Industrial biotechnology in public health: perspectives for Latin America and the Caribbean

This paper analyzes, by outlining public perspectives, the current industrial biotechnological capacity of Latin America and the Caribbean to develop regional programs for therapeutic drugs, vaccines and diagnostic products. After discussing perspectives of and constraints on the development of modern industrial biotechnology, the paper concludes by suggesting that, in the face of growing privatization, international negotiations should be redirected. Otherwise, biotechnology will never be a primary resource in the developing world especially in Latin America and the Caribbea