Biotechnology in brazil

Biotechnology in Brazil

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present a study about biotechnology like a representative way for
human survive food solution, several researches from scientists around the world committed
with human future. Following some intellectuals it was possible realize that the biotechnology
application is not new, for long of years people was looking for how biotech could be more
and more efficient for food production. Still in this context is necessary focus in the
representative of important country and for sure the Brazil’s representative in food production
for the world. Brazil is really important country in the use of this concept of biotechnology
application for food production, its application, the focus of Brazil, the most virtuous way,
application examples, the relationship between government, universities and power private.
According to the BBC documentary broadcast news in April/2011, within forty years from the
moment the world will need to increase its food production by 100%, this requires a huge
commitment, since resources are increasingly scarce, it could be a serious big problem in the
future if it doesn’t solved and the aim really achieve. According to scientists it is proven that
only the advancement of technology in relation to the advances that we will not be able to
meet this demand so challenging. In this context it is necessary to concrete action and a joint
public and private sectors and universities to build a solution that can achieve this vitally
important goal.
Biotechnology is seen as the only solution capable of generating results large enough to meet
the needs of the world's food, so researchers around the world are devoting their efforts and
knowledge in order to reach this coveted level of survival of mankind on earth.
This study was able to show important situation of Brazil in the food production for the world,
the representative effort intend to improve biotechnology application in several areas main in
food production, the success of agricultural application in Brazil, the advance of law, the
govern’s program for it promotion, the creation of many organization and committees
composing hard effort for it improvement. These occurrences and it very good results for the
economy and for sure for world food production. The perspective of near future of Brazil in
worldwide representative context and the really big and relevant opportunity.

1

Methodology
This article was focus in study of researches from Sheldon Krimsky, James G. Ennis and
Robert Weissman - Science Technology Human Values 1991, Biotechnology can be
popularly summarized as the application of basic principles of science and engineering that
enable the processing of materials by biological agents and leading to the acquisition of
products and services. There’s lots of article published show many examples this use in
several areas in which the advancement of knowledge obtained by basic research, quickly
reached the level of enforcement with important consequences for humanity. The strength and
opportunities in the biotechnology sector is now discussed worldwide, as it has created a
revolution in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, material science, forensic science, food
preparation, agriculture, fuel production, industry, information technology, forestry, military,
etc.

Development
Moved for the human society grow up the need for many and many product is reality,
specially food, in sort time, worldwide this offers many opportunities of growing, because we
are speaking about the human survive, since the begin of the history human are looking for
way to ensure next generation survive, sustainability, action that can give more and better life
in the world without hungry, pests, planet destruction, etc.

"The modern biotechnology, different of the traditional, like a complex context Appears
Between technical, social, Economic, politic ethic, Institutions relation, That will demand
multidisciplinary multi-corporation and development effort for it, Trigueiro says (2002, p.
17)." For the author, it has two dimensions: in science and technology. At first, the new
biotechnology consists of a coordinated program of basic research (molecular biology,
biochemistry, microbiology, genetics), being developed, primarily in universities and
academic institutions. Second, there is the difficulty of transforming the database project in
industrial and commercial applications. These two dimensions coexist and complement each
other. Cientists are studying form to describe the better option or use biotechnology
industry in the Economic and Social Within aim, Believing That this is the most important
way to solve this challenge.
Following older knowledge they developed researches that provide this theory, publications
and patents were registered for all the world, the researches globe many part of the market
specially the industry, looking for economic results, other time military advantage,
competition in several kind of product the biotechnology walk for each north, this work
achieve large aim producing new products with very different process and more efficient
results. Specially in USA biotech had relevant grow up since 1950 year by year, many patents
were get and several product were developed, the industry of biotechnology had boomed in
2003. Governments around the world are embracing biotechnology as the next major
technological driver of economic growth. The USA is currently the world leader in research,
development and commercialization of biotechnology products. These advances have brought
to market life-saving healthcare products and microbial pesticides, and will soon offer
healthier foods, disease and insect resistant crops, additional energy resources, environmental
clean-up technologies and more. Bergerm and Chan (2004) have found that the market size of
the USA contributes to almost 70 per cent of the world market. The productivity of USA
companies is higher in terms of revenue per company. This is attributable to the existence of
large markets in the USA for biotechnological products.
2

Biotechnology can be summarized as the application of basic principles of science and
engineering that enable the processing of materials by biological agents and leading to the
acquisition of products and services. The biotech was ready like the most advanced in the
biology of contemporaneous research. By the way, this services need more resources and
more specific it Can Be Understood like a country rich possibilities.
One marked areas of the twentieth century ahead was the development of modern
biotechnology, the result of pioneering studies in the fields of molecular biology,
biochemistry, immunology and microbiology, what went through profound changes since
1950. Biotechnology can be summarized as application of basic principles of science and
engineering that enable the processing of materials by biological agents and leading to the
acquisition of products and services, biotechnology that deals with the most advanced in
contemporary biology. Therefore, it requires significant resources, which can lead to the idea
that this is an area restricted to rich countries. Although initially developed in first world
countries, with significant leadership from the USA, some Latin American countries like
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba and Mexico, sought to invest in this exciting new area.
Instead of it had the start in rich country, some of poor country like Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
Cuba and Mexico look for investment in this relevant area. Between these countries Brazil
and Cuba had the high position on this sector. In Brazil there was great result like the biobras
in the begin of this effort initially in UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais), a project
that cummins in the insulin.
Since years 80 the national system of biotech achieve relevant improvement, following the
recent researches presented by BBC 2010, the world have to improve food production in
100% in 40 years. Govern several country are dedicating resources looking for solution for
this problem and in same time opportunity. Biotechnology in Brazil gives important grow up
in the last years with clear politic, generating more trustworthy form the industry and the
finance organization, getting a great advantage, because instead of several areas working, it
focus in agricultural biotechnology, the Brazil`s program of biotechs like “Programa
Nacional de Biotecnologia (Pronab), o Programa de Desenvolvimento Científico e
Tecnológico (PADCT), o Programa de Núcleos de Excelência (Pronex) e os Institutos do
Millenium,”. The biotechnology success needs hardly connection between private sector,
industry and universities, in Brazil it could be more attractive now a days, instead of all the
problems are not solved yet.
There are also other weaknesses which act as impediments in the overall growth of the
industry. These blockages are the missing links between research and commercialization,
R&D spending and success in global biotech market. Other serious problem is the finance a
time the researches cannot ensure results, generally 1% achieve success, it cause untrusted
comportment of finance institution or industry.
By the way, ensuring success of these initiatives is based on the fact that we have strong
infrastructure in basic biomedical research, with a robust program of staff training, through
about 170 postgraduate courses, and significant laboratory infrastructure, many working in the
area of biotechnology.
Brazil has some of the most important and basic elements for a strong and innovative health
biotechnology sector. Strong scientific capacity of the country, especially in the health
sciences, provides the basic building block for an innovative sector. In fact, the effort that
several innovative products in the face of numerous challenges is a testament to the strength

3

of the country in health sciences. Many of biotechnology for health innovations in the sector
of health care needs of the local population, a market that remains the main focus of Brazilian
businessmen. A growing number of companies are becoming involved in innovative
activities, with creative approaches and business models that help them survive and thrive
despite the challenges, financial and otherwise. Several laws relating to the technological
advances, such as the Innovation Law enacted in 2005, are encouraging more intensive and
meaningful collaborations between universities and public research institutes and private
companies. The nation's improved economic situation, increasing financial markets, stable
currency and low inflation rate also provide an enabling environment for sustained growth of
the health biotechnology sector.
"In Brazil, bio-industry is also presented in the emergency room and has a population of 304
companies, including multinational companies and suppliers of equipment and supplies
(39%). Over 80% of them are concentrated in the states of Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio
de Janeiro and it is estimated that 60% are micro and small businesses with up to 50 jobs
(legal, 2001). "In terms of national potential, there are great expectations for drug discovery,
food and industrial raw materials from Brazilian biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest and the
Cerrado. However, these promises have not been completed and very few national enterprises
settled in the area effectively. Below tab. Showing the evolution of research groups in
biotechonology in Brazil:
Year x number of group
1980 – 181
1981 – 1985 149
1986 – 1990 229
1991 – 1995 441
1996 – 89
1997 – 141
1998 – 87
1999 – 90
2000 – 310
Font: Salles-Filho et al. (2002).
The biomanufacturing products and services generate high value-added, quality jobs and, in
general, its applications in health tend to impact positively in improving the quality of life of
local users, while other applications are a source of debate ethical and ecological concerns.
Much has been said about the potential of biotechnology and on a future cycle of innovation
that may result from it. To date, however, the most important bio-industrial developments are
concentrated in the United States and Europe (UK, Germany and France), the main factors
moving on the one hand, investments in venture capital and its ability to organize and
conversion academic and scientific endeavors of business listed on major stock exchanges and
stock markets and on the other hand, large corporations of the chemical and pharmaceutical,
through acquisitions of small biotechnology companies, expand their innovation capabilities
and act in the broader marketing of products generated.
According to the Brazilian government, the new policy will permit investment of 10 billion
dollars in biotechnology in Brazil over the next ten years. Of this total, 60% would come from
public funds, both from the general budget of the Union and Banco Nacional de
Desenvolvimento Economico e Social (BNDES) and funds for investment in research, science
and technology. The remaining 40% would come from private partners. There some specific
areas of Brazil focus:
4

Market segments of biotechnology companies:

1. Human Health: diagnoses, drugs, natural remedies, vaccines, serums, biodiversity
2. Human Health, Animal and Plant: Genetic identification, analysis of transgenic
3. Animal Health: Veterinary, animal breeding, vaccines, probiotics, aquaculture
4. Agribusiness: Plant Breeding, GM, forest products, plants ornamental and medicinal plants, flowers,
bio-insecticides, bio-fertilizers, inoculants
5. Environment: Bioremediation, waste treatment, analysis
6.Instrumental complementary Biotechnology: Software, Internet, bioinformatics, commerce,
R&D
7. Industrial: Fine chemicals, enzymes
8. In synergy: Biomaterials, biomedicine, biotechnology consulting
9. Suppliers: Equipment, materials, supplies
10 Multinational Enterprises, and other public

Font: Fund. Biominas (2001).

Font: Fund. Biominas (2001).
The policy of encouraging the development of Brazil shows biotechnological increasingly
aggressive and healthy for the country in a global context. States that investments will receive
four sectors: health, agriculture, industry and environment. "What the government will do is
identify the demand and create tools to transform the accumulated knowledge in universities
in industrial production," according to Secretary of Industrial Development, Ministry of
Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Antonio Sergio Martins Mello. Building on the
National Biotechnology Committee will manage public policy for the area and set priorities.
Coordinated by the Ministry of Development, the committee comprises representatives of the

5

Civil and seven ministries: Health, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Environment,
Education, Agricultural Development and Justice, the Brazilian Agricultural Research
Corporation (Embrapa), the Agency Brazilian Industrial Development (ABDI), the National
Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Coordination of
Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (Capes). Institutions that help fund projects such as
BNDES and the Financier of Studies and Projects (FINEP) are also part of the committee.
The National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the National Health Surveillance
Agency (Anvisa) are the other members.
The committee will work with the Forum of Competitiveness in Biotechnology. Comprised of
representatives from government, society, academia, industries and workers, the forum has
existed since the end of 2004 and designed the Brazilian model of biotechnological
production. During this period, 54 meetings were held which resulted in ten-depth studies of
the areas with greatest potential for development.

Brazilian Government Genome Projects
Network Project Coordination
Functional and Differential Genome Maria Sueli Soares Felipe
Network Midwest
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis UnB/IB
Creation of the Genome Network of
Genome Network Minas Gerais Naftale Katz - FAPEMIG
Minas Gerais
Genome network Northeast Sequency of Leishmania chagasi Paulo Paes Andrade - UFPE
Functional genomics of the process cell
differentiation of Trypanosoma Cruzi:
Program Deployment Institute of
selection and characterization of new Samuel Goldenberg - IBMP
Biology Molecular of Parana
genes and analysis of new
chemotherapeutic targets
Structural and functional genome of the
Genome Program of the State of
bacterium endophytic nitrogen-fixing Fabio de Oliveira - UFRP
Parana
Herbaspirillum seropedicae
Implementation of the Program Sequencing the genome of
Paulo Cavalcanti
State of Rio de Janeiro Gluconacetobacter diazottrophicus
Expansion of Network Genomics
in the State of Bahia
Perniciosa genome of the fungus disease- Gonçalo Amarante -
Genomics in the State of Bahia
causing "witches' broom" in UNICAMP
Network of the Amazon Paullinia culpana genomic analysis: the
Spartaco Astolfi - UFAM
Genomic research guarana
Genomic Research
Research Program South South Network Analysis and Genome Arnaldo Zaha - CBIOT -
genomes Biology UFRGS

Font: MCT (2003).
Access to resources and biotechnology legislation for the grant of patents in this area should
be reviewed. This is a condition for Brazil to ensure a favorable environment for attracting
investment and development of biotechnology in the country. According to a researcher at the

6

INPI, Zea Mayerhoff Duke, "it is important to note the emphasis received in matters relating
to intellectual property not only by specialists in biotechnology as well as by representatives
of the Brazilian business." It evidence is the problems faced by the organization research
developer and registry the patent are not unique to Brazil. The backlog in maintenance of the
examinations and examiners are also a challenge similar to the USA office, according to the
leaders of the USPTO. According to a statement from the president of Bio International,
Stephen Hill, Brazil is an example of success in developing technologies for biofuels and the
use of this technology.
World agriculture today has more than 50 million hectares of transgenic crops planted,
predominantly soybeans, corn and cotton. In 2002 alone, the global rate of growth of adoption
of GM crops was 12%, which demonstrates a significant increase in the use of this new
technology. Information is the agronomist Andrew Person, managing partner of Agroconsult,
a company specializing in Agricultural Market Analysis. Person was one of the speakers at
the Media Workshop II, held today, April 23, the CIB - Council for Biotechnology
Information, which was titled The Impact of Biotechnology in Agribusiness. The event was
attended, in Sao Paulo, more than 20 professional general and specialized media throughout
the country.
Person, who is advisor to the IWC, also presented an estimated cost of production of
transgenic soy in Brazil carried out by Embrapa, which shows a possible reduction of over
10% compared with the production of conventional soybeans. "So far, Brazil has enough
product to allow the non-use of genetics modified organism in Brazil, however, my concern
is the medium and long term, because the lack of adoption of this new technology can make
that Brazil lags behind in compared to our competitors, "he says. For him, there are immediate
benefits from the adoption of GMO in Brazil, such as reducing costs, machinery and
manpower, less risk of contamination of workers, ease in handling, helping the practice at the
till, and harvest without impurities reduced vulnerability in the supply of corn and rice.
The Argentine Eduardo Trigo, executive secretary of the Consultative Group on
Biotechnology for Latin America and the Caribbean, spoke about the success story of the
cultivation of transgenic agriculture in Argentina. According to him, "the increasing
agricultural production in Argentina and its international market share are directly related to
the adoption of biotechnology for their farmers." Currently, GM crops approved by the
government of Argentina are the RR soybean, Bt cotton and Bt corn. About 95% of transgenic
soybeans is produced, which allows many competitive advantages to Argentine agriculture.
The adoption of transgenic soybeans resulted in a significant reduction in the costs of crop
production, which is around $ 20 to $ 25 per hectare, and increasing the area available for
agriculture of about 4.6 million hectares. Wheat said that exports also increased considerably.
To get an idea of the impact of the adoption of transgenic soybeans in Argentina, in 2002 the
country's export volume was about U.S. $ 7 billion. Wheat also highlighted other indirect
benefits such as increased employment in agriculture, reduction of herbicides with high
toxicity and ease of expansion of cultivated area reduced.
In addition to person and wheat, also attended the workshop, Professor of Economics at USP
(University of São Paulo) and researcher Fipe, Fernando Homem de Melo, and Marcos Jank,
an agronomist trained by ESALQ-USP. Melo pointed out the importance of the declining
trend of food products and the competitiveness of exports due to the instability of the
exchange rate. "GMOs are a major technological innovation and certainly could contribute to
the reduction of costs of products that are in the basket of Brazilians, such as rice, beans and
corn," he explains.
7

Marcos Jank, part of the board of the Brazilian Agribusiness Association (ABAG), addressed
the issue of commodities on world markets. For him, the basic concept of transgenic food
production is cheaper for the consumer and creating products that can improve the quality of
food. Regarding the process of release of transgenic crops in Brazil, Jank believe the country
is being economically affected by deadlock, and argues for immediate government action.
After the positive results in the first two events, the CIB is already thinking about the
formatting of the Third Workshop for journalists, which will address new themes to
increasingly contribute to the dissemination of information on biotechnology in Brazil.
The year 2010 was very positive for Biotechnology, particularly with regard to genetically
modified (GM), whose approvals had thriving commercial progress during the period. Since
February, the National Technical Commission on Biosafety (CTNBio) is under the command
of the geneticist Edilson Paiva, which shall remain in office until 2012. For 2011, the
expectation is that more approvals related events of corn and cotton, and possibly also of
transgenic soya. In this case, the variety is resistant to golden mosaic virus of bean, which is
the worst enemy of this crop in South America In Brazil, the disease is present in all regions,
and is reached in the very early planting, can cause losses of up to 100% of production. The
result is unprecedented for the biotech world, because it is the development of the first
transgenic plants produced entirely by public research institutions, in the case Embrapa
Genetic Resources, in partnership with Embrapa Rice and Beans.
Contributions to the field and the environment according to the ISAAA report, released in
February/2011, Brazil 21.4 million hectares planted with GM crops and has become the
second largest producer of GM crops in the world - behind only the United States , leaving
Argentina in third place in a universe of 25 producing countries. The number represents an
increase of 35.4% over 2008, especially justified by the rapid adoption of GM maize.

Conclusion
Through biotechnology, we can increase the number of industrial processes that use
renewable resources. In the agricultural sector, biotechnology can be applied through the use
of biopesticides to preserve and protect forests as well as through the production and use of
GMOs, which despite being very debatable in society, offers a number of advantages such as
the development of features desirable improvement in product quality, resistance to pests and
diseases. For a global food security of the world population, which is constantly growing, is
naturally important to increase food production. Therefore, applying biotechnology would be
essential to increase the quality of products generated as well as the productivity of some
crops.
Biotechnology has endless links with industry and society, can be used in various sectors and
bring many benefits. However, we know that changes are not fast and that many scientific
principles are not easily accepted by the population. For this reason it is important to
understand what can really be considered an advance of biotechnology could benefit society
in relation to the environment that they only bring economic benefits.
Regardless of ideological issues, the fact is that biotechnology is at the table of consumers for
a long time. The bread, cheese, yogurt, beer and wine, for example, foods that are part of the
diet of families from all social classes, are enzymes produced by genetically modified or
transgenic bacteria and yeast that work directly in the fermentation , formation of aroma and
flavor and food preservation. Scientific studies, conducted over the last decade indicate that
GM foods approved for worldwide production and consumption does not pose risks to human
8

health and the environment. These surveys were followed up and validated by various
national and international institutions, including the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), whose guidelines are published on its website. It is noteworthy that GM
products approved for human consumption were thoroughly tested before they reach store
shelves, the evaluations that are part of an intense process of analysis by which, curiously,
there are conventional products. That is, it can be said that the safety of GM crops is at least
similar to conventional foods.
The safety of GM crops can also be proven in the environmental field through studies in
several countries. One example concerns the survey "Global Impact of Biotech Crops: Socio-
Economic and Environmental Effects in the First Ten Years of Commercial Use", conducted
in 2006 by PG Economics, UK. According to the indicators of this research, the cultivation of
GM crops since 1996 provided a worldwide reduction of 15% over the environmental impacts
caused by pesticides, totaling 224 000 tons less in direct release of pesticides into the
environment. Similar data were observed in Brazil, where it is estimated that the reduction of
environmental impacts was 6% between 1996 and 2005.
On one side are found, fortunately, the gains of the environment with the adoption of GM
crops on the other losses that the delay imposed on the country are evident. And these
privations are striking proportions: according to the study "Economic and Environmental
Benefits of biotechnology in Brazil", developed by consulting Céleres, Brazilian farmers have
ceased to accrue benefits of U.S. $ 4.6 billion in the last decade, with only the genetically
modified (GM). The reason: bureaucratic, legal and ideological immobilized the development
of research and application of agricultural biotechnology.
Brazil has enormous biotechnological potential and needs to officially take a stance consistent
with his position as mega-diverse country and a major producer of food worldwide. And not
only that. With regard to research, to have an idea, Brazil is considered a vast storehouse of
highly qualified professionals. Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, for example,
is developing cassava and bean-string genetically enhanced to resist drought and pests in the
Northeast, which should benefit the region's agriculture. Researchers at the Center for Nuclear
Energy in Agriculture (CENA), University of São Paulo (USP) in Piracicaba, developed
orange and lime tolerant to diseases of economic impact on citrus crops, citrus-like cancer and
buds, among others. The surveys are already conducted in greenhouses of the institution. And
in this time of bioenergy, the Center for Sugarcane Technology (CTC), and Canaviallis
Alellyx, Brazilian companies, emerge in the breeding of cane sugar.
Surely as the data show, in a few years Brazil will be exporting technology and growing
industry with environmental responsibility. But this requires clarity and wisdom in this time
of decision. The result of the public hearing CTNBio and definition of the MP 327 will
interfere directly in the development of national research in agribusiness courses and,
consequently, the lives of Brazilian citizens. At other times we lose opportunities like these,
however, now seems to be different. Everything indicates that fundamentalism is finally
returning the space to the reason.

Reference
ABDC-10 proceedings: Biotechnologies for Agricultural Development -
http://www.fao.org/biotech/detail_event.asp?event_id=39933 – access in 06/2011;
Academic-Corporate Ties in Biotechnology: A Quantitative Study -
http://sth.sagepub.com/content/16/3/275.abstract - 06/2011;
9

Biotechnology - The New Age ‘Global’ Industry: Justin Paul and Festi Lova -
http://gbr.sagepub.com/content/6/2/315.abstract?rss=1 – access in 06/2011;

Brazilian health biotech - fostering crosstalk between public and private sectors,
Bonalume Neto, R. Brazil next biotech trailblazer in Latin America Nat. Biotechnol. 24, 1184
(2006). - http://www.nature.com/naturebiotechnology - access in 06/2011;
Business, D. In Brazil. (British Chamber of Commerce Publication, São Paulo, Brazil, 2005).

Conselho de Informações sobre Biotecnologia (CIB) -
http://www.cib.org.br/pdf/ArtigoJoseMariaSilveira110415.pdf
Gestão C&T com informações da ABDI -
http://www.gestaoct.org.br/impresso/pdfs/gestaoct_53_abdi.pdf
International Business Strategies. The Biotechnology Market in Brazil (International
Business Strategies, Los Gatos, CA, USA, 2003).

M.C. in Biotechnology in the Developing World and Countries in Economic Transition,
Oda, L.M, Correa Soares, B.E. & Valadares-Inglis, (eds. Tzotzos, G.T. & Skryabin, K.G.) 43–
52 (CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2000).
Pesquisador da Embrapa Meio-Norte - Teresina/PI E-mail: aguila@cpamn.embrapa.br -
http://www.meionorte.com/noticias/geral/embrapa-meio-norte-estuda-a-viabilidade-das-
especies-exoticas-59361.html

10

Biotechnology in brazil

More Related Content

Similar to Biotechnology in brazil

More from Romante Rodrigues

Recently uploaded

Biotechnology in brazil