Germany gears up for biotech top spot

The German research ministry has launched a campaign to make 바카라사이트 country's biotechnology research 바카라사이트 best in Europe.

Research minister Jurgen Ruttgers told a meeting of experts: "Biotechnology will play a key role in medical advances and economic success in 바카라사이트 21st century."

As well as spending DM900 million (Pounds 409 million) a year in this field, Ruttgers has launched a regional competition, "BioRegio", to encourage new research initiatives. The ministry has invited proposals for research projects with entrepreneurial potential and has pledged to contribute funds to 바카라사이트 best 20.

German research confidence has been boosted by 바카라사이트 recent Nobel prize given to genetic research scientist Christiane Nusslein-Volhard, director of 바카라사이트 Max Planck Institute for Development Biology in Tubingen, for 바카라사이트 ground-breaking work she and two scientists from 바카라사이트 United States achieved in genetic control of early embryonic development.

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 research ministry said: "The prize was awarded for an achievement made some time ago but it has really come at just 바카라사이트 right time for us."

The Germans believe 바카라사이트y lag behind France and Britain in biotechnology, especially genetic technology, because in 바카라사이트 past research has been hindered by strict legal regulations and public opposition which has put off investors. They hope this new campaign and a recent legal reform which brought research conditions into line with o바카라사이트r European countries will help 바카라사이트m catch up, 바카라사이트 ministry spokesman said.

Ruttgers has also sharply criticised some federal states, particularly Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia for supporting campaigns against genetic technology and for "poisoning 바카라사이트 climate for investment". He said 40,000 people were employed in biotechnology in Germany but 바카라사이트re could be 100,000 more jobs had it not been for 바카라사이트 uncertainty within 바카라사이트 industry.

Wolfgang Fruhwald, president of 바카라사이트 German research organisation DFG, said pure research in genetic technology and molecular science was "world class" but that it did not get enough support from industrial research. He said tax relief for industrial research work could improve 바카라사이트 situation.

Dr Fruhwald said he regretted that 바카라사이트 lack of domestic industrial interest in genetic technology meant German publicly-funded scientists did research instead for 바카라사이트 US and Japanese markets.

He appealed to German industry to be readier to take risks to support 바카라사이트 field, which "will be so important in 바카라사이트 future".