The commercialization of biotechnology traits

Over the last few decades, a vibrant base of research in model plant systems and functional plant genomics has identified the genetic basis of hundreds if not thousands of plant traits. Reports in the scientific literature often discuss the potential contribution that a trait could make if deployed in commercial agriculture. Yet, very few have actually been introduced into the farming systems of the world using biotechnology. Moving from an initial discovery, identification, and characterization of a genetic trait to the cultivation of a transgenic crop expressing that trait requires successful navigation of a series of increasingly costly and difficult research and development (R&D) challenges.

Research highlights▶ Hundreds of transgenic traits enter R&D, yet only a handful reach market. ▶ Most commercial R&D activity is concentrated in US and Europe. ▶ After 1998, significantly fewer traits have advanced to late stage R&D. ▶ Those that have advanced, if anything, moving to market more quickly. ▶ Economic and political factors, not technical, affecting rate of commercialization.