In agriculture, "biotechnology" is often used synonymously with "genetic modification." It is true that, in most respects, genetic modification is the most important type of agricultural biotechnology; yet it is not the only one. This backgrounder provides a rudimentary introduction to three forms of agricultural biotechnology, seen mainly from the perspective of developing countries. The main emphasis is on genetic modification, but descriptions of tissue culture and genetic marker assisted breeding are provided as well.

1. Department of Anthropology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130 stone@artsci.wustl.edu

2. Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, street, St. Louis, MO NTaylor@danforthcenter.org