Good morning. Thank you very much for your testimonies.
I am sure you are more qualified than I am in biotechnology. I won't be telling you anything new when I say that biotechnology does not only deal with genetically modified organisms, but that it has a much broader scope. Biotechnology is invaluable to humanity, particularly to human health and animal health. For example, in my constituency, Domtar is currently building a pilot plant to produce nanocrystalline cellulose from wood fibre. There will be applications in all areas, and health in particular. It is a way forward for the forestry industry in Quebec and across Canada, at a time when the industry is facing real, though cyclical, challenges. At the moment, we are looking for new possibilities for the forestry sector and I think biotechnology is one way forward.
But, when we talk about genetically modified organisms, guidelines should be in place before any product is marketed. Just now, before Mr. Cross had to leave, Mr. Lemieux asked him a question about Bill C-474, which is currently before the House of Commons. We shouldn't bring up a doomsday scenario right away. We have to say that we are studying the commercial impact of a genetically modified organism before putting it on the market. For example, that's what they did in Argentina, which is one of the leading producers of genetically modified organisms. You said it well. Before taking purely partisan positions or simply playing politics, I tried to find out what the impacts in Argentina were, according to the studies. In addition to looking at the impact on health and the environment, a study was also done on the impact on international trade. So far, there has been no case filed against Argentina by the other countries or by the World Trade Organization. This example provides additional confirmation of what needs to be done before a product is put on the market.
Mr. Kerr mentioned the precautionary principle. I think that allowing no risk is actually very difficult. I also don't think that this is the understanding of the 160 signatory countries to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety that, may I remind you, aims to set control standards based on the precautionary principle. Canada has not ratified the protocol. And to say that all these countries have never marketed genetically modified organisms is false. Some of these countries are producers of genetically modified organisms and also develop biotechnology. So it is possible to do both, and do research on biotechnology. Before putting a product on the market, extensive analyses can be conducted to make sure public health is not at risk. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive.
Ms. Hobbs, you've made some very interesting comments on investments, and I am going to ask you a question about the situation in the United States. You've said that the return on investment is roughly 20% in the U.S. Do you know how things work in the U.S.? Is the government the largest investor in biotechnology or does the private sector invest more?