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Focuses on the report produced by the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research, and Energy regarding biotechnological methods to improve performance in biotechnology field in Europe. Suggestions proposed by the committee; Needs to create seed-stage financial resources; Response of European Parliament European Commission on the report; Concern regarding the prospects of the report.

The article presents information on the decision taken by Germany-basedagrochemical company BASF to discontinue the production of genetically modified (GM) crops adapted to European conditions. It reports that BASF will focus on the American and Asian markets. It also highlights the likely repercussions the BASF's decision to leave the European market will possess for European agriculture particularly in context to potato production.

The article discusses a study which examined 22 patented genetic diagnostic tests in the U.S. and Europe. The study analyzed the exact number, status, nature and scope of granted disease-specific patents being applied in the U.S. and Europe. The profile of patent applicants is presented, along with the typology and impact of claim analysis. The authors noted that the study highlighted the problem of lack of transparency and clarity that lead to legal uncertainty. Such legal uncertainty poses risks if genetic tests are performed without knowledge of patent infringement.

The article presents the results of a study assessing the progress in tapping pharmacogenetics in explaining variations in drug response. It also presents the current challenges for those making efforts to employ pharmacogenetics. The study is grounded on a comprehensive review of the science base and industry in the United States, Europe and Japan.

The article discusses the need to increase women's leadership in the field of biotechnology. Although women comprise almost half of recipients of biological sciences degrees in Europe and the U.S., they have less leadership and advisory roles in biotechnology companies. Diverse leadership offers benefits with regards to problem solving. A female perspective is critical for approaches needed to solve complex problems. Increasing women's leadership role will lead to more innovative solutions.

The article questions the survival of the patentability of genes in light of court decisions in the U.S. and Europe. Fifteen patent claims to genes used to diagnose breast cancer susceptibility were invalidated by a U.S. district court in Association for Molecular Pathology v. United States Patent and Trademark Office. Judge Robert Sweet based his decision on the belief that isolated DNA does not alter the fundamental quality of DNA. Also cited are the gene-related provisions in Article 5 of the European Patent Convention.

Reports on possible approval of guidelines for genetically modified crops by European Union in Europe. Overview of the guidelines; Need for guidelines on food biotechnology.

Reports on the establishment of EuropaBio, a plant biotechnology unit within the European Bioindustries' Association to focus on plant biotechnologies in Europe. Reference to the 1999 issue of the journal 'Nature Biotechnology,' vol. 17, page 207; Criticism that the approach of general representation across the entire industry is flawed; Collaboration of pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental concerns.

Government initiatives, growth of small-cap markets, and a change in investor attitudes has promoted an increase in European venture funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers insights on calls by a group of European drug regulators for making all raw data from clinical trials publicly available. It cites European regulators' arguments for making clinical trial data publicly available, as well as their reasons for treating these data with care. It points out that the lack of transparency in drug development is exacerbated by the size and complexity of the submissions that regulators require from drug firms.

Focuses on decline in the research on genetically modified organisms (GMO) in Europe. Report of European Commission's Joint Research Centre on decline in GMO research in Europe; Research centers and institutes that are working on GMO projects; Europe-based companies that are involved in GMO research.