Biotechnology: industry of the 21st century. Creating the new bio-product markets

Abstract

This quarter century has seen the arrival of the biotechnology industry, beginning with the scientific unveiling of genes (the double helix) and understanding the process of cell renewal, through DNA, mRNA and protein production. That process showed the manner and the consequences of modification of genes. Social embedding of gene-modified products is found in integration of industry and markets, under standards and regulation and acceptance by consumers. That implementation is based on the overall delivery chain, from research of the science, to manufacture, to distribution to the consumer. Each step in the chain can be varied, so that opportunities are available in each step. In the food/crop market, the traits to be changed are found in few functions: resistance to pest, resistance to pesticide, increase in yield, increase in nutrition. In the drug/pharmaceutical market, gene modification provides specific selectivity which heightens therapy achievable for nutrition or disease, and, in some instances, displaces traditional medical procedure. Research and development of the science is the building block. This paper discusses the market analysis, bioproducts positioning, conflict environment of genetically modified food, global markets, and implementation considerations.