Date: 09/03/2004
Source: Department of Science and Technology
Title: B Sonjica: Address at Biotechnology Conference
SPEECH BY DEPUTY MINISTER OF ARTS, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MS BUYELWA SONJICA, OPENING OF A CONFERENCE ON "BIOTECHNOLOGY, THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA - TOWARDS INFORMED DECISION MAKING", 9 March 2004
Ambassador Hume, United States Ambassador to South Africa
Dr Khotso Mokhele, President of the National Research Foundation
International guests
Colleagues from the different government departments
Members of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I welcome you all to this conference.
This year South Africa celebrates ten (10) years of democracy. This has been a decade in which South Africans have come against many challenges and made great strides in their many areas of endeavour.
Amongst some of the challenges we faced was a fragmented Science and Technology system, based on the principles of racial exclusion. The publication of the White Paper on Science and Technology in 1996 set a course of government's engagement with the public as it sought to transform our Science and Technology system into a better coordinated and inclusive system whose benefits would accrue to all South Africans.
Another milestone was the launch of the National Biotechnology Strategy in 2001 in which government set the agenda for the development of biotechnology industry in this country. The strategy led to the establishment of the Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centres (BRIC's) whose mandate is to champion innovation in biotechnology and stimulate development of a biotechnology industry. I am informed that you will hear more about what the centres do and their achievements from subsequent speakers.
In the quest to create a biotechnology industry, government has taken cognisance of the concerns raised about certain aspects of biotechnology which relate to ethics, the risk to human health, the threat to the environment and so on. Thus one of the key recommendations of the National Biotechnology Strategy was the establishment of the Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB) programme. The PUB programme was tasked with providing credible information to the public to enable South Africans to participate meaningfully in the debates about biotechnology and to enable them to make informed decisions. The PUB programme was launched in order to promote public dialogue and foster a common understanding about the applications and potential of biotechnology, and its impact on the lives of South Africans.
Government has passed a range of balanced legislation and acceded to international protocols, which aim to protect the environment and promote sustainable use of resources. South Africa has established a sound regulatory environment, which compares favourably with international best-practice. Here I would like to commend my colleagues from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Department of Health, the National Department of Agriculture, for ensuring the safety of our environment and the health of all South Africans through a robust regulatory regime.
It is under the auspices of the PUB programme that we are gathered at this conference to engage in a discourse about the manner in which we communicate developments in biotechnology and how they affect our lives. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to communicate both the achievements and limitations responsibly, across all areas of science and technology. This platform is a unique opportunity to articulate our aspirations about what biotechnology can do to enhance the quality of life of all South Africans. Let our dialogue shape the way we should optimally harness biotechnology to improve industrial processes and output; provide medical solutions and increase food production. A polarised debate will not achieve this. It will detract us from exploiting this powerful technology and employing our skills in areas such as human health, mining and industry, agriculture where we possess a competitive advantage to contribute to improve the quality of life of South Africans.
Our actions as biotechnology stakeholders from government, research community, media, and industry should be guided by the highest ethical standards, and a collective accountability to the broader South African public.
The past decade bears proof of what South Africans can achieve when we talk to each other. Therefore, I hope that your deliberations in these two days will be fruitful and continue this tradition. I hope that you shall seek common ground as we build a collective vision of biotechnology in South Africa.
Thank you.
Issued by Department of Science and Technology
9 March 2004
Source: Department of Science and Technology
Title: B Sonjica: Address at Biotechnology Conference
SPEECH BY DEPUTY MINISTER OF ARTS, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MS BUYELWA SONJICA, OPENING OF A CONFERENCE ON "BIOTECHNOLOGY, THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA - TOWARDS INFORMED DECISION MAKING", 9 March 2004
Ambassador Hume, United States Ambassador to South Africa
Dr Khotso Mokhele, President of the National Research Foundation
International guests
Colleagues from the different government departments
Members of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I welcome you all to this conference.
This year South Africa celebrates ten (10) years of democracy. This has been a decade in which South Africans have come against many challenges and made great strides in their many areas of endeavour.
Amongst some of the challenges we faced was a fragmented Science and Technology system, based on the principles of racial exclusion. The publication of the White Paper on Science and Technology in 1996 set a course of government's engagement with the public as it sought to transform our Science and Technology system into a better coordinated and inclusive system whose benefits would accrue to all South Africans.
Another milestone was the launch of the National Biotechnology Strategy in 2001 in which government set the agenda for the development of biotechnology industry in this country. The strategy led to the establishment of the Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centres (BRIC's) whose mandate is to champion innovation in biotechnology and stimulate development of a biotechnology industry. I am informed that you will hear more about what the centres do and their achievements from subsequent speakers.
In the quest to create a biotechnology industry, government has taken cognisance of the concerns raised about certain aspects of biotechnology which relate to ethics, the risk to human health, the threat to the environment and so on. Thus one of the key recommendations of the National Biotechnology Strategy was the establishment of the Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB) programme. The PUB programme was tasked with providing credible information to the public to enable South Africans to participate meaningfully in the debates about biotechnology and to enable them to make informed decisions. The PUB programme was launched in order to promote public dialogue and foster a common understanding about the applications and potential of biotechnology, and its impact on the lives of South Africans.
Government has passed a range of balanced legislation and acceded to international protocols, which aim to protect the environment and promote sustainable use of resources. South Africa has established a sound regulatory environment, which compares favourably with international best-practice. Here I would like to commend my colleagues from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Department of Health, the National Department of Agriculture, for ensuring the safety of our environment and the health of all South Africans through a robust regulatory regime.
It is under the auspices of the PUB programme that we are gathered at this conference to engage in a discourse about the manner in which we communicate developments in biotechnology and how they affect our lives. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to communicate both the achievements and limitations responsibly, across all areas of science and technology. This platform is a unique opportunity to articulate our aspirations about what biotechnology can do to enhance the quality of life of all South Africans. Let our dialogue shape the way we should optimally harness biotechnology to improve industrial processes and output; provide medical solutions and increase food production. A polarised debate will not achieve this. It will detract us from exploiting this powerful technology and employing our skills in areas such as human health, mining and industry, agriculture where we possess a competitive advantage to contribute to improve the quality of life of South Africans.
Our actions as biotechnology stakeholders from government, research community, media, and industry should be guided by the highest ethical standards, and a collective accountability to the broader South African public.
The past decade bears proof of what South Africans can achieve when we talk to each other. Therefore, I hope that your deliberations in these two days will be fruitful and continue this tradition. I hope that you shall seek common ground as we build a collective vision of biotechnology in South Africa.
Thank you.
Issued by Department of Science and Technology
9 March 2004
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