One of the most significant technological developments in recent years has been in the field of biotechnology-the application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of materials by biological agents to provide goods and services for agriculture, industry and medicine. Most Asian countries identified biotechnologies as key technologies for future and assigned to them the highest priority for both scientific and industrial development. This monograph reflects the state of biotechnology development in some Asian countries, rich and poor, developed and developing. It is aimed at policy makers whose support is essential to any meaningful biotechnology programme-in order to inform them of the Asian experience in biotechnology development and to stimulate collaboration between biotechnology communities