WASHINGTON _ The controversy stirred up by JeremyRifkin on gene patenting earlier this year has promptedthe Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) to expandits bioethics committee and develop an educationcampaign that will help the public more fully understandthe potential of genetic testing and therapy.
"BIO has a unique opportunity and responsibility to takea leadership role," said Henri Termeer, president ofGenzyme Corp., of Cambridge, Mass. Termeer replacedGenentech Inc.'s Kirk Raab who left the BIO boardsimultaneous with his forced resignation from Genentechearlier this month. (See BioWorld Today, July 11, p. 1.)
BIO decided to expand its bioethics committee, firstformed more than a year ago and consisting of only threeboard members, to 10 members initially in response tothe Rifkin controversy. But "Rifkin was only thetriggering point," said Termeer. "More broadly, thecommittee has an education task to perform because thereare still many people who have impressions aboutbiotechnology, genetic engineering and genes that are notbased on fact," he said in an interview with BioWorld.
No agenda has been set for the newly expanded panel'sfirst meeting. But Termeer said he expects the group tofocus on issues with long term interest, particularlydiagnostic testing of genetic characteristics.
BIO President Carl Feldbaum said he shares Termeer'sview that diagnostic testing may become a flash point forthe industry.
"I sense increased public interest and concern about thepotential for possible abuse of information from geneticdiagnostic tests." Feldbaum, who said he considersbioethics "one of my top priorities," said BIO's job was"not to commandeer the discussion but to participatefully. We have the scientific expertise to explain what isin the realm of possibilities and to explain the potentialfor genetic therapy."
Termeer said the bioethics committee will be permanentand have the same institutional status as other standingBIO committees on FDA reform and health care reform.
The newly expanded bioethics committee is expected tohold its first meeting via teleconference within twoweeks. n
-- Michele L. Robinson Washington Editor
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