FEARS FOR THE FUTURE
THE CURRENT OUTCRY ABOUT GENETIC ENGINEERING IN
BRITAIN HAS LEFT INDUSTRY LEADERS IN A STATE OF
SHOCK. THEY FEAR THE BACKLASH WILL JEOPARDISE
FUTURE INVESTMENT IN THE COUNTRY ACROSS THE
WHOLE OF THE BIOSCIENCE SECTOR.
NIGEL POOLE, HEAD OF EXTERNAL REGULATORY AFFAIRS
AT ZENECA PLANT SCIENCE IN BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE:
"BRITAIN COULD BE CLASSED AS NUMBER TWO IN
BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD, AFTER THE US, BUT IT'S
CLINGING ON BY ITS FINGERTIPS. THESE WITCH-HUNTS
ARE CRAZY. I FEEL QUITE EMOTIONAL ABOUT THIS AT THE
MOMENT. WE STILL BELIEVE IN THE UK, BUT GOD KNOWS
WHY."
GEORGE POSTE, CHIEF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
OFFICER WITH THE ANGLO-AMERICAN DRUGS GIANT
SMITHKLINE BEECHAM, BASED IN PHILADELPHIA:
"THE HYSTERIA WE'VE SEEN CAN BE USED AS A
SPRINGBOARD TO GO AFTER OTHER ASPECTS OF GENE
RESEARCH. PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION INFLUENCE
LEGISLATION AND LEGISLATION INFLUENCES WHETHER A
COMPANY INVESTS. THE OVERALL CLIMATE OF
TOLERANCE FOR EXTREMES OF THE
ANTI-TECHNOLOGICAL MOVEMENT IS TAKEN INTO
ACCOUNT."
CHRIS EVANS, FOUNDER OF MERLIN VENTURES AND
BRITAIN'S LEADING BIOTECH ENTREPRENEUR:
"WE'RE COLLECTIVELY BEING DEMONISED AS
FRANKENSTEIN'S ASSISTANTS. IT'S BECOMING SILLY, LIKE
SALEM WITCH-HUNTS. WE MUST RAISE MONEY, BUT
PEOPLE WHO BUY SHARES ARE AFFECTED BY WHAT THEY
READ. IT COULD LIMIT OPTIONS FOR RAISING FUNDS FOR
THE MEDICAL SIDE OF THE INDUSTRY."
BILL FULLAGAR, PRESIDENT OF THE BRITISH ARM OF THE
SWISS-BASED MULTINATIONAL NOVARTIS, A MAJOR
PRODUCER OF PHARMACEUTICALS AND GM CROPS:
"ANYTHING LIKE WHAT WE'VE SEEN GO ON IN THE LAST
WEEK MUST PUT PRESSURE ON THE AUTHORITIES. THIS
CAN LEAD TO DECISIONS THAT STOP COMPANIES FROM
INVESTING. WE ARE A GLOBAL COMPANY. BRITAIN IS NOT
THE ONLY PLACE WHERE YOU CAN DO RESEARCH:
THERE'S THE WHOLE OF NORTH AMERICA AND THE
WHOLE OF EUROPE."
JEREMY CURNOCK COOK, HEAD OF THE ROTHSCHILD
BIOSCIENCE UNIT IN LONDON, RESPONSIBLE FOR FUNDS
WORTH SOME $500 MILLION:
"It will harm investment in the UK. Ultimately, investors
don't differentiate between the elements of the sector. No
one will care whether it's GM crops or healthcare."
from New Scientist, 27 February 1999
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