The Biotechnological Challenge

Socio-economic implications of various biotechnologies for developing countries are analysed in this unique volume. An introductory chapter sets the framework for the book by discussing broad issues related to biotechnologies as socioeconomic innovations. The first main section reviews the technologies themselves (genetic engineering, enzymes and fermentation) and discusses the main technical and economic issues that surround their successful development. The second main part describes in detail three case studies that are particularly relevant to Third World development (the impact of iso-glucose on the world sugar market, the role of biotechnologies in raising the output of proteins and the industrial base and strategy behind the Brazilian ethanol programme).