Under The Microscope

THE IMPACT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ON NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRY 1984-1994, by Max J Kennedy and R. Julian Davies; SIR Publishing, 1994; 35 pages; $30

This booklet provides an interesting and stimulating overview of the ways in which biotechnology has affected local industry. It is divided into two sections: industries where biotechnology has made a major impact and those areas where its impact has been only marginal.

In the former it provides stimulating examples of those industries where the application of biotechnology has brought about enhanced efficiency or made possible the development of new products and processes. Among the success stories are the dairy industry, plant health, brewing and forestry.

The second part of the book is perhaps more significant since it makes one ask why biotechnology has failed to make a major impact on these industries? All too often the answer is the simple one of size/volume relative to the market, but the authors show that New Zealand does have some unique products with high potential for biotechnology. These are the products and processes of the future and include food processing, fine chemicals and biomedical products.

I am tempted to ask how much this lack of progress is due to lack of adequate research and development funding? This little book provides a valuable overview of progress in biotechnology in New Zealand and should be required reading for politicians and industrialists as well as being a useful source of reference.

Dr John R L Walker is in Canterbury University's Plant and Microbial Sciences Department.