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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Jinyang Cai, Ruifa Hu, Jikun Huang and Xiaobing Wang

The purpose of this paper is to assess whether China’s public sector can continue to generate advanced genetically modified (GM) technologies that will be competitive in the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess whether China’s public sector can continue to generate advanced genetically modified (GM) technologies that will be competitive in the market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigated all the research teams that have been conducting research projects under the variety development special program. The data collected include detail information on research capacity, research areas, performance, and process of their research projects. Based on the survey data, the authors assessed the innovations and progress of the variety development special program.

Findings

Unlike other countries, most GM products in China are developed by public research institutes. There is rising concern on the ability of China’s public sector to continuously generate indigenous GM technology that can compete with multinational companies. The study surveyed 197 research institutes and 487 research teams and found that the GM program in China lacks coordination: researchers do not want to share their research materials with others. Due to the lack of coordination, most of the hundreds of research teams often worked independently in the year 2008-2010. Moreover, the authors found the lack of coordination may be due to the reason that the interests of researchers are not well protected. This paper also provided the recent progress and policy changes of GM program in China, and it found that the efficiency in the later three years improved a lot. In order to establish a competitive national public GM research system, China should continuously consolidate and integrate the upstream, midstream, and downstream activities of the whole GM innovation process. China’s public sector may also need to work more closely with both the domestic and international private sectors.

Originality/value

This paper is a comprehensive analysis on the development of transgenic technology in China. The results of this paper can provide evidence for the dynamic adjustment of the policies in the variety development special program and can also provide reference for the future assessment of the variety development special program.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 October 2021

John Peter Cooney, David Oloke and Louis Gyoh

This study aims to demonstrate the possibility of showing the functionality of complex microbial groups, within ancient structures within a process of refurbishment on a heritage…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate the possibility of showing the functionality of complex microbial groups, within ancient structures within a process of refurbishment on a heritage building information modelling (BIM) platform.

Design/methodology/approach

Both a qualitative and qualitative research method will be used throughout, as observational and scientific results will be obtained and collated. This path being; phenomena – acquisition tools – storage – analysis tools – literature. Using this methodology, one pilot study within the scope of demolition and refurbishment, using suitable methods of collecting and managing data (structural or otherwise), will be used and generated by various software and applications. The principle methods used for the identification of such micro-organisms will incorporate a polymerase chain reaction method (PCR), to amplify DNA and to identify any or all spores present. The BIM/historical BIM (HBIM) process will be used to create a remotely-based survey to obtain and collate data using a laser scanner to produce a three-dimensional point cloud model to evaluate and deduce the condition, make-up and stature of the monument. A documentation management system will be devised to enable the development of plain language questions and an exchange information requirement, to identify such documentation required to enable safe refurbishment and to give health and safety guidance. Four data sampling extractions will be conducted, two for each site, within the research, for each of the periods being assessed, that being the Norman and Tudor areas of the monument.

Findings

From laboratory PCR analysis, results show a conclusive presence of micro-organism groups and will be represented within a hierarchical classification, from kingdom to species.

Originality/value

The BIM/HBIM process will highlight results in a graphical form to show data collected, particularly within the PCR application. It will also create standardisation and availability for such data from ancient monuments to make available all data stored, as such analysis becomes substantially important to enable the production of data sets for comparison, from within the framework of this research.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1984

The Agricultural and Food Research Council has recently published its first Corporate Plan which describes the Council's strategy until 1988. This outlines the current situation…

Abstract

The Agricultural and Food Research Council has recently published its first Corporate Plan which describes the Council's strategy until 1988. This outlines the current situation and the implications that the changes in funding will have for the research programme and the structure of the Agricultural and Food Research Service.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 84 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2002

William R. Rowley

This paper describes the field of biotechnology and likely advances in health care, agricultural and other applications in industry, environmental science and energy over the next…

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Abstract

This paper describes the field of biotechnology and likely advances in health care, agricultural and other applications in industry, environmental science and energy over the next 15 years. The intent is to give those without a background in the life sciences a perspective of the broad scope of biotechnology. The forecasts at the end of each section illustrate some advances as well as some of the benefits and risks to society that might occur during the next 15 years.

Details

Foresight, vol. 4 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1984

“Consumerism”, for want of a better description, is given to the mass of statutory control (which shows no sign of declining) of standards, trading justice to the consumer, means…

Abstract

“Consumerism”, for want of a better description, is given to the mass of statutory control (which shows no sign of declining) of standards, trading justice to the consumer, means of redress to those who have been misled and defrauded, advice to those in doubt; and to the widespread movement, mostly in the Western world, to achieve these ends.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 86 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Article
Publication date: 26 June 2009

Jennie Feight and Nashat Zuraikat

The issue of cloned food labeling came to the forefront on January 15, 2008, with the release of a controversial report by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This paper aims…

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Abstract

Purpose

The issue of cloned food labeling came to the forefront on January 15, 2008, with the release of a controversial report by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This paper aims to explore issues surrounding cloned food sources, specifically the increasingly vocal demands by the American public for mandatory labeling.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews literature to examine the culture and structure of the FDA over the past ten years. Ethical, economic and public health concerns surrounding cloned food sources are also examined. Comparisons are made to the shared history of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Political process and implementation of the Cloned Food Labeling Act (S. 414) are explored.

Findings

The FDA faces legal and cultural pressure to speed medications to market. The processes created by this struggle also affect the regulation of agriculture; this can be seen in the similar histories of GMOs and cloned food. Ethical issues surrounding cloned food labeling include animal welfare and the usurpation of the creator's role. Other ethical issues are entwined in health and economic concerns. Health issues include the capacity of the FDA to track allergic reactions and the possibility of future protein abnormalities among consumers. Environmental and herd health are identified as more global health concerns.

Practical implications

The combined economics of the biotech cloning and agricultural industries invert the usual law of supply and demand. This economic dynamic may either hurt small farmers or potentially benefit those who eschew cloning due to ethical or financial constraints. The current political climate exerts an interesting dynamic on the cloned food labeling debate. Consumer issues are pushed aside in the excitement of a new administration and more pressing issues such as the recessed economy. Biotech industries have the ability to maintain focus in the midst of distracting national issues; however, legislative opponents may have newfound strength with a majority congress.

Originality/value

Functioning as an historical overview and theoretical framework for those studying cloned food safety and labeling issues, this paper is useful in engendering ethical discussions. It also highlights the need for statistical and public health research on cloned food safety.

Details

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6123

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2006

Kamal Dean Parhizgar, Suzan Parhizgar and Fuzhan Parhizgar

In this article our objective is to do a very deep analysis into biobusinesses and bioethics in order to identify holistic views concerning business enterprises in…

Abstract

In this article our objective is to do a very deep analysis into biobusinesses and bioethics in order to identify holistic views concerning business enterprises in biopharmaceutical and biotechnological industries. We are arguing that biobusinesses and biotechnologies are not error free because in reality bio‐technoscientific discoveries and breakthroughs are not viewed as holistic real “natural logic”. They are “techno‐scientific logic”. Through a biosophical deliberation, if we believe that there is a difference between “natural logic” and “scientific logic”, then we may conclude that there are erroneous thoughts which exist and if existence is based on thinking, then false thoughts are as “real” as any misunderstanding among bio‐techno‐scientists and practitioners may thus end up with global catastrophes. Through a biosophical logic, we may choose both paths of “natural logic” and “scientific logic” in order to arrive in a real consensus conclusion. In addition, in this article we have examined the Promethean biosophical and biophilia perceptions and practices of global biopharmaceutical industries and biotechological businesses concerning bioethics.

Details

Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1059-5422

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 25 July 2011

Robert W. Herdt and Rebecca Nelson

The products of transgenic technology have captured the attention of enthusiasts and detractors, but transgenics are just one tool of agricultural biotechnology. Other…

Abstract

The products of transgenic technology have captured the attention of enthusiasts and detractors, but transgenics are just one tool of agricultural biotechnology. Other applications enable scientists to understand biodiversity, to track genes through generations in breeding programs, and to move genes among closely related as well as unrelated organisms. These applications all have the potential to lead to substantial productivity gains.

In this chapter we provide an introduction to basic plant genetic concepts, defining molecular markers, transgenic and cisgenic techniques. We briefly summarize the status of commercialized biotechnology applications to agriculture. We consider the likely future commercialization of products like drought tolerant crops, crops designed to improve human nutrition, pharmaceuticals from transgenic plants, biofuels, and crops for environmental remediation. We identify genomic selection as a potentially powerful new technique and conclude with our reflections on the state of agricultural biotechnology.

Research at universities and other public-sector institutions, largely focused on advancing knowledge, has aroused enormous optimism about the promise of these DNA-based technologies. This in turn has led to large private-sector investments on maize, soybean, canola, and cotton, with wide adoption of the research products in about eight countries. Much has been made of the potential of biotechnology to address food needs in the low-income countries, and China, India, and Brazil have large public DNA-based crop variety development efforts. But other lower income developing countries have little capability to use these tools, even the most straightforward marker applications. Ensuring that these and other applications of biotechnology lead to products that are well adapted to local agriculture requires adaptive research capacity that is lacking in the lowest income, most food-insecure nations. We are less optimistic than many others that private research will fund these needs.

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1996

Grahame Bulfield

Animal production is still a major UK industry of about £10 billion and like all aspects of agriculture faces a number of challenges. The biotechnology revolution is also sweeping…

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Abstract

Animal production is still a major UK industry of about £10 billion and like all aspects of agriculture faces a number of challenges. The biotechnology revolution is also sweeping through the industry with a range of major emerging technologies becoming available. Describes these technologies and discusses their potential impact on the agro‐food industry and the public. Although the issues raised appear at first sight novel, they can be regulated under the current framework available within the UK; public concern over some of the technologies is genuine but in most cases can be answered. Currently research in the UK puts this country at the forefront of these technologies and the emerging commercial opportunities must not be lost.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 98 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1994

Basma Ellahi

The Report of the Committee on the Ethics of Genetic Modification andFood Use was published in September 1993. The use of genetic engineeringfor food use has received a lot of…

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Abstract

The Report of the Committee on the Ethics of Genetic Modification and Food Use was published in September 1993. The use of genetic engineering for food use has received a lot of media and welfare group attention. Addresses emerging ethical issues which affect many societal groups. Information, education and labelling are key factors in the public′s understanding and acceptance of foods produced by this technology. The recommendations of the report have resulted in the Food Advisory Committee (FAC) proposals for labelling products of gene technology. These will not go far enough to satisfy all those who made submissions to the Committee on Ethics. There is a gap between the public′s perception of science and the evidence presented by the biotechnology researchers. The effectiveness of any decisions on labelling hinges not only on more detailed labelling but on bridging the gap between the conflicting interests of scientists and societal welfare groups, so that consumers can make informed choices based on facts.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 96 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

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