Biotechnology Opportunities abound in biotech
Biotechnology uses microorganisms to generate products and services, and since ancient times it has provided fermented products such as wine and beer. Biotechnology is now more sophisticated, with significant impacts on human endeavour and industry ─ from human and animal health, to agriculture, mining, energy and the chemical industry. Biotechnology has the potential to provide
more sustainable sources of energy and transport fuels, industrial chemicals and construction materials, using renewable resources and environmentally-sensitive manufacturing. Biotechnology provides tools to improve the harvest potential of crop plants by improving insect resistance, nutritional value and other valuable characteristics in commercial food and fibre plants. Furthermore, biotechnology has a demonstrated track record in the discovery and development of new drugs and diagnostic tools to diagnose and treat disease, improve health and maintain wellbeing. China clearly recognises the pivotal role of biotechnology as an enabling technology to
progress the nation to an economy based on innovation and ingenuity, as articulated in China’s most recent Five Year Plan. China intends to commit substantial funding (US$2.4 billion) to bio-based drug discovery and development, and healthcare platform technologies. This funding is in addition to policies which nurture emerging strategic industries, including sustainable energy and biotechnology1
. Like Australia, China has already realised the value generated
by biotechnology, particularly in agriculture. China has invested strongly in developing transgenic crops and has an aggressive policy supporting the uptake of those crops. Transgenic sweet peppers and papaya are widely sold across China, modified poplars and Bt cotton2
are cultivated, and new genetic varieties
of rice and maize are currently in field trials. The economic and environmental benefits of transgenic crops in China could be substantial: Bt rice alone may generate returns of approximately US$4 billion per year3
. Similarly, Australia has a long history of
crop breeding, with new varieties of transgenic cotton, drought- resistant wheat and high sucrose sugarcane ready for cultivation. International trends to energy security and sustainable fuels
are recognised by both China and Australia. Commercial scale fuel ethanol production has been established in China based on home- grown biotechnologies, and by collaboration with international technology firms such as Denmark’s Novozyme. Australia is likewise planning for the future with bio-refinery projects4
,
mandated ethanol-blend fuels and the Sustainable Biojet Fuel Initiative, involving aviation fuels based on plant oils. Like China, Australia supports research in bio-pharmaceuticals
as an investment in health and wellbeing. Australia has an extensive medical research community with a sound record discovering disease mechanisms, new treatments, diagnostic tests and medical devices. The efforts of Australian researchers are recognised globally in drug and vaccine development, including: the world’s first anti-flu drug, Relenza; the Gardasil vaccine for cervical cancer; spray-on skin for burns victims; and the first live vaccine against malaria, with human trials beginning soon. The opportunity exists for China and Australia to work together
to meet bold biotechnology goals for economic development. Australia has a long history of innovation in biotechnology research, particularly in human health, supported by regulatory frameworks of international standards, clinical and field trial capability and an understanding of Western market demands. China is clearly ambitious to improve the welfare of its citizens and build innovative industries. By collaboration and partnership, Australia and China have the potential to construct an enduring future in biotechnology.
Dr Dianne Glenn Principal, Corelli Consulting
dianne.glenn@
corelli-consulting.com
www.corelli-consulting.com
FOOTNOTES 1
2 3 4
Hepeng Jia Nature Biotechnology 28, 990, October 2010 Plants which express an insect toxin from bacteria Hepeng Jia Nature Biotechnology 28, 390-391, May 2010
“Australian Integrated Biorefinery Complex: Green manufacturing to Future- proof Australia”, a report by Corelli Consulting for the CRC Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology 2009
Australia China: BEYOND TOMORROW 85
AUSTRALIA
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180