Strategy & Policy Issues: Biotechnology at the Turn of the Century

Introduction: It is often asserted that just as the 20\u2711 century was the century of physics:· the 21 century will be the century of biotechnology. In the 201h century, our knowledge of physics led to the creation of the transistor and integrated circuits, and the resulting explosive growth of computers and information teclmology has altered the economy in fundamental ways. Will a similar transformation of the economy occur in the 21 century as our knowledge of molecular biology increases and our ability to manipulate life through genetic engineering becomes more widespread