Biotechnology industrial competitiveness: Federal research, financial and regulatory policies

• Published in: Technology in society 1986, Vol.8 (3), p.209-217
• Main Author: Perpich, Joseph G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0160-791X; 1879-3274
• DOI: 10.1016/0160-791X(86)90006-0

The author reviews several key Congressional and Administration reports addressing federal research, regulatory and fiscal policies that directly affect high-technology industries, such as the biotechnology industry. In order to stimulate research by private industry, Congress has tried to lower the costs of private R&D through a combination of tax policy, direct spending and patent legislation. Options are presented for federal action on tax and spending mechanisms to foster the development of generic technologies. Generic biotechnology research includes, for example, developing better bioreactors, assessing the genetics and biochemistry of industrially important microorganisms and improving technologies for the large-scale recovery and purification of biological molecules. The author next summarizes present federal initiatives in domestic and export regulations for biotechnology products. He concludes by noting that the recommendations contained in the government and National Academy of Sciences' reports provide a sound basis for federal research, regulatory and fiscal policies to ensure continued US biotechnology leadership in research and product development.