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EVENTS OF INTEREST
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HIGHLIGHTS Biotechnology Industry Association Convention, Boston, May 6-9, 2007 VOTERS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT BIOTECH; WOMEN, ESPECIALLY AGE 65+, MOST CONCERNED ABOUT GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD A national survey found that voters rate finding cures to diseases
as the top national issue--ahead of terrorism or illegal immigration. The
survey, conducted jointly by Public Opinion Strategies and Peter D. Hart
Research Associates, found that in many cases, the public is more optimistic
about the promise of biotechnology to find cures, reduce pollution and improve the energy conservation than are industry executives. Women are
the most concerned about the introduction of genetically modified foods.
While more than half of men in all age groups found GM foods a positive
development, nearly half of women aged 18-54 responded that GM is a
"troubling" development, and nearly 60 per cent of women over 55 responded
that it is "troubling." The research was reported on Sunday, May
6, 2007 at the Biotechnology Industry Organization Convention in Boston. ACTOR MICHAEL J. FOX CALLS FOR ADDED FUNDING FOR RISKY, EARLY STAGE RESEARCH In a keynote address on May 7, actor Michael J. Fox advocated innovations in funding--as well as innovations in drug discovery and development. In discussing his 15-year struggle with Parkinson's disease, he pointed out that many of the drugs he uses today were available when he was first diagnosed and emphasized the need for additional funding in the high-risk, early stages of research. In 2000, Fox established the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research, which funds primarily transitional and clinical research. Fox called his foundation's $90M contributions "miniscule" compared to what is needed to fulfill his mission to find a cure for Parkinson's within the next decade. "The goal is to attract follow-on investing for more expensive clinical trials down the road," he said. BIO Press Release
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