28 M. M. Bugge et al.
2.4.1 The bio- technology vision
The primary aims and objectives in the bio- technology vision relate to economic growth and job creation (Pollack, 2012; Staffas et al., 2013). Thus,
while positive effects on climate change and environmental aspects are
assumed, economic growth is clearly prioritised above sustainability. Therefore, feedback effects following from the use of bio- technology are most
often ignored (Richardson, 2012). Similarly, risks and ethical concerns are
subordinate priorities to economic growth (Hilgartner, 2007).
Value creation is linked to the application of biotechnologies in various
sectors, as well as to the commercialisation of research and technology. It is
expected that economic growth will follow from capitalising on biotechnologies, and intermediaries (such as bio- technology news providers) between
bio- technology research firms and investors play an important role in stimulating economic growth around the bioeconomy (Morrison & Cornips,
2012). Consequently, investments in research and innovation, which will
result in the production of scientific knowledge, are an absolutely central
aspect in this version of the bioeconomy. Research starts from processes
operating at the molecular level and products and production processes are
Table 2.7 Key characteristics of the bioeconomy visions
The bio-technology
vision
The bio-resource vision
The bio-ecology vision
Aims and
objectives
Economic growth
and job creation
Economic growth and
sustainability
Sustainability,
biodiversity, conservation
of ecosystems, avoiding
soil degradation
Value
creation
Application of
biotechnology,
commercialisation
of research and
technology
Conversion and upgrading
of bio-resources (process
oriented)
Development of
integrated production
systems and high-quality
products with territorial
identity
Drivers and
mediators of
innovation
R & D, patents,
TTOs, research
councils and
funders (science
push, linear
model)
Interdisciplinary,
optimisation of land use,
including degraded land in
the production of biofuels,
use and availability of bioresources, waste
management, engineering,
science and market
(interactive and
networked production
mode)
Identification of
favourable organic
agro-ecological
practices, ethics, risk,
transdisciplinary
sustainability, ecological
interactions, re-use and
recycling of waste, land
use (circular and selfsustained production
mode)
Spatial focus Global clusters/
central regions
Rural/peripheral regions Rural/peripheral regions
2.4.1 The bio- technology vision
The primary aims and objectives in the bio- technology vision relate to economic growth and job creation (Pollack, 2012; Staffas et al., 2013). Thus,
while positive effects on climate change and environmental aspects are
assumed, economic growth is clearly prioritised above sustainability. Therefore, feedback effects following from the use of bio- technology are most
often ignored (Richardson, 2012). Similarly, risks and ethical concerns are
subordinate priorities to economic growth (Hilgartner, 2007).
Value creation is linked to the application of biotechnologies in various
sectors, as well as to the commercialisation of research and technology. It is
expected that economic growth will follow from capitalising on biotechnologies, and intermediaries (such as bio- technology news providers) between
bio- technology research firms and investors play an important role in stimulating economic growth around the bioeconomy (Morrison & Cornips,
2012). Consequently, investments in research and innovation, which will
result in the production of scientific knowledge, are an absolutely central
aspect in this version of the bioeconomy. Research starts from processes
operating at the molecular level and products and production processes are
Table 2.7 Key characteristics of the bioeconomy visions
The bio-technology
vision
The bio-resource vision
The bio-ecology vision
Aims and
objectives
Economic growth
and job creation
Economic growth and
sustainability
Sustainability,
biodiversity, conservation
of ecosystems, avoiding
soil degradation
Value
creation
Application of
biotechnology,
commercialisation
of research and
technology
Conversion and upgrading
of bio-resources (process
oriented)
Development of
integrated production
systems and high-quality
products with territorial
identity
Drivers and
mediators of
innovation
R & D, patents,
TTOs, research
councils and
funders (science
push, linear
model)
Interdisciplinary,
optimisation of land use,
including degraded land in
the production of biofuels,
use and availability of bioresources, waste
management, engineering,
science and market
(interactive and
networked production
mode)
Identification of
favourable organic
agro-ecological
practices, ethics, risk,
transdisciplinary
sustainability, ecological
interactions, re-use and
recycling of waste, land
use (circular and selfsustained production
mode)
Spatial focus Global clusters/
central regions
Rural/peripheral regions Rural/peripheral regions