THE BIOTECHNOLOGY IN EMBRAPA

Abstract

Analysing Brazil within the world biotechnology development scene, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Organization (Embrapa) has been carrying out, through its National Program of Biotechnology Research (PNPB), in addition to studies in the area of recombinant DNA technology in plants (area of greatest concentration of investments), the training of personnel and the advancement of basic research on biotechnology, in order to increase access to the new technologies and to make possible their absorption. The Federal Government, through its Secretary of Biotechnology, connected to the Ministry of Science and Technology, has also endeavoured to assist in the definition of research priorities. To accomplish this, Embrapa attempts to define support mechanisms, wich indicate as principal points of support of research and development in this area, the creation and transfer of technology; the acquisition of inputs and the maintenance of equipment; interaction with the information area (through the development of softwares and of systems applicable to biotechnology), with instrumentation and bioinformation; and the regulation, legislation and policy of biotechnology. In this way, Embrapa has also attempted, through its Biotechnology Research Support Unit (UAPB), to pass on new technologies to the Descentralized Units of the Organization through personnel training.