Tuesday, 2 May 2000 / CSIRO Media Release / Ref 2000/114
SA legislators will need to provide clear guidelines about acceptable gene
technology, State parliamentarians were told at a CSIRO Science Briefing in
Adelaide today. New biotechnology industries will not invest where gene
technology is not supported, according to CSIRO Molecular Science chief, Dr
Annabelle Duncan. "There is a lot of infrastructure and capital needed to
scale up these technologies from laboratory scale to a level where companies
are prepared to take them on," Dr Duncan says. There is high consumer
acceptance for use of gene technology in pharmaceutical and biomedical
industries, according to Dr Edwina Cornish, Professor of Biotechnology and
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at the University of Adelaide.Dr Cornish
told the Briefing that agriculture is critically important to SA's future
and the State needs to foster a more entrepreneurial culture to grow the
biotechnology industry. "We have already achieved some major successes in
gene technology," she says. "Researchers at Adelaide University's Waite
campus are leading the way in key areas of plant biotechnology, and
companies such as Bresagen are further evidence of the wealth of talent we
have in this State." CSIRO Plant Industry chief, Dr Jim Peacock told the
parliamentarians that public research institutions like the CSIRO need to
continue gene technology research to develop valuable intellectual property
(IP). "The science of gene technology offers tremendous benefits but it
operates within a complex business system," Dr Peacock says. "If we cannot
access the IP we need, we become limited in our ability to help farmers and
the community. "A strong research base will allow us to develop crucial IP
of our own, giving us strength in trading relationships and control over our
food supply. "We need to ensure Australia remains a leader in this
technology, ultimately gaining the best deal for Australia and the
Australian community," he says. Gene technology presents an opportunity to
improve crop efficiency, profitability and sustainability. But GMOs have
applications beyond food production and can be used to produce chemicals to
replace petrochemical feedstock, and make insulin and blood products.
(posted without permission)
