Brussels, 25/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - The future of biotechnology in Europe is the subject of a conference being organised by the European Commission in Brussels on 27 and 28 September (at the Centre Borschette). Close to 400 participants -industrialists, scientists, NGOs public authorities - have been convened to this meeting, entitled "Biovision". They will discuss the means to meet the technological and commercial gap separating the EU from its competitors (like the United States) in this beneficial sector, while taking account of the social and ethical aspects of biotechnology. The Commission's aim is to gather the points of views of all interested parties on food for thought launched by the paper "Towards a strategic vision of life sciences and biotechnology" (see Europe of 6 September, p.9). Commissioners Busquin (research), Byrne (health/consumers), Fischler (agriculture), Liikanen (industry) and Wallstrom (environment) will each take part in a workshop devoted to one aspect of the problem within their competency. This meeting comes within the framework of the consultation process to end on 23 November and the results of which will enable the Commission to prepare policy guidelines by the end of the year.