Biotech Updates

OECD on Bioeconomy and Biotechnology

May 29, 2009

The biological sciences are adding value to a host of products and services resulting into a "bioeconomy". This bioeconomy could make major socio-economic contributions to improve health, boost agricultural productivity and industrial processes, and enhance environmental sustainability. Coordinated policy action by governments is needed to harness the bioeconomy's potential and reap the benefits of the biotechnology revolution. This is the view of The Bioeconomy to 2030: Designing a Policy Agenda published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The report reviews biotechnology applications, and the role of R & D funding, human resources, intellectual property, and regulation in the bioeconomy. Scenarios up to 2030 are presented to show the interplay of policy choices and technological advances in shaping the bioeconomy.

See the report at http://www.oecd.org/document/38/0,3343,en_2649_36831301_42570790_1_1_1_1,00.html