CANADIAN LEADERSHIP ON BIOTECHNOLOGY STEWARDSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION

Project - Canadian Biotechnology Initiatives Addressing Developing Countries Issues
Client - National Research Council Canada (NRC)

Description - The Government of Canada Blueprint for Biotechnology, in recognizing that the knowledge harnessed from advances in biotechnology has a powerful potential to address critical issues in developing countries, recommended the establishment of a new national initiative for international development. This initiative would facilitate the coordination of strategic research and technology development networks encompassing research centers in Canada and the developing countries.

As part of this initiative, the National Research Council of Canada is leading a project focusing on Canadian capacities and competencies in biotechnology research and development. There are two components to the project: 1) analysis of Canadian strengths in biotechnology research and development; and 2) analysis of Canadian development assistance in biotechnology. Science-Metrix was mandated to conduct both these analyses. The first analysis has been completed and resulted in a report entitled Scan of Canadian Strengths in Biotechnology (>>>). The second is the focus of the present study which aims to:

	Identify Canadian initiatives addressing developing country issues using biotechnology;
	Identify complementary competencies within and opportunities for research and development collaboration between Canadian organizations;
	Make recommendations to improve the current models of collaboration to connect and increase the synergy of Canadian initiatives in biotechnology and international development.

The review of Canadian biotechnology initiatives in international development has revealed a wide range of scientific, technological and innovation activities aimed at providing solutions to some of the most critical issues faced by developing countries. Several federal government departments contributed significantly to these initiatives, namely the IDRC, CIDA, the NRC, CIHR, Health Canada, and the AAFC. Universities, non-governmental organizations and biotechnology companies have also led important initiatives.

However, from the review it appears that these initiatives are failing to exploit some of Canada’s major strengths in biotechnology, which could benefit developing countries. Efforts should be made to exploit Canada’s competence in forestry, aquaculture, and the innovation system to help developing countries expand their own biotechnology strategies. In the years to come, Canada should also pay more attention to the potential of biotechnology to address the problem of the currently growing burden of diabetes sufferers in developing countries.

Based on their complementary competencies, many potential partnerships amongst Canadian organizations have been outlined. Ultimately, the aim should be to get Canadian organizations to work collectively to integrate individual initiatives into well functioning assistance programs. Four models of R&D collaboration have been suggested for the creation of such national networks.

STUDY REPORT

	Campbell D. and Côté G. 2005.
	Canadian Biotechnology Initiatives Addressing Developing Countries Issues. Prepared for the National Research Council Canada (NRC) by Science-Metrix, 50 pages.
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