Brussels, 25/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, the European Commission stresses that biotechnologies are a driving force of innovation in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial sectors. Biotechnology-based industrial techniques use fewer resources, are kinder to the environment and can be used in place of more harmful chemical processes. New possibilities are opening up in terms of the prevention, treatment and cure of diseases which had previously been believed to be incurable. It is estimated that over 80% of biotechnology activities in Europe are linked to health care. In order for this emerging technology to live up to its promise, the joint research centre (JCR), the European Commission's internal research body, is launching a study into the social, economic and environmental consequences of and challenges to modern biotechnologies. The Commission intends to use this study to update its 2002 strategy on biotechnology, ahead of the Spring European Council of 2007.
The biotechnology industry in Europe, which boasts around the same number of businesses as that of the United States, employs half as many people, spends three times less on R&D, raises three or four times less venture capital and has access to four times fewer loan sources. However, the industry in the United States generates just twice as much as that of Europe. It is, therefore, a matter of importance for European companies to make full use of the potential of biotechnology, while taking account of ethical and social concerns, in close cooperation with third countries. This initiative aims to support research, competitiveness and innovation whilst safeguarding intellectual property, within an extended network of electronic information. The Commission intends to help European companies to meet this challenge, with the full participation of all concerned, the Member States and the EU's partners.