MANILA, Philippines - Two books and a monograph on biotechnology were launched recently by the Los Baños-based, Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). The volumes were published jointly by ISAAA and SEARCA in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Development Communication, Indian Society of Cotton Improvement, Chinese Academy of Science, Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSPII), and John Templeton Foundation. Among the speakers at the recent science forum and media conference held at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City where the books were launched were (from left) Dr. Saturnina Halos, chair of the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology advisory team, SEARCA deputy director Dr. Virginia R. Cardenas who represented director Dr. Gil. C. Saguiguit Jr., ABSPII director Dr. Frank Shotkoski, and ISAAA global coordinator and SEAsia Center director Dr. Randy A. Hautea.