Presentation

This work is the result of joint efforts by researchers from Argentina and Brazil to offer the scientific and business community an updated compilation of the main laws and regulations governing research, development and marketing of biotechnology in the countries of Mercosur (the Common Market of the South [Spanish: Mercosur; Portuguese: Mercosul]).

This research was made possible through support provided by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) [Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico], a Brazilian public institution dedicated to scientific and technological development, and the Argentine-Brazilian Center for Biotechnology (CABBIO) [Centro Argentino-Brasileño de Biotecnología]. These institutions have played an important role in training human resources and promoting strategic studies in biotechnology in the Southern Cone.

The binational team responsible for this work was composed of researchers with expertise in matters relating to scientific and technological development in the area of life sciences. In addition to their interest in strategic studies, they brought a wealth of personal experience in biotechnology research.

At this juncture, it is essential for the Mercosur countries to incorporate modern biotechnology in vital sectors of their economic affairs, such as health, agriculture and the environment, in order achieve not only economic growth but also – and most importantly – sustainable growth. Therefore, this book also represents a timely contribution to the development of biotechnology in the current setting.

Carlos Alberto Moreira-Filho
Coordinator of the Biotechnology Center, of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB-USP)
[Centro de Biotecnologia do Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas da Universidade de São Paulo]