Biohazard waste is produced by various hospitals, factories, and industries, and it is essential to dispose or store it properly. Most of the times, the biological hazards are not visible but it is essential to use biohazard labels and signs to spread awareness among the employees who work in such places. Exposure to biohazard waste can be dangerous so it is important for the industries where such waste is produced to take extra care for safety of everyone.
BioHazardLabels.com is one such website where one can find excellent quality biohazard labels for enhancing safety. This online store sells biohazard labels, signs and tags which can be used to warn the employees to take necessary precautions for their safety.
It is of utmost importance to use bold warning signs for applying on biohazard storage containers, such as waste containers, evidence bags, freezers and refrigerators, etc. The containers with toxic chemicals have disease-causing organisms which can be potentially dangerous for the environment and people who come in contact with those toxic chemicals.
The biohazard signs and labels can be used in the areas which are susceptible to biological risks. Eye-catching and bold biohazard signs and labels can be used at the entrance of the area with biological risks so that any worker or visitor is not caught unawares. The handling procedure of biohazard waste should be organized so that nothing is left to chance.
People working in places where biohazard material is stored should be careful with their food and drinks too. The refrigerators that are meant for storing biohazard material should never be used to store foods and drinks as they will be exposed to hazardous materials. Care should be taken and the edibles or drinks should never be placed on the surface which has been contaminated by biohazard waste.
BioHazardLabels.com caters to the need of people who are looking for high quality biohazard labels. Various labels, signs, and tags can be purchased from here at affordable prices. A customer can buy biohazard signs according to message, such as Authorized Personnel Only, Biohazard Area, Contaminated Clothing, No Food or Drink in Refrigerator and many more. These labels can also be purchased according to their type like Bilingual Biohazard Signs and Labels, Biohazard Tags, Projecting Biohazard Signs and lots more.
About BioHazardLabels.com
BioHazardLabels.com is one of the best online stores for purchasing labels, signs, and tags for biohazard waste at affordable prices. A person can also get customized labels from here. To know more about this website, kindly browse through http://www.biohazardlabels.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
SA State owned pharma player makes sense
Rumours of a South African state owned pharmaceutical player have been gathering momentum in the last few weeks. ManufacturingHub.co.za takes a look at the drivers for such a move and the impact it may have on the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
While the move is likely to be met with stern resistance from a number of pharmaceutical companies who had positioned themselves to meet governments Anti-Retroviral (ARV) demands, the move would make sense for a number of reasons:
- Price setting vs. price taking
- Job creation
- Leveraging CSIR technology
- Bad publicity around the slow roll out of ARVs
- Slow pace of transformation in the sector
Price setting vs. Price taking
Despite government’s habit of intervening around price setting in the pharmaceutical sector, their end ‘control’ over finished product has led to no shortage of friction between the manufacturers and government.
At the end of the day, government does not have to be held (in their view) to ransom in terms of pricing if they can control their supply chain.
It is very unlikely that the business unit will operate on a ‘for profit’ basis, but if government can turn around to the country and show they have a ready supply of ARV’s and potentially products to counter the likes of ‘Bird flu’ – South Africans are not going to raise too many questions.
However the mandate for such an entity will need to be made very clear – it cannot be the equivalent of South African Airways (SAA) where it could be treated as the stick to always beat down any competition from the pharmaceutical sector.
Job creation
Government has already indicated that it will be proceeding with the development of a state owned mining company – so the move is not totally unexpected.
With the current global economic crisis and widespread job cuts on the cards, more state owned entities attacking the unemployment situation will be vital and a key driver to hurry this process up.
I believe that government has missed an opportunity to establish a government owned and managed food manufacturing operation as a realistic way to counter high prices.
It is important to remember that this stance would not be a backward step from capitalism toward socialism. These entities would fulfill an important social function, create employment and in fact stimulate mainstream business to supply into them.
The sector remains a vibrant participant in the SA economy and should be allowed to continue to develop.
Leveraging CSIR technology
The CSIR has already announced that it has neared completion of the development of low cost ARV’s - if you wanted a direct challenge to the SA pharma sector, then you have it.
The failure of government to effectively leverage the technology and human capital being developed within the CSIR has been a regular issue. This would alleviate some of the problems being faced here and is likely to be well received by researchers and science professionals across the board.
Bad publicity around the slow roll out of ARVs
Over the last few years, government has taken a lot of flak for its slow roll out of ARV’s. The Department of Health has been portrayed as incompetent and unable to react quickly to health challenges facing the country.
This would give further impetus to the establishment of such an entity.
Slow pace of transformation in the sector
Government has been critical of the pace and nature of transformation within the SA pharmaceutical sector – particularly because of the large numbers of foreign national firms who have not been keen to give up equity stakes in their business units.
If the sector won’t play ball, then government will introduce its own player.
But will it work and who wins and who loses?
It was interesting to note that Dr. Padayachee – a non executive of Adcock Ingram resigned on the 1st of December to “take up a senior appointment within the Department of Health.”
This announcement came shortly after the CSIR made some song and dance about its ARV technology. My guess is that the move is gaining ground
The people I have chatted to have been pretty negative on the concept – but then they represent SA pharmaceutical interests so they would be.
I think it would need to be made very clear which product lines the new entity would operate in and where it would play.
Those pharma manufacturers who have geared themselves up to meet governments ARV requirements could find themselves blown out of the water. Of the three JSE listed entities we believe that this could be most negative for Cipla Medpro (Enaleni) in the short term. Adcock Ingram’s competition commission issues may prove to be a blessing in disguise because they had not positioned themselves around the ARV market.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
More details on the upcoming innovation workshops
Many of the ManufacturingHub.co.za readers have expressed interest in the upcoming Innovation workshops to be held around the country. Please find below some further information on the workshops including including details of speakers and topics for all the events. Please give us your feedback on these events and submit pictures to newsdesk@rival.co.za so we can update our readers!
Find more details on the presenters here...
Find more details on the presenters here...
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Biotechnology sector predictions - 2009
In late 2007, I made some predictions around the South African biotechnology industry and it was interesting to look back and see how the sector has performed in 2008, in comparison to the predictions.
Read the complete article here
Read the complete article here
South African Tech and Research on display
Real and relevant research addressing a range of topical issues such as safety and security for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, global climate change, HIV/Aids, TB, improved infrastructure, rural access to information and many other critical issues will be discussed and debated at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) conference on 17 and 18 November 2008.
Read the complete article here.
Read the complete article here.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Regulatory Affairs Manager - Pharma Recruitment
Execusource Online is looking for a Regulatory Affairs Manager with a generic pharmaceutical manufacturing company near Philadelphia (US). They would report to the Vice President of Compliance and have 6 direct reports.
Further details here.
List your jobs on leading industrial portal ManufacturingHub.co.za for R175 excl. VAT. For further information please e-mail sales@rival.co.za or contact Marc on 082-561-1585
Further details here.
List your jobs on leading industrial portal ManufacturingHub.co.za for R175 excl. VAT. For further information please e-mail sales@rival.co.za or contact Marc on 082-561-1585
Friday, October 24, 2008
Admission open in BII for Autumn 2008 Batch
India (SANEPR.com) October 24, 2008 -- Established in 2002 Bioinformatics Institute of India (BII) is a reputed and globally recognised institution for imparting quality education and training in the emerging disciplines of Bioinformatics, Clinical Trials, Pharma Regulatory affairs, Pharma Quality Assurance and Control, Drug Design and Patenting, IPR and Biotechnology etc.
Working professionals from hundreds of reputed companies and students from elite institutes have participated and benefitted from our programs. BII is proud to have participants from more than 40 countries in these programs
Our Distance Participation Industry programs are our most popular programs. Working professionals from hundreds of reputed companies and students from elite institutes have participated and benefited from these programs. BII is proud to have participants from more than 40 countries in these programs. The programs currently on offer are:
• Industry Program in Bioinformatics
• Industry Program in Pharma Regulatory Affairs
• Industry Program in Clinical Trials, Research and Administration
• Industry program in Pharma Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• Industry program in Drug Design and patenting
• Industry program in Intellectual Property Rights
• Industry Program in Biotechnology
• Introductory Program in Bioinformatics.
Classroom Program offered by BII
BII offers 6 months classroom Advance Program in Bioinformatics & 6 months weekend Advance Program in Clinical Trial, Research and data management.
CAREER PROSPECTS:
•Excellent career opportunities exist for students and professionals who are trained in these areas. Placement support is provided.
How to join:
For a free copy of the prospectus email/write to the
Bioinformatics Institute of India
C-56 A/28, Sector 62
Noida
Tel: 0120-4320801, 802
9810535368, 9818473366
Visit : www.bii.in,
Working professionals from hundreds of reputed companies and students from elite institutes have participated and benefitted from our programs. BII is proud to have participants from more than 40 countries in these programs
Our Distance Participation Industry programs are our most popular programs. Working professionals from hundreds of reputed companies and students from elite institutes have participated and benefited from these programs. BII is proud to have participants from more than 40 countries in these programs. The programs currently on offer are:
• Industry Program in Bioinformatics
• Industry Program in Pharma Regulatory Affairs
• Industry Program in Clinical Trials, Research and Administration
• Industry program in Pharma Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• Industry program in Drug Design and patenting
• Industry program in Intellectual Property Rights
• Industry Program in Biotechnology
• Introductory Program in Bioinformatics.
Classroom Program offered by BII
BII offers 6 months classroom Advance Program in Bioinformatics & 6 months weekend Advance Program in Clinical Trial, Research and data management.
CAREER PROSPECTS:
•Excellent career opportunities exist for students and professionals who are trained in these areas. Placement support is provided.
How to join:
For a free copy of the prospectus email/write to the
Bioinformatics Institute of India
C-56 A/28, Sector 62
Noida
Tel: 0120-4320801, 802
9810535368, 9818473366
Visit : www.bii.in,
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Refind - Web 3.0 searching
Dear Researchers,
ResearchGATE is proud to announce a major update: We greatly improved our search functionality and called it ReFind. The name symbolizes the importance of an efficient and result-driven search functionality within research in general and within our network in particular.
Most of the search engines on the web are actually – stupid. This sounds harsh, but it is true: Their algorithms provide you with page results based on criteria such as the number of occurrences of search terms and on their overall audience. But do you really care about this as a researcher with special interests? Probably, no. Research topics are often too complex to be narrowed down into a few words.
ReFind, instead, is one of the first search engines based on semantic, “intelligent” correlations. It enables you to find groups, papers, fellow researchers and everything else within and outside of ResearchGATE without having to read through dozens of irrelevant results. Just type a few sentences into ReFind or simply copy and paste your abstract. Our semantic algorithm will then search the leading databases for similar work, providing you with truly relevant results.
This is the way to Web 3.0!
Please try it out and send us your feedback.
Thanks!
The ResearchGATE Team
ResearchGATE is proud to announce a major update: We greatly improved our search functionality and called it ReFind. The name symbolizes the importance of an efficient and result-driven search functionality within research in general and within our network in particular.
Most of the search engines on the web are actually – stupid. This sounds harsh, but it is true: Their algorithms provide you with page results based on criteria such as the number of occurrences of search terms and on their overall audience. But do you really care about this as a researcher with special interests? Probably, no. Research topics are often too complex to be narrowed down into a few words.
ReFind, instead, is one of the first search engines based on semantic, “intelligent” correlations. It enables you to find groups, papers, fellow researchers and everything else within and outside of ResearchGATE without having to read through dozens of irrelevant results. Just type a few sentences into ReFind or simply copy and paste your abstract. Our semantic algorithm will then search the leading databases for similar work, providing you with truly relevant results.
This is the way to Web 3.0!
Please try it out and send us your feedback.
Thanks!
The ResearchGATE Team
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Green Revolution to Gene Revolution - Foods from Modern Biotechnology"
Event name:"Green Revolution to Gene Revolution - Foods from Modern Biotechnology"
Start Date:03 October 2008
Time:12h30 - 14h00
Venue: Exhibition Hall, The UCT Graduate School of Business, Breakwater Campus, Duration:2 hours
The UCT Graduate School of Business in association with Deloitte is proud to present: "Green Revolution to Gene Revolution - Foods from Modern Biotechnology" Presented by American academic, Professor Bruce Chassy, a biochemist at the University of Illinois Professor Chassy’s research focuses on the characterisation and development of methods for the genetic manipulation of microorganisms used in food and dairy fermentations. His research experiences with the development of genetically modified microorganisms that are used in foods led him to an interest in food safety and the safety evaluation of "biotech foods." The presentation is designed to give the balanced facts as to "what they are, and what they are not" and "why they are developed and grown". It includes a brief mention of nutritionally-improved/enhanced crops, including some developments that are in the pipeline. The take-home message: "The science and the care that is being taken in applying it"
website:www.gsb.uct.ac.za
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Chemistry and innovation
For those with a little interest in commercial science / biotechnology investments, you might be interesting in this workshop here.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Stem Cells From Patient
Thailand (SANEPR.com) September 16, 2008 -- A collaboration between Bangkok Hospital Medical Center, Theravitae Ltd and the University of Pittsburgh has created a new stem cell therapy treatment option at Bangkok's world-class hospital and medical facility.Patients with heart damage or heart failure can now be treated at Bangkok Heart Hospital (a division of Bangkok Hospital Medical Centre) with stem cells from their own peripheral blood tissue.
Stem cell therapy involves the use of partially differentiated or undifferentiated cells to treat damaged tissue in several areas of the body. Their damaged heart muscle can be repaired without the need for tissue transplants or mechanical insertions. The stem cells used are known as angiogenic precursor cells.
These cells are designated as unipotent, that is, they have the potential only to become one type of mature cell. However, their undeveloped status means that the body can utilize and reproduce them in a way it cannot with mature cells. Cell selection and expansion using this method takes about a week - thousands of times less what it might take to find a suitable donor for heart tissue.Magnetic resonance imaging, a thoracoscopic camera and keyhole surgery are used to administer the stem cell product directly to the damaged area of the heart. The surgery involves a small incision being made in the left side of the chest, and a thoracoscopic camera being inserted into the thoracic cavity.
The cells are injected directly into the cardiac muscle at the point of damage, which is located using an MRI. The technology also has the potential to be able to grow new heart tissue from a person's own stem cells, and Bangkok Hospital is leading the world in research in this area.The new treatment option at Bangkok Heart Hospital means that medical tourists have a less invasive, more natural and scientifically advanced method of treatment for coronary artery disease and heart failure at a world-leading facility.
Bangkok Hospital is accredited by TEMOS (Telemedicine for the Mobile Society), an organization which assures international travelers of the quality and safety standards of hospitals worldwide.
It also involves a patient's home doctor in the treatment and recovery process. For more information, please see http://www.bangkokhospital.com/App/NewsEventsDetail.aspx?newsid=73 and www.bangkokhospital.com
Stem cell therapy involves the use of partially differentiated or undifferentiated cells to treat damaged tissue in several areas of the body. Their damaged heart muscle can be repaired without the need for tissue transplants or mechanical insertions. The stem cells used are known as angiogenic precursor cells.
These cells are designated as unipotent, that is, they have the potential only to become one type of mature cell. However, their undeveloped status means that the body can utilize and reproduce them in a way it cannot with mature cells. Cell selection and expansion using this method takes about a week - thousands of times less what it might take to find a suitable donor for heart tissue.Magnetic resonance imaging, a thoracoscopic camera and keyhole surgery are used to administer the stem cell product directly to the damaged area of the heart. The surgery involves a small incision being made in the left side of the chest, and a thoracoscopic camera being inserted into the thoracic cavity.
The cells are injected directly into the cardiac muscle at the point of damage, which is located using an MRI. The technology also has the potential to be able to grow new heart tissue from a person's own stem cells, and Bangkok Hospital is leading the world in research in this area.The new treatment option at Bangkok Heart Hospital means that medical tourists have a less invasive, more natural and scientifically advanced method of treatment for coronary artery disease and heart failure at a world-leading facility.
Bangkok Hospital is accredited by TEMOS (Telemedicine for the Mobile Society), an organization which assures international travelers of the quality and safety standards of hospitals worldwide.
It also involves a patient's home doctor in the treatment and recovery process. For more information, please see http://www.bangkokhospital.com/App/NewsEventsDetail.aspx?newsid=73 and www.bangkokhospital.com
Monday, September 15, 2008
SA listed pharmaceuticals assessed
South African based industrial publishing house and research company, ManufacturingHub.co.za will be releasing an industrial report of listed pharmaceutical companies on the JSE for the third quarter of 2008.
Read full details of the report here.
Read full details of the report here.
Friday, September 12, 2008
SHEQ Content
ManufacturingHub.co.za is currently in the process of finalising a content sharing agreement with leading SHEQ website SHEQAfrica.com.
In the interim we have begun displaying some of their Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality related news and information on our site here.
We are aware of the display problem with Internet Explorer 7 and are in the process of rectifying it.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact Marc Ashton on 082-561-1585 or e-mail marc@rival.co.za
Kind regards,
Marc Ashton
Managing Editor
In the interim we have begun displaying some of their Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality related news and information on our site here.
We are aware of the display problem with Internet Explorer 7 and are in the process of rectifying it.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact Marc Ashton on 082-561-1585 or e-mail marc@rival.co.za
Kind regards,
Marc Ashton
Managing Editor
Monday, September 8, 2008
Write for ManufacturingHub.co.za
ManufacturingHub.co.za - www.manufacturinghub.co.za - is looking to source some new content and we’re looking to hit some of the SA science, manufacturing and biotechnology communities for some ideas.
And the best part of it - we’ll even pay for it (Admittedly not very well but hopefully as the traffic grows we can take it from there).
We woudl like to invite you to circulate amongst your friends and professional colleagues that we have a SMALL writing budget that we would like to try and utilise for ManufacturingHub.co.za (www.manufacturinghub.co.za).
If you believe you have a topic that would be applicable to professionals in the SA Food, Pharmaceutical, Chemical / Biotechnology communities then by all means please either drop me a brief or suggestion and we can take it from there.
We are looking for some content that is fresh and sharp and maybe a little provocative (in a targeted way!). The idea is to now really step up this resource to get South Africans recognising ManufacturingHub.co.za as the premier online industrial resource for the SA Food, Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Cosmetic Manufacturing industries.
Details as below:
Marc Ashton - Managing Editor
www.manufacturinghub.co.za
marc@rival.co.za
Facebook group - http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7654433017
Also spread the word about this group and try and build it a bit so we can expend the SA science community a bit online.
Regards,
Marc Ashton
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Upcoming events
Bio 2008 - San Diego
The 2008 BIO International Convention will feature leading industry experts and government officials from around the world debating key issues that dramatically influence the biotechnology industry including follow-on biologics/biosimilars, biomarker research, genomics and the ever-changing global biotechnology business landscape. Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the 2008 BIO International Convention will take place June 17 to June 20, 2008 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
For more information, please click here.
Bio2Biz 2008
15 – 17 September
Sandton
Bio2Biz 2008 promises to be a huge success in terms of the exhibitions, speakers and delegate count. For this year, Bio2Biz will take place alongside INSITE08 (International Science Innovation and Technology Exhibition) and the International Association of Science Parks’ XXV World Conference at the Sandton Convention Centre. These exhibitions and conferences are also supported by a promotional campaign that will see a distribution of 500 000 complimentary tickets and loose inserts in various publications and an online campaign.
For more information, please click here.
Cape Biotech Student Sponsorship - Bio2Biz 2008
Cape Biotech is offering sponsorships to 10 students in the Western Cape to attend the biggest South African Biotechnology event of the year - Bio2Biz SA 2008.
This annual biotechnology conference is hosted by Cape Biotech, Lifelab, PlantBio, Biopad, eGoliBio, NBN and the Innovation Fund and will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 15 September to 17 September 2008, alongside INSITE 2008.
Please visit www.bio2biz.org for further information and program details.
The 2008 BIO International Convention will feature leading industry experts and government officials from around the world debating key issues that dramatically influence the biotechnology industry including follow-on biologics/biosimilars, biomarker research, genomics and the ever-changing global biotechnology business landscape. Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the 2008 BIO International Convention will take place June 17 to June 20, 2008 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
For more information, please click here.
Bio2Biz 2008
15 – 17 September
Sandton
Bio2Biz 2008 promises to be a huge success in terms of the exhibitions, speakers and delegate count. For this year, Bio2Biz will take place alongside INSITE08 (International Science Innovation and Technology Exhibition) and the International Association of Science Parks’ XXV World Conference at the Sandton Convention Centre. These exhibitions and conferences are also supported by a promotional campaign that will see a distribution of 500 000 complimentary tickets and loose inserts in various publications and an online campaign.
For more information, please click here.
Cape Biotech Student Sponsorship - Bio2Biz 2008
Cape Biotech is offering sponsorships to 10 students in the Western Cape to attend the biggest South African Biotechnology event of the year - Bio2Biz SA 2008.
This annual biotechnology conference is hosted by Cape Biotech, Lifelab, PlantBio, Biopad, eGoliBio, NBN and the Innovation Fund and will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 15 September to 17 September 2008, alongside INSITE 2008.
Please visit www.bio2biz.org for further information and program details.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Admissions Open in BII for Spring 2008 Batch
Established in 2002 Bioinformatics Institute of India (BII) is a reputed and pioneering institution for imparting quality education and training in the different emerging disciplines of Life Sciences. BII is today recognized across the globe as a premier institution offering programs in the area of Bioinformatics, Clinical Trials, Pharma Regulatory affairs, Pharma Quality Assurance and Control, Drug Design and Patenting, IPR and Biotechnology etc. These training programs are being offered via various modes such as distance participation, e-learning, classroom etc.
BII is also proud to supply multimedia and corporate training kits to governments, private bodies and individuals in its areas of expertise.
Our Distance Participation Industry programs are our most popular programs. Working professionals from hundreds of reputed companies and students from elite institutes have participated and benefited from these programs. BII is proud to have participants from more than 40 countries in these programs. The programs currently on offer are:
• Industry Program in Bioinformatics
• Industry Program in Pharma Regulatory Affairs
• Industry Program in Clinical Trials, Research and Administration
• Industry program in Pharma Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• Industry program in Drug Design and patenting
• Industry program in Intellectual Property Rights
• Industry Program in Biotechnology
• Introductory Program in Bioinformatics.
For more information regarding these programs please visit www.bii.in
Distance Participation Program features:
• All India Exam Centres
• Study Material
• Recorded Lectures
• Multimedia Kits
• Excellent Support via Telephone, internet, Blog etc
Career Prospects:
Excellent career opportunities exist for students and professionals who are trained in these areas. Placement support is provided to all the program participants.
How to join: For a free copy of the prospectus email/write to the
Bioinformatics Institute of India
C-56 A/28, Sector 62
Noida
Tel: 0120-4320801, 802, 9818473366
Visit: www.bii.in
Email : info@bii.in
Source: www.sanepr.com
BII is also proud to supply multimedia and corporate training kits to governments, private bodies and individuals in its areas of expertise.
Our Distance Participation Industry programs are our most popular programs. Working professionals from hundreds of reputed companies and students from elite institutes have participated and benefited from these programs. BII is proud to have participants from more than 40 countries in these programs. The programs currently on offer are:
• Industry Program in Bioinformatics
• Industry Program in Pharma Regulatory Affairs
• Industry Program in Clinical Trials, Research and Administration
• Industry program in Pharma Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• Industry program in Drug Design and patenting
• Industry program in Intellectual Property Rights
• Industry Program in Biotechnology
• Introductory Program in Bioinformatics.
For more information regarding these programs please visit www.bii.in
Distance Participation Program features:
• All India Exam Centres
• Study Material
• Recorded Lectures
• Multimedia Kits
• Excellent Support via Telephone, internet, Blog etc
Career Prospects:
Excellent career opportunities exist for students and professionals who are trained in these areas. Placement support is provided to all the program participants.
How to join: For a free copy of the prospectus email/write to the
Bioinformatics Institute of India
C-56 A/28, Sector 62
Noida
Tel: 0120-4320801, 802, 9818473366
Visit: www.bii.in
Email : info@bii.in
Source: www.sanepr.com
CEO of MEMS Manufacturer is up for the title of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Ernst & Young announced the finalists for this award on July 3rd, 2008. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards honour the spirit and contribution of entrepreneurs here and around the world. This year, the Canadian program is proudly celebrating a milestone anniversary — 15 years of honouring the country’s most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business.
Under the direction of Chris Lumb, Micralyne has been able to maintain an outstanding track record of growth and profitability in the MEMS industry where growth is rare. “I am thrilled to be named a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award” said Chris Lumb, “reaching the finalist list reflects on the great dedication of the entire Micralyne staff working towards our success”
This year the awards will be handed out on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary, Alberta.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve potential. www.ey.com/ca
About Micralyne Inc.
Micralyne, an independent MEMS foundry, develops and manufactures MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems)-based products. MEMS technology enables industrial components to be significantly smaller, faster and less expensive. Micralyne’s micron-scale solutions (1 mm = 1000 microns) are found in automotive emission sensors, optical switching technology, microfluidic lab-on-a-chip medical devices, and commercial press equipment. www.micralyne.com
www.sanepr.com
Under the direction of Chris Lumb, Micralyne has been able to maintain an outstanding track record of growth and profitability in the MEMS industry where growth is rare. “I am thrilled to be named a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award” said Chris Lumb, “reaching the finalist list reflects on the great dedication of the entire Micralyne staff working towards our success”
This year the awards will be handed out on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary, Alberta.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve potential. www.ey.com/ca
About Micralyne Inc.
Micralyne, an independent MEMS foundry, develops and manufactures MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems)-based products. MEMS technology enables industrial components to be significantly smaller, faster and less expensive. Micralyne’s micron-scale solutions (1 mm = 1000 microns) are found in automotive emission sensors, optical switching technology, microfluidic lab-on-a-chip medical devices, and commercial press equipment. www.micralyne.com
www.sanepr.com
Beike Biotech Opens Comprehensive Stem Cell Storage and Processing Facility in China
Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (http://www.beikebiotech.com), a worldwide leader in providing safe and effective stem cell applications for medical treatment, has commenced outfitting its 21,500 square foot comprehensive medical stem cell storage and processing facility in eastern China. When fully completed, the Jiangsu Stem Cell Storage Facility will be one of the most highly developed of its kind anywhere in the world, with advanced technology and safe conditions to properly freeze, store, and process a broad range of human stem cell samples for clinical application. The Stem Cell Storage Facility will initially provide stem cell banking for human umbilical cord blood stem cells, placenta stem cells, amniotic membrane stem cells, bone marrow stem cells, and later will also be able to house induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). Considered the future for stem cell treatments, iPS cells are derived from cell reprogramming technologies and are a non-controversial potential alternative to embryonic stem cells. Like umbilical cord blood stem cells, iPS cells can be preserved for later use in fighting a range of disorders.
Initially, the facility will be used primarily for private banking of stem cells by individuals, but as the number of samples increases, it will focus on public banking for medical facilities with the aim of allowing Beike to become a global supplier for patients in need of stem cell transplants. Jiangsu Beike Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Co., Ltd., has been established to manage the facility.
Dr. Sean Hu, the Chairman of Beike Biotech said, “Stem cell storage is the next logical step for us given our years of experience in handling and culturing stem cells to successfully treat patients from all over the world. With this groundbreaking new storage facility, Beike now leapfrogs to the forefront of the global stem cell industry by providing a large and secure home for the ammunition doctors need to fight debilitating disorders worldwide.”
A new, technologically advanced laboratory will occupy ten thousand square feet of the Stem Cell Storage Facility and will produce quality Beike stem cells for use in treating patients in the leading hospitals of China’s Jiangsu Province and greater Shanghai regions. Beike’s stem cells are already used nationally in some of China’s leading hospitals to treat more than 200 patients per month suffering from a range of debilitating disorders like Ataxia, Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Diabetic Feet, Lower Limb Ischemia, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Cord Injury and Optic Nerve Damage. This new central processing laboratory model supersedes Beike’s prior need to build laboratories inside hospitals, meaning Beike treatments will become more affordable as stem cell component costs are reduced, fulfilling Beike’s mission to improve the quality of life for as many patients as possible.
The Stem Cell Storage Facility, which is set to be fully functional by year end 2008, is located next to the 15,000 square foot Jiangsu Beike Biotechnology office building, which already houses a showroom showcasing Beike’s technologies and treatments. Beike ultimately plans for the entire facility to be able to house up to 100,000 stem cell samples. To mark its formal establishment, Beike hosted a grand opening ceremony at the site of the facility which is located in Taizhou City within the prosperous eastern province of Jiangsu. Jiangsu is rapidly becoming known as China’s biotech and medical capital, with Taizhou being touted by Chinese officials as “China Medical City” (CMC). Several provincial and local officials were in attendance at the ceremony including Mr. He Rong, The Assistant Mayor of Taizhou and Director of the Taizhou New Medical Technology Industrial Park, among others. The Stem Cell Storage Facility and the Industrial Park where it is located are major components of Taizhou City’s plans to create a global base for the stem cell industry.
Assistant Mayor He Rong said, “The establishment of this storage and processing facility is not only an important milestone for Beike’s development, it is also a wonderful advancement for China’s medical industry as a whole.”
Dr. Hu added, “Thanks to the great support and vison of China Medical City’s leadership, thousands more patients will be able to get the help they need. We are confident that CMC will be one of the leading centers in the world for medical related advancement and we feel honored to be an integral part of the stem cell aspect of the area’s development.”
See http://www.beikebiotech.com
About Beike Biotechnology Company Limited
Beike is a biotechnology company that was founded in July 2005 with capital from Beijing University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Shenzhen City Hall when it commercialized stem cell technology that had been in research since 1999. The research and clinical work comes from collaborations with leading institutions in China including of Tsinghua University, Beijing University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, No. 3 Army Medical University, Zhongshan Medical University, Guiyang Medical College and Zhengzhou University. Over 200 patients every month are treated with Beike’s stem cells in leading hospitals throughout China. Patient experiences from treatments can be found at Stem Cell China News (http://www.stemcellschina.com).
About the China Medical City (CMC)
Jiangsu Province is considered the number one location for China’s medical industry based on revenue generated over the past 5 years. The city of Taizhou in Jiangsu is not only the hometown of China’s President Hu Jintao, but is considered the fastest growing medical industry location in Jiangsu, with over 35 % annual growth in that time. Established by the Chinese Government in 2005 and consisting of 20-25 square Kilometers in the heart of Taizhou City, China Medical City (CMC) is fully supported by China’s local and national governments. CMC is emerging as a strong leader in China’s efforts to develop a streamlined pharmaceutical and medical materials industry that concentrates all medical services and support in one location. Businesses located in CMC carry out a range of manufacturing and support services including research and development, creation and processing of medical materials, distribution, comprehensive healthcare delivery solutions, and patent filing support.
Source: SanePR
Initially, the facility will be used primarily for private banking of stem cells by individuals, but as the number of samples increases, it will focus on public banking for medical facilities with the aim of allowing Beike to become a global supplier for patients in need of stem cell transplants. Jiangsu Beike Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Co., Ltd., has been established to manage the facility.
Dr. Sean Hu, the Chairman of Beike Biotech said, “Stem cell storage is the next logical step for us given our years of experience in handling and culturing stem cells to successfully treat patients from all over the world. With this groundbreaking new storage facility, Beike now leapfrogs to the forefront of the global stem cell industry by providing a large and secure home for the ammunition doctors need to fight debilitating disorders worldwide.”
A new, technologically advanced laboratory will occupy ten thousand square feet of the Stem Cell Storage Facility and will produce quality Beike stem cells for use in treating patients in the leading hospitals of China’s Jiangsu Province and greater Shanghai regions. Beike’s stem cells are already used nationally in some of China’s leading hospitals to treat more than 200 patients per month suffering from a range of debilitating disorders like Ataxia, Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Diabetic Feet, Lower Limb Ischemia, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Cord Injury and Optic Nerve Damage. This new central processing laboratory model supersedes Beike’s prior need to build laboratories inside hospitals, meaning Beike treatments will become more affordable as stem cell component costs are reduced, fulfilling Beike’s mission to improve the quality of life for as many patients as possible.
The Stem Cell Storage Facility, which is set to be fully functional by year end 2008, is located next to the 15,000 square foot Jiangsu Beike Biotechnology office building, which already houses a showroom showcasing Beike’s technologies and treatments. Beike ultimately plans for the entire facility to be able to house up to 100,000 stem cell samples. To mark its formal establishment, Beike hosted a grand opening ceremony at the site of the facility which is located in Taizhou City within the prosperous eastern province of Jiangsu. Jiangsu is rapidly becoming known as China’s biotech and medical capital, with Taizhou being touted by Chinese officials as “China Medical City” (CMC). Several provincial and local officials were in attendance at the ceremony including Mr. He Rong, The Assistant Mayor of Taizhou and Director of the Taizhou New Medical Technology Industrial Park, among others. The Stem Cell Storage Facility and the Industrial Park where it is located are major components of Taizhou City’s plans to create a global base for the stem cell industry.
Assistant Mayor He Rong said, “The establishment of this storage and processing facility is not only an important milestone for Beike’s development, it is also a wonderful advancement for China’s medical industry as a whole.”
Dr. Hu added, “Thanks to the great support and vison of China Medical City’s leadership, thousands more patients will be able to get the help they need. We are confident that CMC will be one of the leading centers in the world for medical related advancement and we feel honored to be an integral part of the stem cell aspect of the area’s development.”
See http://www.beikebiotech.com
About Beike Biotechnology Company Limited
Beike is a biotechnology company that was founded in July 2005 with capital from Beijing University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Shenzhen City Hall when it commercialized stem cell technology that had been in research since 1999. The research and clinical work comes from collaborations with leading institutions in China including of Tsinghua University, Beijing University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, No. 3 Army Medical University, Zhongshan Medical University, Guiyang Medical College and Zhengzhou University. Over 200 patients every month are treated with Beike’s stem cells in leading hospitals throughout China. Patient experiences from treatments can be found at Stem Cell China News (http://www.stemcellschina.com).
About the China Medical City (CMC)
Jiangsu Province is considered the number one location for China’s medical industry based on revenue generated over the past 5 years. The city of Taizhou in Jiangsu is not only the hometown of China’s President Hu Jintao, but is considered the fastest growing medical industry location in Jiangsu, with over 35 % annual growth in that time. Established by the Chinese Government in 2005 and consisting of 20-25 square Kilometers in the heart of Taizhou City, China Medical City (CMC) is fully supported by China’s local and national governments. CMC is emerging as a strong leader in China’s efforts to develop a streamlined pharmaceutical and medical materials industry that concentrates all medical services and support in one location. Businesses located in CMC carry out a range of manufacturing and support services including research and development, creation and processing of medical materials, distribution, comprehensive healthcare delivery solutions, and patent filing support.
Source: SanePR
Biotech Crops Experience Remarkable Dozen Years of Double-Digit Growth
After a dozen years of commercialization, biotech crops are still gaining ground with another year of double-digit growth and new countries joining the list of supporters, according to a report released today by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). In 2007, biotech crop area grew 12 percent or 12.3 million hectares to reach 114.3 million hectares, the second highest area increase in the past five years.
In addition to planting more biotech hectares, farmers are quickly adopting varieties with more than one biotech trait. These “trait hectares” grew at a swift 22 percent, or 26 million hectares, to reach 143.7 million hectares – more than double the area increase of 12.3 million hectares. New crops were also added to the list as China reported the plantation of 250,000 biotech poplar trees. The insect-resistant poplar trees can contribute to reforestation efforts.
Further, 2 million more farmers planted biotech crops last year to total 12 million farmers globally enjoying the advantages from the improved technology. Notably, 9 out of 10, or 11 million of the benefiting farmers, were resource-poor farmers, exceeding the 10-million milestone for developing countries for the first time. In fact, the number of developing countries (12) planting biotech crops surpassed the number of industrialized countries (11), and the growth rate in the developing world was more than three times that of industrialized nations (21 percent compared to 6 percent.)
“With increasing food prices globally, the benefits of biotech crops have never been more important,” said Clive James, chairman and founder of ISAAA and the report’s author. “Already those farmers who began adopting biotech crops a few years ago are beginning to see socio-economic advantages compared to their peers who haven’t adopted the crops. If we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of cutting hunger and poverty in half by 2015, biotech crops must play an even bigger role in the next decade.”
According to the report, biotech crops have delivered unprecedented benefits that contribute toward the MDGs, particularly in countries like China, India and South Africa. The potential in the second decade of biotech crop commercialization (2006-2015) is enormous.
Studies in India and China show Bt cotton has increased yields by up to 50 percent and 10 percent, respectively, and reduced insecticide use in both countries up to 50 percent or more. In India, growers increased income by up to $250 (Rs 10,000) or more per hectare, increasing farmer income nationally from $840 million to $1.7 billion last year. It is noteworthy that for the six year period 2002-2007, there was a 125 fold increase in Bt cotton in India – this is four times the 67 fold increase for global biotech crops during the 12 year period 1996-2007. Chinese farmers saw similar gains with incomes growing an average of $220 per hectare, or more than $800 million nationally. Importantly, these studies showed strong farmer confidence in the crops with 9 of 10 Indian farmers replanting biotech cotton year on year, and 100 percent of Chinese farmers choosing to continue utilizing the technology.
While these types of economic benefits are well substantiated, the welfare benefits associated with biotech crops are starting to emerge. A study of 9,300 Bt cotton and non-Bt cotton-growing households in India indicated that women and children in Bt cotton households have slightly more access to welfare benefits than non-Bt cotton growers. These include slight increases in pre-natal visits, assistance with at-home births, higher school enrollment for children and a higher proportion of children vaccinated.
Mrs. Aakkapalli Ramadevi, is a woman subsistence farmer from Andhra Pradesh, who laboriously tills 3 acres (1.3 hectares), and is typical of a small and resource-poor farmer in India who has benefited from Bt cotton. Before the advent of Bt cotton she said “The yields were very low and we used to incur losses, so we were perpetually losing money – my entire family had to stay in the farm and we had to spend 50% of the yield on pesticide alone”. After planting Bt cotton for two years she says, “Finally, cotton cultivation has actually turned profitable.”
“It’s these types of benefits that will make crop biotechnology a vital tool in achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Goals of cutting hunger and poverty in half and ensuring a more sustainable agriculture in the future,” James said. “To reach these goals, a continued broadening and deepening of biotech crop use is crucial to meeting food, feed, fiber and fuel needs in the future.”
In 2007, the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India and China continued to be the principal adopters of biotech crops globally. While the United States continues to be the largest user of the technology, its biotech crop area represents a declining share of the global area due to a broadening adoption. [Editor’s note: see ISAAA Country Fact Sheet for additional detail on specific countries.">
“With a dozen years of accumulated knowledge and significant economic, environmental and socio-economic benefits, biotech crops are poised for even greater growth in the coming years, particularly in developing countries that have the greatest need for this technology,” James said.
According to the report, Burkina Faso, Egypt and possibly Vietnam are the next mostly likely countries to approve biotech crops in the near term. Australia is field-testing drought-tolerant wheat and two states recently lifted a four-year ban on biotech canola.
The story of Bt cotton in India is remarkable. In 6 years from 2002 to 2007, the productivity of cotton almost doubled, insecticides use cut in half and the country was transformed from a cotton importer to a significant exporter. India has recognized the importance of using biotechnology to make the country self-sufficient in food grains with the first biotech food crop, biotech eggplant, expected to be approved in the near-term. The Indian Finance Minister recently articulated the strong political will in India for biotech crops. Dr. P. Chidambaram said, “It is important to apply biotechnology in agriculture. What has been done with cotton must be done with food grains.”
Future prospects for biotech crops globally look very promising. “I predict the number of biotech countries, crops, traits, area and farmers will all grow substantially in the second decade of adoption,” James said. “More developing countries are likely to approve the technology as it’s now possible to design regulatory systems that are rigorous without being onerous given their limited resources. The current delay in timely approvals of biotech crops like golden rice with benefits for millions is a moral dilemma where the demands of regulatory systems have often become the end and not the means.”
The report is entirely funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, a U.S.-based philanthropic organization associated with the Green Revolution; Ibercaja, one of the largest Spanish banks headquartered in the maize growing region of Spain; and the Bussolera-Branca Foundation from Italy, which supports the open-sharing of knowledge on biotech crops to aid decision-making by global society. For more information or the executive summary you may contact ISAAA South Asia office at b.choudhary@isaaa.org or log on to www.isaaa.org.
The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) is a not-for-profit organization with an international network of centers designed to contribute to the alleviation of hunger and poverty by sharing knowledge and crop biotechnology applications. Clive James, chairman and founder of ISAAA, has lived and/or worked for the past 25 years in the developing countries of Asia, Latin America and Africa, devoting his efforts to agricultural research and development issues with a focus on crop biotechnology and global food security.
ISAAA Country Fact Sheet
• India: For the third consecutive year, India experienced the highest proportional increase in 2007 of any country in the world with a 63 percent gain to total 6.2 million hectares of Bt cotton, grown by 3.8 million resource-poor farmers – this is an increase from 3.8 million hectare of Bt cotton area grown by 2.3 million farmers in 2006. These gains have taken India from having one of the lowest cotton yields in the world to being a net cotton exporter, potentially 5 million bales in 2007/2008. At a national level, Bt cotton is a major factor contributing to higher production which is increased from 15.8 million bales in 2001-02 to 31.0 million bales in 2007-08, almost a doubling in a short period of 6 years. In addition, India overtook the USA to become the second biggest cotton producing country in the world, after China. Subsistence farmer Mrs. Aakkapalli who grows 1.3 hectares of cotton in Andhra Pradesh said that before the advent of insect-resistant cotton, “We were badly off and unable to afford anything properly. Finally cotton cultivation has actually turned profitable.”
• China increased Bt cotton production by 0.3 million hectares to total 3.8 million hectares, 69 percent of the country’s cotton area. A total of 7.1 million resource-poor farmers planted the biotech crop. Further, China has 3,500 hectares of virus-resistant papaya and 250,000 Bt poplar trees which can contribute to reforestation.
• Brazil experienced the greatest absolute growth at 3.5 million hectares to total 15 million hectares of herbicide-tolerant soybeans and Bt cotton. These numbers are predicted to climb with the expected final approval and planting of biotech maize in 2008/2009. Brazil is fast emerging as a global leader in biotech crops with significant potential of applying the technology to sugarcane for ethanol production. Brazil has the largest area sugarcane globally at 6.2 million hectares.
• South Africa, the only country in Africa planting biotech crops, increased plantings 30 percent in 2007 to total 1.8 million hectares. Notably, nearly all growth came from white maize for food. Chief Mdutshane of Ixopos calls Bt white maize “iyasihluthisa” meaning “it fills our stomachs.” “For the first time the Ixopos have produced enough to feed themselves.”
• Europe surpassed 100,000 hectares of biotech crops for the first time in 2007 with 77 percent growth. In EU, 8 of the 27 countries planted biotech crops in 2007, up from 6 in 2006. Spain led the way with 70,000 hectares of Bt maize, up 40 percent over 2006 to reach 21 percent of the country’s total maize area. The collective Bt maize area in the 7 other countries – France, Czech Republic, Portugal, Germany, Slovakia, Romania and Poland – increased four-fold from 8,700 hectares in 2006 to 35,700 hectares in 2007, albeit on modest areas.
• Poland planted biotech crops for the first time and Chile joined the list to total 23 countries enjoying the benefits of these crops in 2007.
Biotech Crops’ Contribution to U.N. Millennium Development Goal
and a More Sustainable Agriculture
As the U.N. Millennium Development Goal nears, it is useful to look at biotechnology’s contribution toward the goal of reducing poverty and hunger by 50 percent by 2015, and to a more sustainable agriculture in the future.
o Increasing global crop productivity to improve food, feed and fiber security and sustainability: In the first 11 years of biotech crops, yield gains in the key commodities were valued at $34 billion. Production increases will continue with the introduction of the very important drought-tolerant crops in the next decade, as well as more nutritious crops like soybeans enhanced with omega-3 oils and rice with enriched vitamin A content.
o Contributing to the alleviation of poverty and hunger: 50 percent of the world’s poorest are small farmers and another 20 percent of the rural landless are dependent on agriculture. Already biotech cotton and biotech white maize are contributing modest socio-economic benefits to these groups. The expected near-term approval of Bt eggplant in India and potential for biotech rice in China would substantially further these efforts.
o Reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture: Already biotech crops have cut pesticide use, decreased carbon dioxide emissions and saved fossil fuel use due to less tillage and spraying. In 2006, biotech crops saved 14.8 billion kg of carbon dioxide, equivalent to removing 6.5 million cars from the road. In the next decade, crops with increased drought tolerance will help limit water use and greater nitrogen efficiency will help improve use of this important nutrient.
o Mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gases: Biotech crops already contribute to reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Biotech crops that can be developed faster to meet more rapid changes in climate are in development. Further, use of biotech poplar trees, already planted in China, and faster growing trees that are in development can make a substantial contribution in the world’s need for quick re-forestation to help mitigate the effects of global warming.
o Contributing to the cost-effective production of biofuels: Biotech crops help optimize the crop and biomass production per hectare to help supply the world’s demands for more affordable food, feed fiber and biofuel products.
Source: SanePR
In addition to planting more biotech hectares, farmers are quickly adopting varieties with more than one biotech trait. These “trait hectares” grew at a swift 22 percent, or 26 million hectares, to reach 143.7 million hectares – more than double the area increase of 12.3 million hectares. New crops were also added to the list as China reported the plantation of 250,000 biotech poplar trees. The insect-resistant poplar trees can contribute to reforestation efforts.
Further, 2 million more farmers planted biotech crops last year to total 12 million farmers globally enjoying the advantages from the improved technology. Notably, 9 out of 10, or 11 million of the benefiting farmers, were resource-poor farmers, exceeding the 10-million milestone for developing countries for the first time. In fact, the number of developing countries (12) planting biotech crops surpassed the number of industrialized countries (11), and the growth rate in the developing world was more than three times that of industrialized nations (21 percent compared to 6 percent.)
“With increasing food prices globally, the benefits of biotech crops have never been more important,” said Clive James, chairman and founder of ISAAA and the report’s author. “Already those farmers who began adopting biotech crops a few years ago are beginning to see socio-economic advantages compared to their peers who haven’t adopted the crops. If we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of cutting hunger and poverty in half by 2015, biotech crops must play an even bigger role in the next decade.”
According to the report, biotech crops have delivered unprecedented benefits that contribute toward the MDGs, particularly in countries like China, India and South Africa. The potential in the second decade of biotech crop commercialization (2006-2015) is enormous.
Studies in India and China show Bt cotton has increased yields by up to 50 percent and 10 percent, respectively, and reduced insecticide use in both countries up to 50 percent or more. In India, growers increased income by up to $250 (Rs 10,000) or more per hectare, increasing farmer income nationally from $840 million to $1.7 billion last year. It is noteworthy that for the six year period 2002-2007, there was a 125 fold increase in Bt cotton in India – this is four times the 67 fold increase for global biotech crops during the 12 year period 1996-2007. Chinese farmers saw similar gains with incomes growing an average of $220 per hectare, or more than $800 million nationally. Importantly, these studies showed strong farmer confidence in the crops with 9 of 10 Indian farmers replanting biotech cotton year on year, and 100 percent of Chinese farmers choosing to continue utilizing the technology.
While these types of economic benefits are well substantiated, the welfare benefits associated with biotech crops are starting to emerge. A study of 9,300 Bt cotton and non-Bt cotton-growing households in India indicated that women and children in Bt cotton households have slightly more access to welfare benefits than non-Bt cotton growers. These include slight increases in pre-natal visits, assistance with at-home births, higher school enrollment for children and a higher proportion of children vaccinated.
Mrs. Aakkapalli Ramadevi, is a woman subsistence farmer from Andhra Pradesh, who laboriously tills 3 acres (1.3 hectares), and is typical of a small and resource-poor farmer in India who has benefited from Bt cotton. Before the advent of Bt cotton she said “The yields were very low and we used to incur losses, so we were perpetually losing money – my entire family had to stay in the farm and we had to spend 50% of the yield on pesticide alone”. After planting Bt cotton for two years she says, “Finally, cotton cultivation has actually turned profitable.”
“It’s these types of benefits that will make crop biotechnology a vital tool in achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Goals of cutting hunger and poverty in half and ensuring a more sustainable agriculture in the future,” James said. “To reach these goals, a continued broadening and deepening of biotech crop use is crucial to meeting food, feed, fiber and fuel needs in the future.”
In 2007, the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India and China continued to be the principal adopters of biotech crops globally. While the United States continues to be the largest user of the technology, its biotech crop area represents a declining share of the global area due to a broadening adoption. [Editor’s note: see ISAAA Country Fact Sheet for additional detail on specific countries.">
“With a dozen years of accumulated knowledge and significant economic, environmental and socio-economic benefits, biotech crops are poised for even greater growth in the coming years, particularly in developing countries that have the greatest need for this technology,” James said.
According to the report, Burkina Faso, Egypt and possibly Vietnam are the next mostly likely countries to approve biotech crops in the near term. Australia is field-testing drought-tolerant wheat and two states recently lifted a four-year ban on biotech canola.
The story of Bt cotton in India is remarkable. In 6 years from 2002 to 2007, the productivity of cotton almost doubled, insecticides use cut in half and the country was transformed from a cotton importer to a significant exporter. India has recognized the importance of using biotechnology to make the country self-sufficient in food grains with the first biotech food crop, biotech eggplant, expected to be approved in the near-term. The Indian Finance Minister recently articulated the strong political will in India for biotech crops. Dr. P. Chidambaram said, “It is important to apply biotechnology in agriculture. What has been done with cotton must be done with food grains.”
Future prospects for biotech crops globally look very promising. “I predict the number of biotech countries, crops, traits, area and farmers will all grow substantially in the second decade of adoption,” James said. “More developing countries are likely to approve the technology as it’s now possible to design regulatory systems that are rigorous without being onerous given their limited resources. The current delay in timely approvals of biotech crops like golden rice with benefits for millions is a moral dilemma where the demands of regulatory systems have often become the end and not the means.”
The report is entirely funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, a U.S.-based philanthropic organization associated with the Green Revolution; Ibercaja, one of the largest Spanish banks headquartered in the maize growing region of Spain; and the Bussolera-Branca Foundation from Italy, which supports the open-sharing of knowledge on biotech crops to aid decision-making by global society. For more information or the executive summary you may contact ISAAA South Asia office at b.choudhary@isaaa.org or log on to www.isaaa.org.
The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) is a not-for-profit organization with an international network of centers designed to contribute to the alleviation of hunger and poverty by sharing knowledge and crop biotechnology applications. Clive James, chairman and founder of ISAAA, has lived and/or worked for the past 25 years in the developing countries of Asia, Latin America and Africa, devoting his efforts to agricultural research and development issues with a focus on crop biotechnology and global food security.
ISAAA Country Fact Sheet
• India: For the third consecutive year, India experienced the highest proportional increase in 2007 of any country in the world with a 63 percent gain to total 6.2 million hectares of Bt cotton, grown by 3.8 million resource-poor farmers – this is an increase from 3.8 million hectare of Bt cotton area grown by 2.3 million farmers in 2006. These gains have taken India from having one of the lowest cotton yields in the world to being a net cotton exporter, potentially 5 million bales in 2007/2008. At a national level, Bt cotton is a major factor contributing to higher production which is increased from 15.8 million bales in 2001-02 to 31.0 million bales in 2007-08, almost a doubling in a short period of 6 years. In addition, India overtook the USA to become the second biggest cotton producing country in the world, after China. Subsistence farmer Mrs. Aakkapalli who grows 1.3 hectares of cotton in Andhra Pradesh said that before the advent of insect-resistant cotton, “We were badly off and unable to afford anything properly. Finally cotton cultivation has actually turned profitable.”
• China increased Bt cotton production by 0.3 million hectares to total 3.8 million hectares, 69 percent of the country’s cotton area. A total of 7.1 million resource-poor farmers planted the biotech crop. Further, China has 3,500 hectares of virus-resistant papaya and 250,000 Bt poplar trees which can contribute to reforestation.
• Brazil experienced the greatest absolute growth at 3.5 million hectares to total 15 million hectares of herbicide-tolerant soybeans and Bt cotton. These numbers are predicted to climb with the expected final approval and planting of biotech maize in 2008/2009. Brazil is fast emerging as a global leader in biotech crops with significant potential of applying the technology to sugarcane for ethanol production. Brazil has the largest area sugarcane globally at 6.2 million hectares.
• South Africa, the only country in Africa planting biotech crops, increased plantings 30 percent in 2007 to total 1.8 million hectares. Notably, nearly all growth came from white maize for food. Chief Mdutshane of Ixopos calls Bt white maize “iyasihluthisa” meaning “it fills our stomachs.” “For the first time the Ixopos have produced enough to feed themselves.”
• Europe surpassed 100,000 hectares of biotech crops for the first time in 2007 with 77 percent growth. In EU, 8 of the 27 countries planted biotech crops in 2007, up from 6 in 2006. Spain led the way with 70,000 hectares of Bt maize, up 40 percent over 2006 to reach 21 percent of the country’s total maize area. The collective Bt maize area in the 7 other countries – France, Czech Republic, Portugal, Germany, Slovakia, Romania and Poland – increased four-fold from 8,700 hectares in 2006 to 35,700 hectares in 2007, albeit on modest areas.
• Poland planted biotech crops for the first time and Chile joined the list to total 23 countries enjoying the benefits of these crops in 2007.
Biotech Crops’ Contribution to U.N. Millennium Development Goal
and a More Sustainable Agriculture
As the U.N. Millennium Development Goal nears, it is useful to look at biotechnology’s contribution toward the goal of reducing poverty and hunger by 50 percent by 2015, and to a more sustainable agriculture in the future.
o Increasing global crop productivity to improve food, feed and fiber security and sustainability: In the first 11 years of biotech crops, yield gains in the key commodities were valued at $34 billion. Production increases will continue with the introduction of the very important drought-tolerant crops in the next decade, as well as more nutritious crops like soybeans enhanced with omega-3 oils and rice with enriched vitamin A content.
o Contributing to the alleviation of poverty and hunger: 50 percent of the world’s poorest are small farmers and another 20 percent of the rural landless are dependent on agriculture. Already biotech cotton and biotech white maize are contributing modest socio-economic benefits to these groups. The expected near-term approval of Bt eggplant in India and potential for biotech rice in China would substantially further these efforts.
o Reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture: Already biotech crops have cut pesticide use, decreased carbon dioxide emissions and saved fossil fuel use due to less tillage and spraying. In 2006, biotech crops saved 14.8 billion kg of carbon dioxide, equivalent to removing 6.5 million cars from the road. In the next decade, crops with increased drought tolerance will help limit water use and greater nitrogen efficiency will help improve use of this important nutrient.
o Mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gases: Biotech crops already contribute to reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Biotech crops that can be developed faster to meet more rapid changes in climate are in development. Further, use of biotech poplar trees, already planted in China, and faster growing trees that are in development can make a substantial contribution in the world’s need for quick re-forestation to help mitigate the effects of global warming.
o Contributing to the cost-effective production of biofuels: Biotech crops help optimize the crop and biomass production per hectare to help supply the world’s demands for more affordable food, feed fiber and biofuel products.
Source: SanePR
DNAancestry.ae offers family ancestry analysis in Middle East
Genealogy is classified as the study of tracing families using DNA in method that reveals more than just family pedigrees. The process that is scrutinized in genetics labs to reveal the mysteries of "where do I come from?' Yet many researching their family tree get their results and never find out what the numbers and matches truly mean. The family trees on www.dnaancestry.ae are growing bigger and broader every day with more and more active users showing an interest in going back to their roots through a simple mouth swab DNA test.
Genealogy research has become popular in recent years as online services improve access to vast databases of immigration, military and other records from around the world. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, a quarter of Internet users have researched their ancestors online. DNA based family ancestry analysis is scientific proof of the common roots every human being shares with everyone on the planet.
Collecting a DNA sample is an easy and painless procedure, DNAancestry.ae sends cotton swabs to you whereby you swab the inside of your mouth to collect cheek cells and send the swabs back to DNaancestry.com for analysis.
Besides finding matches between large social groups called 'haplotypes', DNA patterns can help assess the likely origins of an individual's ancestors thousands of years ago, allowing the user to then visually trace migration backward to the first humans, widely believed to hail from Africa .
Ancestral DNA testing is now available in the Middle East, and DNAancestry has a wide network of clients that spans the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, Kuwait, Syria and Saudi Arabia indicating an enormous potential to add to a genealogical DNA database. Many people have already had their DNA tested and the results have been submitted to various searchable databases based on user's recommendations, these website ensure the protection and privacy its members data by allocating password logins.
DNAancestry.ae aims to provide the benefits of ancestral DNA analysis in progressing family history research. The findings should enable people to establish their ancient ancestral origins, dating back 60-100,000 years (through haplogroup prediction) and potentially identify others with whom their DNA matches.
Here are a few facts about DNA genealogy tests:
Different tests are used to trace maternal and paternal ancestry.
Paternal DNA is found on the Y chromosome, which is passed down unchanged from father to son. Because women do not have a Y chromosome, those wishing to test their paternal line must have a brother or father take the test for them.
Maternal DNA is found in mitochondria, the organelles that provide energy to cells. Women and men can take this test.
The tests show your broad genetic category or "haplogroup" and where in the world members from this particular group are commonly found. The tests are not able to deduce highly specific ancestral information such as which town or river valley your ancestors came from but can indicate that two people are related according to their broad haplogroup if their results match up closely. Ancestry analysis discovers and connects us with our genetic cousins and allows the expansion and collaboration of large family trees.
The DNAancestry.ae site will soon start adding DNA results to existing family trees, making it possible to find other relatives downstream as more people submit tests, the greater the number of tests undertaken, the more comprehensive genetic relations will be.
Another interesting twist is that by the end of the year, DNAancestry.ae will offer a "Groups" feature, to allow people with similar characteristics such as the surname who will be able to determine how they are related, if at all. We have big plans to launch different genealogy sites which will facilitate users to create an online family database with each individual's profile, including their photo and social network.
Web
Source: SanePR
Genealogy research has become popular in recent years as online services improve access to vast databases of immigration, military and other records from around the world. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, a quarter of Internet users have researched their ancestors online. DNA based family ancestry analysis is scientific proof of the common roots every human being shares with everyone on the planet.
Collecting a DNA sample is an easy and painless procedure, DNAancestry.ae sends cotton swabs to you whereby you swab the inside of your mouth to collect cheek cells and send the swabs back to DNaancestry.com for analysis.
Besides finding matches between large social groups called 'haplotypes', DNA patterns can help assess the likely origins of an individual's ancestors thousands of years ago, allowing the user to then visually trace migration backward to the first humans, widely believed to hail from Africa .
Ancestral DNA testing is now available in the Middle East, and DNAancestry has a wide network of clients that spans the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, Kuwait, Syria and Saudi Arabia indicating an enormous potential to add to a genealogical DNA database. Many people have already had their DNA tested and the results have been submitted to various searchable databases based on user's recommendations, these website ensure the protection and privacy its members data by allocating password logins.
DNAancestry.ae aims to provide the benefits of ancestral DNA analysis in progressing family history research. The findings should enable people to establish their ancient ancestral origins, dating back 60-100,000 years (through haplogroup prediction) and potentially identify others with whom their DNA matches.
Here are a few facts about DNA genealogy tests:
Different tests are used to trace maternal and paternal ancestry.
Paternal DNA is found on the Y chromosome, which is passed down unchanged from father to son. Because women do not have a Y chromosome, those wishing to test their paternal line must have a brother or father take the test for them.
Maternal DNA is found in mitochondria, the organelles that provide energy to cells. Women and men can take this test.
The tests show your broad genetic category or "haplogroup" and where in the world members from this particular group are commonly found. The tests are not able to deduce highly specific ancestral information such as which town or river valley your ancestors came from but can indicate that two people are related according to their broad haplogroup if their results match up closely. Ancestry analysis discovers and connects us with our genetic cousins and allows the expansion and collaboration of large family trees.
The DNAancestry.ae site will soon start adding DNA results to existing family trees, making it possible to find other relatives downstream as more people submit tests, the greater the number of tests undertaken, the more comprehensive genetic relations will be.
Another interesting twist is that by the end of the year, DNAancestry.ae will offer a "Groups" feature, to allow people with similar characteristics such as the surname who will be able to determine how they are related, if at all. We have big plans to launch different genealogy sites which will facilitate users to create an online family database with each individual's profile, including their photo and social network.
Web
Source: SanePR
AAM Health and Medical Tourism 2008 - AIPCE in collaboration with Asean Focus, Asia Pacific
This Millennium 1st edition Conference & Exhibition 2008 in collaboration with ASEAN FOCUS with the theme towards Sustainable Healthcare & Wellness, will focus on the sustainability of traditional medicine and its role in women’s health, particularly in the Asian region, including Malaysia. The attraction of this Millennium Medical Tourism 1st edition 2008 is it covers Asean Asian Region and the Middle East through two simultaneous events: Asean-Asian Medical Tourism in Malaysia 2008 - August 27,28,29(Wed, Thu, Fri) and Asean-Asian Medical Tourism in UAE 2008 - November 25,26 27(Tue, Wed, Thu).
AIPCE, the international organization in collaboration with ASEAN FOCUS which will set to continue and unlock the significant potential that remains untapped in Asean Asian countries, especially in Malaysia.
Medical Tourism is where people who live in the Arab countries and Europe travel to other countries to receive medical, dental and surgical care at a significant savings while at the same time receiving equal to or greater care than they would have in the Arab countries and Europe.
This Millennium 1st edition Conference & Exhibition 2008 will cover biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural, environmental sciences and Traditional/Complementary Medicine in both regions.
However, this will be a platform for ASEAN-ASIAN countries to provide and source for balanced and accurate news and information provided by professionals and researchers in the biotechnology and other areas.
web:http://www.technologytransfer.vze.com/
AIPCE, the international organization in collaboration with ASEAN FOCUS which will set to continue and unlock the significant potential that remains untapped in Asean Asian countries, especially in Malaysia.
Medical Tourism is where people who live in the Arab countries and Europe travel to other countries to receive medical, dental and surgical care at a significant savings while at the same time receiving equal to or greater care than they would have in the Arab countries and Europe.
This Millennium 1st edition Conference & Exhibition 2008 will cover biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural, environmental sciences and Traditional/Complementary Medicine in both regions.
However, this will be a platform for ASEAN-ASIAN countries to provide and source for balanced and accurate news and information provided by professionals and researchers in the biotechnology and other areas.
web:http://www.technologytransfer.vze.com/
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
