BRAZILIAN AGRIFOOD SYSTEM AND MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY: OPORTUNITIES AND PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The modern biotechnology, understood as set of techniques including the transgenetic methods, the enzymatic processes, the methods of exploration of microorganisms, the micropropagation, the processes of disease prevention, the genetic cartography, the processes of diagnosis, the cloning methods, the processes of fecundation in vitro and embryo transfer, potentially appears as a technological option with great potentialities for the agrifood Brazilian system that is facing serious challenges in spite of its good performance in the last twelve years. However, considered in its set, these biotechniques are not being completely exploited for productive ends in Brazil. The basic reason of this situation is the hesitation in adopting the transgenetic methods. This article, based on a conceptual framework that emphasizes the nature and the circumstantial sensitivity of the technology, reviews the different aspects of the Brazilian context that influence the expansion of these biotechniques. For that, it characterizes the challenges of the agrifood Brazilian system in relation to the process of globalization of the markets and intensification of the international flows of technology. It discusses in critical form the potentialities of the modern biotechnology to indicate possibilities of its use in the agrifood Brazilian system. It analyzes the scientific and technological conditions of Brazil to promote and to support the process of generation and use of biotechniques. It concludes with some suggestions of action for the growth of the exploitation of biotechnological resources in the Brazilian system agrifood.