138 Y. Yuthavong
preferred to control measures for regulation of technology transfer. Provi-
sions should however be made of the unpackaging of technology in the
long run.
 As already stressed, effective transfer of technology followed by adapta-
tion and development, requires continuous interaction between the tech-
nology receivers and R&D personnel. This interaction is lacking in many
developing countries. The technology receivers are mostly in the private
sector, often closely tied with transnational corporations through joint ven-
ture. The proprietary nature of the technology works against interaction
with R&D personnel, by far concentrated in the universities and the public
sector. The possible additional role of the universities as intermediary insti-
tutions for effective technology transfer has mostly been unexplored. Some
developing countries are, however, looking into this role more deeply. On
the one hand, placing industrial science and technology parks in close
proximity with the universities, and on the other hand, forming units for
commercial contracts in the universities. Some developing countries also
have government-sponsored institutions for contractual R&D and other
activities of benefit to technology transfer in the private sector.
 It has been suggested (see e.g., Ventura, 1982) that developing countries
deploy similar strategies as do some large companies in industrialized
countries in acquiring biotechnological capability. These companies, lack-
ing initial expertise and know-how, opted to buy out, or buy into, small
companies which have been successful with biotechnologies. It was argued
that by becoming integral parts of small, ambitious, energetic operations,
developing countries would have direct access to expertise, information,
training opportunities, and can also influence the R&D directions in these
companies. This argument is attractive to a certain extent, but great cau-
tion and forward planning will be needed over selection of the areas and
specific companies in which to make the investment, and the mechanisms
for transfer of technological capabilities.


PATENTING SYSTEM AND PROTECTION OF
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES

 As the patenting system in industrially developed countries is rapidly
undergoing adjustment with respect to protection of biotechnological in-
ventions, a striking contrast is seen with the developing countries, only few
of which have patent laws. Patent laws which exist in the few developing
countries, not surprisingly, reflect the status of industrial development.
The laws are therefore not specifically suitable for protection of biotechno-