The recent focus of agricultural planning is on sustainable development which is very
pertinent to Malaysian rice industry. Therefore, this study intends to assess the long term
economic sustainability of Malaysian rice farming (1972-2014), by reviewing the bottom line
of prices and the purchasing power of rice (PPR). Statistical information of time series data on
farm harvest price of rice (PR), wholesale commodity price (WP) and rice production for 42
years period was obtained and compiled from the AGROSTAT system of the statistical
division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), World Bank and the Department of Statistics, Malaysia. The data was
analysed using Abdullah’s analysis of the impact of changes the value and purchasing power
of money and wheat in real terms (2013, p.71). The outcome reveals that the PR follows the
general price trend in commodities, even with increased productivity. Thus, the index value of
PR in 2014 at 375% of 1972 prices and WP generally at 614%, then the PPR or ‘real rice’ was
only 61% of what it was in 1972, and therefore had lost 39% of its purchasing power,
signifying that rice was relatively low in price.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with substantial clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Advances in ALS genomics, emerging gene-targeted therapies, and genotype-specific clinical trials have increased the importance of genetic counselling and testing for individuals with ALS and their families. However, access to these services remains highly variable globally due to disparities in healthcare infrastructure, laboratory capacity, specialist availability, and funding. Existing guidance has largely been developed in high-resource settings and may not be feasible or equitable worldwide. The International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations convened an international, multidisciplinary Genetics Task Force to develop expert consensus recommendations for genetic counselling, genetic testing, and laboratory practice in ALS across diverse geographic and resource settings. Recommendations were developed through a structured, iterative consensus process incorporating clinical expertise, lived experience perspectives, published evidence, and global representation. Final recommendations were reviewed and approved through anonymous voting at an in-person consensus meeting. The resulting recommendations establish both minimum and aspirational best practices, emphasizing equitable access, informed decision-making, culturally responsive counselling, tiered genetic testing approaches, and context-appropriate laboratory standards. These globally informed recommendations provide a pragmatic framework to support clinicians, laboratories, policymakers, and advocacy organizations in improving access to high-quality ALS genetics services worldwide.