That question does arise, and the answer is by no means simple. Very substantial quantities of raw materials will be needed in order to establish biotechnology industry on a large scale, and the sources will have to be diversified. The sectors concerned will be the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and possibly the energy sectors. Another problem in biotechnology is that of patents. The patenting problems which arise in the area of genetic engineering, microorganisms and the use of biocatalysts need to be discussed at international level, the OECD being a particularly appropriate forum.
Safety is another matter to which the experts wish to draw attention.
Some leading experts are sure that, above a certain scale, it will be practically impossible to guarantee absolutely no leakages of microorganisms during production itself or during the essential stages of molecule purification and recovery. Safety matters need to be examined at international level, since otherwise they could lead to differences in legislation and practice and accordingly generate economic and industrial tension between countries. Biotechnology and the biotechnology industry open up new horizons for human activity, and especially for industry, in the near future. Governments need to be alive to what is happening in this field and they will have to take initiatives and define appropriate policy, even though the private sector will frequently be the driving force in industrial development. At all events, the time has come to leave the stage where biotechnology was the subject of an uncontrolled publicity cult.