Biotech has long history of inquiry
Jan 8 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal
IN previous columns I’ve written about our NETPark expert panel debates. One I haven’t covered yet focused on biotechnology – an enormously important sector for the North East with healthcare and innovation as one of the Three Pillars of the regional economic strategy.
Biotech isn’t new. It builds on a long history of scientific inquiry but the pace of research is exploding, promising innovations ranging from a cure for certain forms of blindness to molecular computing.
At times it can be poorly understood and certain cutting-edge developments that involve the use of genetic engineering can give rise to concerns about scientists interfering with nature.
Chairing the panel, Mike Asher, chief executive of Cels, the organisation driving the growth of the region’s healthcare and life science sector, acknowledged that developments come with a series of ethical questions.
Professor John Anstee, NETPark scientific director, spoke for the whole panel when he said that education and open dialogue with the public and media is essential, especially around issues such as stem cell research or GM crops. Both risks and benefits should be clearly communicated.
Miles Whittington, Professor of Neuroscience at Newcastle University, defined biotechnology as the use or manipulation of a biological system to reach a particular endpoint.
In the medical sub-sector, he noted, brain stimulation devices are allowing people with Parkinson’s Disease to function normally, while in the USA, researchers have implanted an artificial retina that can restore some light sensitivity in a blind patient.
The North East has considerable strength in stem cell research and as Professor Chris Hutchinson of Durham University’s School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences pointed out, there are local companies such as Billingham-based Avecia which are at the cutting edge of stem cell development.
Research is vital, although as Mike Asher observed, there are questions around who will pay for the research, how it will be exploited and whether private companies should be allowed to profit.
However, as Nigel Perry, chief executive of the Centre for Process Innovation, pointed out, it’s the private sector that has to invest in the high cost of bringing new technology to market and the private sector can justifiably expect to see a return on that investment.
Stewart Watkins is managing director of County Durham Development Company, which is driving the development of NETPark and NETPark Net.
