Biotechnology Research Roadmap - Science and Innovation

Table 2:
Government strategy influencing biotechnology research
Type of Strategy Strategy Strategy description and the role of biotechnology research
High level strategies Economic Transformation 45 The government’s agenda for economic transformation
(2006) covers five themes which together provide high-level
direction for its economic development policies.
The themes are:
• Growing globally competitive firms;
• World class infrastructure;
• Innovative and productive workplaces;
• An internationally competitive city – Auckland; and
• Environmental sustainability.
Biotechnology research has a particular role to play in
fuelling the development of New Zealand’s biotechnology
industry and the growth of globally competitive
biotechnology firms. It also has important contributions
to make to environmental sustainability through, for
example, the development of cleaner bio-industrial
processes.
Growth and Innovation The government’s Growth and Innovation Framework
Framework 46 (2002) (GIF) identified biotechnology as a sector with high
growth potential for New Zealand.
As a part of the GIF process the government convened a
Biotechnology Taskforce to report on growth strategies
for the biotechnology sector and make recommendations
for further development. The Taskforce Report 47
recognised the critical role of basic biotechnology
research as the “starting point” for biotechnology sector
developments and the role that it plays enabling
innovation across other important sectors of the economy.
Sustainable Development While there is no explicit mention of the specific role of
Programme of Action 48 biotechnology research in the Sustainable Development
(2003) Programme of Action it provides important “context” for
biotechnology research developments. Biotechnology
research will also make important contributions to
achieving its goals.
Biotechnology is a tool which can contribute to
environmental sustainability, benefiting child and
youth health and can be used for advanced renewable
energy applications.
Government The New Zealand The overarching theme of the Strategy is “development
sponsored Biotechnology Strategy with care”. The Strategy is divided into three key streams:
sector strategies (2003) 49 1. Growing the sector: Grow New Zealand’s
biotechnology sector to enhance economic and
community benefits;
2. Regulation: Manage the development and
introduction of new biotechnologies with a regulatory
system that provides robust safeguards and allows
innovation; and
3. Community: Build understanding about
biotechnology and constructive engagement between
people in the community and the biotechnology sector.
45
Cab Min (06) 7/22
46
New Zealand Government (2002), The Growth and Innovation Framework, http://gif.med.govt.nz/
47
The Biotechnology Taskforce (2003), Growing the Biotechnology Sector in New Zealand – A Framework for Action, http://www.nzte.govt.nz
48
New Zealand Government (2003), Sustainable Development Programme of Action, http://www.beehive.govt.nz/hobbs/30199-med-susined-developm.pdf
49
New Zealand Government (2003), The New Zealand Biotechnology Strategy, http://www.morst.govt.nz/publications/a-z/nz-biotechnology-strategy/
22 Roadmaps for Science : biotechnology research