Public Policy

Mankind's need to cure disease, combat hunger and discover new forms of energy has never been more urgent.

BIOtechNOW’s Tracy Cooley talks to Dr. Schubert of the  Bioscience Association of West Virginia about biotech in West Virginia – major areas of growth, the outlook for growth of the industry within the states, and plans for the upcoming  BIO International Convention.

BIO and five member companies – Mendel Biotechnology, Arborgen, Abengoa Bioenergy, Novozymes and BP Biofuels – along with the Biomass Power Association held a briefing on Capitol Hill this week, outlining the importance of the USDA’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) and related programs. Regulatory rules for the BCAP, Biorefinery Assistance Program, and Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) were finalized by USDA only during the last quarter of 2010. But Congress is considering cutting the funds for these programs before they have a chance to show their effectiveness.

To carry out military and humanitarian missions around the world, U.S. forces require reliable fuel supplies and secure supply lines. At the micro level, the military is as much at the mercy of high oil and gasoline prices as the average consumer. In addition, when you calculate the fully burdened cost of fuels, for instance a gallon of jet fuel delivered to the front lines in Afghanistan, it can be upwards of $400 per gallon. And, on a macro level, oil often comes from regions of the world that are not U.S. military allies. The need for great energy independence is therefore a very important national security issue.

Tracy Cooley talks to Renee Winsky about biotech in Maryland and the upcoming  BIO International Convention  in Washington, DC.

All programs at the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing are open to attendance by members of the media. Complimentary media registration is available to editors and reporters with valid press credentials working full time for print, broadcast or web publications.

Despite the fact that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack believes that the regulation of genetically engineered agricultural products must be science-based, and that he has “no doubts about the safety of the products this system has approved and will continue to approve,” some state legislatures are considering bills requiring labeling for biotech-derived food. These bills defy existing science-based regulation and are wholly unnecessary.

BIO released a white paper on the growth and jobs potential of green chemicals.

The advanced biofuel industry can reduce reliance on oil and create green jobs; diverse federal programs are necessary to help producers secure financing for construction of projects. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today joined 34 other companies and trade associations to ask leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee to include the language of H.R. 5142, the Grow a Renewable Energy Economy Now – Jumpstart Other Biofuels (GREEN JOB) Act of 2010, in the next appropriate revenue vehicle considered by the House.

The federal Renewable Fuel Standard provides the stable policy essential to attracting private investment to the development of advanced biofuels. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today joined the Advanced BioFuel Association, the Renewable Fuel Association, the Advanced Ethanol Council and the American Coalition for Ethanol in a letter to leaders of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works urging protection of the federal RFS.

Scientific American will release the third annual Worldview: A Global Biotechnology Perspective at this year's BIO International Convention.

BIO is committed to increased access to biologic medicines for patients throughout the world. 

Emerging biotech companies with promising scientific innovation need a policy environment that will enable them to continue critical research and development of medical advancements and breakthroughs.

Letters, Testimony & Comments

May 16 2013
Introduction The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) appreciates the opportunity to respond to the Request for Comments issued by...
May 8 2013
The Honorable Rick Scott Office of the Governor State of Florida 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Dear Governor Scott...
May 8 2013
  Dear Sir/Madam:   The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) thanks the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for...
May 7 2013
Dear Sir/Madam: The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) thanks the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the opportunity to...
April 19 2013
  The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the “WHO Guidelines on the Quality...

Press Releases

May 14 2013
Washington, D.C. (May 13, 2013) Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)...
April 23 2013
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) released its “Bioscience Economic Development: Legislative...
April 16 2013
Washington, D.C. (April 16, 2013) Washington, D.C. (April 16, 2013) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization...
April 11 2013
Washington, D.C. (April 16, 2013) Washington, D.C. (April 16, 2013) – The Biotechnology Industry Organization...
April 3 2013
Washington, D.C. (April 2, 2013) –  The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and BioFlorida commend...