Álvaro González was invited to participate in the commission to contribute to the decision-making process that will enhance the impact of biotechnology development in Chile.

Viña Concha y Toro’s Center for Research and Innovation (CRI), through its Director, Álvaro González, was invited to join the Ministerial Advisory Commission on Biotechnology. “This appointment as a member of the new Ministerial Advisory Commission on Biotechnology is a recognition of Viña Concha y Toro and the CRI for its pioneering role in the development of sustainable solutions based on biotechnology as a pillar of competitiveness and economic growth, highlighting the development of new plant materials for the wine industry,” said Álvaro González.

The integration of the CRI is the result of 10 years of work on strategic R+D+i programs, innovation in action, infrastructure and equipment development, and relations with academia and public and private stakeholders.

The committee is made up of members from academia, industry, and science and technology-based companies (STBCs) specializing in biotechnology. It is led by the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Aisén Etcheverry.

Its purpose is to generate contributions to design a strategy and public policies that promote the advance and implementation of biotechnology in Chile, ensuring that its application is ethical and responsible. It also aims to promote its linkage with key areas such as health, the environment, forestry and agriculture, aquaculture, mining, industry and energy, among other areas with strategic potential.

The main objective of this commission is to formulate concrete recommendations for decision-making that will enhance the impact of biotechnology development in Chile, considering both academia and industry in the context of a global technological challenge. As a result, it will prepare a report with key technical inputs to advise the Ministry and proposals for the development of public policies in the short, medium and long term.

“Our mission is to prepare a report within 100 days to feed into what will be a new national biotechnology strategy: this will enable the future design of public policies based on evidence and expert recommendations, which will have an impact on various industries, including the wine industry, reducing the regulatory uncertainty that currently surrounds the biotechnology solutions developed at the CRI,” added Álvaro.