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