The ‘National’ and the ‘Cosmos’ (original) (raw)
Related papers
New life in the laboratory: Can synthetic biology bring sustainable development to China?
The Biochemist
Synthetic biology (SB) is an emerging research field in China with growing interest from the scientific community and (to a much lesser extent) from the public. This interest is not only in the research itself, but also in the societal issues. This article presents the results of interviews with 20 Chinese scholars and looks at the current research activities of SB and the related ethical, legal and social implication (ELSI) studies.
2012
Stem cell research and synthetic biology offer complementary insights on the nature of scientific governance in China. Stem cells were essentially promoted by top-down semi-governmental initiatives. Yet it was through a process of 'de-nationalization' (in which a diversity of cross-border communications initiated by scientists effaced the dominance of a singular national voice) that China's stem cell research gained global recognition. Meanwhile, the emergence of synthetic biology has shown a reverse pathway. While many 'Chinese' synthetic biology projects are primarily associated with international programs, this 'de-nationalized' start did not lead to an abandonment of a national agenda. Rather, synthetic biology in China has been transformed into a grassroots proposition of a 'Big Question' approach, which in effect creates a 're-nationalization' by bringing synergy among domestic experts. Chinese stakeholders' experience seems to i...
State-sponsored Research and Development: A Case Study of China's Biotechnology
Regional Studies, 2011
Zhang F., Cooke P. and Wu F. State-sponsored research and development: a case study of China's biotechnology, Regional Studies. This paper examines the model of China's biotechnology innovation. It applies the typology of entrepreneurial, partnership, and developmental state to the Chinese biotechnology sector. Biotechnology development in China originates from state-sponsored programmes. Although China's total product sales only account for less than half those of the major biotechnology firm Amgen in the United States, Chinese biotechnology research capacities experience fast growth. State funding plays a crucial role in the latecomer situation. Geographically, biotechnology industries are concentrated in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other major cities. The state promotes biotechnology development through strategic support in its ‘Medium and Long Term S&T [science and technology] Development Plan’, overseas talent-attraction programmes, commercialization initiatives, and the development of high-technology and science parks. However, such a model has its problems: the lack of sustained funding and underdeveloped venture capital, a weak link between research and industry, and under-performed intellectual property output. Faced with the funding constraint, contract research organizations have recently proliferated. Despite the strong role of state, it is concluded that the Chinese model of biotechnology innovation is a hybrid one, rather than the classical one of the developmental state, which combines various elements of different models. Zhang F., Cooke P. et Wu F. La recherche-développement publique: une étude de cas de la biotechnologie en Chine, Regional Studies. Cet article cherche à examiner le modèle de l'innovation de la biotechnologie en Chine. On applique la typologie de l'esprit d'entreprise, du partenariat, et de l'étape de développement au secteur de la biotechnologie en Chine. Le développement de la biotechnologie en Chine remonte aux programmes financés par l'Etat. Bien que les ventes globales n'expliquent que moins de la moitié de celles de l'entreprise biotechnologique phare aux Etats-Unis, à savoir Amgen, la capacité de la recherche biotechnologique en Chine jouit d'un taux de croissance élevé. Les dépenses publiques jouent un rôle primordial dans la recherche d'un pays qui y vient tard. D'un point de vue géographique, les industries biotechnologiques se concentrent à Beijing, à Shanghai, à Shenzhen et en d'autres grandes villes. L'Etat encourage le développement de la biotechnologie par le soutien stratégique au sein du Plan de développement à moyen et à long terme de la S et T (la science et la technologie), des programmes de recrutement internationaux, des initiatives commerciales, et le développement des technopôles. Cependant, un tel modèle peut s'avérer problématique: à savoir, le manque de fonds soutenus et le capital-risque sous-développé, une synergie faible entre la recherche et l'industrie, et une propriété intellectuelle à faible rendement. Face à la contrainte financière, des entreprises de recherche ont proliféré récemment. En dépit de l'importance du rôle de l'Etat, on conclut que le modèle de l'innovation biotechnologique en Chine s'avère une hybride plutôt que la situation classique de l'étape de développement, qui combine divers éléments des modèles différents.Innovation Recherche-développement Biotechnologie Modèle de l'innovation ChineZhang F., Cooke P. und Wu F. Staatlich subventionierte Forschung und Entwicklung: eine Fallstudie der Biotechnologie in China, Regional Studies. In diesem Beitrag wird das Modell der biotechnologischen Innovation in China untersucht. Hierfür wird die Typologie des unternehmerischen, partnerschaftlichen und entwicklungsfördernden Staates auf den chinesischen Biotechnologiesektor angewandt. Die Entwicklung der Biotechnologie in China hat ihren Ursprung in staatlich subventionierten Programmen. Obwohl der chinesische Gesamtumsatz mit Produkten weniger als halb so hoch ausfällt wie der Umsatz der wichtigen Biotechnologiefirma Amgen in den USA, sind die biotechnologischen Forschungseinrichtungen Chinas von raschem Wachstum gekennzeichnet. In dieser Nachzüglersituation spielen staatliche Subventionen eine entscheidende Rolle. In geografischer Hinsicht konzentrieren sich die Biotechnologieindustrien auf Peking, Schanghai, Shenzhen und andere Großstädte. Der Staat fördert die Entwicklung der Biotechnologie durch eine strategische Unterstützung in Form eines ‘mittel- und langfristigen Entwicklungsplans für Wissenschaft und Technik’ sowie mit Hilfe von Programmen zum Anwerben hochqualifizierter ausländischer Fachkräfte, Vermarktungsinitiativen und der Entwicklung von Hochtechnologie- und Wissenschaftsparks. Ein solches Modell hat jedoch seine Probleme: Mangel an nachhaltiger Finanzierung, unterentwickeltes Risikokapital, eine schwache Verbindung zwischen Forschung und Industrie sowie zu geringe Leistungen im Bereich des geistigen Eigentums. Aufgrund der begrenzten Finanzierung sind in letzter Zeit zahlreiche vertragliche Forschungsorganisationen entstanden. Trotz der starken Rolle des Staates lässt sich das Fazit ziehen, dass China statt des klassischen Modells des entwicklungsfördernden Staates ein Hybridmodell der biotechnologischen Innovation aufweist, in dem sich die Elemente verschiedener Modelle miteinander verbinden.Innovation Forschung und Entwicklung (F&E) Biotechnologie Innovationsmodell ChinaZhang F., Cooke P. y Wu F. Investigación y desarrollo patrocinados por el estado: el ejemplo de la biotecnología en China, Regional Studies. En este artículo analizamos el modelo de innovación biotecnológica de China. Aplicamos la tipología de actividad empresarial, colaboraciones y estado de desarrollo para el sector biotecnológico chino. El desarrollo biotecnológico en China proviene de los programas patrocinados por el estado. Aunque las ventas totales de producción de China sólo representan menos de la mitad de las que obtiene Amgen, la principal empresa de biotecnología de los Estados Unidos, las capacidades de investigación biotecnológica de China se distinguen por un rápido crecimiento. La financiación estatal desempeña un papel fundamental en esta situación tardía. Geográficamente, las industrias de biotecnología están concentradas en Pekín, Shanghai, Shenzhen y otras ciudades grandes. El estado fomenta el desarrollo biotecnológico mediante un apoyo estratégico en su ‘plan de desarrollo para ciencia y tecnología a medio y largo plazo’, y con ayuda de programas para atraer a talentos extranjeros, iniciativas de comercialización y el desarrollo de parques de alta tecnología y ciencia. Sin embargo, este modelo tiene sus problemas: la falta de fondos sostenidos y el subdesarrollo de capital de riesgo, un vínculo débil entre la investigación y la industria y un nivel bajo de desempeño en cuanto a la propiedad intelectual . Ante esta limitación financiera, en los últimos tiempos han proliferado las organizaciones de investigación por contrato. Concluimos que pese al fuerte papel del estado, el modelo chino de la innovación biotecnológica es un modelo híbrido más que clásico del estado de desarrollo, ya que combina los diferentes elementos de distintos modelos.Innovación Investigación y Desarrollo (I + D) Biotecnología Modelo de innovación China
Shaping the science-industry-policy interface in synthetic biology
Systems and synthetic biology, 2009
Current advances in the emerging field of synthetic biology and the improvements in key technologies promise great impacts, not only on future scientific development, but also on the economy. In this paper we will adopt the triple helix concept for analyzing the early stages of a new field of science and innovation, namely synthetic biology. Synthetic biology is based on the creation and assembly of parts in order to create new and more complex structures and functions. These features of synthetic biology raise questions related to standardization and intellectual property, but also to security and public perception issues that go beyond the classical biotechnology discussions. These issues concern all involved actors in the synthetic biology field and affect the interrelationship between science, industry and policy. Based on the results of the recently finished EU FP-6 funded project TESSY ( http://www.tessy-europe.de ), the article analyzes these issues. Additionally, it illustra...
Synthetic biology: An emerging research field in China
Biotechnology Advances, 2011
Synthetic biology is considered as an emerging research field that will bring new opportunities to biotechnology. There is an expectation that synthetic biology will not only enhance knowledge in basic science, but will also have great potential for practical applications. Synthetic biology is still in an early developmental stage in China. We provide here a review of current Chinese research activities in synthetic biology and its different subfields, such as research on genetic circuits, minimal genomes, chemical synthetic biology, protocells and DNA synthesis, using literature reviews and personal communications with Chinese researchers. To meet the increasing demand for a sustainable development, research on genetic circuits to harness biomass is the most pursed research within Chinese researchers. The environmental concerns are driven force of research on the genetic circuits for bioremediation. The research on minimal genomes is carried on identifying the smallest number of genomes needed for engineering minimal cell factories and research on chemical synthetic biology is focused on artificial proteins and expanded genetic code. The research on protocells is more in combination with the research on molecular-scale motors. The research on DNA synthesis and its commercialisation are also reviewed. As for the perspective on potential future Chinese R&D activities, it will be discussed based on the research capacity and governmental policy.
From a word to a world: the current situation in the interdisciplinary field of synthetic biology
PeerJ, 2015
Using a carefully designed search query, we describe the field of synthetic biology in terms of leading countries, organizations and funding sources. Besides articles we also paid some attention to patents. The USA is the leading country in this field, followed by China. There is a clear exponential growth in the field of synthetic biology over the latest 14 years. Keywords were analyzed using the notion of year-based h-indices, core gap and relative core gap. We conclude that the term "synthetic biology" hides a large world ready to be explored by interdisciplinary research.
The biotech developmental state? : investigating the Chinese gene revolution
2003
China's experience with agricultural biotechnology has been dramatic. Many new technologies have been developed by public sector research institutes that rival the outputs of the major biotech corporations. This has happened in the context of policy processes and priority setting exercises that are articulated in terms of the provision of public goods. In many respects this model contrasts with other parts of the world where the private sector has been dominant. The paper looks at how and why China has so vigorously pursued this biotech path, looking in particular at the role of science-policy networks in promoting a biotechnology discourse. It also looks at the particular challenges associated with developing a domestic biotech industry while managing multinationals such as Monsanto. A central question is to what extent this experience is an example of the state acting "developmentally": steering both the private and public sectors to deliver public goods, and seizing the opportunities presented by a new technology while attempting to ensure that there is some level of social control over it. The paper asks: to what extent is China a biotech developmental state; and what are some of the challenges and limitations associated
The art of trans-boundary governance: the case of synthetic biology
Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer Science+Business Media B.V.. This e-offprint is for personal use only and shall not be selfarchived in electronic repositories. If you wish to self-archive your work, please use the accepted author's version for posting to your own website or your institution's repository. You may further deposit the accepted author's version on a funder's repository at a funder's request, provided it is not made publicly available until 12 months after publication.