| Description: | Biotechnology provides a set of tools that, if appropriately integrated with other technologies, can be applied for the sustainable development of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, as well as the food industry. Biotechnology includes a wide array of techniques and applications. Examples include micropropagation, allowing for multiplication of virus-free plants; marker-assisted selection applied to conventional breeding, or genetic engineering, for the production of genetically modified organisms with new, improved traits. The impact of modern biotechnology on the environment and human and animal health needs careful assessment on a case by case basis. FAO may provide advice and assistance to countries on this matter. However, final decisions on the use of biotechnology remain a national responsibility.
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