4-June-2014
English
Synthetic biology is an emerging technology that shows promise for investigating some of the burning issues in biological research. It also has the potential to address some of the grand challenges facing society, such as climate change and energy security.
5-December-2013
English
This report examines examples of new and emerging governance models that aim to support the responsible development of diagnostics and treatments based on the latest advances in biomedicine. In particular, it presents programmes and initiatives that aim to manage uncertainty in the development and approval of new medical products and thereby to improve the understanding of the risk/benefit balance.
14-November-2013
English
The economic and social impact of chronic brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases will become the number one public-health problem worldwide, directly affecting 100 million people by 2050.
28-October-2013
English
This paper explores the development of the bioplastics sector and its role in national bioeconomy strategies. It finds that bioplastics are at a disadvantage compared to some other biobased products, notably biofuels, that often benefit from preferential treatment. It also notes that greater efforts are needed at the international level as regards standards to avoid creating barriers to international trade in biobased products.
2-August-2013
English
This report presents the findings of a research project to investigate the drivers and criteria shaping the application of genomic biotechnology to health in different national settings, and the barriers to implementation nationally and internationally. Findings are based on case studies on Finland, Israel, Luxembourg, Mexico, the United Kingdom, China and South Africa.
14-June-2013
English
This paper brings together information collected through Working Party on Nanotechnology discussions and projects. It relies in particular on preliminary results from a project on the responsible development of nanotechnology and outcomes of a symposium held in 2012.
10-April-2013
English
Environmental biotechnology is focused on clean-up and much of the policy in this area is around compliance, whereas industrial biotech has quite different policy objectives and only started to grow as a field with the worldwide interest in biofuels. Much of the world now has targets for bioenergy and favourable policy regimes to stimulate production and use of biofuels, but sustainability has become a real issue.
6-May-2010
English
This July 2009 symposium brought together the different communities – scientific, engineering, policy, public and legal – involved in synthetic biology and explored the opportunities and challenges posed by this emerging field.
31-May-2005
English
This paper provides an inventory of biotechnology data collection in India, including an assessment of how the need for biotechnology-related statistics is being addressed. It also presents an overview of the status of biotechnology in India, with a focus on the agricultural and health sectors.
18-November-2004
English
Statistical work on biotechnology is carried out under the aegis of the OECD Working Party of National Experts on Science and Technology Indicators (NESTI). The above document gives the outcome of the 2004 experts' meeting.