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Australasian Biotechnology (backfiles)
AusBiotech
ISSN: 1036-7128
Vol. 11, Num. 3, 2001, pp. 3
Untitled Document

Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 11 No. 3, 2001, pp. 3

FROM THE EDITOR

Martin Playne, Senior Editor

Code Number: au01031

This issue brings to an end a decade and a half of the official publication of the Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd. This journal, Australasian Biotechnology, now embarks on a new journey with the re-launch of the Association as AusBiotech Ltd. In some ways, the journal has anticipated these changes that lie ahead. We have already made a considerable change over the last 18 months, together with our publisher, Hallmark Editions, in our content, format and size. We are now a much stronger magazine in a news sense, and we also have a much stronger content of legal, financial, regulatory and business articles. This change has of course been at the expense of scientific and technical articles. Despite the lower number of such papers, we have still attracted some really high quality reviews; and we will strive to continue to do so.

The introduction of the new name will take time, as I understand the Board will wish not to lose the goodwill, creditability and respect that has been generated over 17 years by the name 'Australian Biotechnology Association' (affectionately known as the 'ABA'). It will also be logical to avoid waste of letterhead and so on by a gradual introduction of the new name. I understand that the new Association will be launched internationally at BIO2001 in San Diego in June and at the national CHIF/ABA meeting in Sydney in August. Additionally, numerous changes will have to be made on the Association's website to incorporate the new name. The Directors made it very clear at the recent special general meeting of the Association that the name is not being changed just for the sake of changing things. They very genuinely believe that the new business plan and the new constitution which have been adopted, are in fact major changes to the way in which the Association will operate as a true industry association. This, they felt, requires also a name change to reflect that. An enhanced information and communication strategy is very much part of the new Association's plans. So, we can expect to see this journal very much as a figurehead publication for the Association. Hopefully, this will lead more readers and more subscribers. The consequence of which will be increased advertising revenue. All of which will allow us to produce a much more striking, colourful, and visually-appealing journal in the future.

This issue continues with the special feature theme of Bioprocessing. This time, we concentrate on the role of bioprocessing in insect control. As a nation with one of the highest insect populations in the world, it is pleasing to read of the application of bioprocessing in entomology.

We also feature two contrasting articles. One on how the precautionary principle was introduced into the new Gene Technology Act by Keir Bristow. He delves into the politics of how this occurred, which makes it a rather unique story. The other paper by McDougall and others is from Western Australia. It is a sociological paper where the attitudes of farmers to GMOs were assessed and statistically analysed. Such papers make useful factual commentary in an area where there is a huge amount of anecdotal data and inneundo.

I am keen in coming issues to accept commentary and argument on the re-structuring process the Association has been going through in recent times. The new organisation has a great deal to do in the months ahead to establish its new identity and to prove itself. It can only achieve this with lots of support from the membership, careful stewardship of its funds, and good constructive criticism from members, as the new structures and functions evolve. I feel it particularly important that the journal be a receptacle for such discussions over the next year. I will endeavour to have both sides of all arguments presented in a balanced and unemotional way.

Lets all forge ahead together to make this Association a real focus for all biotech-associated activities throughout Australia.

Copyright 2001 - AusBiotech

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