Influence of biotechnology on today and future society

What influence does biotechnology have on the today's society and what position will it have reached in twenty years time? At the beginning of this year, 51 experts from science and industry came together to answer these and other questions. Their results have now been presented in a so-called "Cologne Paper" at the biotechnology conference "En Route to the Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy", which took place under the umbrella of the German European Council Presidency on 30 May in Cologne.

The Paper concludes that the influence of biotechnology will grow constantly in the years to come - not only in biomedicine and plant research, but also in the industrial sector. Here, biotechnology is seen as key to addressing such concerns as dwindling raw materials and energy shortages. It is hoped that highly developed bioprocess techniques will enable the development of more environmentally sound and efficient procedures in many areas of industrial production in chemistry, pharma and agriculture, and can thus make a contribution to a sustainable economy. Alongside, the experts also believe that the development of a whole set of new products will only be possible with the use of biotechnological methods - for example through targetedly developed genetically modified microorganisms. On the basis of today's figures, the experts predict that in 2030 the worldwide turnover of industrial biotechnology will be in the region of 300 billion euros, which corresponds to a third of the predicted total industrial production.

However, alongside the positive forecasts made in the Cologne Paper, a number of hurdles have also been pointed out, which could stand in the way of the realisation of the more optimistic outlooks. For example, it is repeated that an insufficient number of qualified scientists are emerging from the education system and that therefore special efforts are required to inspire young people to take up research and science. Beyond this, the experts fear that European research institutions are not adequately financially equipped to be able to offer attractive positions for outstanding scientists.

The following statement from the experts provided the Paper with a little explosive material: From their point of view, an intensified use of genetic engineering and biotechnological procedures in agriculture will be essential on a long term basis. This means that "future conflicts regarding agriculturally usable land (nutritional versus industrial plants) must be met with innovation". Here, the breeding of genetically modified plants can make a contribution to defusing the conflict, hope the experts. Alongside this, modern plant research is also necessary for the industry, as the experts predict that conventional breeding methods will not be able to supply the future demand for biomass - for example for biofuel production - or the ingredients demanded by industry. "We will not be able to do without green biotechnology", write the experts in the Cologne Paper. (http://www.biotechnologie.de)

Дата: 10.12.2007