Author : Endang Sukara

Summary : Biotechnology has been officially recognized by the government of Indonesia as a strategic technology to help attain sustainable agricultural production since 1988. The National Committee on Biotechnology was established by the Ministry of Science and Technology to prepare and formulate a national biotechnology policy and development program. This program is implemented by several "center of excellence" and each of these centers is tasked to set up a network of institutions in a particular field. After the economic crisis of 1997, the focus and direction of biotechnology, which remained of high government priority, were adjusted to suit the country's conditions. These priorities included the following: 1) immediate application opportunities, (2) strategic research program based on competitive advantage of the country, e.g., genetic resources, and 3) increased participation of private companies in establishing significant bio-industries. Biosafety regulations were established in 1997 covering genetic manipulation of microbes, plants, fish and livestock. These regulations were amended in 1999 to cover plantation and forestry plants and food products the implementation of which involved four ministries (Agriculture, Estate Crops and Forestry, Food and Health). Guidelines for food safety of GM products have been drafted and are expected to be released this year. Constraints to the development of biotechnology in Indonesia cited were shortage of expertise, limited funding and linkage with the private sector.