Author : James, C.

Summary : This publication characterize the global adoption of commercialized transgenic crops. A global database for the period 1996 to 1999 is presented and 1999 data is analyzed globally, and by country, crops and trait. Data on the global status of transgenic crops are complemented with commentaries on relevant key topics including the value of the global transgenic seed market; a review of acquisitions, mergers, and aliances in the biotechnology industry including those related to genomics; an overview of the commercial seed industry: status of transgenic crops in selected developing countries of Asia; future traits in biotechnology; an assessment of the contribution of conventional and biotechnology applications to past and future plant breeding activities in the major staples of wheat, rice and maize and the impact on global food security; and future prospects for transgenic crops in 2000 and beyond.