US embassy cable - 04HOCHIMINHCITY1302

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 001302 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR, ECON, ETRD, TBIO, PGOV, VM 
SUBJECT: VIETNAM: WAITING FOR A BIOTECH POLICY 
 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  Vietnam may be close to adopting a policy that 
would allow it to use biotechnology to increase agricultural 
output and to improve the health of its citizens.  Vietnam's 
position at a biotech crossroads was highlighted during the recent 
visit of plant biotechnology expert Dr. C.S. Prakash of Tuskegee 
University.  Local biotech experts noted during Dr. Prakash's 
visit that it could be only a matter of months before the GVN 
releases a long-awaited policy announcement on agricultural 
biotechnology.  While Vietnam appears to be on the on the right 
side of the biotech debate, the GVN is still grappling with making 
the leap from the laboratory to the rice paddy.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) ConGen had the opportunity to sound out local experts on 
the status of agricultural biotechnology in Vietnam during the 
September 15-17 visit of Dr. C.S. Prakash, director of Tuskegee 
University's Center for Plant Biotechnology Research.  Dr. Prakash 
made the case for the benefits of biotech in speeches and meetings 
with students and experts in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta 
cities of Can Tho and An Giang.  Prior to coming to southern 
Vietnam, Dr. Prakash participated in a similar program in Hanoi. 
He argued that biotechnology is a safe way to increase 
agricultural productivity and improve the health of consumers in 
developing countries around the world and Vietnam in particular. 
 
3. (SBU) According to local experts, the GVN has officially 
identified the development of biotechnology (BT) as a national 
priority. Professor Nguyen Van Uyen, former Director of the 
Institute of Tropical Biology and one of Vietnam's leading 
advocates of biotechnology, observed that the GVN could release 
its biotech policy in a matter of months.  Sixteen universities 
and institutes in Vietnam are engaged in biotech research. 
According to Professor Uyen and his colleagues, Vietnamese 
authorities understand the value and potential benefits of 
biotechnology for economic development, but they are still 
grappling with the problem of how to put biotech to work for them. 
Various Vietnamese government agencies, in conjunction with 
academia, have been working for more than five years on drafting 
official policy. 
 
4. (SBU) Pending release of Vietnam's biosafety regime, 
institutions like Cuu Long Rice Research Institute (CLRRI) in the 
Mekong Delta are sitting on biotech research that could have rapid 
benefits for farmers and consumers alike.  For example, CLRRI has 
had great success adapting golden rice technology (rice 
genetically fortified with vitamin A and iron) in the laboratory, 
but cannot transmit the technology to the farmer.  Five million 
Vietnamese suffer from anemia and could benefit enormously from 
golden rice, according to Dr. Prakash's counterparts.  These 
contacts explained that the delay in implementing a biosafety 
regime is the result of concerns in Hanoi over possible 
repercussions for Vietnamese exports, especially to Europe.  They 
agreed, however, that little Vietnamese rice was sent to the EU. 
 
5. (SBU) Following implementation of a legal framework, 
dissemination of biotechnology may be rapid.  In the Mekong Delta, 
Can Tho University, CLRRI and An Giang University appear to have 
an effective collaboration with each other and with international 
counterparts, including the International Rice Research Institute 
(IRRI) in the Philippines.  For example, researchers share new 
strains of rice with each other for testing purposes.  CLRRI has 
already had success in transferring new conventional rice 
varieties to local farmers; 56 percent of Mekong Delta farmers use 
CLRRI rice varieties.  The GVN also has agricultural extension 
officers in place down to the local level.  While open to new 
varieties, most farmers still cultivate their own seeds to grow 
crops each season; the concept of buying seed for new crops is 
still novel and regarded with some suspicion.  Local academics 
noted during Dr. Prakash's visit that it is important that good 
quality seed be available to farmers when they use biotech rice 
varieties for the first time.  Poor quality seed could convince 
farmers that biotech varieties are not worth the expense of buying 
seed every season. 
 
6. (SBU) COMMENT: Dr. Prakash's visit highlighted that Vietnam is 
moving forward on agricultural biotechnology, and has substantial 
scientific and technical capacity in this area.  These scientists 
are eagerly awaiting biosafety legislation to begin disseminating 
technology.  While Dr. Uyen expects new regulations within months, 
others say it could be years before the policy takes effect.  Dr. 
Prakash's meetings, speeches, and press coverage were effective in 
highlighting this pressing issue.  END COMMENT. 
 
WINNICK