The Annual International Convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO 2004) took place from 6-9 June 2004, in San Francisco, US.

BIO 2004 was attended by more than 16,000 representatives from 61 countries. These participants were met with hundreds of activists who gathered to protest biotechnology and corporate power.
BIO represents over 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, and state biotechnology centers in the US and abroad, involved in the research and development of health, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. During BIO 2004, the launch of BIO Ventures for Global Health was announced, a non-profit organization engaging the biotechnology industry in the fight against neglected diseases, which will work with companies, donors and investors to bring new vaccines, therapies and delivery tools in developing country markets.
Noting that genetic engineering adversely impacts the environment and jeopardizes food security, demonstrators organized a teach-in session on the consequences of biotechnology and corporate globalization. They attempted to disrupt the convention with civil disobedience actions, and 32 people were arrested for blockading the street outside the convention center. At the same time, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors began considering a resolution commending the protest and drawing attention to the “potentially devastating repercussions of biotechnology on human health and the environment.”
Links to further information
Environment News Service, 9 June 2004
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2004/2004-06-09-01.asp
BIO Press Release, 9 June 2004
http://www.bio.org/events/2004/media/pr2.asp?id=2004_0609_01
BIO News Room
http://www.bio.org/events/2004/
Reclaim the commons
http://reclaimthecommons.net/
Food First press release, 6 June 2004
http://www.foodfirst.org/media/display.php?id=403