In the main, Biotechnology and health: South Africa's aspirations in health-related biotechnology consists of papers delivered at a one-day conference held in April 2006, when leading international authorities on the subject of biotechnology gathered in Somerset West, South Africa. Relevant contributions from other sources are also included.
The authors reflect on the various interventions that are needed both by South Africa and the African continent as a whole if a key objective is to be achieved: the development of a sustainable, relevant and productive biotechnology industry.
Appropriately, this book arrives as South Africa re-affirms its commitment to stimulating innovation in the field of biotechnology for the benefit of all. The collective wisdom it contains represents an intelligent appraisal of the progress made to date; it also gives necessary guidance if obstacles are to be overcome, and it suggests modifications to make developmental strategies more effective.
Biotechnology and health suggests that the South African biotechnology industry should get out of the back garden, where it is currently trapped, and join other international biotech players in the front garden so to speak.
Introduction
Chapter 1 Biotechnology and South Africa: a science journalist’s overview
Chapter 2 Better biology, better medicine, better health? The role of South African higher education in reducing the disease burden of the country and the continent
Chapter 3 Making biotechnology serve Africa’s needs
Chapter 4 Status of research and development in Africa
Chapter 5 So what is your problem? Finance … brains … cottage science … projects … delivery … ?
Chapter 6 The importance of having an organised system of IP rights and patent-development systems
Chapter 7 The challenges of starting up a biotech company in South Africa
Chapter 8 Mobilising the best brains to deal with poverty and health in Africa: challenges and opportunities in the world of science
Chapter 9 The role of the Department of Education in providing appropriate secondary education to advance the biological sciences in Africa
Chapter 10 Adopt, adapt, and prosper: building the foundation for biotechnology – lessons from Canada
Chapter 11 From mountains to safaris: Switzerland as an example of how to develop and commercialise science
Chapter 12 Accelerating biotechnology development in South Africa
Chapter 13 The macro view of biotechnology capability in the South African science system
Chapter 14 Biotechnology and the journey of humanity
Chapter 15 Humanity’s genes
Chapter 16 Biotechnology in the new millennium
Chapter 17 Where to from here?
