Prensa Latina

With the attendance of experts from over 20 nations, the International Congress “Biotecnologia Habana 2007” starts in this capital Monday, to analyze current bio-production trends.

Eduardo Martinez, director of Technological Development at the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center, said that the meeting will center for the first time in updating the conversion of scientific results in industrial productions.

Cuba must hold this kind of gathering for having reached “larger capacities and infrastructure for the production of biological products with first-world standards, Martinez noted.

The congress’ scientific sessions, to be run until November 9, are divided in seven symposiums.

Another important aspect, he stated, will be experiences in transgenic tobacco plants as bi-reactors to produce bio-molecules to produce human vaccines, of which Cuba is a world pioneer.

Since the mid 80s of last century, Cuba began an accelerated development of biotechnology, generating unique products like the meningococcal type B vaccine.