BIO and ICBA Release Updated Report on Biotechnology’s Role in Meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released an updated report produced in partnership with the International Council of Biotechnology Associations (ICBA) that highlights biotechnology’s role in meeting the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The report, “Biotechnology: Driving Solutions for Sustainable Development,” underscores the solutions required to confront climate challenges and emphasizes the pivotal role that biotechnology can play in overcoming these challenges.
“Societies around the world face a growing number of challenges in terms of enhancing food security, reducing pollution and emissions, and improving health outcomes. Biotechnology can – and often already is – providing tools needed to feed, fuel, and heal communities worldwide. This important research details how best to leverage biotechnology for advancing equity and more sustainable development,” said John Murphy, chief policy officer at BIO.
Some key areas outlined in the report where biotechnologies can have an impact include:
- Contributing to poverty reduction by supporting the resilience of crops and farmers, improving living conditions and health outcomes, and increasing access to affordable medical therapies;
- Substantially transforming the efficiency of food production with innovations that improve crop yields and the nutritional values of food crops;
- Enabling the rapid introduction of clinical trials of vaccines, the search for effective therapies, and a deep investigation of both the origins and the ways in which viruses spread;
- Developing solutions that reduce water usage and waste, and ensure that water is safe from contaminants;
- Producing fuel alternatives like biofuels and microbial fuel cells, which provide a cleaner and more-sustainable source of energy and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
- Developing bio-based materials that are biodegradable and reduce waste.
About BIO: BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.