Around the world, scientists are working to develop new varieties of crops that can resist pests, use less water, and generally thrive in less than optimal growing conditions. Hand-in-hand with scientific research, countries must adopt policies that allow their farmers to take advantage of new products being developed through research. Government policies should encourage the safe use of new technologies, not cause farmers and consumers to fear it.

—Ann M. Veneman, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

The dawn of the new millennium saw explosive advances in biotechnology. Technological breakthroughs offered scientists and physicians unprecedented opportunities to develop previously inconceivable solutions to pressing problems in agriculture, environmental science, and medicine. Simultaneously, researchers, politicians, ethicists, theologians, and the public were challenged to assess, analyze, and determine the feasibility of using new and innovative biotechnology in view of the opportunities, possibilities, risks, benefits, and diverse viewpoints about the safe, effective, and ethical applications of genetic research.

This chapter describes several examples of existing and proposed applications of genetic research and biotechnology, including uses that address such pressing problems as environmental pollution and world hunger as well as the role of genetic engineering in developing lifesaving medical therapeutics. It also considers industry and consumer viewpoints as well as recommendations scientists, policy makers, and ethicists have made regarding the wise, judicious, and equitable use of these technologies.