Industrial College of the Armed Forces Industry Studies 2002: Biotechnology

摘要

The biotechnology industry is critically important to the development of products that will improve health care, agriculture, industrial processes, environmental remediation, and biological defense. Biotechnology has been responsible for medical breakthroughs benefiting millions of people worldwide through the development of vaccines, antibiotics, and other drugs, and to new varieties of pest-resistant crops. Biotechnology will continue to contribute to homeland defense and national security by providing tools needed to develop a new generation of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for defense against bioterrorism. Biotechnology contributes to the success of the United States as a global leader in research and development and international commerce and will be an important catalyst for creating more high-skilled jobs throughout the 21st century. This paper will examine the biotechnology industry with emphasis on the changing conditions the industry is facing. The strong potential of biotechnology to change fundamentally health care and agriculture and to grow and profit as an industry depends on the fulfillment of its scientific promise. For the industry to continue to enjoy public and investor support, it must continue to innovate and translate 'promise' into 'products.' Government must support basic research and foster the right market conditions to allow biotechnology to achieve its potential. Biotechnology is a collection of technologies using cells and biological molecules. The following technologies are commonly included as parts of the biotechnology 'industry': fermentation, genetic modification or recombinant DNA technology, genetic engineering, protein engineering, antisense technology, monoclonal antibodies, biosensors, nanotechnology, bioremediation, and bioinformation. (5 figures).