Biotechnology in China (1989)

Summary: In the 1970s, China was in the throes of the Cultural Revolution, and Chinese scientists had little chance to participate in the development of modern biotechnology. However, in the 1980s Chinese leaders made biotechnology their top priority among high-technology fields. Funding for biological research was in creased 25-fold during this period. More money was allocated by competitive, peer-reviewed grants. China reached a level of investment in biotechnology as percentage of GDP comparable to many Western countries. Many joint research projects between China and other countries were established. The purpose of this report was to help the Committee on Scholarly Communication with the People’s Republic of China (CSCPRC) to formulate strategies to continue and expand cooperation between China and the US in biotechnology.