Reports on Special Event
 
Launch of the Book Series

"BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY" VOLS. 59, 60 & 61 - TRANSGENIC CROPS IV, V & VI
               

By

Datuk Dr. Abd. Shukor Abd. Rahman
Director General
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute

18 October 2007
Plenary Theatre, Monash University

Since the conception of the term in the 1970s, biotechnology has progressed rapidly and has been hailed as the definitive technology of the 21st century that will shape the world. Its widespread application in almost all aspects of human life, from agriculture to medicine and ecology has been the basis of great discussion and tremendous amount of money is being poured into research and development in the sector, with the hope of creating miraculous solutions to our everyday needs.

With the global population growing, governments are searching for solutions through biotechnology to various problems they are facing, such as food shortages, desertification, epidemics etc. German publisher Springer’s definitive tome, “Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry” provides insight from the world’s brightest minds on the various developments in scientific research which attempt to provide such answers.

Hence, it was no surprise the importance that was placed upon the book launch held recently at Monash University, with the unveiling of the latest in the reference series, “Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry – Volumes 59, 60 and 61 – Transgenic Crops IV, V & VI”
               
 
“Transgenic Crops IV, V & VI” was edited by Monash University’s head of School of Arts & Sciences Professor Pua Eng Chong, and Michael R. Davey of the University of Nottingham, and highlights the recent advances in cell and tissue culture and genetic transformation methodologies, as well as practical applications of genetic engineering in agriculture and forestry.
                 
The book was launched by Director General of Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Dato' Dr. Abd. Shukor Abd. Rahman, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin. Also present were Emeritus Professor of the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Calgary, the distinguished Professor Trevor A Thorpe, Moansh University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Malaysia), Professor Merilyn Liddell, senior university staff members, acedemics and scientific officers from various institutes and agencies.
 

In his speech, Dato' Dr. Abd. Shukor Abd. Rahman, commented that: “The book will be a useful source of information to scientists conducting transgenics research… (and) for policy makers and research managers, this book will serve to raise awareness of the importance of transgenic crops for the advancement of agriculture and food production… (in) improving the livelihood of the population.”

During the Press conference, Dato' Dr. Abd. Shukor Abd. Rahman also commented: “We see promising trend of the application of biotechnology in our daily lives, such as biotech cotton and biotech corn, and these technologies are also being taken up by our neighbouring countries". "These books will provide a valuable reference in our move to spearhead research in the region, and hopefully the books will be used widely among our research institutes and universities,” he added.
 
When asked about his thoughts when initiating the editing process of the series, Professor Pua Eng Chong said, “My initial idea was to write a book on purely tropical crops entitled “Tropical Crop Biotechnology”. However, during discussions with the publisher they mentioned that the topics can be widened into Transgenic Crops as volumes I, II and III of the series needed to be updated. Hence, the initial two years I had set for the one volume (for Tropical Crops) had to be expanded. Luckily, the strong support of my staff and the senior management (of the university), I was able to search for experts from 26 countries in 8 months.”
               
“The amazing thing about the project was that he (Prof. Pua), was able to complete (editing the series) on time,” injected Professor Thorpe proudly of his ex-postdoctoral student. “He would have been a very committed, and very determined individual to be able to complete such an uphill task.”

“Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry – Volumes 59, 60 and 61 – Transgenic Crops IV, V & VI” are the continuation of the series “Transgenic Crops I, II & III” and comprises 69 chapters contributed by a distinguished panel of experts in crop biotechnology from 26 countries. This series will serve as a key reference for advanced students and researchers in crop sciences, genetics, horticulture, agronomy, cell and molecular biology, biotechnology and other disciplines in life sciences.