Biotechnology health concerns

BIO PMP AMP Update Quarterly News (2005). Lactoferrin and Lysozyme may address health concerns in the developing world. Biotechnology Industry Organization. 1-2. 

In addition, many of the basic tools and techniques used in biotechnology are outlined and described briefly. Some projections on the probabilities or possibilities of success, both short-term and long-term, as well as patent problems and some views on environmental and health concerns are also discussed. 

They are sold in bioshops as green detergents to the eco-lifestyle consumer community. Biosurfactants refer to surface active substances synthesized by living cells and as microbial amphiphilic compounds with surface active properties. They are in the focus of white biotechnology in order to promote the use of bio-based surfactants as possible alternative to chemical surfactants due to environmental and health concerns, stringent regulations and volatile petroleum, and other raw material price. 

This high attrition rate, particularly during late preclinical and clinical development, carries a large price tag for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, which is carried over to health care providers. In addition, compounds which qualify for clinical use but fail due to safety matters raise serious ethical issues and questions concerning the responsibility and competence of the industry and registration authorities. 

Researchers are working to produce recombinant proteins from viruses in plants so that the leaves, fruit, or root (such as potatoes) would be edible forms of vaccine. A vaccine that is eaten may be more appealing and suitable than injections, particularly in poor parts of world with limited access to skilled health-care professionals. But there are barriers to the development of plant vaccines. First, there are technical issues. For example, would conditions within the stomach allow the immune system to respond to the protein to provide protection Additionally, some people are concerned about the environmental and health risks of growing vaccine-producing plants in fields. Could the food be safely processed and shipped While the development of plant-based vaccines has been a research success since first reported in 1992, it remains uncertain whether this form of biotechnology will eventually have a major impact on public health. 

In 2002, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the trade group for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, issued a new marketing code for its members. Developed in response to concern that promotional activities were tarnishing public opinion about the pharmaceutical industry, the volxmtary code reinforces PhRMA s intention that interactions between representatives of the manufacturer and health professionals were to enhance the practice of medicine and benefit patients. 

Other OECD activities in the environment, health, and safety areas are concerned with pesticides chemical accident prevention, preparation, and response pollutant release and transfer registers harmonization of regulatory oversight in biotechnology, and the safety of novel foods and feeds. These activities are closely connected with the work in the Chemicals Programme, and are carried out in cooperation with other parts of the OECD and other international organizations. 

The debate about compulsory licenses for patented products occurred in the context of access to HIV/AIDs drugs in Africa. At issue was the effect of patent rights on the accessibility and affordability of pharmaceutical products and vaccines in developing nations. Similar concerns around access and cost are likely to develop with biopharmaceuticals and other innovations resulting from research in health biotechnology. 

If regulatory concerns are subordinated to commercial concerns by industry, then a restrictive legislative/public backlash will probably occur, particularly if there are perceived health or environmental risks. Conversely, if there are restrictive regulatory burdens, then the agricultural biotechnology industry will not grow and may move to less restrictive countries. In this situation both the U.S. economy and the public will suffer. Obviously, there must be a balancing of interests and needs. 

---