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Bioengineering

Summary

We found that the UK has an excellent research base but is still failing to maximise its potential by translating research into wealth and health. Considering that the UK is
emerging from a recession and a difficult economic climate still prevails, this is worrying.

The road to economic recovery will depend, in part, on exploitation of the UK’s research
base, which in turn requires efficient translation to generate returns on investments.

Some areas of bioengineering, such as stem cells, have clearly benefited from strong
Government leadership and support, backed up by generous levels of funding from both
the public and private sectors. Others, such as genetically modified (GM) crops, are less
well supported and funded. This is curious when GM crops are considered by the
Government to be safe and offer potential benefits. GM crops are certainly the poor cousin
in the bioengineering family, and we strongly urge the Government to signal its support for
GM crops as well as improving the regulatory situation in Europe.

Regulation of bioengineering is complex but, on the whole, adequate in theory. However in
practice problems arise and researchers have found that regulations inhibit research and
translation, either because of regulatory complexity (stem cells) or a flawed operation of
the regulatory process (GM crops). We have made recommendations to address these
problems.

We found good indications that the UK is learning from past experiences in
bioengineering when handling new emerging technologies, such as synthetic biology. The
Government and Research Councils have recognised the value of synthetic biology early,
and are providing funding. There is good activity in public engagement on synthetic
biology. However we are concerned that while research is well funded there is not enough
forethought about synthetic biology translation, for example developing DNA synthesis
capability, which would provide the UK with an excellent opportunity to get ahead
internationally. If this is not addressed, synthetic biology runs the risk of becoming yet
another story of the UK failing to capitalise on a strong research base and falling behind
internationally.

....(계속)

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