To be eligible for membership in BIO, a firm or organization must fit into one of the membership categories outlined in BIO’s bylaws (i.e., Core, Associate, Affiliate, and Center members). Further, membership in BIO is open only to firms or organizations that generally support BIO’s public policy positions, and whose own positions and business practices are generally consistent with BIO’s reputation and its policies and principles in support of innovation, including intellectual property rights. As part of the application and membership renewal process, each firm or organization is required to affirm that it meets such criteria.As an indicium of a Core Member’s “support for innovation,” an important criterion includes an assessment of whether a Core Member company invests significantly in innovative (i.e., new and novel) biotechnological research and development (R&D) activities.Beyond these core requirements of membership, BIO expects that its members will not engage in conduct that is detrimental to the purpose or reputation of the organization.BIO Statements and Principles regarding Biotech Social Responsibilities:In addition to BIO’s membership criteria, BIO’s Board of Directors has, over the years, adopted a series of official Statements and Principles that help to set expectations regarding the social responsibilities of our members and the broader biotechnology community, and to encourage societally beneficial conduct. While non-exhaustive, we have provided below the links to some of the most important Statements and Principles adopted by BIO’s Board.Developing an Inclusive and Impactful Approach to Transparency for Biotechnology in Food & AgricultureStatement of BIO Ethical PrinciplesPrinciples on Protecting Research and Research ParticipantsPrinciples on Responsible Sharing of Truthful and Non-Misleading Information About Medicines With Health Care Professionals and PayersStatement of Ethical Principles for the Care and Use of Animals in…

BIO has long expressed its commitment to the use of biotechnology only to benefit humankind. BIO's Statement of Ethical Principles contains several provisions that describe responsible uses of biotechnology and ethical behavior standards developed by the biotechnology industry. After the September 11, 2001 attack on America, questions have been raised about broader uses of biotechnology, including its use to detect, diagnose, prevent, or treat victims of possible future biological attacks as well as the potential for misuse of the technology.BIO hereby re-affirms its long-standing policy opposing the use of biotechnology to develop weapons. As importantly, however, BIO strongly supports the use of biotechnology to promote and protect the public health and national security. To these ends, appropriate uses of biotechnology include the research, development, and commercialization of products and services to detect, diagnose, protect, and treat all people against harmful pathogens and other agents.Such products should be developed and distributed under statutory, regulatory and ethical frameworks that address issues including informed consent for patients and participants in clinical trials, independent review of clinical trial protocols, licensing and other importation and exportation rules, and technology transfer. BIO member companies believe in the responsible progress - and use - of science. Biotechnology companies support the use of appropriate safeguards for technologies, including security for employees and facilities.BIO will continue to work with government agencies, policy makers, and other leaders to develop policies and procedures that embody these important bioethical principles.To improve public understanding about biotechnology and how it can maintain and improve public health and security, BIO and its member companies also will educate policy makers and the public.Through biotechnology more than 100 new, breakthrough biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and…