Editorial and News

• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: AusBiotech 1996
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Pacific; New Zealand; Queensland; Brisbane; Griffith; Jenny; Grubb; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/22772; http://www.bioline.org.br/abstract?id=au96019

Australasian Biotechnology, Volume 6 Number 6, November/December 1996, pp.322-346 Editorial and News Code Number: AU96019 Size of Files: Text: 94K Graphics: No associated graphics files Editorial FROM THE PRESIDENT Conflicting signals from Government in 1996 - What now for 1997? If industry supports the Mortimer "Review of Business Programmes", there is a prospect that the arbitrary cost cutting of 1996 will be followed by a broader vision in 1997 NEWS Use of Transgenic Commodities in Foods: Resistance and Response A trade association representing food retailers and wholesalers in 20 European countries has taken a stand against purchasing U.S. soybeans this year unless genetically engineered soybeans are clearly separated and labeled. At a news conference in Washington October 6, a spokesman for EuroCommerce warned that several of the organization's major members would not buy soybeans from the U.S. without assurance that they would not receive genetically altered ones. Expression of Foreign Genes in Transgenic Fish Commercial production of transgenic fish engineered with desirable characteristics such as enhanced growth or disease resistance is coming closer to reality in several species, including catfish, trout, salmon, carp, goldfish, and tilapia. Significant effort has been invested in preparing and evaluating vectors for expression of foreign genes in transgenic fish. Microbiology News Focus on the latest issue of Microbiology Australia (the journal of the Australian Society for Microbiology) is on microbiology in the environment, and includes articles on biodiversity in the Antarctic, microbial diversity of thermophiles and dentrifying bacteria in Port Phillip Bay. Queenslander Wins Nobel Prize World Horse Care Breakthrough by South Australian Biotech Company Field trials have begun on an Australian-developed protein which could revolutionise the $50 billion horse industry world-wide. The protein Equine Somatotropin (eST), developed by South Australian based biotechnology company BresaGen, has the potential to substantially reduce crippling breakdowns suffered by young horses in training, speed up healing and improve the condition of older animals. BresaGen has sought registration for eST from the National Registration Authority (NRA) and the field trials are part of the process to obtain this certification. BresaGen is the only company in the world producing recombinant eST. BioResearch Ireland Product Licensed to DAKO A/S BioResearch Ireland has licensed a monoclonal antibody to DAKO A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark. The BRI antibody is used for the detection of cancer cells which are resistant to anti-cancer drugs i.e. multi-drug resistant (MDR) cells. In treatment of cancer patients, it is important to determine such resistance before the appropriate chemotherapy treatment is chosen. Field Tests for GMO's Reviewed EDBT - What is it? India - Biobusiness Contact Queensland Clunies Ross Centre for Science & Technology In late 1995 a special agreement was signed which allowed the Queensland Government to work in a joint venture with the Ian Clunies Ross Memorial Foundation to provide a $7 million Centre for science and industry on the Brisbane Technology Park. Change of Address for JBA New Chairman for CSIRO Archaebacterium Sequenced Archaea, along with prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryotes (including yeasts, plants, animals, humans) form the three branches of life. On 23 August 1996, Science (273:1058-73) reported the first complete sequence of the genome of Methanococcus jannaschii, a member of the Archaea branch of microorganisms. Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics The Centre was established in mid 1996 at the Southern Cross University at is Lismore Campus in northern NSW. Bio-Rad forms CHEF Users Group Bio-Rad Laboratories held the inaugural CHEF Users Group meeting on Wednesday 27 November 1996 at University of Melbourne. The speakers were: Prof Warren Grubb, School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Dr Jenny Thompson, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute and Dr Barbara Howlett, Department of Botany, University of Melbourne. Florigene Launches Moondust Carnation The first genetically modified cut flower product to be approved for sale anywhere in the world has been released by an Australian company. ABA NEWS Report from the Directors GTIU Directors meet Minister Next Australian Biotechnology Conference Branch News Membership Next Council Meeting Strategy for the ABA Journal News EDUCATION NEWS New Master's Course at UNSW University of Melbourne COMPANY NEWS New Chairman for Peptech AMRAD Highlights for 1995-96 ForBio Limited Australian World First in Robotic Technology Unveiled in Sydney CSL'S ANNUAL REPORT About the Company The Year at a Glance REGULATORY NEWS Gene Technology and the Food Regulators Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) is presently considering a proposal to develop a standard to regulate foods developed with an involvement of gene technology. In order to guide the Authority in dealing with this complex issue, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Family Services, Senator the Hon Bob Woods, requested that it dconvene the forum `Gene Technology and Food - The Challenge Ahead' on 1 and 2 August, 1996. The FDA's New Stealth Policy for Biotech Foods - A View by Dr Henry Miller American presidents' rhetoric is often belied by their actions. Wilson and FDR both promised they would keep us out of wars. Bush said "read my lips, no new taxes." Clinton pronounced that he had attained "the end of the era of big government." The disconnect between the Clinton administration's words and deeds is nowhere more profound than in federal regulation. While claiming to reduce government intrusiveness and burdens, high-level administration officials instead create expanded roles for federal agencies. Consider, for example, unnecessary regulation of new, improved and safer foods. ASIAN NEWS News from Indonesia New Molecules of Gadjah Mada University Centre for Tropical Fruits Studies, Indonesia Tropical Fruits the National Assets News from Malaysia WHO Calls for Grant Applications for Vaccine Development from the Asia-Pacific Region Biotechnology in Asia PATENT NEWS Contributed by Dr. Vivien Santer, Griffith Hack & Co., Melbourne Attempts in the United States to Restrict Patentability of Surgical and Medical Methods US Patent and Trade Marks Office Public Hearings Changes to Canadian Patent Law Chiron-Murex Case Settled House of Lords Dismisses Biogen's Appeal Against Medeva General Patent News LEGAL NOTES Contributed by Natalie Stoianoff, Stoianoff & Associates, Business Editor In this issue, Legal Notes considers some of the key issues to protecting and commercialising your technology and know how, recently presented by the writer at an international business conference in Pusan, South Korea. Copyright 1996 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd.