Diapositive 1

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The World Life Sciences Forum, BioVision 2005
Reporting Session Industry Environment
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The World Life Sciences Forum, BioVision 2005
BIOINDUSTRY ENVIRONMENT Science DR. RITA COL
WELL DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF MARYL
AND THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
FORMER DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Society DR. MICHAEL OBORNE DIRECTOR, MULTI-DIS
CIPLINARY ISSUES, INTERNATIONAL FUTURES
PROGRAMME, OECD Industry MR. FEIKE SIJBESMA M
ANAGING BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DSM
CHAIRMAN, EuropaBio
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The World Life Sciences Forum, BioVision 2005
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BioVision 2005, Bioindustry Environment
What is white biotech?
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BioVision 2005, Bioindustry Environment
What is the rationale for applying white
biotechnology?
Macrotrends (e.g., urbanization,
industrialization, increasing consumption,
unstable oil gas markets) put
environment, health and society under
increasing pressure (e.g., degradation of natural
habitats, global warming, environment associated
diseases, depletion of fossil resources)
Need for more sustainable industrial
production! White biotechnology has demonstrated
to provide benefits along the triple P of
sustainability Planet less fossil resources, les
s emissions, less energy People better quality o
f life, rural development Profit lower cost, inn
ovative new products, jobs
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BioVision 2005, Bioindustry Environment
Where do we stand today? (1/2)
Already today industrialized countries benefit
from white biotechnology in many different ways,
e.g., Biofuels 1-2 of transportation fuel need
s through bio-ethanol bio-diesel, growing 20
annually. First biomass-to-fuel plant
Biomaterials first biodegradable plastics from
renewable raw materials on the market at
competitive cost (e.g., packaging)
Biochemicals selected chemical syntheses (e.g.,
vitamines and antibiotics) transferred to cleaner
and cheaper bioroutes Bioactives enzymes contrib
uted to many greener processes and better
products (e.g., detergents, paper, textiles,
food, feed and bioremediation) saving approx. 20
MTon CO2 annually Overall approx. 3- 5 of chemi
cal production is now based on white biotech
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BioVision 2005, Bioindustry Environment
Where do we stand today? (2/2)
Science technology Tremendous progress in
basic science and technologies, but continued
investment required in particular towards
economical applications Public acceptance Increa
sing buy-in from consumer and environmental
organization (e.g., German Green Party, NRDC),
but lack of general understanding not to be
underestimated Regulatory situation Substantial
hurdles remain especially in EU (e.g., long
approval times, high sugar costs)
Industry Significant activity around profitable
incremental applications, but investments in
long-term breakthrough technologies need more
stimulation Developing countries Struggling with
access to IP and funds to adapt and apply
technologies locally
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BioVision 2005, Bioindustry Environment
What are the concerns expressed about white
biotech?
Although general support for white biotech was
expressed, the concerns raised need to be
addressed Use of land and water for large scale
bio based production Level of containment and env
ironmental release of genetically modified bugs
Insufficient return on investments
Increasing inequalities between developed and
developing countries
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BioVision 2005, Bioindustry Environment
Where do we want to be in 10-20 years?
White biotechnology incorporated into societal
activities and contributing to science and
industry Maximize benefits in a bio-based economy
, e.g., Biofuels play significant role in future
energy mix especially through cellulosic
biomass conversion (not competing with food)
Industrial processes switched to bioroutes and
biorefineries where it makes economical and
environmental sense Innovative bioproducts provid
e new benefits to consumers (e.g., health
ingredients, improved detergents, biodefense)
White biotech applications invented and adopted
into developing countries industry, health and
environment Exploration of biodiversity and symbi
osis with other technologies (e.g., nanotech, ag
science, IT) to take advantage of new discoveries
Understanding of biocomplexity and complexity of
ecological systems Significant contribution to i
mproving environment and health
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BioVision 2005, Bioindustry Environment
How do we get there?
Continued investment in basic research
facilitating new discoveries Increased private an
d public investments in application product
development Industry leadership by actively searc
hing and pursuing existing opportunities (rather
than wait and see approach) Political leadershi
p and support for appropriate regulatory and
economic conditions acknowledging that benefits
materialize over the longer term
Balance precautionary principle with benefits of
new technologies Encourage public debate involvin
g citizens on all levels in discussions, using
multiple approaches for educating the public, and
focusing on tangible and meaningful arguments