National Biotechnology Strategy Implementation and Developments

1
National Biotechnology StrategyImplementation
and Developments

• Ben Durham
• Biotechnology Strategy Unit
• Department of Science and Technology

2
Biotechnology a New Era

• A quantum leap in the ability to manipulate
  biological processes
• Custom design of biological processes and tools
  appropriate to human needs
• Staggering possibilities
• Biological factories (principal waste product
  O2)
• Direct benefits to human animal health,
  improved agricultural and animal products, food
  security
• Indirect but significant impacts on poverty
  alleviation and wealth creation, environmental
  health, biodiversity preservation, improved
  quality of life
• Some risks

3
A national strategy

• SA Government recognizes its responsibility for
  creating an enabling environment for innovation,
  specifically with respect to reducing impact of
  HIV/AIDS job creation urban renewal crime
  prevention human resource development regional
  integration.
• SETI Review highlighted the need for
  biotechnology.
• SA net importer of technology, with still fairly
  heavy reliance on primary production (incl.
  agriculture).
• Remarkable biodiversity in SA (gt protection
  use)
• 3rd generation Biotechnology is still fairly new,
  and with the right enabling environment, SA can
  compete globally.

4
A national strategy

• Objective of Strategy
• Stimulate the development of biotechnology
  skills, capacities and tools.
• Address the primary means by which Government can
  influence the development of biotechnology,
  including
• Legal framework
• Funding mechanisms
• New infrastructure and institutional arrangements
• Development of research capacities
• Bridge the Innovation Chasm

5
From A to The National Strategy

• Funding
• Cabinet acceptance of National Biotechnology
  Strategy - July 2001.
• Public consultation process finalized - November
  2001.
• Results of public consultation - Feb/Mar 2002.
• Cabinet acceptance.
• Incorporated in RD strategy and accepted - July
  2002.
• Treasury approved budget for RD strategy.

6
Implementation The National Biotechnology
Strategy

• Interventions
• Staff
• BRICs
• NBN
• PUB
• Biobank SA
• Biotechnology Industry Survey
• Biotechnology Impacts on Exports
• Biotechnology Advisory Committee
• Biotechnology Road-mapping

7
Implementation

• Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centres
  (BRICs)
• EcoBio (Nhlanhla Msomi)
• Human Health
• Bioprocessing
• CBI (Mark Fyvie)
• Bioprocessing
• Human health
• BioPad (Butana Mboniswa)
• Animal health
• Industrial, Mining and Enviro Bioprocessing

• Plant Biotechnology?
• - National in scope
• PlantBio (Mark Laing)

8
Implementation

• Data networking and computing facilities
• National Bioinformatics Network (Casper Schutte)
• Network Centre (UWC)
• Nodes (UWC RU UP WITS UCT US)
• Each node Bioinformatics research project
• Plus common project(s)

9
Implementation

• Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB)
• South African Agency for Science Technology
  Advancement (SAASTA) appointed to run the PUB
  programme to present a balanced view of
  biotechnology in order to promote public
  understanding.
• Activities
• Call for proposals for innovative communication
  products and events

10
Implementation

• Biotechnology Advisory Committee
• In process of approaching NACI to discuss setting
  up of a Biotechnology Advisory Committee to
• provide oversight of Biotechnology Development in
  SA
• Make recommendations on direction and investment

11
Implemetation

• Participation in GM hearings conference
  (Stellenbosch 14 15 April)
• Report on Possible Impacts of GM Food production
  on SA Exports
• Support of BioBank to provide genetic banking
  facilities
• Participation in the Executive Council of the GM
  Act
• Preparation for Global Forum on Biotechnology
  (2004)
• Coordination of biotech partners Research
  -gtcommercialization pipeline.
• -o0o-