Grupos de pesquisa em biotecnologia moderna no Brasil: uma revisão sobre os fundamentos da política de CTI

Based on the analysis of the CNPq Research Group Directory, this article analyzes the research capabilities in modern biotechnology in Brazil. This is a first step to build an accurate method to identify the research groups that develop activities in the frontier areas of biotechnology. This paper aims at offering accurate information about the research capabilities in this area, which can be used as a tool for critically reviewing the foundations of the current policies devoted to support biotechnological activities. This work was done through a key word searching methodology in the CNPq database and sustains the fact that the number of research groups in modern biotechnology is significantly smaller than the number identified in the official policy documents. However, it is not the purpose of this article to find mistakes in those documents, but to provide arguments about the relevance of building reliable indicators as the basis of policy formulation. Moreover, this article characterizes the “cognitive map” of the research lines in modern biotechnology in Brazil. Finally, it discusses the specific features of the research capabilities pattern of territorial agglomeration.