Opportunities and problems in plant biotechnology – an overview

In Chapter 11 of Our Mutual Friend , Dickens noted that “Mr Podsnap had even acquired a peculiar flourish of his right arm in often clearing the world of its most difficult problems, by sweeping them behind him”. With a surname redolent of a kitchen botanist, Mr Podsnap no doubt realised that problems are mere opportunities for the theatrically dextrous. Perhaps the act of sweeping provides forward momentum to capitalise on yet more problems. In plant biotechnology, many of the problems confronting mankind are opportunities to employ exciting science.