22 February 2002

JUDGES GET BIOTECH HELP FROM BIO!

It seems this educational effort by the Biotech Industry Organisation may be being targeted at jurists world-wide. One report out of India specifically mentioned judges there and in the UK, among other countries, being offered US industry-led training.

So what next in the corporate take-over of everything - sorry, in the effort to maintain the informed independence of the judiciary?

After 'The Buyajudiciary Project' (launched at BIO's 'Investor Conference'!), what about a Narcojudiciary Project from big pharma? Or an Alcojudiciary Project from the drinks industry, providing "a resource of first resort" for jurists seeking to better understand the complex technical and legal issues arising from the societal and health impacts of booze?

But then biotech must be one of the few industries to first get to write the rules and then advise on interpreting them!

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Jurists Will Get Biotech Help

by Bob Coffman, Contributing Editor
Agweb.com, 2/20/2002

Judges, lawyers and scientists are challenged with complex and novel legal issues surrounding cutting-edge biotechnology research and development, and related health and patent issues.

Resource help is on the way. Carl B. Feldbaum, president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), initiated The Biojudiciary Project in close collaboration with co-sponsor Ernst & Young LLP and its Litigation Advisory Services Practice. The Project is developing a new primer and resource of first resort for the federal judiciary: A Jurists' Guide to 21st Century Biotechnology. The material will be housed on the project's Web site, www.biojurist.org which will launch this spring.

Feldbaum unveiled the project and provided a preview of the Guide today during a presentation at the annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference, in New York.

The Jurists' Guide will be geared toward helping judges, lawyers and others better understand technical and legal issues associated with biotechnology by providing an on-line primer that is useful, credible, objective and accessible. In addition, the Jurists' Guide will include an up-to-date, peer-reviewed glossary of science and technology terms with appropriate policy notations.
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BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.