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hn~oduction
Biotechnology refers to the manipulation of living organisms and their
constituents to benefit mankind. T~di80r~al forms of biotechnology, such as
alcohol fermentation and selective livestock breeding, have existed since prehistoric
times. In He 1970s, scientists developed new techniques to isolate and characterize
dleoxynbonucleic acid (DNA), the molecule that acts as a blueprint for the
development of all living creatures. This new technology, known as recombinant
DNA, or gene cloning, has allowed scientists to achieve hitherto unprecedented
control over living systems. The transfer of new genetic information into living
organisms provides the means to create improved crop species and livestock
bmeds, to produce valuable pharmaceuticals and natural products, and perhaps
even to cure human genetic diseases.
China* was still in the throes of Me Cultural Revolution in the 1970s, and thus,
Chinese scientists had little chance to p~icip~e in the development of modem
biotechnology. But in the past decade, China has chosen economic reform and
development over political ideology by emphasizing the Four Modernizations of
a~cul~re, industry, national defense, and science and technology. In just Me
past 5 years, Chinese leaders have made biotechnology the top prionty in the high
technology Self Funding for biological research has been increased more Ban
25-fold during this penod, ahead new mechanisms have been introduced to allocate
these monies by competitive, peer-rewewed grants. At Be present time, China's
investment in biotechnology, as a percentage of its gross national product, is
comparable to Hat in many Western countries.
*Throughout this report, China m£ers to Me People's Republic of Acting
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BI077=HNOLOGYIN CHINA
China's altitude toward the United States and over developed counties has
also undergone a major shim mom strict isolationism to ever increasing contact
and cooperation. Since 197S, in Me biological sciences alone, China has sent
more man 2,000 students and researchers to the United Stams for advanced
barring. In addition, many joint research and Raining programs in China are
currently being supported by American and over foreign academic institutions,
private foundations, commercial enterprises, and government agencies. Such
cooperative vents have die potential to provide a rapid and efficient mechanism
for Chinese scientists to obtain We Wining and technology needed to perform
advanced biotechnology research.
The Committee on Scholarly Communication with We People's Republic of
China (CSCPRC) has been one important conduit for exchange between American
and Chinese scientists. Founded in 1966, CSCPRC is sponsor by the National
Academy of Sciences (NAS), the American Council of Warned Societies, and the
Social Science Research Council. January 1987, CSCPRC's Subcommittee on
Biotechnology signed a 3-year agreement with ~e Chinese Academy of Sciences
(CAS; also known as Academia Sinica) to promote SinmAmerican cooperation in
biotechnology. To date, CSCPRC and CAS have cosponsored Free combined
Oratory and lecture minicourses at He Shanghai Instate of Biochemistry and
one minicourse at Me Beijing Institute of Microbiology. A symposium on gene
regulation and gene expression is planned to cap off this 3-year program.
The purpose of this report is to help CSCPRC, together with its pponsonng and
funding organizations, to fo~Tnulate syzygies to continue and expand cooperation
with China in biotechnology. Toward this end, Be report focuses on three areas:
1. The mechanisms by which Chum sets priorities and funds biotechnology
research.
2. The current status of China's biotechnology research. Particular emphasis
is placed on areas of potential interest to American scientists.
3. The roles of various Apes of international cooperation p¢ogrmns in the
development of biotechnology in China
After a brief historical introduction in Chapter 2, Chapters 3 through 5 of the
report deal with China's biotechnology policy, administration, and infrastructure.
they include a summary of current research expenditures; many of these figures
were made available to foreigners for the first time in 1988. The literature survey
results presented in Chapter 6 and the research highlights in Chapter 7 offer the
basis for a systematic analysis of Me topics and quality of China's biotechnology
rich. Chapter ~ gives an anecdotal accosting of research at 19 institutions
visited by Me authors during a 1-month evaluation Lip. The final two chapters
discuss the role of international cooperation and areas of special interest ~
CSCPRC and its Sponsoring organizations. Lee appendixes include lists of
contacts for readers interested in China's biotechnology adminisbabon and research.
Representative terms from entire chapter:
biotechnology research
