Publications

EFB publications, e.g. reports, opinion papers, briefing papers and books and proceedings of EFB conferences are listed below:

The aim of the briefing papers, prepared by the Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology, is to provide information and does not represent the views or policy of the European Federation of Biotechnology or any other body.

1. GM Crop Market Dynamics: the example of Soya Beans (2002)
   This briefing paper discusses some of the key issues and market dynamics associated with the developing segmentation of markets into GM-derived and non-GM-derived materials. It concentrates on the example of herbicide tolerant soya beans which is the most widely grown GM crop globally and has been the primary focus of debate surrounding the issue of GM crop acceptability in Europe.

2. Gene technology and ethics in the plant and foods area (2002)
   This document is an abridged version of a two-part, 180-page report on ethics and genetic engineering. The report was prepared by the Centre for Ethics and Law for the Danish National Consumer Agency, which is part of the Danish Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs. The complete report is intended to contribute to the government’s work on a new Council of Europe convention which will lay the foundation of ethical principles for the development and use of genetic engineering in the plant and foods area.
   The first part of the report, Gene technology and ethics in the plant and foods area: Conventions and declarations, was written by Peter Kemp and Kjersti Lunde. The second part, Gene technology and ethics in the plant and foods area: Regulation and national visions, was written by Peter Kemp, Kjersti Lunde and Lisbeth Witthøfft Nielsen.

3. Biodiversity: the Impact of Biotechnology (2001)
   Biotechnology, while controversial particularly in agricultural applications, has the potential to improve sustainability in several ways and is expected, thereby, to help maintain natural as well as agricultural biodiversity. This paper results from the combined contributions of scientists, industrialists, and governmental and public interest organisations across Europe.

4. Antibiotic Resistance Markers in Genetically Modified (GM) Crops (2001)
   The use of marker genes for resistance to certain antibiotics in the development of genetically modified (GM) crops has given rise to considerable public concern. This briefing paper reviews what they are and why they are used, how the safety of GM crops is regulated and the possible alternatives to their use. The overall aim is to provide balanced information and advance public debate. This paper results from the combined contributions of scientists, industrialists, and governmental and public interest organisations across Europe.

5. Environmental Biotechnology, Second edition January 1999
   This briefing paper explores the various areas of environmental biotechnology together with their related issues and implications.

6. Biotechnology Legislation in Central & Eastern Europe (1999)
   The aim of this briefing paper is to provide critical analysis of the key biotechnology legislation which has been adopted within the CEE countries.

7. Lessons from the Swiss biotechnology referendum (1998)
   This briefing paper analyses the Swiss referendum held on June 7, 1998, and draws conclusions from it for the broader European context. The text was authored by the Vice-Chairman of the Task Group, Professor Richard Braun.

8. Dialogue in Biotechnology (1998)
   This briefing paper, which results from a Task Group survey, draws together the experience derived from organising round table meetings with participants from different groups - industry, public interest organisations, government, retailers, scientists - around Europe.

9. What’s what in Biotechnology? (1997)
   This briefing paper aims to answer frequently asked questions about the developments in biotechnology and to clarify terms which are used interchangeably.

10. Dealings with the Media (1996)
    The purpose of this briefing paper is to explain, particularly for scientists working in biotechnology, how the media operate. It shows how specialists and journalists can work together in ways that are constructive and may be mutually beneficial.

11. Patenting in Biotechnology, September 1996 (update of ‘Patenting Life’ paper, first published June 1993)
    The techniques of genetic modification allow new characteristics to be introduced into living organisms, but there is debate over how far resulting modified life forms should be patentable. US law allows patents to be considered for all modified organisms whether they be microorganisms, plants or non-human animals. In Europe, a European Commission proposal for a Council Directive is under consideration to endorse the availability of such rights in all EU countries. This paper considers the scientific developments which have led to the possibility of “patenting life,” and the concerns about it.

12. The application of human genetic research (1995)
    The aim of this briefing paper is to review the scientific developments that have led to current and planned human genetic research together with the important related ethical, social, legal and economic issues. In this context there is the common need for information and understanding about these topics and therefore the overall aim of this briefing paper is to provide balanced information to advance the debate about them.

13. Biotechnology in foods and drinks (1994)
    The aim of this briefing paper is to review the scientific developments in biotechnology for the production of foods and drinks, to analyse the important issues concerning the public about them and to review the developing legislation for their regulation and labelling. The paper results from the combined contributions of scientists, industrialists, and governmental, environmental and consumer group representatives.

Prepared by the Section on Applied Functional Genomics (former Working Party on Applied Molecular Genetics)

• Future of Microbiology in Europe (1995);
• Microbial Diversity (1995);
• DNA Diagnostics and Gene Therapy (1996).

“Made by Genetic Engineering” Series
Prepared by the Section on Applied Functional Genomics (former Working Party on Applied Molecular Genetics)

Made by Genetic Engineering articles are re-published here on-line by kind permission of Elsevier Science, publishers of Journal of Biotechnology in which this series of articles are published. Such provision is made on the basis that further copies are not made for systematic distribution.
For further information contact the Publishing Editor at c.cherrington@elsevier.nl.

1. Glucagon and LH (2000)
   OLSEN T and DIDERICHSEN B, FONJALLAZ P and LOUMAYE E
   Glucagon and Recombinant LH
   J Biotech 2000; 79 : 185-189
2. Glucocerebrosidase and Lyme disease vaccine (2000)
   HOPPE H, CROOY P and LOBET Y
   Glucocerebrosidase and Lyme disease vaccine
   J Biotech 2000; 76 : 259-263
3. Chymosin and Phytase (1999)
   VAN DIJCK P.W.M.
   Chymosin and Phytase
   J Biotech 1999; 67 : 77-80
4. Alzheimer tau test and Detergent cellulase (1998)
   VANMACHELEN E, VANDERSTICHELE H, JONES B and QUAX W
   Alzheimer tau test and Detergent cellulase
   J Biotech 1998; 66 : 229-233
5. Coagulation factor VII and Folicle stimulating hormone (1998)
   HEDNER U, LUND-HANSEN T, HEIKOOP J.C. and OLIJVE W.
   Coagulation factor VII and Folicle stimulating hormone
   J Biotech 1998; 61 : 231-236
6. Tissue plasminogen activator and Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (1998)
   WERZ W and WERNER R and TILL R
   Tissue plasminogen activator and Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor
   J Biotech 1998; 61 : 157-161
7. Interferon gamma and rabies vaccine (1996)
   FALKNER E and MAURER-FOGY I, TERRÉ J, CHAPPUIS G, LOMBARD M and DESMETTRE P
   Recombinant interferon gamma for the therapy of immunological Eradication of rabies, using a rec-DNA vaccine
   J Biotech 1996; 46 : 155-9

Handling Scientific Uncertainty in European Environmental Decision-Making
Report of the Seminar, 17-18 April 2000, London (with Green Alliance and the Economic and Social Research Council, UK). Published by the Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology

Ethical Aspects of Agricultural Biotechnology
Published by the Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology (1999)
ISBN 90-76110-05-0

“Dialogue in Biotechnology” - Report on the Workshop on 20 April 1998 in Brussels
Published by the EFB Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology (1998)
ISBN 90-76110-04-2

Biotechnology in the Public Sphere: A European Sourcebook
edited by John Durant, Martin W Bauer and George Gaskell
Published by Science Museum London (1998)
ISBN 1 900747 09 X

Applied Biocatalysis
edited by J.M.S. Cabral, D. Best, L. Boross, J. Tramper
harwood academic publishers (May 1994)
ISBN 3-7186-5391-5

ECB 6 - Proceedings of the 6th European Congress on Biotechnology
Florence, Italy, 13 - 17 June 1993
Elsevier Science B.V. (1994), Part I and II
ISBN 0-444-89992-8

Recovery of Bioproducts
Study Report of the Working Party on Downstream Processing and Recovery of Bioproducts
SCI (June 1993), 130 pages
ISBN 0-901001-79-1
To be obtained from: SCI Publications Department, 14/15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS, UK; Fax: +44(0)171 823 1698, E-mail: books@chemind.demon.co.uk

EFB Fact sheets aim to clarify recurring issues that are often invoked inaccurately in the biotechnology debate.

• Fact sheet 1: The Tryptophan Incident (2000)
  A fact sheet on the EMS (Eosinophilia Myalgia-Syndrome) incident of 1989

• Fact Sheet 2: Allergies from GM Food (2000)
  A Fact Sheet about the possible allergies related to GM foods

A brief History of Biotechnology presenting important scientists and events in the field of biotechnology.

The website is hosted at the InfomationsSekretariat Biotechnologie, at DECHEMA e.V.