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Australasian Biotechnology (backfiles)
AusBiotech
ISSN: 1036-7128
Vol. 10, Num. 4, 2000, pp. 3
Untitled Document

Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 10 No. 4, 2000, pp. 3

FROM THE EDITOR

By Martin Playne Editor

Code Number: au00037

Biotechnology has received a huge press coverage in recent months from, on the one hand, the positive stock-market response to the biotechnology sector and recent floats, and the new government initiatives announced in July in Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne. At the same time, the continuing saga of genetically modified foods and the tiresome campaigns waged by activists against most areas of “biotechnology” continue to receive extensive press coverage.

Queensland’s deputy Premier, Mr Jim Elder, in welcoming delegates at the Association’s recent national conference, ABA2000, announced that the Queensland Government had declared July 2000 as “Biotechnology Month”, because of the recent decisions to fund a major biotechnology research effort in Queensland and the spate of biotechnology-related conferences being held in July, spear-headed by ABA2000 in Brisbane. These included a yeast conference on South Stradbroke Island, the national ASM microbiology conference in Cairns, an aquaculture conference in Townsville, and the 9th International Congress on Culture Collections in Brisbane.

Further substantial federal initiatives were also announced by Senator Nick Minchin as he launched the National Biotechnology Strategy when he opened the ABA2000 conference. Specific continuing support is to be given for public education in biotechnology. I believe this part of the Strategy is particularly important for this country. We remain a major exporter of agricultural commodities and added-value rural produce. It is terribly important that these exports are not jeopardised by ignorance of producers of all the real benefits that biotechnology is bringing to the rural industries, and by them believing the prejudices generated by activists. A vibrant rural industry is very important to the fabric of our society and our social integrity.

The Victorian Government was not far behind Queensland when it announced even more monetary support for biotechnology, with the emergence of the Bio21 concept in the Parkville strip of Melbourne. This initiative will mean a major upgrading of large research facilities. However, both the Queensland and Victorian initiatives do include extensive rebuilding of existing facilities and staff. The initiatives are, for a large part, not “new” in the sense of new institutes - rather, in the re-housing of existing institutes. While it is fine to keep up-to-date, we do have to continue the fight to ensure that biotechnology receives even more support to allow a true expansion of research activities, and the extension of these activities into new emerging areas. Only in this way can we be world-competitive. Nevertheless, the recent announcements in Canberra, Queensland and Victoria are a great start, and all concerned are to be congratulated.

The ABA will also be expanding its activities in the coming months, with an announcement expected in the near future on the appointment of an Executive Director. This will allow a major upgrading of the services offered to members, particularly Corporate Members and Institutional Members.

Special Features for the Year 2000 and 2001

The following list shows the special features planned. While we normally seek contributions from experts for each special feature, we are also very keen to accept proferred papers relevant to the themes listed. Please contact the editor well in advance if you would like to make such contributions to discuss details and deadlines. The Editor, Dr Martin Playne, can be contacted on: Telephone: (03) 9598 9818; Email: mplayne@netspace.net.au

The editor would also like to hear from you if you have suggestions for future special features, or would like to co-edit a special feature. The following are the coming special features in the next three issues. Suggested topics are listed up to April 2001 and beyond - the order of appearance of these has not yet been finalized. I would particularly like your views on these topics, and any others you would like to see.

  • Genetically-Modified Foods and Food Labelling & Biotechnology Training in Australia October 2000
  • Biotechnology and the Wine Industry December 2000
  • Biotechnology and the Grain Industry February 2001
  • GM Issues Surrounding Plant Biotechnology April 2001 and beyond
  • Biotechnology and the Energy Industry
  • Pharmaceuticals & Biologicals
  • DNA Fingerprinting & Detection
  • The Impact of Biotechnology on Disease Control
  • Biotechnology and Vaccines
  • Biotechnology & the Medical Devices Industry
  • Microbial Biotechnology

We are also seeking Issues papers (up to 800 words) on any biotechnology-related topic, and more Letters to the Editor (up to 300 words).

Copyright 2000 - Australiasian Biotechnology


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