Biotechnology in Europe and Latin America : Prospects for Co-operation

The accession of Spain and Portugal to membership of the European Community in January 1985 not only brought new vitality to the European initiative, but served as a powerful reminder of the broader dimensions of the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds. A reinforcement of Europe's natural and historical interna­ tionalism of outlook was particularly relevant in the context of biotechnology; for the sophisticated multi-disciplinary scientific base, and the several broad application areas, force on biotechnol­ ogy an internationalism both for access to scientific capability, and for access to worldwide markets. Such was the rationale for 'SOBELA': a 'Seminar on Biotechnol­ ogy in Europe and Latin America', which in April 1987 brought some 50 Latin American entrepreneurs, policy-makers and academic leaders to Europe and to Brussels. At the Commission's Borschette Conference Centre, they heard presentations from eleven of the Community Member States, each emphasising its strengths in bio­ technology and its interest in promoting industrial collaboration with firms in Latin America. The seminar was opened by speeches from Vice-President Karl­ Heinz Narjes on behalf of the Commission, and by His Excellency Luis Ramiro Alfonsin of Argentina, senior Latin American diplomat in Brussels. In the closing session, Directors-General Paolo Fasella (Science, Research and Development, DG XII) and Jean Durieux (External Relations, DG I) welcomed Their Excellencies the ambas­ sadors from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia. Front Matter....Pages I-XX Introduction....Pages 1-12 Front Matter....Pages 13-13 Overview of European Activities in Biotechnology....Pages 15-21 Belgium....Pages 23-30 Denmark....Pages 31-39 France....Pages 41-46 The Federal Republic of Germany....Pages 47-61 Greece....Pages 63-67 The Republic of Ireland....Pages 69-76 Italy....Pages 77-84 The Netherlands....Pages 85-93 Portugal....Pages 95-102 Spain....Pages 103-109 The United Kingdom....Pages 111-121 Front Matter....Pages 123-123 Comments....Pages 125-128 Overview of Latin American Activities in Biotechnology....Pages 129-135 Argentina....Pages 137-145 Brazil....Pages 147-151 Mexico....Pages 153-173 The Andean Countries....Pages 175-207 Health in the Third World: The Role of International Co-operation....Pages 209-214 Conclusions and Analysis....Pages 215-223