Editorial - 16-10

This month will go down as one of the most significant in the short history of Canada’s biotechnology industry. With Toronto Bio2002 conference serving as a backdrop, many public and private sector groups used the event as a launching pad for new initiatives, major announcements and a greater measure of credibility.

There’s no doubt Canada is a major player in the global biotechnology industry, ranking second or third depending on how you’re counting. Biotech is also emerging as one of the key sectors in Ottawa’s innovation agenda, and the government is taking steps so that Canada and Canadians will benefit from its considerable investment in R&D.

Ontario is also investing heavily in the sector, and is continuing with its financial commitment in spite of shrinking revenues (see page 3). As the nation’s largest provincial player, Ontario has a lot to gain — and lose — as the pace of development and commercialization accelerates.

Prior to the opening of Bio2002, the federal advisory body for biotechnology released its final report on the patenting of higher life forms (see page 6). Its recommendations are certain to trigger significant changes in the regulatory and policy regime for biotech.

More than ever S&T is changing the very nature of human existence on the planet, and biotechnology figures prominently as the revolution unfolds.

As many have predicted in the past, the 21st Century will be the century of biotechnology, for better or for worse. Caution and prudence must prevail to ensure that its benefits are distributed widely and safely.

Mark Henderson, Managing Editor