THE second Shenzhen International Biotech Forum & Exhibition is scheduled to be held Sept. 25-27, government officials announced yesterday.
Almost 100 enterprises from countries including the United States, Germany and Belgium, along with the city-state of Singapore and other locations have confirmed their participation, according to Gao Guohui, deputy secretary general of Shenzhen Municipal Government. Bearing the theme "Biological Technologies Change the World's Future," the exhibition will consist of four primary display areas: biological science, medical technology and equipment, agricultural and environmental protection technology, and biotech financing services.
Additionally, top experts from home and abroad will share thoughts on biotech resources, data and health at a series of forums during the event.
At last year's event, Ian Wilmut, an embryologist from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, detailed new therapy opportunities provided by advances in stem cell biology. Wilmut is best known as the leader of the research group which, in 1996, first cloned a mammal-a Finnish Dorset lamb named Dolly-from an adult somatic cell.
"We will strengthen cooperation with professional institutions in the United States, South Korea, Ireland and Brussels to bring more foreign enterprises to the event," Gao said.
Shenzhen was home to 81 laboratories and research and development centers, as well as six industrial parks, in the biological industry by the end of last year. The industry achieved an output value of 91 billion yuan (US$15 billion) last year, according to Shenzhen's vice mayor, Tang Jie.
Tang said Shenzhen is determined to turn the industry into a leading one within the next three to five years.
However, some key players in the industry have expressed concerns.
"Biological technology has been developing at a fast speed. However, related laws and regulations remain unchanged, which has prevented new technologies from clinical application," said Hu Xiang, president of Bekei Biotechnology, a Shenzhen-based enterprise dedicated to stem cell research and clinical applications.
Hu added that many technologies in current clinical use were developed more than 10 years ago.
Hu's thoughts were echoed by Wang Jian, head of BGI, a leading genomic research institution, who said it is a pity that policy innovations haven't been seen in the country while scientific innovation has been encouraged.
"Policies should not become a hindrance for scientific innovation. Adherence to scientific rules matters most,"said Wang, who expressed unhappiness about a recent report that BGI's prenatal genetic testing follows no current regulations.
(Source:Shenzhen Daily)