(Source: Business Wire)
Adam Bly, Canadian founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Seed Magazine, a publication dedicated to bridging the gap between science and culture, will be the keynote speaker at the launch of National Biotechnology Week in London, Ontario on September 18 2009. Bly's popular magazine, dubbed by commentators the Rolling Stone' of science publications, focuses on innovative ways of talking about science, a perspective Bly will bring to bear as he discusses the role of biotechnology not only in society, but its potential to revolutionize our economy. The launch is organized by national trade association BIOTECanada, in partnership with TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario and a group of partner organizations including the University of Western Ontario, and the London Economic Development Corporation.
"More so than ever before, science is informing every part of our lives and it is critical we all understand its value and impact." said Bly. "In addition, as biotechnology's output becomes mainstream, businesses and consumers need to be aware of what this means for them."
Understanding the impact of biotechnology on other industries and on the economy is, in fact, the theme of this year's biotechnology week, which focuses on building what economists term a bio-based economy' in Canada.
"Biotechnology in Canada contributes, through the bio-based economy, 6.4 per cent of our GDP, over $2 billion in research a year; and creates the high-value scientific jobs that are becoming the global currency of today," said Peter Brenders, president and CEO of BIOTECanada. "As a society, we need to have a dialogue now on how to turn the leadership we have established in this industry into economic advantage for us. That's why we are leading the development of an industrial strategy for Canada that we believe will build a strong position for Canada globally."
A recently released report by BIOTECanada, Beyond Moose and Mountains, the Canadian Blueprint outlines such an industrial strategy. Based on national consultations with Canadian industry, the Blueprint recommends three broad areas of change to enable the bio-based economy. These are: stimulating capital formation through increased investment in innovative technologies; educating, attracting and retaining the world's brightest; and establishing an innovation-friendly environment.
In launching the week in London, BIOTECanada and TechAlliance aim to show the bio-based economy in action. "Communities like London are on the front lines of economic change.
