The Road to Commercialization of Transgenic Products in Taiwan -A Bridge Too Far

Abstract

The government of Taiwan commenced a national effort of investing in biotechnology very early in the 1980s and Steadily increased public investment in various national initiatives and programs. Today, after 10 years of the National Science and Technology Program for Agricultural Biotechnology (NSTP/AB), it has established a solid research foundation, yet has achieved no notable successes in its goals of commercialization. While no one has any doubts over the technological capacity that Taiwan possesses, there are clearly gaps yet to be identified that are preventing the access of bridging R&D and markets. This paper discusses strategies in product development cycles and possible deficiencies that Taiwan must overcome to realize this great potential.