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Common policy towards biotechnology is essential for Europe - Liikanen

Europe's aim to become a knowledge-based society, its innovative potential and even the attempt to establish a European research area (ERA) could be threatened if a coherent policy towards biotechnology is not achieved, according to European Enterprise and Information Society ...

Europe's aim to become a knowledge-based society, its innovative potential and even the attempt to establish a European research area (ERA) could be threatened if a coherent policy towards biotechnology is not achieved, according to European Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner, Erkki Liikanen. Speaking in Milan on 6 November at the 'Towards a European strategic vision for biotechnology' Assobiotech conference, Mr Liikanen said that the leading edge nature of biotechnology made a rapid and forward looking response to its development in Europe crucial. As well as being an enabling technology that affects numerous areas from agriculture to healthcare, Mr Liikanen also saw biotechnology as a key tool in reaching the knowledge-based society aim set by the Lisbon council in 2000. The problems that need to be addressed are the fragmentation of public biotechnology research efforts, the low level of interregional research and development (R&D) cooperation in Europe and the lack of sufficient risk capital funding, according to Mr Liikanen. Although there are both EU and Member State policies, there remains much to be done. 'Even if there are a large number of policy measures to promote the safe development of biotechnology at all levels in Europe, from the outside it is not obvious that they present a coherent picture,' said Mr Liikanen. Policies need to address the need for appropriate skills to develop European research in biotechnology and the necessary protection of intellectual property once a breakthrough has been made. It also needs to address the ethical dimension of biotechnology and, finally, create a 'stable, predictable, trustworthy regulatory framework'. 'Until now, no coherent vision has emerged in Europe of what we want to do with biotechnology,' said Mr Liikanen. While regulation was important to protect the environment and health and to enhance consumer confidence, obstructive regulation could cause serious damage to 'research and innovation, our efforts to establish a true European research area and ultimately the development of a knowledge-based economy,' according to Mr Liikanen. The Commission, which aims to put forward a policy strategy for biotechnology by the end of this year, has already started a public consultation process. There will also be a debate at the Industry council on the issue, with the plan to present a proposal for a 'strategic vision on life sciences and biotechnology' at the European Council in Barcelona in 2002 during the Spanish Presidency.