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Biotechnology is having an increasingly important impact on a number of sectors and disciplines. OECD has been working on biotechnology-related topics for over 25 years. These include scientific, industrial, health and agricultural applications. It also has a strong record on safety issues in biotechnology.

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Expert workshop on knowledge markets in life sciences

from 16-Oct-2008 to 17-Oct-2008

Knowledge markets encompass a number of different mechanisms where buyers and sellers can trade a variety of knowledge-intensive goods and services. This workshop, to be held in Washington, DC, will explore what knowledge markets are and how they might address inefficiencies in the innovation cycle, their current and potential future applications in the health sector, as well as the challenges and barriers to their widespread use.

Expert meeting on biomarkers and targetted therapies

from 06-Oct-2008 to 07-Oct-2008

An expert workshop will be held in Cambridge, United Kingdom, to discuss a number of analytical papers that address some key policy issues in the development and uptake of biomarkers. A policy report based on the papers and the workshop discussion is planned for delivery before the end of 2008.

ICGB Newsletter No. 19

02-Jun-2008

A new issue of the OECD Biotechnology Update has been published. This newsletter provides up-to-date information on the diverse activities at OECD related to biotechnology.

Publication of the brochure: The OECD and the Risk/Safety Assessment of Modern Biotechnology

22-Nov-2007

This Brochure on the safety of modern biotechnology work at OECD captures activities of both the Task Force on the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds and the Working Group on Harmonization of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology. Hard copies are available from us on request at icgb@oecd.org.

OECD Best Practice Guidelines for Biological Resource Centres

14-Jun-2007

In order to meet modern demands for the further advancement of biotechnology and life sciences, the OECD in 2001 introduced a new concept of repositories and providers of high quality biological materials and information: Biological Resource Centres (BRCs). BRCs are considered to be one of the key elements for sustainable international scientific infrastructure, which is necessary to underpin successful delivery of the benefits of biotechnology, whether within the health sector, the industrial sector or other sectors, and in turn ensure that these advances help drive growth.

Biosecurity: controlling access to pathogens with dual-use capacity

14-Jun-2007

The threat of bioterrorism gives rise to the need to protect facilities that work with, store or transfer dangerous biological material from being intentionally misused for malevolent ends. The OECD Best Practice Guidelines on Biosecurity for BRCs are designed to secure all types of biological materials (e.g. plant-, animal-, micro-organism- and human-derived) in proportion to the risk they present.

OECD Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Molecular Genetic Testing

21-May-2007

OECD member countries have adopted an agreed set of Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Molecular Genetic Testing. The Guidelines address genetic testing for variations in germ line DNA sequences or products arising directly from changes in heritable genomic sequences that predict effects on the health, or influence the health management, of an individual. They focus on molecular genetic testing for the diagnosis of a particular disease or condition and predictive genetic testing often carried out before any clinical signs of the disease or condition appear.

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OECD Biotechnology Update

Editor's Choice

Health technology has great potential to change our understanding of disease, transform delivery of health-care services, and improve health outcomes. This book examines how countries can successfully manage the opportunities and challenges arising from developments in health-related technologies and biotechnology.

Health Technologies and Decision Making

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OECD countries have the opportunity to optimise the contribution that life sciences and biotechnology can make as a driver for sustainable growth and development.

Biotechnology for Sustainable Growth and Development

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This free booklet describes how biotechnology and genomics science can be used to fight neglected infectious diseases as well as reviewing the challenges facing governments to overcome market failure in supply of products.

Biotechnology and Sustainability: The Fight Against Infectious Disease

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Few topics in the life sciences today provoke as much debate as the availability of patent protection on "genetic inventions".

Genetic Inventions Intellectual Property Rights and Licensing Practices: Evidence and Policies

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