"December 2004". Also issued in French.

Includes bibliographical references.

Promise of biotechnology-based health innovation (BHI) -- Challenges of BHI -- Policies for BHI: a framework and recommendations.

Biotechnology-based health innovations over the past century have contributed significantly to the remarkable improvements in the health of Canadians. Recent advances suggest that biotechnology may play an even more significant role in the future. Describes the potential role of biotechnology in relation to the various factors that influence health, discusses some of the social and ethical considerations involved in the applications of biotechnology, sets out a policy framework, and recommends actions necessary to equip our systems to meet the challenges that the unfolding era of modern biotechnology will present.