Concluding Remarks
Rice is a diverse crop that grows in different ecosystems.
The Green Revolution saved millions of people
with additional food but could not prevent hunger and
poverty because of certain limitations and inadequate
management available to take full advantage of the
Green Revolution.
Current gene evolution should provide wide scope
for the application of biotechnology across ecosystems
and crop barriers. Farmers require improved seeds. A
biotech-based package of improvements can be incorporated
into seeds, which should reach farmers with further
information on appropriate practice and
management and confirmation of their safety. Policymakers
should look into their potential use and provide
access to intellectual property rights irrespective of the
nature of their ownership. Intellectual property rights
should not be a barrier to advancing this technology for
the benefit of human beings. The United Nations
declared 2004 “the year of rice.” Let us hope that all rice
germplasm, including biotech-based products, will
remain as a public good in good faith and with international
understanding for the greater benefit of all people—
particularly resource-poor people.