Latest Documents

Gene editing for advanced therapies: Governance, policy and society

Recent breakthroughs in gene editing techniques have ushered in a new era for gene editing and health innovation. This report is the result of an expert meeting to explore the core scientific, legal, regulatory and societal challenges facing the responsible development and use of gene editing in somatic cells for advanced therapies.

Issues in neurotechnology governance

Governments, funders and companies around the world are making unprecedented investments in brain research and the development of neurotechnologies. This report provides a summary of main discussion points emerging from an expert consultation that aimed to identify and classify cutting-edge neurotechnologies and the ethical, legal, social, economic and cultural issues that arise with them.

Meeting Policy Challenges for a Sustainable Bioeconomy

Trend analysis of science, technology and innovation policies for biotechnology, nanotechnology and converging technologies (BNCTs)

This paper aims to analyse policies pertaining to nanotechnology and biotechnology over time with regard to their directionality and technology specificity. The analysis provides some evidence that technology-push policies are favoured for young technology fields, while application-pull policies tend to be applied to more mature fields.

Report on statistics and indicators of biotechnology and nanotechnology

This paper provides a summary of trends and developments in biotechnology and nanotechnology over the last 20-25 years based on the longitudinal analyses of patents. It also introduces an experimental indicator which aims to visualise developments over time in each research area.

Gene editing in an international context: Scientific, economic and social issues across sectors

There is broad agreement that gene editing techniques go beyond incremental advances of past biotechnologies, but harnessing the potential will require meeting significant policy challenges in arenas of governance, ethics, and public engagement. This report summarises the discussions of a group of international experts and policymakers.

Revised proposal for the revision of the statistical definitions of biotechnology and nanotechnology

This document revises the OECD's statistical definition of biotechnology, which had last been reviewed in 2008, and proposes the adoption of a statistical definition of nanotechnology in the same format.

Neurotechnology and society: Strengthening responsible innovation in brain science

This report identifies, and seeks to address, key challenges for the responsible development of neurotechnology. In particular, it analyses frameworks and mechanisms for integrating social concerns in the early development of technology, and discusses best practices for research funders across the public and private sector.

Key nanotechnology indicators

Indicators include nanotech firms, nanotech R&D, public sector R&D expenditure and nanotechnology patents.

Key biotechnology indicators

Statistics on biotechnology firms, biotechnology R&D (including public sector expenditures), biotech applications and patents.