Biotech Updates

CBAC Releases Advisory Memorandum on Biotech, Sustainable Development and Canada’s Future Economy

April 20, 2007

After a comprehensive examination of the contribution of biotechnology to Canada’s environment and to the competitiveness of its economy, an expert working group led by Dr. Arthur Hanson submitted a report to the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC) for final assessment. The report, Biopromise? Biotechnology, Sustainable Development and Canada’s Future Economy, makes some specific observations, which include the lack of an integrated national or federal strategy to guide the development and deployment of innovative technological approaches to sustainable development.

In response to the report, CBAC urged the federal government to develop an action plan designed to facilitate initiatives aimed at realizing the benefits of applying biotechnology to sustainable economic development. Two areas of immediate government attention are suggested: the development of biorefineries and the development of a program for monitoring ecosystem impacts.

 Read the full report at http://cbac-cccb.ca/epic/site/cbac-cccb.nsf/en/ah00623e.html.