China determined to foster biology talent

Beijing (CNS) – China will foster three to five top biologists by the year 2020, according to the National Long-term Biology Development Program (2010-2020) released by the Ministry of Science and Technology on December 4.

China's goal as described in the program is to become a leading country in terms of biotech by 2020. To this end China plans to foster three to five top biologists in the fields of bio-energy and biotherapy, and to train 3,000 to 5,000 senior biological lab and project managers as well as 300,000 practitioners to boost its bio-industries.

China wrestles with talent shortages at present in the field of biology. Only 150,000 out of 580,000 Chinese biology majors have returned from their overseas studies since 1978. The best talent the country has still needs to develop competencies in cutting-edge biology.