Australasian Biotechnology,
Volume 6 Number 6, November/December 1996, pp.322-346
Editorial and News
Code Number: AU96019
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Editorial
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Conflicting signals from Government in 1996 - What now for 1997?
If industry supports the Mortimer "Review of Business Programmes",
there is a prospect that the arbitrary cost cutting of 1996 will be
followed by a broader vision in 1997
NEWS
Use of Transgenic Commodities in Foods: Resistance and Response
A trade association representing food retailers and wholesalers in 20
European countries has taken a stand against purchasing U.S. soybeans this
year unless genetically engineered soybeans are clearly separated and
labeled. At a news conference in Washington October 6, a spokesman for
EuroCommerce warned that several of the organization's major members would
not buy soybeans from the U.S. without assurance that they would not
receive genetically altered ones.
Expression of Foreign Genes in Transgenic Fish
Commercial production of transgenic fish engineered with desirable
characteristics such as enhanced growth or disease resistance is coming
closer to reality in several species, including catfish, trout, salmon,
carp, goldfish, and tilapia. Significant effort has been invested in
preparing and evaluating vectors for expression of foreign genes in
transgenic fish.
Microbiology News
Focus on the latest issue of Microbiology Australia (the journal
of the Australian Society for Microbiology) is on microbiology in the
environment, and includes articles on biodiversity in the Antarctic,
microbial diversity of thermophiles and dentrifying bacteria in Port
Phillip Bay.
Queenslander Wins Nobel Prize
World Horse Care Breakthrough by South Australian Biotech Company
Field trials have begun on an Australian-developed protein which could
revolutionise the $50 billion horse industry world-wide. The protein Equine
Somatotropin (eST), developed by South Australian based biotechnology
company BresaGen, has the potential to substantially reduce crippling
breakdowns suffered by young horses in training, speed up healing and
improve the condition of older animals. BresaGen has sought registration
for eST from the National Registration Authority (NRA) and the field trials
are part of the process to obtain this certification. BresaGen is the only
company in the world producing recombinant eST.
BioResearch Ireland Product Licensed to DAKO A/S
BioResearch Ireland has licensed a monoclonal antibody to DAKO A/S,
Copenhagen, Denmark. The BRI antibody is used for the detection of cancer
cells which are resistant to anti-cancer drugs i.e. multi-drug resistant
(MDR) cells. In treatment of cancer patients, it is important to determine
such resistance before the appropriate chemotherapy treatment is chosen.
Field Tests for GMO's Reviewed
EDBT - What is it?
India - Biobusiness Contact
Queensland Clunies Ross Centre for Science & Technology
In late 1995 a special agreement was signed which allowed the Queensland
Government to work in a joint venture with the Ian Clunies Ross Memorial
Foundation to provide a $7 million Centre for science and industry on the
Brisbane Technology Park.
Change of Address for JBA
New Chairman for CSIRO
Archaebacterium Sequenced
Archaea, along with prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryotes (including
yeasts, plants, animals, humans) form the three branches of life. On 23
August 1996, Science (273:1058-73) reported the first complete
sequence of the genome of Methanococcus jannaschii, a member of the
Archaea branch of microorganisms.
Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics
The Centre was established in mid 1996 at the Southern Cross University
at is Lismore Campus in northern NSW.
Bio-Rad forms CHEF Users Group
Bio-Rad Laboratories held the inaugural CHEF Users Group meeting on
Wednesday 27 November 1996 at University of Melbourne. The speakers were:
Prof Warren Grubb, School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University of
Technology, Perth, Dr Jenny Thompson, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute
and Dr Barbara Howlett, Department of Botany, University of Melbourne.
Florigene Launches Moondust Carnation
The first genetically modified cut flower product to be approved for
sale anywhere in the world has been released by an Australian company.
ABA NEWS
Report from the Directors
GTIU
Directors meet Minister
Next Australian Biotechnology Conference
Branch News
Membership
Next Council Meeting
Strategy for the ABA
Journal News
EDUCATION NEWS
New Master's Course at UNSW
University of Melbourne
COMPANY NEWS
New Chairman for Peptech
AMRAD Highlights for 1995-96
ForBio Limited
Australian World First in Robotic Technology Unveiled in Sydney
CSL'S ANNUAL REPORT
About the Company
The Year at a Glance
REGULATORY NEWS
Gene Technology and the Food Regulators
Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) is presently considering a
proposal to develop a standard to regulate foods developed with an
involvement of gene technology. In order to guide the Authority in dealing
with this complex issue, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for
Health and Family Services, Senator the Hon Bob Woods, requested that it
dconvene the forum `Gene Technology and Food - The Challenge Ahead' on 1
and 2 August, 1996.
The FDA's New Stealth Policy for Biotech Foods - A View by Dr Henry
Miller
American presidents' rhetoric is often belied by their actions. Wilson
and FDR both promised they would keep us out of wars. Bush said "read
my lips, no new taxes." Clinton pronounced that he had attained "the
end of the era of big government."
The disconnect between the Clinton administration's words and deeds
is nowhere more profound than in federal regulation. While claiming to
reduce government intrusiveness and burdens, high-level administration
officials instead create expanded roles for federal agencies. Consider,
for example, unnecessary regulation of new, improved and safer foods.
ASIAN NEWS
News from Indonesia
New Molecules of Gadjah Mada University
Centre for Tropical Fruits Studies, Indonesia
Tropical Fruits the National Assets
News from Malaysia
WHO Calls for Grant Applications for Vaccine Development from the
Asia-Pacific Region
Biotechnology in Asia
PATENT NEWS
Contributed by Dr. Vivien Santer, Griffith Hack & Co., Melbourne
Attempts in the United States to Restrict Patentability of Surgical
and Medical Methods
US Patent and Trade Marks Office Public Hearings
Changes to Canadian Patent Law
Chiron-Murex Case Settled
House of Lords Dismisses Biogen's Appeal Against Medeva
General Patent News
LEGAL NOTES
Contributed by Natalie Stoianoff, Stoianoff & Associates, Business Editor
In this issue, Legal Notes considers some of the key issues to protecting
and commercialising your technology and know how, recently presented by
the writer at an international business conference in Pusan, South Korea.
Copyright 1996 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd.
