Milestones in 2006-2007

Animal cloning. Livestock cloning is an assisted reproductive technology that allows farmers and ranchers to rapidly distribute the best genetics to produce healthy livestock and safe, high-quality meat and milk. In late December 2006, the FDA released a draft risk assessment and risk management proposal on livestock cloning,
concluding that foods derived from cloned animals and their offspring are as safe as foods from animals produced using conventional breeding techniques. BIO has advocated for FDA’s guidance to allow this industry to move forward and is pressing FDA to finalize its decisions this year.

Biodefense and pandemic preparedness. The world needs vaccines, diagnostics and therapies to prevent or respond to bioterrorism or pandemic outbreaks. We hope these events don’t occur, but as a nation we need to be prepared, and the development of these products is a costly and risky endeavor. How can companies be persuaded to use precious R&D funding to develop products with an uncertain market? BIO has worked with its members, as well as key congressional committees and federal agencies, to develop solutions. BIO advocacy generated funding and other incentives in the Bioshield program, pandemic legislation, and the establishment of the Biodefense Advanced Research and Development Authority.