Using biotechnology to improve human health

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

In 2000, it was announced that scientists had successfully inserted the gene for somatotrophin, a human hormone that is used to treat dwarfism, into the chloroplasts of tobacco plants. Somatotrophin is normally produced by genetically modified bacteria in fermenters, a complicated and costly process. This development with plants opens up a much cheaper alternative for production of this hormone and perhaps others.

1. Using biotechnology on an environmentally sound basis
2. Using biotechnology
3. Improving human health

1. Increasing availability from biotechnology of materials for improving health

1. Using biotechnology to improve diagnostics
2. Transferring technology
3. Providing public information on the benefits and risks of technology
4. Increasing developing countries' ability to participate in biotechnology production
5. Developing effective biological control agents against disease transmitting vectors
6. Assessing costs of health care technologies

1. Rights
2. Inhumanity
3. Health

1. Agenda 21