In the US over 21 million hectares are planted with biotechnology-aided corn, cotton and soyabean crops.

Japan has approved seven new varieties of genetically `improved' crops that are defined safe for human consumption' though there were demands to slap a ban on their imports.

In Canada, three million hectares are planted with GMO crops, over 100 scientists have formed a national coalition to support the responsible development and application of biotechnology and have called for informed dialogue based on sound science.

China grows on large areas a virus resistant tobacco variety developed with the tools of biotechnology.

African scientists also are examining the potential and opportunities that biotechnology can offer in the field of agriculture.

A USDepartment Agriculture (USDA) report says that American farmers planted nearly 30 per cent of their corn fields with Bt (bascillus thuringiensis) corn and 27 per cent of cotton fields with Bt cotton. The US farmers are said to have planted 57 per cent of soyabean acreage with herbicide tolerant varieties against 42 per cent last year.

The US regulators responsible for ensuring the safety of genetically improved crops has said that `` Our regulatory system is based on the most rigorous scientific information available is credible, is defensible and will serve to protect the environment and public health''.

Japan has approved genetically improved cotton, corn, soyabeans, rapeseed, potatoes, tomatoes and sugar beet as safe for human consumption and there would be large-scale import of these varieties mainly from the US. Quoting Reuters, Monsanto India says the health and welfare ministry of Japan has claimed that it was following the recommendations of an advisory committee of academics, consumerorganisations, food-standard agencies and medical associations.

Among the newly approved products are the herbicide-resistant/insect protection cotton developed by Calgene Inc; two varieties of herbicide-resistant corn developed by DeKlab Genetics Corp and herbicide resistant corn developed by Monsanto.

Supporting the responsible development and application of biotechnology, over 100 scientists have urged Canadians to participate in a dialogue about the technology's potential and encourage them to base that dialogue on sound science, on facts and on the technology's potential. They say that ``it is important for Canadians to understand that food biotechnology uses the same tool that has provided more than 100 medical products, including insulin, hepatitis vaccine, and products for counteracting cardio-vascular disease. Biotechnology has the potential for equally impressive results in crops''.

The scientists claim that a new variety of genetically improved rice can dramatically enhance the dietary supplyof vitamin A and iron and help eradicate anaemia and the resultant physical and mental retardation among over 400 million women of childbearing age in the developing countries.

They also emphasis on the capabilities of the new technolgy to increase food production and ensure environmental sustainability.

John Mugabe, executive director of the African Centre for Technolgy studies in Kenya says that in Africa biotechnology offers new opportunities to transform real world agriculture without undermining local ecologies and socio-economic landscapes.