BioLines
Vol. 40 June 2003 Editor: M. Koch |
|
AfricaBio Biotechnology
Stakeholders Association
Tel: 012 667 2689 Fax: 012 667 1920
www.africabio.com |
|||
|
BioLines is AfricaBio’s ‘Biotechnology
Headlines’ – a quick guide to what is topical. By design, the articles are
not exhaustive, but references are given to follow up points of interest. Let
us know what you like and dislike about BioLines and what you want to see as part of
this service. Articles are edited to meet space requirements. It is not the
intention of this service to infringe on copyright. Biolines is issued free of charge
and every effort is made to acknowledge the source of information. |
|||||
|
CONTENTS:
_______________________________________________________________________________ |
|||||
Biotechnology a hot
career choice for the 21st Century
whybiotech.com (shortened)
'Expert predicts 400 000 people will be employed in biotech industry by 2011'.
Biotechnology has been called the cutting-edge industry of the new century. But
you can see the potential of a career in biotechnology in something as simple,
old and traditional as rice, one of the world's first foods. "The future
of agriculture will be navigated using the rice genome map," says Stephen
Goff, a geneticist at Syngenta Biotechnology. Goff was part of a team that in
2002 finished mapping the complete genetic structure, or genome, of rice, a
breakthrough scientists say will lead to varieties of rice (and other cereal
crops) that taste better, provide more nutrition and are easier to grow.
In The Coming Biotech Age, Richard Oliver of
That growth is reflected in regional biotech centres like the
Most of these jobs are in the medical field. A Feb 03 study by Bio Economic
Research Associates said that of the 1200 biotechnology companies in the
Increasingly, states, cities, even countries, are competing to attract these
high-skill, high-paying jobs. Currently there are nine biotech "hot spots"
on the east and west coasts, with
There are several career paths into this growing industry:
Research and development: R&D generates and tests the ideas that become new
biotechnologies. There are more jobs in this area than any other, according to
* Clinical research: Scientists in clinical research get the ideas
generated by R&D and take them into the field for "real world"
tests and observation.
* Quality control: Because biotech
foods directly affect human health, high standards are critical during their
development. Quality control ensures products are developed and tested safely
in accordance with law.
* Sales and marketing: There's a
strong need for sales and marketing pros with a science backgrounds who can
communicate effectively with researchers and customers alike.
* Regulatory: Regulatory affairs
workers play a key role in getting products approved, by ensuring the company
is in compliance with all government regulations for new products.
While a large share of the research and development is being carried out by
biotech companies like those that make up the Council for Biotechnology Information,
12 of the top 35 organizations that conduct biotech research are universities. (http://www.whybiotech.com/index.asp?id=2983)
GM - The Bigger
Picture (Comments from a British Farmer)
Keith H
Adamson (farmer)
HND, NSch, AgBioView,
24 May 03, friarton@btconnect.com (shortened)
'Biotechnology is here to help man, it is another invention we should be proud
of'. For the vast majority the public debate is really just opinions on a subject
that most people don't fully understand. I know that's slightly condescending
but heavily truthful. Some people's opinions are based on no knowledge, some
influenced by sensationalised stories by our naughty but interesting to read
press, while others are based on some knowledge, the wrong stuff, fed by
certain organisations with agendas. You may now say Drs, BSc and other degree holders
are also against the biotechnology. But again there aren’t many who disagree
who have looked
into 'all' the information and facts. But it is the easy way out to disagree
if you haven't.
Certain organic groups like the soil association who have e-mailed all their
members to send a letter to try and influence the debate with shear letter
numbers are building an increased market on the back of first scare stories
about pesticide residues in conventional farming and now biotechnology with
cleverly worded half stories. And congratulations must go to them, they have
done a successful job. I would be worried also, as biotech crops are half way
to organic. And unfortunately Greenpeace way back also got on this
environmental bandwagon. I must admit it seemed the right thing to do when you
first hear about the technology and don’t know that much about it and their
very remit is to look after the environment. Yes it does have the
potential to affect the environment if not tested, re-tested, peer-reviewed,
glasshouse evaluated and tested again, but so does organic and conventional
farming. I agree full testing and regulations are required. Leaving us with a
technology that has the power to help man and the environment to unparalleled
levels that agriculture has never witnessed before and crops that independent
scientists have said are no more dangerous (and possibly safer) than
conventional or organic crops that haven’t been tested.
Biotechnology is here to help man, it is another invention we should be proud of.
It can help reduce (not get rid of) the ugly footprint man has been leaving on
the face of earth. This leaves Greenpeace with a big dilemma. It thought it
could only use old-fashioned methods. I’m sure some on-board will slowly begin
to cringe. The highly respected Royal Society has concurred that the anti-GM
lobby has created a 'smokescreen of unfounded claims' that has seriously misled
the public. I can hear you thinking why don't we all go organic, but the bigger
picture is that we can't. There wouldn't be enough yield it's as simple as
that and if there was we couldn't afford it. And we wouldn't want to take any
more of our precious natural habitat for agriculture in order to give organics
enough acres to produce that yield. Don't even think about the set-aside percent
or
Conventional agriculture has filled the required yield gap most admirably with
our limited resources and knowledge. Do not think we know it all though, as new
technology down the line will supersede as it has in the past, but hopefully
with less other food scares like BSE, foot and mouth and Dioxin, which have
sensitised peoples change thresholds this time. With a population of 6.1 billion
and the WHO predicting 9.1 billion in only 47 years, conventional farming and
our environment would surely be under great strain. In 25 years the
Yes conventional is not perfect, organic is not perfect and biotechnology is
not perfect but I believe the latter is the only one that can feed our populace
and point us towards a more sustainable future. I also believe it is
important that all 3 types of farming exist. Certain types suit certain
areas and countries at certain times depending on their present problems,
pests, weeds, economics, population, climate, resources and development.
But on a whole, biotechnology has many positive areas. Less insecticides thus
more biodiversity from reduction of blanket spraying, much more benign
chemicals, less mycotoxins, more nutritious foods, healthier higher
anti-oxidant (cancer fighting) and mineral enriched foods. With numerous new
hospital drugs and many more awaiting approval, modified crop vaccines that are
totally underrated by all that complain about the technology; do they realise
they are trying to stop the saving of innumerable lives. Far less greenhouse
gases from the easier move to min-till or reduced till that Roundup Ready crops
allow. With it less soil erosion, less soil run-off, less fuel burnt, less
plastic cans, less transportation and electricity used. Water and air
quality have increased, it's not hard to see why when Canada reports the use of
6000 tons less chemical used in one year
on one crop - canola.
The pipeline has more crops resistant to key diseases, reducing more chemical,
foods that can seriously reduce heart disease and gastrointestinal cancer like
tomatoes with higher quantities of lycopene. Also bio-fertilisers (plant nodule
bacteria) are very possible. The list of gains and potentials can go on. So
it's not perfect, it won't feed the world and no one can guarantee that it's 100
% safe, just as no one can guarantee that conventional or organic are 100 %
safe. Every problem has been blown out of proportion. Keep it real, man!
Remember peanuts kills 11 people in the
GM Foods: Is Bush
right to criticise
BBC
Feedback from Readers, AgBioView, 24 May 03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/2930980.stm
“A
lot of lies and scare tactics have been employed in
protectionism.”
“When
the details of the GM crops theory are studied closely it is perfectly clear
that this is all about controlling the food source and has absolutely nothing
to do with alleviating famine at all. More devastating though will be the
effects of altering the food chain in an irreversible way. In my view, those
corporations/politicians involved will be guilty of a crime greater than anything
in recorded history.”
“I'm
not sure if GM foods are completely safe but surely there is more danger from
starvation and famine?”
“GM
food increases yield while reducing the cost of using dangerous herbicides and
pesticides. It sounds like a good idea for a continent ravished by starvation
and famine. Those opposed to GM crops should provide scientific proof showing,
if any, the detrimental effects to humans or the environment. If no proof is
available then saving lives now by providing GM food outweighs any
"theoretical" argument against its use.” J McLaren, Australian
“It
is interesting that a lot of people make the case for GM foods on the basis of
the large number of people dying of hunger everywhere. The fact is, however,
that in most of these regions, there is a food shortage because of human
factors such as corruption or inefficiency and not because of a lack of
resources per se. As consumers, we
all have the right to chose what to eat and what not to eat and those of us living
in
“American
way of life, either you're with us or you're an enemy, now eat what we
Americans want you to eat. Time will tell,
healthier.” Kwame Kum, African/US
“I
am all for GM crops, but they must be available for all at low cost.” Justin
Harrison,
“The
reality is that thousands of African children die daily from the effects of
food insecurity. It is a high-minded luxury to condemn GM foods when they can
save the lives of thousands. In a world with no absolutes we have very little
choice but to accept GM foods, like it or not.” Robert
McCarthy, Kenya
Establishment of an ICGEB
biosafety outstation
ICGEB
Biosafety News, May 03. (http://www.icgeb.org/biosafety/outstation.htm)
(shortened)
ICGEB has recently entered into an Agreement with the "Fondazione
Cassamarca", an Italian non-profit organization, for the establishment of
a Biosafety Outstation for training and research in risk assessment and
management of the environmental release of GMOs. The Outstation, equipped for
studies in molecular genetics and with a high-containment greenhouse, will be
located in the
The main activities foreseen by this new laboratory will include:
1.
Research and definition of appropriate procedures for risk assessment
(horizontal gene flow, persistency, allergies, induction of resistance,
susceptibility, etc.);
2. Research aimed at the identification
of new environment-friendly technologies and/or methodologies for plant
transformation;
3. Definition of new protocols for the
identification of GMOs in food, feed and seeds and their products thereof;
4. The set-up of an
"observatory" for the monitoring of GMO' stability and possible
biodiversity or cultivar reductions;
5. Training activities, constituted by
courses on risk assessment as well as long-term training (initially at the
post-doctoral level) of fellows originating from ICGEB Member States, to be
incorporated in the research programmes of the Outstation.
Who's listening?
AgBioView,
20 May 03 (Shortened). The Guardian (UK), 19 May 03, guardian.co.uk
There has been considerable activity among academics in the run-up to the public
debate due to be launched next month to consider views and the results of field
trials. But Mr Meacher said licences for growing GM crops in the
Scientific opinion appears much more favourable to the new technology to judge
from submissions to the national GM review promoted by the government. But they
are by no means unanimous. The review's website, www.sciencedebate.org.uk, carries
evidence ranging from "Transgenic cotton a winner in India" by
Professor Chris Leaver, head of plant science at
Oxford, to "Chronicle of an ecological disaster foretold" by Dr
Mae-Wan Ho, of Hong Kong University, and Professor Joe Cummins, of the
University of Western Ontario.
One of the most interesting contributions is from Professor RJ Berry, of University
College London, who sees the main problem as the risk to biodiversity, both by
the possibility of targeted pest and weed control, and by the indirect effects
on organisms higher in the food chain (such as seed-eating or insectivorous
birds). "This risk has certainly been over-emphasised in the context of GM
because the whole trend in modern farming has been to minimise the occurrence
of unwanted (weeds or 'volunteers'), thus creating as near approximations to
monoculture as possible. There has been a cataclysmic decline in many farmland
specialist bird species as a consequence. But this has nothing to do with GM,
despite irresponsible scare stories of the dangers...There is no intrinsic reason
why GM will necessarily be more malign to biodiversity than current farming
practices, but continued monitoring is clearly going to be important," he
writes.
Professor Berry diagnoses one of the key problems in the attitudes of scientists
themselves. "In reality, the most problematic issues are those at the
borders of science, where science meets society. Natural scientists have had a
bad habit in the past of leaving such 'fringe' issues to social scientists. Most
natural scientists still have not convinced of the need to contribute more
fully to such topics." He recalls chairing a committee investigating the
overuse of pesticides and toxic chemicals in farming. "It took 2 years
hard work to convince the natural scientists involved that there was more to
their work than merely producing hard data and an even more difficult task to
persuade the social scientists that the sole function of natural science was not
simply to produce data for their use," he says, adding: "These
barriers must be broken down if there is to be a trust in 'science' and a
sensible debate about GM and its possibilities, particularly in the developing
world."
David
Dickson, SciDev.Net, 30 May 03. © SciDev.Net 03 (shortened)
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced that this government is to give
Can$30 million towards setting up an African centre of excellence in
"biosciences for agriculture". According to Chrétien, the new centre
"will serve as a focal point for African scientists to develop the
capacity to conduct, drive and fund advanced biosciences research programmes in
priority development areas". The
new grant is part of a set of initiatives with a combined value of Can$60
million, each concerned with either agriculture or youth, that are being
financed out of the Canada Fund for Africa.
This Can$500 million fund was set up last year to support the implementation of
an "action plan" for
"As
a principal architect of the G8 Africa Action Plan,
Chrétien also announced that the Canada Fund for
the consultative group's 16 agricultural research centres are increasing their
Africa-specific research, focusing on the needs of small-scale farmers and
women producers.
Action against famine,
especially in
AgBioView.
4 Jun 03, 'Famine Action Plan Encourages Developing Countries To Use Biotech
Crops'
We recognise that food security is a global concern. Millions of people world-wide
are at risk of starvation, of which over 40 million are in
To address these issues, we are working with the Secretary-General of the UN
and relevant international bodies to prevent and mitigate famine. G8 action to
address famine in
for
We are committed to contributing actively to solutions in each of these areas.
In order to improve significantly the capacity both of the countries affected
and of the international community to anticipate and prevent famine, we will:
1. Meet emergency food assistance needs
1.1 We are determined to tackle
urgent food shortages, through immediate measures. Remaining shortfalls in
1.2 Since Kananaskis, we have
delivered US$ 3.3 billion of emergency assistance to address these humanitarian
needs world-wide, including US$ 1.7 billion for Sub-Saharan Africa.
We will address new needs when they are confirmed with appropriate aid commitments.
2. Improve assessment capacities,
warning systems and prevention mechanisms
2.1 We will support the
strengthening of national, regional and international capacity for developing
accurate needs assessments as well as better shared analysis and understanding
of vulnerability and its links to food insecurity. This should include
appropriate use of common
benchmarks and pre-famine indicators that combine production with food access
and utilisation/nutrition indicators.
2.2 We will support the review and
improvement of early warning and crop forecast systems as well as contingency
planning at the national and regional level, in order to increase emergency
preparedness and response. National decision makers will need to act on
information provided in a timely manner and commit sufficient resources to fund
and staff such systems.
3. Increase aid effectiveness
3.1 We commit ourselves to more flexible and efficient approaches to the use
of aid in specific food crisis situations. Aid must be more responsive to the
needs of recipients, avoid distortions to local production and not undermine
local markets. We will utilise both food assistance and cash to avoid or
mitigate the impact of famine, taking into account the availability of food
locally, ability of vulnerable populations to pay for food, and other relevant
local market conditions.
3.2 Contributions should include as
necessary non-food items (such as seeds, tools, vaccines, medicines, school
supplies, tents) and help ensure that emergency non-food needs (such as water
and sanitation) are adequately addressed.
3.3 Alternative tools may be used
when food is available, such as cash assistance to especially vulnerable
populations and "cash for work" programmes.
3.4 We will actively participate in
discussions in relevant fora and institutions that address food aid modalities,
and promote flexible, sustainable, efficient and responsive aid approaches
while avoiding distortions to local markets. This includes working to bring new
donors and new approaches to bear on addressing famine.
4. Longer term initiatives to address
food insecurity
4.1 We will support integrated approaches and programmes to identify and tackle
the root causes of hunger and malnutrition.
4.2 Food security, rural and
agricultural development must be adequately addressed in the context of
national development and poverty planning as well as in multilateral and
bilateral donor response strategies. To this end, we deem it necessary to
increase productive investment in rural and agricultural development to achieve
lasting food security. We undertake to work towards reversing the decline of
official development assistance to
agriculture and increasing trade opportunities for developing countries.
4.3 We are ready to support efforts
by developing country governments to pursue these aims, including through
support of sound agricultural policies at the national and regional levels, of
development of farmers' organisations, of productive investment in agricultural
infrastructure and inputs, promotion of food crops and of competitiveness of
export crops. We will encourage improved scientific resources and adaptation of
new and improved agricultural technologies including tried and tested biotechnology
for use in developing countries.
4.4 Since Kananaskis, we have
committed US$ 3.2 billion to long term agricultural and food security
assistance, including US$ 1.4 billion for Sub-Saharan Africa.
4.5 We are particularly determined
to intensify the fight against HIV/AIDS, given the immense impact of this
disease particularly in African countries, especially on food production and
other aspects of food security. Food and related emergency aid distribution
should also prioritise the nutritional needs of those infected and the needs of
vulnerable groups most affected by the pandemic. Preserving familial and social
structures, or compensating for their disruption, is key to ensuring food
security.
4.6 Good governance is vital for
lasting progress on poverty reduction and food security as well as economic
growth. We will support efforts by developing countries to establish sound
political and economic governance frameworks. Building on the work of the G8
Contact Group on famine, we will work actively to take this Action Plan forward
in all relevant international fora.
Better barley today
makes for better beer tomorrow
Brenna
Doheny, Daily Barometer, Oregon State University, 4 June 03. AgBioView. 4 Jun 03.
'
In the
Hayes' research has found that the genes responsible for malting quality can be
separated from the genes responsible for row numbers. While the bulk of his
barley research centres on genetics, Hayes is quick to point out that the
barley plants used for consumption are not actually products of genetic
engineering. The
For more
information, visit Hayes' project website at http://www.barleyworld.org.
|
“Although we
live in an era of incredible innovation in science and technology about
200 million Africans and many others in the developing world live a life
of abject poverty, are hungry and malnourished”. Dr. F. Wambugu, African Harvest A harvest CEO appointed to Bill Gate’s
science board (shortened) |
|
|
||||
|
||||||
Publications
HighWire: Library of the
Sciences and Medicine http://www.highwire.org
* More than 12 million searchable journal articles
* World's largest collection of free full-text articles
* 6 different search tools to locate what you need
* Online archives of Plant Physiology and The Plant Cell, plus more than 350
other journals covering the sciences and medicine Find what you need at
Stanford University's http://www.highwire.org
(Source - ASPB News http://www.aspb.org, via
AgBioView 24May2003)
The Status of Public and Proprietary
Germplasm and Information: An Assessment of Recent Developments at FAO. IP
Strategy Today No. 7-2003 by
We are pleased to inform you that IP Strategy Today
No. 7-2003 by Cary Fowler has been published. The paper can be downloaded
for free on: http://biodevelopments.org/ip/index.htm
Events
13th Triennial Symposium for International Society for Tropical Root
Crops
(ISTRC-Global) to be held between 9th-15th Nov 03 in Arusha,
Tanzania. The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) is
co-organizing it with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in
Course: Science,
Technology and Innovation Policy
The programme is designed for high-level
decision-makers (ministers, deputy ministers, senior civil servants, diplomats,
development leaders, university presidents and chief executive officers) from
both developing and industrialized countries. Participation will also be open
to senior advisors to heads of state and government. Participants will be drawn
from a diversity of leadership positions including: finance; economic and
development planning; industry; trade; science and technology; education;
health; agriculture; energy; environment and natural resources; information and
communications; and foreign affairs. 30 Nov 03 – 6 Dec 03.
Applications
are due by 1 Sept 03.
Because of the highly interactive nature of this course, the number of
participants is limited. Applications received after the deadline will be
considered on a space-available basis. Participants will be housed in our
executive program residences, within easy walking distance of the
Note: Competency
in English is essential to benefit fully from the programme.
Curriculum: Science, Technology and
Innovation Policy participants attend 5 days of classes
that will rely largely upon collective approaches to problem-solving using case
studies. Emphasis will be placed on interactive learning involving participants
from a diversity of backgrounds and interests.
Science, Technology and
Innovation Policy
Innovation Systems
International Technology
Cooperation
Technology and Foreign Direct
Investment
Intellectual Property
Managing New Technologies
Contact:
Enrollment Services, Executive Programmes,
VACANCIES
The
African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is seeking highly qualified
Africans to assume the following key positions:
1
Senior
project manager - technical operations
Reporting
to the Executive Director, the Senior Project Manager- Technical Operations
will provide overall leadership in the management of AATF’s project portfolio.
Requirements:
M.Sc.
or PhD in agricultural/biological sciences is required plus three to five
years’ research experience; Knowledge of new and advanced agricultural
technology applications; Knowledge/understanding of the technical requirements
of intellectual property management and technology licensing; Proven
experience/skills in project development and management; Demonstrated capacity
to work within a collaborative framework both with individuals and
institutions, and within a multidisciplinary, multicultural setting; Good
communications, computer and interpersonal skills.
2 Legal
counsel
Reporting
to the Executive Director, the holder of this job is the chief legal counsel to
the Foundation whose duties and responsibilities will include: Managing the drafting, reviewing,
negotiating, updating and reporting of all agreements including all License
Agreements and all other legal and contractual documents between the
Foundation and any other party; Creating and fostering networks with licensees;
Keeping abreast with technology transfer policy and legal developments at
national, regional and international level and advising the Board, management
and staff on all new developments and the necessary changes to the Foundation
licensing policy/procedures; Creating and increasing awareness among the
Foundation’s Board of Trustees on all legal and related issues.
Requirements:
Must
be a lawyer/attorney and an advocate of the High Court of country of origin;
Postgraduate training in a relevant field is an added advantage; Knowledge in
Licensing, International Property and Patent Management filing and prosecution
will be an added advantage; Experience in negotiating strategic alliances and
in developing such alliances; Knowledge of and experience in operation of
regulatory agencies and regulatory approval process for plant and food related
materials; Knowledge of and experience in commercial/business transaction
including product liability matters; Knowledge of international and regional
treaties/conventions relating to licensing intellectual property, genetic
resources and other related issues including an ability to keep abreast of
changes as they occur plus demonstrable negotiation skills, the ability to
grasp, in each case, the Foundation’s and the Licensee’s needs and wants;
Excellent communications, computer and interpersonal skills including diplomacy
in interacting with staff at all levels and personnel in other institutions;
Ability to read and comprehend, and analyze any legal publication and to
translate it into a layman’s language.
3 Special assistant to the executive director
for communication/ donors/public relations
The
holder of this job will responsible for the development and implementation of a
communications/media strategy for the foundation in addition to resource
mobilization (including public awareness and marketing) and play a key
intermediary role in matching the needs of the foundation with donor and
potential donor priorities. The duties and responsibilities will include:
Identifying, developing, and implementing funding and supporting opportunities,
plans and mechanisms from a wide range of private and public sources and
ensuring sustained support for the Foundation; Managing the Foundation’s
relationships with its investors including the development of AATF project
concept notes and full project proposals for submission to these investors;
Liaising with AATF senior management and project partners to ensure compliance
with funding and reporting conditions; Being the face of the organization to
the public and handling the press-media strategy; Developing innovative communication
materials for the Foundation.
Requirements:
An
Advanced degree in Communications; Comprehensive knowledge of organizational
policies and practices pertaining to the management of extensive donor base,
preferably in non-profit organizations; Proven outstanding administrative,
organizational, and leadership skills; At least 8 years experience in resource
mobilization management for maximum results and widest inclusion or in advanced
marketing at national, international and multinational levels; Outstanding
interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy and discretion in handling
sensitive issues; Good business experience in the private sector would be an
advantage; Very sound computer skills.
Location:
All
these three positions will be based at the AATF headquarters, situated in
Compensation and tenure:
The salaries for these positions are at competitive
international rates and will be set commensurate with experience. The compensation package includes a housing
allowance, facility to purchase an automobile, assistance with the education of
children, family health insurance, a pension contribution and annual home
leave. The initial period of contract is
for 3 years, and is renewable subject to satisfactory performance and
availability of funding.
Application procedures:
Applicants
for all the three positions should submit a detailed curriculum vitae, a cover
letter and names of three referees who can provide confidential assessment of
their capabilities to: THE RECRUITMENT MANAGER, PREFERRED PERSONNEL, P. O. BOX
53385, NAIROBI, KENYA or by E-mail: cvs@preferredpersonnel.org
Applications should reach us by 30thth
June 2003. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. A final decision
on the appointment is expected to be made by end JULY/early AUGUST 2003. AATF
welcomes applications from all persons who are nationals of Sub-Saharan African
countries, regardless of gender, religious persuasion or political beliefs who
are fluent in both written and spoken English or
French with a working knowledge of the second language.