Trends in biotechnology and biosafety in Brazil

Abstract

Biotechnology is a Brazilian priority, and has been recognized for its potential to promote sustainable development. The Government recently announced an ambitious program for Science and Technology, which includes strategies to develop modern biotechnology, continuing three decades of public investments on capacity building and infrastructure, aimed principally at the development of technologies applied to health, agriculture and the environment (MCT, 2008). Research initiatives have focused on genomics, proteomics, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), gene therapy, stem cells, bio-fuels and nanotechnology, among other biotechnological topics. Research projects in Brazil have been mainly developed in public universities and institutions funded by federal and state agencies, with a minor participation from the private sector (Silveira et al., 2004). Genomics, an area of considerable success in the country, was launched a decade ago by S. Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP), with the organization of a virtual institute, called ONSA, comprising several laboratories with the main task of sequencing the genome of the citrus pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Simpson et al., 2000). The success of this genomic network stimulated biotechnology startup companies and projects with the focus on other genomes, such as sugarcane and coffee, including functional genomics and proteomics. Following in the footsteps of the ONSA network, the Ministry of Science and Technology created a National Genome Project Consortium involving institutions located in the major regions of the country, with the task of sequencing eight microbial and two plant genomes. Recently, they concluded the sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum,