Life sciences and biotechnology: A strategy for Europe

Life sciences and biotechnology are widely recognized to be, after information technology, the next wave of the knowledge-based economy. They also raise important policy and societal issues and have given rise to public debate. In Europe, relevant responsibilities for these industries fall across a broad range of policies and actors. In the absence of a shared vision of what is at stake and without common objectives and effective coordination, Europe has therefore only slowly and with difficulty addressed the challenges and opportunities of these new technologies. This 2002 white paper by the Commission of the European Communities (now known as the European Commission) proposes a framework to find ways forward on policy governing the life sciences and biotechnology industries in Europe.

Europe if faced with a major policy choice: either accept a passive and re-active role, and bear the implications of the development of these technologies elsewhere, or develop proactive policies to exploit them in a responsible manner, consistent with European values and standards. The longer Europe hesitates, the less realistic this second option will be.

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