnology at the adjacent Anna University to see a local laboratory, which is successfully making biopesticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis. There was also some time to meet Indians and the fellow international participants, and enjoy various discussion. It is important to see the issues when they are applied to the real situation in the developing countries.