Chapter 31
Biotechnology Information: An Introduction Ronald A. Rader
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OMEC International, Inc., 727 15th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005
Biotechnology, no matter how broadly or narrowly defined, is a major activity in the U.S. involving industry, government, and non-profit institutions (1). Many different definitions of biotechnology exist, and like the term information resource, it is more readily recognized when encountered than defined. Biotechnology may be defined as the controlled application of intact biological organisms or isolated cellular components to solve problems or obtain desirable benefits (2). This usually involves use of microorganisms, plant or animal cells, organelles, enzymes, or other constituents to obtain a transformation or product. Many make distinctions between "old biotechnology," such as baking, brewing, cheesemaking, composting, and other processes which have been used for millenia, and "new biotechnology" involving more precise genetic and cellular manipulation and control, based on current knowledge of biology and chemistry. This papers, like most discussions of biotechnology, concentrates on newer biotechnology. An information resource may be broadly defined as an organized information source which may be used systematically to obtain information meeting a specific need. Generally, this definition includes the full variety of information systems and services available, but excludes most primary sources of information, such as particular journals, technical reports, and proceedings. Many types and forms of information resources are available, including: bibliographic, numeric, and factual databases; information centers and libraries; index and abstract services and publications; bibliographies; culture, germplasm, and specimen collections; referral centers and clearinghouses; directories and guides; and management information systems. Note that use of an information resource may involve interaction with databases, hard copy documentation, and/or individuals. In all cases, a limiting factor in the value and utility of an information resource is the ability of the user to interact with the resource. As demonstrated by two recent books, Information Sources in Biotechnology (3) including descriptions of most commercially available information resources, and the Federal Biotechnology Information Resources Directory (4) covering U.S. government sponsored 0097-6156/88/0362-0002S06.00/0 © 1988 American Chemical Society
In The Impact of Chemistry on Biotechnology; Phillips, Marshall, et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1988.
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Biotechnology Information: An Introduction
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biotechnology-relevant information resources, there i s a wealth of information available to support biotechnology. This consists primarily of the mature infrastructure of information resources i n the chemical, biomedical and l i f e sciences. However, problems and p i t f a l l s arise when t r y i n g to obtain s p e c i f i c , desired information, e s p e c i a l l y i n biotechnology. Here, information resource a c c e s s i b i l i t y , organization, relevance, costs, ease of use, format, subject orientation, and a multitude of other factors affect t h e i r value and uses. These factors affect both use of i n t e r n a l and external i n f o r mation resources. Most successfull organizations eventually establ i s h in-house dedicated information resources, such as an informat i o n center/library, and/or employ at least one p a r t i a l l y dedicated employee to deal with t h e i r information r e t r i e v a l and organization needs and problems. This i s the f i r s t c o l l e c t i o n of papers concerning biotechnology information published i n the U.S. Papers discuss: 1) The o v e r a l l status of the infrastructure of information resources supporting U.S. biotechnology e f f o r t s . 2) The c r i t i c a l role and potential contributions of information s p e c i a l i s t s to biotechnology, e s p e c i a l l y when integrated into the research and development process. 3) Information resources for the assessment of hazards from biotechnology products, and e s p e c i a l l y for g e n e t i c a l l y engineered, novel organisms to be released into the environment, from the perspect i v e of the Environmental Protection Agency. Considerable investments have propelled U.S. biotechnology and related sciences and industries to a current p o s i t i o n of world preeminence. To a large extent, biotechnology and genetic engineering developed from f e d e r a l l y funded research programs. Currently, federal agencies spend over $2 b i l l i o n i n biotechnology and related areas (5.-£) . Private industry probably spends on the order of twice or more t h i s amount annually. Much innovative biotechnology r e search and development occurs i n small start-up companies, usually founded by s c i e n t i s t s with venture c a p i t a l funding. Large establ i s h e d chemical, pharmaceutical and other companies have become involved i n biotechnology through acquisitions of s u c c e s s f u l l s t a r t ups, j o i n t ventures, l i c e n c i n g of technology, and establishment of in-house research and development e f f o r t s . The reader should note, that the information resources, services and expertise provided within the authors' organizations are not those t y p i c a l l y found i n most biotechnology-intensive organizat i o n s . The companies represented here are among the e l i t e of U.S. biotechnology. They are well funded, have large s t a f f s , have major products and technologies entering the market, and function competit i v e l y on a worldwide basis (2) · Similarly, the Environmental Protection Agency has considerable resources.
Literature Cited 1. Office of Technology Assessment, Commercial Biotechnology: An International Analysis, OTA-BA-218, Government Printing Office, January 19, 1986.
In The Impact of Chemistry on Biotechnology; Phillips, Marshall, et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1988.
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THE IMPACT OF CHEMISTRY ON BIOTECHNOLOGY
2. Definition from BioInvention (formerly Biotechnology Patent Digest), OMEC International, Washington, DC (functionally the same as the many other definitions in use). 3. Crafts-Lighty, Α., Information Sources in Biotechnology, 2nd edit., Nature Press, New York, 1986. 4. OMEC International, Federal Biotechnology Information Resources Directory, Washington, DC, 1987. 5. Office of Technology Assessment, Public Funding of Biotechnology Research and Training, workshop held Sept. 9, 1986, Washington, DC (in press). 6. Perpich, J. G., "A Federal Strategy for International Industrial Competiveness," Bio/Technology, vol. 4, pp. 522-525, June, 1986. 7. OMEC International, Inc. is a member of the Porton International Group, the largest private investor-held biotechnology company in the world. RECEIVED July 30,
1987
In The Impact of Chemistry on Biotechnology; Phillips, Marshall, et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1988.
